Name: Motorola / Emerson MVME6100-0161 6U VME 2eSST Single-Board Computer - MASSIVE
Brand: General Electric

Description

Motorola / Emerson MVME6100-0161 6U VME 2eSST Single-Board Computer

Product Description

The MVME6100-0161 is a high-end 6U single-slot VME single-board computer, flagship of Motorola’s MVME6100 “VME Renaissance” family, later transferred to Emerson / Artesyn. It adopts the MPC7457 PowerPC processor with AltiVec vector engine, paired with Tundra Tsi148 VME bridge supporting 2eSST high-speed VME protocol, delivering up to 320 MB/s backplane throughput. This variant is configured with 512 MB ECC DDR SDRAM and 128 MB dual-bank boot flash. It integrates dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, two asynchronous serial channels, and two PMC-X mezzanine expansion slots for custom I/O. Powered by MOTLoad firmware, it supports mainstream real-time operating systems and serves as the master controller for high-performance legacy VME racks used in turbine control, aerospace ground test, military and offshore automation. It is a critical long-lifecycle spare for systems requiring high-bandwidth deterministic VME communication.

MVME6100-0161

Technical Specifications

Item	Parameter
Model	MVME6100-0161
Brand	Motorola / Emerson / Artesyn
Form Factor	6U VME single slot, Scanbe ejector handles
Processor	MPC7457 PowerPC @ 1.267 GHz, AltiVec vector unit
Cache	On-chip L1, 256 KB L2, 2 MB L3 cache
Memory	512 MB ECC DDR SDRAM, expandable to 2 GB
Flash Storage	128 MB dual-bank StrataFlash, switch-selectable boot bank
VME Interface	Tsi148 bridge, 2eSST, VME64x, master/slave, 320 MB/s peak
PCI/PCI-X	Dual 64-bit PCI-X buses, 33/66/100 MHz
Expansion	2 × PMC-X mezzanine sites (IEEE P1386.1), front/rear I/O via P2
Network	Dual 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet
Serial	2 × RS232 asynchronous serial ports
Non-Volatile Memory	32 KB battery-backed NVRAM + RTC
Power Source	+5 V, ±12 V from VME backplane
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ +60°C commercial version; conformal coated for extended range
Storage Temperature	-40°C ~ +85°C
Supported OS	VxWorks, QNX, LynxOS, Embedded Linux
Onboard Functions	MOTLoad boot firmware, watchdog timer, front-panel status LEDs, reset/abort switch

Compatibility & Installation Traps

Compatibility

Works with 6U VME64x backplanes supporting 2eSST signaling; configurable as VME system controller.
Supports standard PMC and PMC-X mezzanine I/O modules; PMC I/O can route to front panel or P2 rear I/O.
Requires matching MOTLoad firmware revision and BSP for the application; boot configuration stored in battery-backed NVRAM.
Not drop-in compatible with MVME5500, MVME2400 or older VME SBCs; Tsi148 bridge, memory map and VME timing differ.

Common Installation Traps

Multiple boards set as VME system controller on one backplane, causing bus arbitration lockup.
Expired NVRAM battery loses boot parameters, IP/MAC addresses and startup settings, leading to boot failure.
Hot insertion with rack power active; backplane transients can damage the Tsi148 VME bridge and PCI-X core.
Mismatched PMC-X clock and mode jumpers; 100 MHz PMC modules require careful header configuration.
Poor chassis airflow; high rack temperature triggers watchdog resets and uncorrectable ECC memory faults.
Wrong flash boot bank selected in MOTLoad; board fails to load the runtime OS image.
Missing ESD precautions; PMC connectors and high-speed memory devices are sensitive to electrostatic damage.
Using older VME32-only backplanes without 2eSST support; high bus load causes intermittent data corruption and transfer errors.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Pre-inspection: Check MVME6100-0161 for bent edge fingers, PMC connector damage, component corrosion and battery leakage. Confirm model and revision match the original CPU board.
Lockout and isolation: Cut VME rack mains power and verify zero voltage on the backplane with a multimeter.
ESD preparation: Wear an ESD wrist strap and work on an anti-static surface during board handling.
Board extraction: Release Scanbe ejector latches and slide the board out. Label and remove PMC daughter cards one by one.
Install replacement board: Insert the new MVME6100-0161 into the target slot, fully seat the edge connector and close ejectors. Reinstall PMC modules carefully.
Jumper configuration: Verify VME system controller setting, PCI-X clock mode and flash boot bank selection; inspect NVRAM battery condition.
Power-up and POST test: Restore rack power, observe front-panel LEDs, enter MOTLoad and run memory, Ethernet and VME self-tests.
Software commissioning: Restore saved boot parameters, load validated OS and application images, validate PMC I/O mapping and Gigabit network communication.
Final validation: Perform full rack I/O and VME bus stress testing, confirm data exchange with slave VME modules, save boot settings and return the system to operation.