Description
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Type | VMEbus Single-Board Computer (SBC) |
| Brand / Series | Motorola / GE Fanuc / MVME5500 Series |
| Part Number | MVME5500-0163 |
| Processor | PowerPC MPC7455 with AltiVec vector processing |
| Processor Speed | 1 GHz (model-dependent; confirm from nameplate) |
| Cache | 512 KB on-chip L2; 2 MB L3 cache |
| System Controller | Marvell Discovery (MV64x family) |
| Memory | 512 MB ECC SDRAM (expandable to 1 GB via memory mezzanine) |
| Non-Volatile Storage | Flash EPROM (up to 40 MB total, split between soldered and socketed) and battery-backed NVRAM |
| VME Interface | VME64x, 64-bit data/address, 2eVME capable |
| PCI / PMC | Dual independent 64-bit PCI buses (33/66 MHz); two PMC sites |
| Ethernet | 1 × Gigabit Ethernet + 1 × 10/100BaseTX Ethernet |
| Serial | Dual RS-232 (EIA-232-D), up to 38.4 Kbps, RJ-45 front-panel |
| Handles | IEEE-style ejector handles (suffix “-0163” denotes IEEE handles) |
| Operating Temperature | −40 °C to +85 °C (extended industrial grade) |
| Form Factor | 6U VME (233 mm × 160 mm) |
| OS Support | VxWorks, Linux, QNX (BSP-dependent) |
Product Introduction
The MVME5500-0163 is a 6U VME64x single-board computer built around the PowerPC MPC7455 processor running at 1 GHz, with AltiVec vector processing and a Marvell Discovery system controller managing a 133 MHz host and SDRAM bus. It delivers balanced throughput across processor, memory, dual 64-bit PCI buses, and I/O — with two PMC mezzanine sites available for field expansion (additional serial, fieldbus, specialized I/O, or a memory mezzanine to reach 1 GB total DRAM). Network connectivity is provided by one Gigabit Ethernet port and one 10/100BaseTX port, plus dual RS-232 serial ports for console and legacy device access.
This board is found in legacy industrial control, aerospace, defense, and medical-imaging systems where VMEbus remains the installed base. The “-0163” suffix denotes the IEEE-handle variant with 1 GHz MPC7455 and 512 MB SDRAM. Because the MVME5500 is a legacy product, replacement units are primarily available as surplus or refurbished stock. For field deployment, the critical diligence items are confirming the processor variant (MPC7455 vs. MPC7457), DRAM size, firmware/BSP revision, any installed PMC mezzanine cards, and the NVRAM battery condition — mismatches in any of these can prevent the board from booting or integrating with the existing VME chassis configuration.
QA/QC Transparency SOP
- Intake & Origin Verification — Confirm Motorola/GE Fanuc branding, MVME5500-0163 model suffix, serial number, and manufacturing date. Photograph the nameplate, both PMC sites, Ethernet MAC label, and handle type. Reject units with corrosion, cracked PCBs, or bent VME pins.
- Live Functional Testing — Install in a compatible VME64x chassis with proper power (+5 V, +3.3 V). Verify boot sequence, VMEbus enumeration, and OS load from Flash. Confirm both Ethernet ports link and both RS-232 ports transmit/receive.
- Memory & Storage Tests — Run a full ECC SDRAM test to detect soft and hard errors. Verify Flash and NVRAM integrity. Check NVRAM battery voltage (replace if below spec). Verify the hardware watchdog triggers a reset as designed.
- PMC Site Verification — If PMC mezzanine cards are installed, verify they are recognized by the BSP and that their I/O functions correctly. Document each PMC model, firmware, and slot assignment.
- Final QC & Anti-Static Packaging — Seal in ESD bags with desiccant. Include test summary, DRAM size, processor variant, firmware/BSP revision, Ethernet MAC addresses, NVRAM battery voltage, and PMC inventory.
Field Engineer Gotchas
- Suffix Matters — sub-models differ in processor ( vs. MPC7457), DRAM size, handle type (IEEE vs. Scanbe), and memory mezzanine presence. The “-0163” specifically means 1 GHz , 512 MB SDRAM, IEEE handles. Fix: Match the full part number and suffix from the failed module nameplate.
- Memory Mezzanine Conflict — If a PMC module is installed in PMC slot 1, the memory mezzanine card cannot be used simultaneously. Fix: Inventory the original board’s memory configuration before ordering a replacement. War story: A site installed a replacement with a PMC card in slot 1 and found the system had only 512 MB instead of the expected 1 GB — the memory mezzanine was disabled by the PMC occupancy.
- NVRAM Battery Failure — The battery-backed NVRAM holds critical configuration (boot parameters, MAC addresses, VME geographic address). A dead battery causes configuration loss on power-down. Fix: Check NVRAM battery voltage during intake; replace proactively during planned outages. Blunt advice: A board with a dead NVRAM battery is a configuration time bomb.
- PMC Card Dependency — If the application relies on I/O from a PMC mezzanine card, a replacement board without the same PMC will lose critical interfaces. Fix: Inventory PMC card models and firmware before removal.
- VME64x Power Requirements — The requires +3.3 V from the backplane. An older VME chassis without +3.3 V rails may not support the board. Fix: Verify chassis power rails before installation.
- BSP/Firmware Revision — The VxWorks or Linux BSP revision must be compatible with the application image. A mismatched BSP can cause boot failures or driver incompatibilities. Fix: Archive the BSP version and application image from the live board before replacement.
GE MVME5500-0163
Application Scenarios
- Legacy DCS controller replacement — A failed -0163 in a VME-based process control rack must be replaced during a planned outage while preserving the application image, NVRAM configuration, and network settings.
- Aerospace test-stand controller — The SBC runs real-time test sequences, acquiring data via PMC-mounted I/O and reporting results over Gigabit Ethernet.
- Defense data-acquisition node — The ‘s AltiVec engine accelerates signal processing for radar or sonar data streams routed over the VME backplane.
- Medical imaging subsystem — The serves as the embedded controller for an imaging subsystem, leveraging its dual PCI buses and PMC expansion for high-throughput data acquisition.
FAQ
Q: What does the “-0163” suffix mean?
A: It denotes the specific configuration: 1 GHz processor, 512 MB SDRAM, and IEEE-style ejector handles.
Q: What processor does it use?
A: A PowerPC at 1 GHz with AltiVec vector processing, 512 KB L2 cache, and 2 MB L3 cache.
Q: How much memory does it have?
A: 512 MB ECC SDRAM onboard, expandable to 1 GB via a memory mezzanine card (if PMC slot 1 is unoccupied).
Q: How many PMC slots does it have?
A: Two PMC mezzanine sites, each on an independent 64-bit PCI bus running at up to 66 MHz.
Q: What operating systems does it support?
A: Primarily VxWorks, with Linux and QNX BSPs also available depending on the firmware revision.
Q: Is it compatible with older VME chassis?
A: It is VME64x compliant and backward-compatible with VME64/VME chassis for basic operation, but requires +3.3 V from the backplane for full functionality.
Q: Is this board still in production?
A: No. It is a legacy product available primarily as surplus or refurbished stock. Confirm processor variant, DRAM size, firmware/BSP revision, NVRAM battery condition, and PMC configuration before purchase.
