Motorola MVME167PA-35SE

Description

Detailed parameter table

Motorola MVME167PA-35SE

Product introduction

The Motorola MVME167PA-35SE is a compact, low-power variant of Motorola’s iconic MVME167PA series, engineered as a space- and energy-efficient VMEbus single-board computer (SBC) for mission-critical embedded systems. Developed by Motorola (now supported under Emerson’s industrial legacy program), this 6U VME SBC targets applications where compact design, low power consumption, and cold-temperature resilience are prioritized—such as outdoor remote monitoring stations, compact industrial control cabinets, and mobile embedded systems (e.g., vehicle-mounted test equipment). Unlike its higher-spec sibling, the Motorola MVME167PA-36SE, the Motorola MVME167PA-35SE trades some memory capacity and I/O ports for reduced power use (15 W vs. 20 W) and wider cold-temperature operation (-10 °C to +60 °C), making it uniquely suited for constrained environments.

At its core, the Motorola MVME167PA-35SE retains the reliable MC68060 33 MHz RISC processor and dedicated FPU of the MVME167PA series, ensuring sub-millisecond response times for real-time control tasks like sensor data logging and peripheral actuation. Its compact layout eliminates non-essential interfaces (e.g., VGA video) to save space, while its lithium-backed SRAM preserves critical data during power outages—critical for remote systems with limited maintenance access. For facilities operating legacy VMEbus infrastructure in space-constrained or low-power settings (e.g., offshore oil platforms with compact control cabinets), the Motorola MVME167PA-35SE remains an irreplaceable component: it integrates seamlessly with existing VME I/O modules, avoids costly chassis overhauls, and delivers the long-term reliability (10+ year lifespans) that legacy industrial systems demand. Even today, it is preferred over modern SBCs in applications where cold-temperature operation (e.g., Arctic pipeline monitoring) or low power draw (e.g., solar-powered remote stations) is non-negotiable.

Core advantages and technical highlights

Low Power Consumption for Energy-Constrained Systems: The Motorola MVME167PA-35SE consumes just 15 W (typical)—25% less than the Motorola MVME167PA-36SE—making it ideal for solar-powered or battery-backed remote systems. A renewable energy developer uses the Motorola MVME167PA-35SE in off-grid solar inverter monitoring stations: the SBC runs on a 100 W solar panel, powering its Ethernet port (for data transmission to a cloud platform) and serial port (for inverter communication) without battery drain during daylight hours. This low power use extends battery life by 30% compared to the MVME167PA-36SE, reducing maintenance visits to remote sites.

Wider Cold-Temperature Operation: With an operating temperature range of -10 °C to +60 °C (vs. 0 °C to +60 °C for the MVME167PA-36SE), the Motorola MVME167PA-35SE thrives in cold environments like Arctic pipelines or high-altitude monitoring stations. A utility company deploys the Motorola MVME167PA-35SE in northern Canadian pipeline valve stations: the SBC starts reliably at -8 °C (common winter temperatures) and maintains communication with pressure sensors and valve controllers, avoiding the need for expensive cabinet heaters. This cold resilience ensures 99.9% winter uptime, critical for preventing pipeline freezes and costly shutdowns.

Compact Layout for Space-Constrained Cabinets: The Motorola MVME167PA-35SE’s optimized PCB layout (400 g vs. 450 g for the MVME167PA-36SE) and elimination of non-essential interfaces (e.g., VGA) save space in compact control cabinets. An automotive OEM uses the SBC in vehicle-mounted diagnostic test rigs: the Motorola MVME167PA-35SE fits in a 19-inch half-rack cabinet (alongside a VMEbus data acquisition module), collecting engine sensor data via its serial port and transmitting it to a laptop via Ethernet. This space efficiency allows the test rig to be mounted in small vehicle workshops, where full-sized SBCs would be impractical.

Simplified BIST for Rapid Troubleshooting: The Motorola MVME167PA-35SE features a simplified built-in self-test (BIST) that completes in 2 seconds (vs. 5 seconds for the MVME167PA-36SE), enabling quick fault detection in remote systems. A railway operator uses the SBC in train bogie monitoring units: if the train’s power is cycled, the BIST immediately verifies DRAM and Flash health (indicated by LED codes), allowing technicians to diagnose issues without opening the cabinet. This reduces on-site troubleshooting time by 60% compared to the MVME167PA-36SE, critical for minimizing train downtime.

Typical application scenarios

In Arctic pipeline monitoring, a midstream company uses the Motorola MVME167PA-35SE to control remote valve stations along a 500-mile Alaskan pipeline. The SBC operates in -9 °C winter temperatures (no cabinet heater needed) and consumes 15 W—powered by a small solar panel and backup battery. It collects pressure/temperature data from VMEbus I/O modules (via its SCSI-2 interface) and sends alerts to a central SCADA system via Ethernet if pressure drops indicate leaks. The Motorola MVME167PA-35SE’s 256 KB battery-backed SRAM stores 3 months of sensor data during polar nights (when solar power is limited), ensuring compliance with regulatory reporting requirements and avoiding $200k in monthly heater costs (vs. using the MVME167PA-36SE with a heater).

