Motorola MVME167-033A

Description

Detailed parameter table

Motorola MVME167-033A

Product introduction

The Motorola MVME167-033A is a foundational entry-level VMEbus single-board computer (SBC) from the earliest generation of Motorola’s MVME167 series—engineered in the mid-1980s as the predecessor to Motorola MVME167-033B for ultra-budget indoor ultra-legacy systems. Unlike the enhanced Motorola MVME167-033B (with extended battery life and serial surge protection) or mid-tier variants, Motorola MVME167-033A targets the most basic indoor control needs: 1980s-era small workshops, simple sensor data loggers, and entry-level laboratory test rigs—where even minor enhancements like surge protection are unnecessary, and cost is the primary driver.

At its core, Motorola MVME167-033A delivers the bare minimum for embedded control: a MC68030 CPU capable of basic polling loops (e.g., checking a switch every 100 ms), 8 MB of soldered DRAM for small datasets, and a serial port for sensor connectivity. It simplifies where the 033B adds value—using a 4-year battery (vs. 6-year) and omitting surge protection—to hit the lowest possible price point. For ultra-budget users like a 1987 small metalworking shop or a 1985 local school lab, Motorola MVME167-033A is irreplaceable. It costs 10% less than the 033B and runs on simpler power supplies, while replacing the systems it powers (e.g., a basic drill press controller) would require sourcing hard-to-find vintage parts or investing in modern machinery—costing 15x more than maintaining this legacy SBC. Even today, it remains in service because it perfectly matches the minimal requirements of the oldest indoor ultra-legacy systems.

Core advantages and technical highlights

Ultra-Low Cost for Ultra-Budget Facilities: Motorola MVME167-033A is the most affordable variant in the early MVME167 lineup—10% cheaper than Motorola MVME167-033B—making it ideal for facilities with extremely limited budgets. A 1987 small indoor woodworking shop uses Motorola MVME167-033A to control a basic band saw’s safety interlock: the SBC checks if the guard is closed (via a serial-connected switch) and enables the saw only if the guard is secure. The shop avoids the 033B’s \(200 premium (for unused battery and surge protection) and fits the SBC into its \)800 annual equipment budget—critical for a small business operating on thin margins.

Ultra-Low Power Draw for Simple Power Supplies: With a power consumption of ~10 W (9% lower than Motorola MVME167-033B), Motorola MVME167-033A runs on basic, low-cost power supplies that the 033B might overload. A 1985 local high school science lab uses the SBC to log room temperature data: it runs on a 12 VDC, 1 A wall adapter (costing $20) instead of the industrial power supply required for the 033B. This simplicity reduces setup costs by 50% and makes the SBC safe for student use, as there’s no need for high-voltage wiring.

VMEbus Rev B Compatibility for 1980s-Era Indoor Modules: Like later variants, Motorola MVME167-033A is fully compliant with VMEbus Revision B—critical for the oldest indoor VME modules (1980s-era) that even Motorola MVME167-033B may struggle to support. A 1986 vintage electronics repair shop uses the SBC to test 1980s military communication modules: the 033A’s early Rev B implementation communicates seamlessly with these ultra-legacy modules, while the 033B’s slightly updated Rev B firmware causes intermittent communication failures. This compatibility allows the shop to service rare military equipment, generating $50k annually in specialized revenue.

Simplified Design for Easy Vintage Repairs: Motorola MVME167-033A’s mid-1980s PCB design uses fewer components and simpler circuitry than Motorola MVME167-033B, making it easier for technicians to repair with basic tools. A 1988 small-scale electronics hobbyist collective uses the SBC in a shared test bench: when a capacitor fails, members replace it with a standard through-hole part (costing $1) using a basic soldering iron—something that’s far more complex with the 033B’s added components. This repairability extends the SBC’s life by 8+ years, avoiding the need to source rare replacements.

Typical application scenarios

In ultra-basic indoor manufacturing, a 1987 small-scale metal stamping shop uses Motorola MVME167-033A to control a manual press’s cycle counter. The SBC connects to a serial-connected proximity sensor (detecting press cycles) and logs counts to its EPROM. Indoors, its 5 °C–+45 °C range works (the shop’s HVAC maintains 18 °C–25 °C), and its 2.5 g vibration tolerance handles minor press vibration. The shop uses a \(30, 5 VDC/2 A power supply (no industrial-grade unit needed) and replaces the 4-year battery every 3 years (costing \)15). Maintaining Motorola MVME167-033A costs \(100 annually—far less than the \)15k needed to replace the press with a modern, counter-equipped model.

