Name: Motorola / Emerson MVME5500-0163 6U VME64x Single-Board Computer - MASSIVE
Brand: General Electric

Description

Motorola / Emerson MVME5500-0163 6U VME64x Single-Board Computer

Product Description

The MVME5500-0163 is a high-performance 6U VME64x single-board computer built around the MPC7455 PowerPC processor with AltiVec vector engine. It serves as the master CPU for legacy VMEbus real-time control racks, widely used in critical industrial, power and aerospace embedded systems. This variant is configured with 512 MB ECC SDRAM, dual independent 64-bit PCI buses and two PMC mezzanine expansion slots. It integrates one Gigabit Ethernet port, one 10/100 Ethernet port, dual configurable serial ports, multi-bank boot flash, battery-backed NVRAM and real-time clock. Equipped with the Universe II VME bridge chip, it supports VME master/slave operation, high-speed backplane data transfer and flexible interrupt routing. It runs MOTLoad boot firmware and mainstream real-time operating systems, making it a primary spare replacement for long-lifecycle turbine control, nuclear monitoring and defense test systems.

MVME55006E-0163

Technical Specifications

Item	Parameter
Model	MVME5500-0163
Brand	Motorola / Emerson / Artesyn
Form Factor	6U VME64x single slot board, IEEE ejector handles
Processor	MPC7455 PowerPC, 1 GHz, AltiVec vector coprocessor
Cache	32KB I / 32KB D L1, 2MB L3 cache
Memory	512 MB ECC SDRAM, 133 MHz
Flash Storage	8 MB boot Flash + 32 MB user Flash, dual boot banks
Non-Volatile Storage	32 KB battery-backed NVRAM / RTC
VME Interface	Universe II VME64x controller, A24/A32, 64-bit transfers
PCI	Dual 64-bit PCI buses, 33/66 MHz
Expansion	2 × PMC mezzanine sites (IEEE P1386.1)
Network	1 × 1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet; 1 × 10/100BASE-T
Serial	2 × configurable RS232/422/485 ports
Power Source	+5 V, ±12 V from VME backplane
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ +60°C commercial; conformal coated version -20°C ~ +70°C
Storage Temperature	-40°C ~ +85°C
Supported OS	VxWorks, QNX, LynxOS, Embedded Linux
Onboard Functions	Watchdog timer, self-test diagnostics, MOTLoad firmware

Compatibility & Installation Traps

Compatibility

Works with VME64x compliant backplanes and 6U VME chassis; configurable as VME system controller.
Supports standard PMC I/O, serial, analog and fieldbus mezzanine cards.
Requires matching MOTLoad firmware revision and BSP for the target application; boot parameters stored in NVRAM.
Not pin or firmware drop-in compatible with MVME2400, MVME2600 or MVME2700 series boards; memory map and VME arbitration differ.

Common Installation Traps

Incorrect slot arbitration setting; multiple boards set as VME system controller cause bus lockup and crash.
Depleted NVRAM battery; loss of boot IP, MAC address and startup parameters leads to boot failure after replacement.
Hot insertion with rack power active; backplane transients can damage the Universe II VME bridge and PCI core.
Mismatched PMC modules and PCI mode jumpers; 66 MHz PMC cards may require manual configuration on header pins.
Poor rack airflow; sustained high temperature triggers watchdog resets and uncorrectable ECC memory errors.
Improper Flash bank selection; wrong boot bank selected in MOTLoad prevents loading the runtime operating system.
Missing ESD controls; exposed PMC connectors and memory devices are highly sensitive to electrostatic discharge.
Mixing VME64x and older VME32 backplanes without timing validation; heavy bus load causes intermittent data corruption.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Pre-inspection: Examine MVME5500-0163 for bent edge fingers, PMC connector damage, component corrosion or battery leakage. Confirm model and revision match the original CPU board.
Lockout and isolation: Cut VME rack main AC power, confirm zero voltage on the backplane using a multimeter.
ESD preparation: Wear an ESD wrist strap and use an anti-static mat during all board handling.
Board extraction: Operate front-panel ejector latches to release the board, slide it out smoothly. Label and remove PMC daughter cards one by one.
Install replacement board: Insert the new MVME5500-0163 into the target slot, fully seat the edge connector and close ejectors. Reinstall PMC modules carefully.
Jumper configuration: Verify VME system controller jumpers, PCI clock settings and Flash boot bank selection. Check NVRAM battery status.
Power-up and POST test: Restore rack power, monitor front-panel status LEDs, enter MOTLoad and run memory, Ethernet and VME self-tests.
Software commissioning: Restore saved boot parameters, load validated OS image and application software, validate PMC I/O mapping and network communication.
Final validation: Perform full rack I/O and bus stress testing, confirm data exchange with other VME slave modules, save boot settings and return the system to operational state.