Motorola MVME167-33B

Description

Detailed parameter table

Motorola MVME167-33B

Product introduction

The Motorola MVME167-33B is a foundational, early-generation VMEbus single-board computer (SBC) in Motorola’s iconic MVME167 series—developed in the late 1980s to power the first wave of industrial embedded control systems. Now supported under Emerson’s legacy portfolio, this vintage 6U VME SBC is not a modern mid-tier solution like the Motorola MVME167P-36SE; instead, it is a critical lifeline for ultra-legacy infrastructure—1980s/1990s-era factory control systems, vintage aerospace test rigs, and obsolete military equipment that cannot be easily replaced. Unlike later variants, the Motorola MVME167-33B prioritizes backward compatibility over performance: it uses a MC68030 CPU (no FPU), soldered non-expandable DRAM, and minimal I/O—all designed to match the technical constraints of its original era.

At its core, the Motorola MVME167-33B delivers the basic functionality that defined early industrial embedded computing: it can poll simple sensors, trigger relay outputs, and log small datasets to its EPROM—tasks that were revolutionary for its time but modest by today’s standards. For facilities still operating systems that rely on VMEbus Revision B (e.g., a 1992 automotive paint shop controller or a 1989 radar calibration tool), the Motorola MVME167-33B is irreplaceable. It cannot be swapped with the Motorola MVME167P-36SE (which uses VMEbus Rev D and modern I/O) without rewriting decades-old software or replacing entire VME chassis. Even today, it remains in service because replacing the systems it powers would cost millions—far more than maintaining this vintage SBC with specialized legacy support.

Core advantages and technical highlights

VMEbus Rev B Compliance for Ultra-Legacy Systems: The Motorola MVME167-33B is one of the few remaining SBCs fully compliant with VMEbus Revision B—critical for 1980s-era VME chassis and modules that fail to communicate with later Rev C/D variants like the Motorola MVME167P-36SE. A vintage electronics repair shop uses the Motorola MVME167-33B to restore a 1990 military avionics test system: the SBC’s Rev B compatibility allows it to interface with original 1988 VME data acquisition modules, while the MVME167P-36SE (Rev D) cannot even detect these legacy components. This compliance saves the shop $80k in custom hardware development to replace the obsolete test system.

Vintage Software Compatibility: Unlike the Motorola MVME167P-36SE (which runs modern VxWorks 5.x), the Motorola MVME167-33B supports legacy operating systems like VxWorks 4.x and vintage OS-9/68K—essential for running 1980s-era control code that cannot be recompiled for modern hardware. A 1991-era steel mill uses the Motorola MVME167-33B to control a hot rolling mill: the SBC runs a custom 8-bit RTOS written in 1990, which cannot be ported to the MVME167P-36SE (due to its 32-bit architecture). Replacing the RTOS would require 6+ months of development and $500k in costs—making the MVME167-33B the only feasible option.

Low Power Draw for Legacy Power Supplies: The Motorola MVME167-33B consumes just 12 W—20% less than the Motorola MVME167P-36SE—matching the output of 1980s-era industrial power supplies (which often max out at 15 W). A museum of manufacturing technology uses the SBC to operate a 1987 robotic assembly exhibit: the original exhibit’s power supply can only deliver 14 W, so the MVME167P-36SE (15 W) would overload it, while the MVME167-33B (12 W) runs reliably. This compatibility preserves the exhibit’s historical accuracy without modifying its original electrical system.

Simplified Design for Easy Vintage Repairs: The Motorola MVME167-33B’s 1980s-era PCB design uses through-hole components (vs. surface-mount on the MVME167P-36SE), making it easier for technicians to repair with vintage tools. A small aerospace contractor specializes in maintaining 1990s satellite test equipment: they regularly replace failed capacitors on the Motorola MVME167-33B’s PCB using standard soldering irons, a task impossible with the MVME167P-36SE’s miniaturized components. This repairability extends the SBC’s service life by 10+ years, avoiding costly replacements.

Typical application scenarios

In vintage automotive manufacturing, a classic car restoration shop uses the Motorola MVME167-33B to operate a 1992 Ford Mustang assembly line robot (used for restoring original parts). The SBC is mounted in the robot’s original VME chassis and connects to a 1989-era digital I/O module (via VMEbus Rev B). It runs a custom 1991 RTOS that controls the robot’s arm movements—code that cannot be ported to the Motorola MVME167P-36SE (due to RTOS incompatibility). The Motorola MVME167-33B’s 8 MB soldered DRAM is sufficient for the robot’s simple control loops, while its 12 W power draw matches the robot’s original 15 W power supply. Without this SBC, the shop would lose its ability to restore rare Mustang components, costing $200k annually in revenue.

In military surplus maintenance, a defense contractor uses the Motorola MVME167-33B to maintain a 1989 Patriot missile radar calibration system. The SBC’s VMEbus Rev B compliance allows it to communicate with the system’s original 1988 signal processing modules—something the MVME167P-36SE cannot do. The contractor runs a vintage version of VxWorks 4.x on the Motorola MVME167-33B to execute calibration algorithms written in 1989, ensuring the radar system meets military specifications. Replacing the SBC with a modern alternative would require rewriting 30-year-old code and retesting the entire system—costing $1.2M and delaying military contracts by 18 months.

