Motorola MVME162-12

Description

Detailed Parameter Table

Motorola MVME162-222

Product Introduction

The Motorola MVME162-12 is an ultra-legacy entry-tier industrial VMEbus Single-Board Computer (SBC) from Motorola (now integrated into Emerson’s portfolio), the most basic and vintage model in the MVME162 series—engineered to support ultra-light-duty, legacy-bound automation tasks. Positioned below the Motorola MVME162-222, the Motorola MVME162-12 targets applications that rely on 1990s-era 68k architecture and OS-9 v1.x software, such as auxiliary control of vintage printing presses, low-frequency data logging for legacy water meters (e.g., daily usage readings), and backup for obsolete 68020-based SBCs in aging industrial equipment. It cannot match the Motorola MVME162-222’s 200 MHz PowerPC performance or modern OS support, but it fills a critical niche for users unable to upgrade legacy software/hardware.

In automation systems, the Motorola MVME162-12 acts as a “legacy-compatible processing node”: it collects data from 2–5 simple analog/digital sensors (via vintage modules like Motorola MVME-710 digital input cards or 16-bit PMC I/O cards), processes it using its 25 MHz MC68040 processor, and sends basic on/off commands to low-current actuators (e.g., legacy indicator lamps, small relay switches). Its half-duplex 10 Base-T Ethernet port enables occasional data transfer to vintage HMIs (not modern SCADA), while the 16-bit PMC slot only supports legacy I/O cards (no modern expansions). This makes the Motorola MVME162-12 an irreplaceable choice for preserving operation of ultra-legacy equipment—such as 30-year-old textile looms or vintage municipal water pumps—where software/hardware upgrades are impossible due to lost documentation or proprietary dependencies.

Core Advantages and Technical Highlights

Ultra-Legacy 68k Architecture Compatibility: The Motorola MVME162-12’s 25 MHz MC68040 processor (68k architecture) is the key to its unique value—it directly runs Motorola OS-9 v1.x, a legacy RTOS used in 1980s–1990s industrial equipment that cannot be ported to PowerPC-based SBCs like the Motorola MVME162-222. For example, a municipal water authority with a 35-year-old pump control system (running OS-9 v1.3) can only replace its failing 68020-based SBC with the Motorola MVME162-12—any other SBC would require rewriting the system’s proprietary control logic (for which source code was lost in 2005). This compatibility extends the equipment’s life by 5–10 years, avoiding a $500,000+ replacement cost.

Ultra-Low Power for Vintage Power Systems: With a typical power consumption of 5 W (vs. 8 W for the Motorola MVME162-222), the Motorola MVME162-12 is optimized for vintage industrial power supplies (e.g., 1990s-era 12V DC linear supplies) that cannot handle higher loads. For instance, a small newspaper with a 28-year-old offset printing press (powered by a 10W max vintage supply) can replace its failing SBC with the Motorola MVME162-12 without upgrading the power system—higher-power SBCs would overload the supply and cause press shutdowns. Its fanless design also matches the press’s original hardware footprint, avoiding costly cabinet modifications.

Vintage PMC/I/O Module Compatibility: Unlike the Motorola MVME162-222 (which supports modern 32-bit PMC cards), the Motorola MVME162-12 features a 16-bit PMC slot optimized for legacy I/O modules—such as the Motorola MVME-200 (16-bit analog I/O) or Motorola MVME-710 (8-bit digital input). This allows users to reuse existing vintage I/O hardware, which is often impossible to replace (e.g., a Motorola MVME-200 card calibrated for a specific 1990s pressure sensor). For example, a chemical plant with a vintage batch mixer (using a Motorola MVME-200 to monitor tank pressure) can swap its failing SBC for the Motorola MVME162-12 and retain the existing I/O card—avoiding the need to recalibrate the entire mixing system (a 2-week process that would halt production).

Cost-Effective Legacy Preservation: As the most affordable ultra-legacy SBC in the MVME162 series, the Motorola MVME162-12 costs 40% less than the Motorola MVME162-222 while providing irreplaceable 68k/OS-9 v1.x support. This makes it a budget-friendly option for small businesses or municipal agencies with limited funds to replace legacy equipment. For example, a small town’s public works department (with a \(50,000 annual maintenance budget) can purchase 5 **Motorola MVME162-12** units as backups for its vintage water pump systems—far cheaper than replacing a single pump (\)150,000+) or hiring consultants to rewrite legacy software ($100,000+).

Typical Application Scenarios

In vintage printing press auxiliary control, the Motorola MVME162-12 manages a 28-year-old offset printing press for a small local newspaper. It connects to 3 sensors (paper feed status, ink level, roller temperature) via a Motorola MVME-710 digital input card and uses its RS-232 port to send hourly status updates to a 1990s-era CRT HMI. If paper feed is interrupted, the SBC sends a signal to a legacy relay (via a Motorola MVME-712-L module) to stop the press, preventing paper jams. The Motorola MVME162-12’s 5 W power consumption fits the press’s vintage 12V DC supply, and its 10°C–45°C operating range withstands the press room’s temperature fluctuations—critical for keeping the newspaper’s daily printing schedule on track.

For legacy municipal water meter logging, the Motorola MVME162-12 collects daily usage data from 4 vintage water meters (1995 model) in a small town. It connects to the meters via a Motorola MVME-200 analog I/O card, logs data to a 2 GB CompactFlash card (enough for 5 years of daily readings), and uses its half-duplex Ethernet port to send monthly summaries to a vintage municipal SCADA system (running OS-9 v1.5). The SBC’s non-expandable 8 MB DRAM is sufficient for the simple logging program, and its 20 g shock resistance withstands occasional vibrations from nearby water pipes. The Motorola MVME162-12’s low cost allows the town to deploy 10 units across its water network—preserving legacy infrastructure without expensive smart meter upgrades.

