Motorola MVME162-210

Description

Detailed parameter table

Motorola MVME162-210

Product introduction

The Motorola MVME162-210 is a mid-tier balanced VMEbus embedded controller designed by Motorola to address the sweet spot between the cost-optimized Motorola MVME162-10 and feature-enhanced Motorola MVME162-13. Unlike the MVME162-10 (fixed 4 MB DRAM, no Industry Pack® ports), Motorola MVME162-210 adds critical scalability: expandable DRAM (up to 16 MB) and dual 16-bit Industry Pack® ports—enabling modular I/O upgrades for growing sensor networks or process control loops. At the same time, it avoids the MVME162-13’s premium features (Ethernet, FPU option) that many mid-scale users don’t need, delivering value without unnecessary cost.

A defining value of Motorola MVME162-210 is its ability to grow with evolving mid-scale systems. For users operating water treatment plants adding more flow sensors or manufacturing lines expanding quality control checks, Motorola MVME162-210 eliminates the need to replace the entire controller when requirements change. Its isolated serial ports ensure reliable communication with remote sensors (e.g., in noisy factory environments), while the 7-year battery-backed SRAM retains critical process data during power outages—features the MVME162-10 lacks. By balancing functionality and cost, Motorola MVME162-210 extends the service life of mid-scale legacy systems by 8–10 years, avoiding the $50k+ cost of upgrading to higher-spec SBCs or modern platforms.

Core advantages and technical highlights

Expandable DRAM for Growing Data Needs: Unlike the Motorola MVME162-10 (fixed 4 MB DRAM), Motorola MVME162-210 supports up to 16 MB DRAM—critical for applications adding more sensors or complex control logic. A 1990s-era water treatment plant upgrades from MVME162-10 to Motorola MVME162-210 to monitor 8 new flow sensors (up from 2): expanding DRAM to 12 MB allows the controller to store 6 months of historical data (vs. 2 weeks with the MVME162-10), eliminating daily manual data transfers and saving the plant $700 annually in labor. The enhanced DMA also speeds up data access, reducing sensor polling latency by 28%.

Dual Industry Pack® Ports for Modular I/O Expansion: Motorola MVME162-210 adds 2 16-bit Industry Pack® ports (vs. 0 in the MVME162-10 or 1 in the MVME162-13)—enabling flexible I/O upgrades without rewiring. A small automotive parts supplier uses the ports to add a digital I/O module (controlling 16 robotic grippers) and an analog input module (monitoring 8 temperature sensors) to its assembly line control system: this avoids replacing the entire $20k robotic cell (as the MVME162-10 would require) and cuts upgrade costs by 60% vs. switching to the MVME162-13. The Industry Pack®’s hot-swap capability also allows module replacement during scheduled downtime, minimizing production disruptions.

Isolated Serial Ports for Noisy Environments: Motorola MVME162-210’s 2 serial ports are isolated (±2.5 kV) to resist electrical noise—unlike the MVME162-10’s non-isolated ports. A metal fabrication shop uses the controller to connect to 2 RS-422 pressure sensors on a stamping press: the isolation prevents noise from the press’s motor from corrupting sensor data, whereas the MVME162-10 suffered 15% data loss (causing faulty part production). The MVME162-210’s noise immunity reduces rework costs by $3k monthly and ensures compliance with quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001).

Extended Temperature Range for Harsh Indoors: With a -5 °C to +70 °C operating range (vs. 0 °C–+65 °C for the MVME162-10), Motorola MVME162-210 thrives in unheated warehouses or hot manufacturing floors. A plastic injection molding plant deploys the controller near a molding machine (ambient temperature up to +68 °C): the MVME162-210 reliably monitors melt temperature via a serial sensor, while the MVME162-10 shut down repeatedly due to overheating. This reliability avoids $5k weekly in production downtime and extends maintenance intervals from 3 months to 1 year.

Typical application scenarios

In multi-loop water treatment, a municipal utility uses Motorola MVME162-210 to upgrade its MVME162-10-powered filtration system. The controller’s expanded 16 MB DRAM stores data from 10 flow/pressure sensors (up from 3), while dual Industry Pack® ports add a digital I/O module (controlling 8 valves) and an analog output module (adjusting chemical dosing). Isolated serial ports ensure reliable communication with sensors located 200 meters from the control cabinet (via RS-422), avoiding noise from nearby pumps. The utility avoids replacing the \(40k filtration system by upgrading the controller, cutting chemical waste by 18% (via precise dosing) and saving \)25k annually. The 7-year battery-backed SRAM also retains 2 years of maintenance logs, simplifying regulatory reporting.

