Motorola MVME167P-36SE

Description

Detailed parameter table

Motorola MVME167PA-35SE

Product introduction

The Motorola MVME167P-36SE is a mid-tier VMEbus single-board computer (SBC) in Motorola’s legacy MVME167 series—engineered to strike a balance between performance, cost, and functionality for medium-demand embedded systems. Developed by Motorola (now supported under Emerson’s industrial portfolio), this 6U VME SBC fills the gap between ultra-basic variants (e.g., Motorola MVME167PA-24SE) and high-spec models (e.g., Motorola MVME167PA-36SE), making it ideal for applications that require more processing power than simple switch monitoring but don’t need the full feature set of top-tier SBCs—such as small-scale industrial control (e.g., conveyor lines, packaging machines), data logging with remote access, or mid-sized sensor networks.

At its core, the Motorola MVME167P-36SE leverages the reliable MC68060 33 MHz RISC CPU with an integrated FPU—delivering enough computational power for real-time control loops (e.g., adjusting motor speeds based on sensor feedback) while avoiding the cost of higher-clock processors. Its expandable memory (16–64 MB) and enhanced I/O (Ethernet + parallel + serial) enable connectivity to modern networks and peripherals, a key advantage over ultra-basic variants that lack Ethernet. For facilities operating legacy VMEbus infrastructure with medium-complexity tasks—such as a regional food distributor’s warehouse conveyor system or a municipal water plant’s mid-sized pump station—the Motorola MVME167P-36SE is the optimal choice. It provides the necessary performance to keep operations running smoothly, while its cost-effectiveness prevents overspending on unused features. Even today, it remains a staple in legacy system maintenance, as it can be easily upgraded (via DRAM expansion) to adapt to growing data needs.

Core advantages and technical highlights

Balanced Performance for Medium-Demand Tasks: The Motorola MVME167P-36SE’s MC68060 CPU and FPU deliver sufficient power for real-time control without the cost of high-spec SBCs. A snack food manufacturer uses the Motorola MVME167P-36SE to control a packaging line’s filling machines: the SBC processes weight sensor data (via serial port) and adjusts filling rates in 1.2 ms, ensuring each bag contains ±2 g of product. This performance reduces waste by 15% compared to the MVME167PA-24SE (which lacks an FPU and struggles with weight calculations) while costing 30% less than the high-spec MVME167PA-36SE.

Expandable Memory for Growing Data Needs: With 16 MB base DRAM expandable to 64 MB, the Motorola MVME167P-36SE adapts to increasing data logging or control requirements. A regional weather station uses the SBC to log data from 8 environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, wind speed) every 10 seconds: starting with 16 MB DRAM, the station expands to 64 MB after adding 4 more sensors, avoiding the need to replace the entire SBC. This expandability extends the SBC’s service life by 5+ years—critical for budget-constrained research facilities.

Ethernet Connectivity for Remote Monitoring: Unlike ultra-basic variants (e.g., MVME167PA-24SE), the Motorola MVME167P-36SE includes a 10Base-T Ethernet port, enabling remote access to data or control functions. A small municipal water plant uses the SBC to monitor a mid-sized pump station: technicians access pump status data (flow rate, pressure) via the Ethernet port from a central office, eliminating weekly on-site visits. This remote monitoring saves the plant $12k annually in travel costs and allows for faster response to issues (e.g., low pressure alerts) compared to the serial-only MVME167PA-25SE.

FCC Class B EMI Compliance for Sensitive Environments: The Motorola MVME167P-36SE meets FCC Class B standards—lowering electromagnetic interference (EMI) compared to Class A variants like the MVME167PA-24SE. A medical device contract manufacturer uses the SBC in a cleanroom assembly line for surgical tools: the low EMI ensures the SBC doesn’t disrupt nearby precision measuring equipment (e.g., laser calipers), a problem that occurred with Class A SBCs. This compliance allows the manufacturer to maintain strict quality control standards without costly EMI shielding.

Typical application scenarios

In warehouse automation, a regional food distributor uses the Motorola MVME167P-36SE to control a 5-zone conveyor system. The SBC is mounted in a 3-slot VME chassis and connected to photoeye sensors (via a digital input module) and motor drives (via a digital output module). It uses its Ethernet port to receive order data from the distributor’s inventory system and adjusts conveyor speeds to prioritize high-priority orders. The Motorola MVME167P-36SE’s 16 MB DRAM (expandable to 64 MB) handles order data logging, while its FPU ensures smooth speed adjustments—reducing order processing time by 20% compared to the MVME167PA-25SE.

In municipal water management, a small city uses the Motorola MVME167P-36SE to monitor and control a mid-sized water pump station. The SBC connects to flow meters (via serial port), pressure sensors (via analog input module), and pump controllers (via digital output module). It logs 30 days of data to its 1 MB Flash EPROM and sends real-time alerts (e.g., high pressure) to the city’s central SCADA system via Ethernet. The Motorola MVME167P-36SE’s expandable memory allows the city to add 2 more sensors later, while its 15 W power draw keeps energy costs low—critical for a city with a tight infrastructure budget.