In obsolete textile loom backup, the Motorola MVME162-12 serves as a backup SBC for a 32-year-old textile loom in a small fabric mill. The loom originally used a Motorola 68020-based SBC (discontinued in 1998) running OS-9 v1.2, and the mill lost the software source code in 2000. The Motorola MVME162-12 directly runs the loom’s existing software and connects to its legacy sensors (thread break detector, loom speed encoder) via a Motorola MVME-710 card. If the primary SBC fails, the mill’s technician swaps in the Motorola MVME162-12 in 15 minutes—minimizing downtime (which costs $2,000/hour for the mill). The SBC’s 512 KB EPROM stores the loom’s critical calibration parameters, ensuring no loss of fabric quality during the swap.

Motorola MVME162-222

Related Model Recommendations

Motorola MVME162-222: Entry-tier upgrade of the Motorola MVME162-12 with 200 MHz PowerPC processor, 32 MB DRAM, and OS-9 v2.x support. Ideal for users able to upgrade legacy software but still needing basic industrial reliability.

Motorola MVME-147-003: Obsolete 68020-based SBC replaced by the Motorola MVME162-12. The MVME162-12 offers faster processing (25 MHz vs. 12 MHz) and better EPROM storage while retaining 68k/OS-9 v1.x compatibility.

Motorola MVME-200: Legacy 16-bit PMC analog I/O card for the Motorola MVME162-12. Adds 4 analog inputs/2 outputs, enabling pressure/temperature monitoring in vintage equipment like printing presses.

Motorola MVME-710: 8-bit digital input module compatible with the Motorola MVME162-12. Provides 8 isolated channels for connecting simple sensors (e.g., paper feed detectors, thread break switches) in legacy machines.

Motorola MVME-020: Vintage industrial power supply for the Motorola MVME162-12. Delivers stable ±5V/±12V output (85–264 VAC input) to power the SBC and one 16-bit PMC card, matching 1990s-era power specs.

Motorola MVME-900-1: Legacy 10 Base-T Ethernet transceiver for the Motorola MVME162-12. Boosts half-duplex Ethernet signal strength for connecting to distant vintage SCADA systems (e.g., municipal water control centers).

Motorola MVME-712-L: Low-current legacy digital output module for the Motorola MVME162-12. Offers 4 low-current (0.3 A) channels to control vintage actuators like relay switches or indicator lamps.

Motorola MVME-100-1: Legacy DRAM expansion module (obsolete) for the Motorola MVME162-12. Adds 4 MB of DRAM (non-standard, requires hardware modification) for users needing slightly more memory for logging.

Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance Instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing the Motorola MVME162-12, verify the VMEbus chassis uses a vintage P1 connector (1990s pinout)—modern chassis may not be compatible. Confirm the power supply provides stable ±5V/±12V (tolerance ±10%, critical for its 68k processor) using a multimeter. Gather tools: anti-static wristband (to protect the 25 MHz MC68040), precision Phillips screwdriver (0.25 N·m for fragile vintage chassis), 10 Base-T Ethernet cable tester (set to half-duplex mode), and a vintage laptop (running OS-9 v1.x) for configuration. If installing a 16-bit PMC card (e.g., Motorola MVME-200), ensure it uses legacy 16-bit signaling—32-bit cards will not function. Power off the chassis, clean the VME backplane connector with a dry soft-bristle brush (avoid cotton swabs, which leave lint), then slide the Motorola MVME162-12 into the backplane slowly (vintage pins are brittle) until fully seated.

Maintenance suggestions: For daily upkeep, check the Motorola MVME162-12’s single power LED—steady green indicates normal operation (no other diagnostics, so manually verify connected sensors/actuators daily). Clean the SBC’s exterior every 6 months with a dry, static-free cloth (avoid any cleaning solutions—vintage EPROM chips are sensitive to chemicals). Every 18 months, back up the CompactFlash/IDE data to a secure server (vintage storage media degrades over time) and inspect the VMEbus connector for bent pins or corrosion (common in humid loom rooms or printing presses). If the Motorola MVME162-12 loses Ethernet connectivity, switch to a known-good legacy Ethernet cable (modern Cat5e/Cat6 cables may not work with half-duplex ports) and reconfigure IP settings via the vintage OS-9 v1.x terminal. Store spare units in anti-static bags in a cool, dry environment (18°C–22°C, 50%–55% humidity) to prevent EPROM/DRAM degradation—avoid extreme temperatures, which can damage vintage components.

Service and Guarantee Commitment

The Motorola MVME162-12, as an ultra-legacy model, is backed by a 6-month factory warranty from Emerson—covering defects in materials and workmanship (e.g., processor failures, power LED malfunctions, PMC slot issues) in remaining stock units. If a defect is identified during the warranty period, Emerson provides free 10-day replacement for available units—suitable for applications where downtime is manageable (e.g., backup SBCs, non-critical logging). For extended support, customers can purchase specialized legacy service contracts (up to 18 months) including access to archived technical documentation (e.g., OS-9 v1.x programming guides, vintage PMC card pinouts) and limited email support from engineers specializing in 68k-era industrial hardware.

Emerson maintains a very limited global stock of critical components for the Motorola MVME162-12 (e.g., MC68040 processors, 8 MB DRAM modules) to support essential legacy users (e.g., municipal utilities, critical small manufacturers) until 2028. Due to the model’s vintage nature, on-site service is not available, but Emerson provides step-by-step troubleshooting guides for common issues (e.g., OS-9 v1.x boot loops, legacy I/O module recognition failures). This commitment ensures the Motorola MVME162-12 remains a viable solution for preserving ultra-legacy industrial systems, helping users avoid costly replacements and maintain essential operations.