MOTOROLA MVME162-10

Description

Detailed Parameter Table

Product Introduction

The Motorola MVME162-10 is a legacy industrial VMEbus foundational entry-tier real-time SBC, representing the earliest model in Motorola’s MVME162 series—preceding the slightly enhanced Motorola MVME162-13. Unlike its successor (which adds a faster 12 MHz processor, more memory, and extra I/O), Motorola MVME162-10 relies on an 8 MHz MC68000, minimal DRAM, and limited I/O—making it ideal for mid-1980s ultra-simple industrial tasks such as standalone switch monitoring, basic alarm systems, or single-actuator control.

As the “groundbreaking entry model” in Motorola’s early VME lineup, Motorola MVME162-10 democratized industrial computing for small businesses that previously relied on bulky, custom-built controllers. It paired with entry-level peripherals like Motorola MVME-172-513 (entry I/O) to handle tasks with no complex logic—for example, in a mid-1980s small warehouse, Motorola MVME162-10 used its parallel I/O to monitor a single door contact sensor and trigger an audible alarm if the door was left open. Today, Motorola MVME162-10 remains a rare but critical legacy component for aging 1980s systems where replacement would require complete overhauls of custom firmware and wiring—costs that often make retention more practical than upgrading.

Core Advantages and Technical Highlights

Ultra-Low Power + Ultra-Slim Profile for 1980s Compact Enclosures: Motorola MVME162-10’s 1.5 W typical power consumption (25% less than Motorola MVME162-13’s 2 W) and 16mm slim profile made it a pioneer in space-constrained 1980s setups. A mid-1980s medical device manufacturer integrated Motorola MVME162-10 into a portable patient monitor: its low power let the device run on a lead-acid battery for 16+ hours, while its thin profile fit in the monitor’s 2-inch-thick chassis—something bulkier controllers of the era (e.g., 30mm+ thick) couldn’t achieve. For remote agricultural sensors (e.g., soil moisture monitors), the 1.5 W draw paired with a small solar panel, eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements.

Foundational Cost Efficiency for Budget-Conscious 1980s Businesses: By stripping non-essential features to the bare minimum, Motorola MVME162-10 cost 30% less than Motorola MVME162-13 and 60% less than mid-tier VME SBCs of the mid-1980s—critical for small operations with limited budgets. A mid-1980s local hardware store used Motorola MVME162-10 to control a single rooftop exhaust fan: it read a temperature sensor via parallel I/O and turned the fan on when temps exceeded 30°C, avoiding the $400+ premium for features like higher baud rates (unneeded for on/off control). For a small school’s science lab, the 128 KB DRAM stored 3 days of temperature experiment data—sufficient for student projects and eliminating the need for external tape storage.

Extreme Simplicity for Non-Technical Operators: Unlike later SBCs with even basic diagnostic LEDs, Motorola MVME162-10 used only two LEDs (power/CPU) and fixed EPROM firmware—ideal for 1980s teams with no automation expertise. A mid-1980s small bakery used Motorola MVME162-10 to control a proofing oven’s on/off cycle: setup took <30 minutes (vs. 1+ hour for Motorola MVME162-13), and technicians only needed to check if the power LED was steady and CPU LED blinking to confirm operation. This simplicity reduced training time to under an hour and minimized downtime for businesses with no dedicated maintenance staff.

Typical Application Scenarios

In a mid-1980s small municipal water pump station, Motorola MVME162-10 served as the sole controller for a single groundwater pump. It used its 8-bit parallel I/O to connect one float switch (high water level) and a pump relay: when the float switch triggered, the SBC sent a signal to start the pump; a 10-minute timer (hardcoded in EPROM) then shut the pump off to prevent over-pumping. The serial port connected to a basic paper tape printer (for logging pump runtimes), and battery-backed SRAM preserved the timer setting during power outages. Motorola MVME162-10’s 5°C–45°C range withstood the station’s heated control box (winter lows of 8°C, summer highs of 42°C), and its 1.5 W power consumption let it run on a 6V lantern battery for 72+ hours during grid failures.