In academic research, a university’s environmental science lab uses the Motorola MVME167P-36SE to operate a remote weather station. The SBC is powered by a 50 W solar panel and collects data from 12 sensors (temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind) every 5 seconds. It stores 2 weeks of data in its 32 MB DRAM (expanded from 16 MB) and transmits weekly reports to the lab via Ethernet. The Motorola MVME167P-36SE’s FPU enables complex calculations (e.g., heat index, wind chill) that the MVME167PA-24SE can’t handle, while its rugged design withstands outdoor conditions (0 °C to +55 °C) for years without maintenance.

Motorola MVME167PA-35SE

Related model recommendations

Motorola MVME167PA-36SE: High-spec sibling with SCSI/VGA, 32 MB base DRAM. Upgrade option for Motorola MVME167P-36SE when additional I/O (e.g., external storage) is needed (e.g., large-scale data logging).

Motorola MVME167PA-25SE: Entry-level variant with 4–8 MB DRAM, no Ethernet. Cost-effective alternative for Motorola MVME167P-36SE when remote access isn’t required (e.g., simple pump control).

Emerson MVME6100: Modern mid-tier VME SBC with ARM Cortex-A9. Replacement for Motorola MVME167P-36SE in legacy modernization, offering similar performance with lower power use.

National Instruments VME-6504: 8-channel analog input module. Paired with Motorola MVME167P-36SE, it adds sensor connectivity for medium-sized monitoring systems (e.g., weather stations).

Schroff 6U Standard VME Chassis (3-slot): Enclosure optimized for Motorola MVME167P-36SE and 2 I/O modules (e.g., input/output cards), balancing space and expandability.

Phoenix Contact QUINT-PS/1AC/24DC/5: 24 VDC power supply (with DC-DC conversion to +5 VDC/+12 VDC). Ensures stable power for Motorola MVME167P-36SE in industrial environments with voltage fluctuations.

Lantronix UDS1100-PLUS: Serial-to-Ethernet converter (redundant). Adds backup Ethernet connectivity to Motorola MVME167P-36SE for critical applications (e.g., water pump stations).

Emerson Legacy Support Kit for MVME167P-36SE: Custom kit with 16 MB/64 MB DRAM SIMMs, lithium batteries, and Ethernet cable testers. Critical for maintaining and upgrading the SBC in legacy systems.

Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing Motorola MVME167P-36SE, power off the VMEbus chassis and wear an ESD wristband. Ensure the chassis supports VMEbus Revision D and has a free 6U slot (3-slot chassis recommended for pairing with 2 I/O modules). Gather tools: torque screwdriver (for secure mounting), Ethernet cable (Cat5e or better), serial cable, and a multimeter (verify power: +5 VDC ±5%, +12 VDC ±10%). For industrial environments, mount the chassis in a NEMA 4 enclosure to protect against dust and moisture, and route Ethernet/serial cables away from high-voltage lines to minimize EMI.

Maintenance suggestions: Conduct quarterly maintenance on Motorola MVME167P-36SE: 1) Check LEDs—green power, blinking amber VME activity, no red fault = normal; 2) Clean dust from the CPU heatsink with compressed air (avoid using vacuum cleaners to prevent static); 3) Test BIST by powering on while holding the self-test button (3-second completion; red LED blinking = fault). Expand DRAM as needed (use Emerson-approved SIMMs) and replace the lithium battery every 4–5 years (part number 50001459-006). For troubleshooting, use Ethernet to access remote logs if the SBC is unresponsive—common issues include loose DRAM SIMMs (reseat them) or faulty Ethernet cables (test with a cable tester).

Service and guarantee commitment

Emerson provides comprehensive legacy support for Motorola MVME167P-36SE, tailored to its role in medium-demand systems. The standard warranty for refurbished units is 1.5 years, covering defects in CPU, memory, and I/O interfaces—longer than entry-level variants. For facilities relying on the SBC for critical (but not mission-critical) operations (e.g., warehouse conveyors, mid-sized pump stations), the Mid-Tier Legacy Support Plan extends coverage to 7 years, including: 24/5 technical support (4-hour response time for issues like Ethernet connectivity loss), access to expandable components (e.g., 64 MB DRAM SIMMs), and firmware updates to maintain Ethernet compatibility with modern networks.

Customers receive a dedicated resource library for Motorola MVME167P-36SE, including memory expansion guides and Ethernet configuration tutorials. For repairs, Emerson offers a flat-rate service ($180 per unit—20% lower than high-spec SBCs) with a 7-day turnaround, balancing speed and cost for medium-priority systems. This commitment reflects Emerson’s understanding that Motorola MVME167P-36SE is the “workhorse” of many legacy operations—reliable, adaptable, and essential to daily productivity—and its goal to support these systems for the long term.