In manufacturing quality control, a 1995 electronics factory uses Motorola MVME162-210 to monitor a printed circuit board (PCB) inspection line. The controller connects to 6 RS-232 vision sensors (via isolated serial ports) that check for soldering defects, while one Industry Pack® port links to a barcode scanner (tracking defective PCBs) and the other to a digital I/O module (triggering reject mechanisms). The MVME162-210’s enhanced DMA processes sensor data in real time, reducing defect detection latency by 30% vs. the MVME162-10. The factory saves \(18k annually in rework costs, and the optional SCSI-2 interface (added later) stores 1 year of inspection data for traceability—avoiding \)10k in non-compliance fines.

Motorola MVME162-210

Related model recommendations

Motorola MVME162-10: Cost-optimized sibling with fixed specs. Predecessor to Motorola MVME162-210—upgrade when systems need expandable memory/Industry Pack® ports.

Motorola MVME162-13: Enhanced variant with Ethernet/FPU option. Upgrade for Motorola MVME162-210 if applications add remote monitoring or complex calculations (e.g., aerospace test data).

Motorola MVME350: VME I/O expansion module. Complements Motorola MVME162-210—adds extra serial/parallel ports for sensor networks beyond 10 devices.

Emerson MVME162-210 Upgrade Kit: Includes 16 MB DRAM SIMM and Industry Pack® module adapters. Enhances the controller’s scalability for growing systems.

Phoenix Contact QUINT-PS/1AC/5DC/4.5: 5 VDC power supply. Matches Motorola MVME162-210’s power needs (with SCSI/Industry Pack® modules).

Schroff 6U VME Chassis (3-slot): Enclosure fits Motorola MVME162-210, 2 Industry Pack® modules, and MVME350 for full-scale control setups.

Advantech IP-3120: 16-bit Industry Pack® digital I/O module. Paired with Motorola MVME162-210—adds 16 I/O channels for valve/actuator control.

Seagate ST34573N: 4.5 GB SCSI-2 hard drive. Optional for Motorola MVME162-210—stores 1 year of process data for compliance logging.

Wind River VxWorks 3.x: Industrial RTOS optimized for Motorola MVME162-210. Supports Industry Pack® module drivers and multi-tasking for sensor data processing.

National Instruments VME-6500: 4-channel digital I/O module. Compatible with Motorola MVME162-210—adds relay control for emergency stops in process control systems.

Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions

Installation preparation

Before installing Motorola MVME162-210, power off the VMEbus chassis and wear an ESD wristband. Verify the chassis supports A32/D32 VMEbus Rev B/C, has a single free slot, and provides sufficient power (4.1 A max with SCSI/Industry Pack® modules). Gather tools: torque screwdriver (for secure mounting), RS-422 twisted-pair cables (for isolated serial ports), Industry Pack® module insertion tool, and multimeter (check +5 VDC ±5%, ±12 VDC ±10%). For Industry Pack® modules, ensure the controller’s firmware is updated to recognize the specific I/O type (e.g., digital vs. analog). When upgrading from MVME162-10, reuse existing serial wiring but test isolation with a megohmmeter to avoid ground loops.

Maintenance suggestions

Conduct semi-annual maintenance on Motorola MVME162-210: 1) Check LEDs—green power, blinking VME/Industry Pack® activity, no red fault = normal; 2) Use the debug port to run diagnostic firmware (test DRAM expansion, serial isolation, and Industry Pack® communication); 3) Clean dust from the CPU heatsink and Industry Pack® connectors with compressed air (low pressure to avoid coating damage). Replace the SRAM/RTC battery every 6–7 years (Emerson part number 50001459-022) and DRAM SIMM every 8 years (use industrial-grade modules). For troubleshooting, if Industry Pack® modules fail to respond, reseat them and verify firmware compatibility; if serial data is corrupted, check isolation with a megohmmeter. Store a spare Motorola MVME162-210 with matching DRAM/Industry Pack® config to minimize downtime for scaling systems.

Service and guarantee commitment

Emerson provides tailored legacy support for Motorola MVME162-210, aligned with its role in scaling mid-scale industrial systems. The standard warranty for refurbished units is 3 years, covering core components (MC68LC040, expandable DRAM, Industry Pack® ports) and ensuring compatibility with companion modules. For users relying on the controller for critical tasks (e.g., water treatment, manufacturing quality control), the Mid-Scale Legacy Support Plan extends coverage to 5 years, offering 24/5 technical support (6-hour response time for Industry Pack® or serial issues) and access to obsolete parts (e.g., 16 MB DRAM SIMMs).

Customers receive a dedicated resource library for Motorola MVME162-210, including Industry Pack® module compatibility charts, DRAM expansion guides, and serial isolation testing procedures. For repairs, Emerson offers a flat-rate service ($210 per unit—5% lower than the MVME162-13) with a 1-week turnaround, including full functional testing of all ports and modules. This commitment reflects Emerson’s understanding that Motorola MVME162-210 powers evolving mid-scale legacy systems—and its goal to support seamless growth without compromising reliability.