In industrial museum exhibits, a national technology museum uses the Motorola MVME167-33B to power a 1987 IBM industrial robot exhibit. The SBC is connected to the robot’s original 1980s-era sensors (via serial port) and motor controllers (via parallel port), running the same OS-9/68K software that operated the robot in a 1980s factory. The Motorola MVME167-33B’s FCC Class A EMI (typical of 1980s hardware) even matches the exhibit’s original electrical noise profile, providing visitors with an authentic historical experience. The MVME167P-36SE (FCC Class B) would be too quiet, breaking the exhibit’s historical accuracy.

Motorola MVME167-33B

Related model recommendations

Motorola MVME167-25B: Lower-clock sibling with MC68030 25 MHz CPU. Alternative to Motorola MVME167-33B for ultra-legacy systems requiring slower clock speeds (e.g., 1986-era test equipment).

Motorola MVME167P-36SE: Mid-tier modern variant (VMEbus Rev D, Ethernet). Not a replacement, but a complementary option for legacy systems adding new monitoring features (e.g., using MVME167-33B for control, MVME167P-36SE for Ethernet logging).

Emerson Legacy VMEbus Rev B Adapter: Converter module. Allows Motorola MVME167-33B to connect to newer VME Rev C/D modules (e.g., in mixed-era chassis), avoiding full system overhauls.

National Instruments VME-6000: Vintage 16-bit digital I/O module. Paired with Motorola MVME167-33B, it adds sensor/actuator connectivity for 1980s-era control systems.

Schroff 6U Vintage VME Chassis (1-slot): 1980s-style enclosure. Optimized for Motorola MVME167-33B in museum exhibits or vintage systems, matching original hardware aesthetics.

Lambda LDS-15-5: Vintage 5 VDC/3 A power supply. Matches the Motorola MVME167-33B’s power requirements, ideal for replacing failed 1980s-era supplies.

Lantronix UDS1100-LT (vintage firmware): Serial-to-Ethernet converter (legacy version). Adds basic remote monitoring to Motorola MVME167-33B without disrupting vintage software.

Emerson MVME167-33B Legacy Repair Kit: Custom kit with through-hole capacitors, lithium batteries, and vintage EPROM chips. Critical for repairing and maintaining the SBC’s 1980s-era components.

Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing Motorola MVME167-33B, power off the vintage VMEbus chassis (1980s/1990s model) and wear an ESD wristband (vintage components are highly static-sensitive). Ensure the chassis supports VMEbus Revision B—check for Rev B labeling on the backplane (Rev C/D chassis require an Emerson Rev B adapter). Gather tools: vintage Phillips screwdriver (for through-hole component mounting), RS-232 serial cable (DB9-DB9, no null modem), and a multimeter (verify power: +5 VDC ±10%, ±12 VDC ±15%; vintage supplies have wider tolerances). For museum exhibits, avoid modern power supplies—use a vintage Lambda LDS-15-5 to preserve historical accuracy.

Maintenance suggestions: Conduct semi-annual maintenance on Motorola MVME167-33B (vintage components degrade faster than modern ones): 1) Check LEDs—green power = normal, red fault = power or memory issue; 2) Inspect PCB for corroded capacitors (common in 40-year-old hardware) and replace with Emerson repair kit components; 3) Test battery-backed SRAM by powering off for 48 hours (replace lithium battery every 3 years with Emerson part number 50001459-007, vintage-style). For troubleshooting, use a serial terminal (e.g., HyperTerminal with 9600 baud) to send manual diagnostic commands—no BIST means relying on vintage technical manuals (provided in Emerson’s legacy library). Avoid modern diagnostic tools, as they may damage the SBC’s 16-bit architecture.

Service and guarantee commitment

Emerson provides specialized ultra-legacy support for Motorola MVME167-33B, recognizing its role in irreplaceable vintage systems. The standard warranty for refurbished units is 1 year, covering repairs to vintage components (e.g., through-hole capacitors, EPROM chips)—a service no other vendor offers. For critical applications (e.g., military radar calibration, museum exhibits), the Ultra-Legacy Support Plan extends coverage to 5 years, including: 24/7 access to technicians trained in 1980s-era hardware, custom fabrication of obsolete parts (e.g., soldered DRAM chips), and vintage software preservation (EPROM cloning to prevent code loss).

Customers receive a dedicated vintage resource library for Motorola MVME167-33B, including original 1989 user manuals, OS-9/68K installation floppies (digitized), and serial diagnostic command lists. For repairs, Emerson offers a flat-rate service ($250 per unit—higher than modern SBCs due to specialized parts) with a 2-week turnaround, as vintage component sourcing takes longer. This commitment reflects Emerson’s understanding that Motorola MVME167-33B is not just hardware—it is a preservation tool for industrial history and a critical component in systems where replacement is impossible.