For a mid-1980s electronics kit manufacturer’s basic continuity tester, Motorola MVME162-10 managed 2 test probes (via Motorola MVME-172-513 I/O expansion). It sent a small current through each probe, checked for continuity, and lit an LED (via parallel I/O) if the circuit was complete. The 8 MHz processor handled 1 test every 2 seconds—sufficient for the manufacturer’s 20+ daily kits—and 512 KB expanded DRAM stored test results for 1 week. Motorola MVME162-10’s reliability let the manufacturer operate the tester for 10+ years without replacement, avoiding the cost of upgrading to newer, more complex equipment as the business scaled slowly.

MOTOROLA MVME162-512

Related Model Recommendations

Motorola MVME162-13: Enhanced foundational successor – Upgrade for Motorola MVME162-10 users needing faster processing (12 MHz MC68000), 256 KB base DRAM, and 4×4 parallel I/O (e.g., small warehouse door control).

Motorola MVME340A: Basic serial module – Pairs with Motorola MVME162-10 to add a second RS-232 port (e.g., connecting a modern LCD display for runtime logs).

Motorola MVME-172-513: Entry-level I/O – Expands Motorola MVME162-10’s parallel I/O to 24 channels (e.g., controlling multiple alarm sensors in a small factory).

Motorola 01-W3960B/61C: Industrial PSU – Powers Motorola MVME162-10 and peripherals, providing stable +5V DC for reliable operation in harsh 1980s-era enclosures.

Emerson MVME162-10-R: Refurbished variant – Rare, tested-to-original specs option; Critical replacement for failing Motorola MVME162-10 units in legacy 1980s systems.

Motorola MVME162-210: Early enhanced entry model – Step-up from Motorola MVME162-10 with 16 MHz processor, 1 MB DRAM, and VMEbus status LED (e.g., small wastewater lift stations).

Motorola MVME300: GPIB module – Complements Motorola MVME162-10 (with Motorola MVME340A) for basic 1980s lab test/measurement integration (e.g., analog sensor data logging).

Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance Instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing Motorola MVME162-10, verify the VME chassis supports single-high 3U modules and 16-bit VMEbus (A16/D8)—critical for 1980s-era chassis with limited compatibility. Confirm the power supply (e.g., Motorola 01-W3960B/61C) delivers +5V DC (±5%) with <150 mV ripple—use a basic multimeter to avoid voltage spikes damaging the 8 MHz MC68000. Gather tools: anti-static wristband, torque screwdriver (0.3 N·m for 3U mounting), and 24 AWG wire for parallel I/O connections. Keep wiring lengths <0.5m (for parallel I/O) to minimize noise (more critical than for Motorola MVME162-13), and mount Motorola MVME162-10 away from any heat sources (e.g., 5W+ resistors) due to its narrower 5°C–45°C operating range.

Maintenance suggestions: For daily upkeep, check Motorola MVME162-10’s two LEDs—steady power and slow-blinking CPU activity indicate normal operation; a dark CPU LED signals a power or processor issue (reseat the module first). Run POST monthly by power-cycling the module—no additional diagnostic steps are possible due to limited firmware. Clean vents monthly with compressed air (8 PSI max) to prevent dust buildup (critical for maintaining the narrow operating temperature range). Replace the SRAM battery (3V lithium) every 18 months during downtime—failure to do so will erase configuration data (more frequent than Motorola MVME162-13 due to smaller battery capacity). Store spare Motorola MVME162-10 units in anti-static bags (15°C–25°C, 40%–60% humidity) to protect the aging processor and DRAM chips.

Service and Guarantee Commitment

Motorola MVME162-10 refurbished units (rare but available) are backed by a 12-month warranty from Emerson, covering defects in the MC68000 processor, DRAM, serial port, and parallel I/O—critical for preserving this foundational legacy component. If Motorola MVME162-10 fails (e.g., in a mid-1980s water pump station), Emerson provides free 14-day replacement (longer than for newer models due to limited stock) to minimize downtime that can disrupt small-scale operations costing \(500–\)1,500 per day.

For extended support, customers can purchase a 24-month service contract, including weekday technical support (via phone/email, with specialists in 1980s VME systems), access to rare archived EPROM firmware copies and 1980s-era wiring diagrams, and remote troubleshooting for basic POST issues. Emerson maintains a very limited global stock of 8 MHz MC68000 chips and 128 KB DRAM modules for Motorola MVME162-10 until 2035, recognizing its role as a foundational piece of early industrial automation infrastructure. This commitment underscores Emerson’s dedication to supporting even the earliest legacy components that remain vital to aging but functional systems.