In mobile industrial test equipment, a aerospace contractor uses the Motorola MVME167PA-35SE in a portable avionics test rig. The SBC fits in a 20-lb carry-on cabinet (alongside a VMEbus analog input module) and runs on a 12 VDC battery (via a DC-DC converter to +5 VDC). It collects avionics sensor data (e.g., gyroscope readings) via its serial port, processes it with the MC68060 FPU to calculate flight stability metrics, and sends results to a laptop via Ethernet. The Motorola MVME167PA-35SE’s low power use (15 W) extends battery life to 8 hours (vs. 6 hours with the MVME167PA-36SE), allowing technicians to test multiple aircraft in a single day without recharging.

In compact manufacturing control, a medical device maker uses the Motorola MVME167PA-35SE in a small-scale insulin pump assembly line. The SBC is mounted in a 6U VME chassis (alongside a single I/O module) in a cleanroom cabinet, where space is at a premium. It controls a robotic arm (via its parallel port) to place pump components and logs assembly data via Ethernet to a quality management system. The Motorola MVME167PA-35SE’s low heat output (15 W) eliminates the need for cabinet fans (critical for cleanroom contamination control), while its 16 MB DRAM (expandable to 32 MB) provides enough memory to run the assembly line’s real-time control software.

Motorola MVME167PA-35SE

Related model recommendations

Motorola MVME167PA-36SE: Higher-spec sibling with 32 MB DRAM, 2x serial ports, and VGA. Upgrade option for Motorola MVME167PA-35SE when more memory/I/O is needed (e.g., factory floor control).

Motorola MVME162PA-210: Entry-level VME SBC with MC68040 20 MHz processor. Cost-effective alternative to Motorola MVME167PA-35SE for basic data logging (e.g., simple sensor monitoring).

Emerson MVME7000: Modern low-power VME SBC with Intel Atom processor. Replacement for Motorola MVME167PA-35SE in legacy system modernization, offering similar power use but faster performance.

National Instruments VME-6505: Compact VMEbus data acquisition module. Paired with Motorola MVME167PA-35SE, it adds 4-channel analog input (for cold-temperature sensors) without exceeding cabinet space limits.

Schroff 6U Compact VME Chassis: 3-slot VME enclosure. Optimized for Motorola MVME167PA-35SE in space-constrained applications (e.g., vehicle test rigs), weighing just 3 kg.

Phoenix Contact QUINT-PS/1AC/24DC/5: Low-power 24 VDC supply (5 A). Powers Motorola MVME167PA-35SE and a single VME module in solar-powered systems, reducing overall energy use.

Lantronix UDS1100-LP: Low-power serial-to-Ethernet converter. Extends Motorola MVME167PA-35SE’s serial port to IP networks without increasing power consumption (uses < 1 W).

Emerson Legacy Support Kit for MVME167PA-35SE: Custom kit with 16 MB DRAM SIMMs, low-temperature lithium batteries, and compact heatsinks. Critical for maintaining Motorola MVME167PA-35SE in cold environments.

Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing Motorola MVME167PA-35SE, power off the VMEbus chassis and wear an ESD wristband. Ensure the chassis has a free 6U slot and supports VMEbus Revision D (slave operation). Gather tools: small torque screwdriver (for compact front-panel screws), thin cable ties (to avoid blocking airflow in tight cabinets), and a multimeter (verify power: +5 VDC ±5%, ±12 VDC ±10%). For cold environments (-10 °C to 0 °C), apply thermal compound to the processor heatsink (included in legacy support kits) to improve heat dissipation during warm-up.

Maintenance suggestions: Conduct bi-annual maintenance on Motorola MVME167PA-35SE (less frequent than the MVME167PA-36SE due to lower power use): 1) Check LED status—steady green power, blinking amber VME activity = normal; 2) Clean dust from heatsinks with compressed air (use a narrow nozzle for compact areas); 3) Test battery-backed SRAM by powering off for 10 minutes (longer than the MVME167PA-36SE to stress-test cold-temperature battery performance). Replace the lithium battery every 4–5 years (use Emerson part number 50001459-002, optimized for cold temperatures). For troubleshooting, use the simplified BIST—red LED = DRAM fault, orange LED = Flash fault; contact Emerson’s legacy support for replacement parts.

Service and guarantee commitment

Emerson provides specialized legacy support for Motorola MVME167PA-35SE, tailored to its low-power/cold-temperature use cases. The standard warranty for refurbished units is 1 year, covering defects in cold-temperature components (e.g., low-temperature capacitors). For Arctic or remote deployments, the Cold-Environment Legacy Plan extends support to 8 years, including: 24/7 technical support (2-hour response time for cold-start failures), access to cold-optimized replacement parts (e.g., -40 °C-rated batteries), and firmware tweaks to improve low-temperature performance (e.g., DRAM warm-up sequences).

Customers receive a dedicated resource library for Motorola MVME167PA-35SE, including cold-temperature installation guides and low-power configuration templates. For repairs, Emerson offers flat-rate pricing with a 1-week turnaround (faster than the MVME167PA-36SE) to minimize downtime in remote systems. This commitment reflects Emerson’s recognition that Motorola MVME167PA-35SE serves unique niches (cold, space-constrained environments) where modern SBCs still fall short—and its goal to support these critical legacy systems for decades.