In entry-level educational labs, a 1985 community college uses Motorola MVME167-033A in its introductory automation course: students program the SBC to control a small conveyor belt (via a parallel-connected relay) and log how many objects the belt moves. The SBC’s low power draw (10 W) and simple design make it safe for beginners, while its ultra-low cost allows the college to equip 10 lab stations (vs. 5 with the 033B). Over 10 years, this setup trains 500+ students in basic automation, with only 2 SBC failures—attributed to accidental power surges (easily repaired with $5 parts).

Motorola MVME167-033A

Related model recommendations

Motorola MVME167-033B: Enhanced successor (6-year battery, serial surge protection). Upgrade for Motorola MVME167-033A if indoor systems need minor reliability improvements (e.g., near small motors).

Motorola MVME167-33B: Later entry-level variant (5-year battery, basic industrial hardening). Alternative to Motorola MVME167-033A for 1990s-era indoor systems where the 033A’s narrow temperature range is insufficient.

Emerson MVME167-033A Legacy Repair Kit: Custom kit with 4-year lithium batteries, 1980s-era capacitors, and basic serial port components. Critical for maintaining Motorola MVME167-033A’s ultra-legacy components.

National Instruments VME-5000: Ultra-vintage 16-bit digital I/O module (1980s-era). Paired with Motorola MVME167-033A, it adds sensor connectivity for the oldest indoor control systems.

Schroff 6U Vintage Indoor VME Chassis (1-slot): 1980s-style enclosure. Optimized for Motorola MVME167-033A in ultra-legacy setups, matching the SBC’s physical and electrical characteristics.

Lambda LDS-10-5: Basic 5 VDC/2 A power supply (±8% tolerance). Perfectly matches Motorola MVME167-033A’s power needs, avoiding overspecification and reducing cost.

Lantronix UDS1100-OLD: Vintage serial-to-Ethernet converter (1990s-era). Adds basic remote monitoring to Motorola MVME167-033A without disrupting its 1980s-era software.

Motorola MVME167-034A: Mid-tier variant (FPU, Ethernet). Upgrade for Motorola MVME167-033A if indoor systems later require complex calculations or remote access (e.g., lab data sharing).

Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing Motorola MVME167-033A, power off the vintage indoor VMEbus chassis (1980s model) and wear an ESD wristband (standard commercial components are static-sensitive). Ensure the chassis supports the earliest VMEbus Revision B implementation (check for 1980s-era backplane labeling) and is placed in an indoor area with strict temperature control (5 °C–+45 °C) and minimal vibration (≤2.5 g). Gather tools: basic Phillips screwdriver (no torque tool needed), simple serial cable (DB9-DB9, no null modem), and a multimeter (verify power: +5 VDC ±8%, ±12 VDC ±8%). Use only basic power supplies—avoid industrial supplies, as they may exceed the SBC’s voltage tolerance.

Maintenance suggestions: Conduct bi-annual maintenance on Motorola MVME167-033A (simpler design means less frequent checks, but shorter battery life requires monitoring): 1) Check the single LED—green = normal, red = power or serial issue; 2) Wipe dust from the CPU heatsink with a dry cloth (compressed air may damage delicate 1980s components); 3) Test SRAM data retention every 3 years (power off for 12 hours) and replace the lithium battery every 3–4 years (use Emerson part number 50001459-012, 4-year vintage variant). For troubleshooting, use a 1980s-era serial terminal (e.g., DEC VT100) instead of modern software—compatibility issues with new terminals are common; if the SBC fails, check for loose power connections first (the most frequent issue with this vintage hardware).

Service and guarantee commitment

Emerson provides specialized ultra-legacy support for Motorola MVME167-033A, tailored to its role in the oldest indoor ultra-budget systems. The standard warranty for refurbished units is 1 year, covering core components (CPU, DRAM, basic I/O) and ensuring compatibility with 1980s-era VME modules— a service unique to legacy-focused providers. For facilities relying on the SBC for specialized tasks (e.g., vintage repair, educational training), the Ultra-Budget Ultra-Legacy Support Plan extends coverage to 3 years, including 24/5 email support (12-hour response time for non-urgent issues), access to ultra-rare 1980s-era replacement parts (e.g., 4-year lithium batteries, vintage DRAM chips), and step-by-step repair guides for mid-1980s PCB designs.

Customers receive a dedicated vintage resource library for Motorola MVME167-033A, including original 1985 user manuals (digitized), VxWorks 3.x installation floppies (archived), and compatibility charts for 1980s VME modules. For repairs, Emerson offers a flat-rate service ($150 per unit—17% lower than Motorola MVME167-033B) with a 3-week turnaround, as sourcing ultra-legacy parts takes longer. This commitment reflects Emerson’s understanding that Motorola MVME167-033A is not just hardware—it’s a lifeline for the oldest, most budget-constrained legacy systems, and its preservation is critical for specialized industries and education.