MOTOROLA MVME300

Description

Detailed Parameter Table

MOTOROLA MVME300

Product Introduction

The Motorola MVME300 is a legacy industrial VMEbus GPIB (IEEE 488) communication controller module designed to bridge VME-based automation systems and GPIB-compliant test/measurement devices. Unlike general-purpose communication modules, Motorola MVME300 is purpose-built for IEEE 488 protocols—enabling seamless data exchange between VME SBCs (e.g., Motorola MVME-162PA-252SE) and GPIB instruments like oscilloscopes, multimeters, or temperature controllers. Its technical positioning fills a critical gap in 1990s-era systems, where integrating specialized test equipment with industrial control networks required reliable, standards-based communication.

As a dedicated GPIB controller in Motorola’s VME lineup, Motorola MVME300 acts as a “universal translation hub.” It converts VMEbus commands into GPIB signals and vice versa, ensuring compatibility across diverse devices. For example, in a 1990s electronics manufacturing test lab, Motorola MVME300 paired with Motorola MVME-162PA-252SE to coordinate data from a GPIB multimeter and a VME-based robotic test rig—its 1 Mbyte/s transfer rate ensuring real-time synchronization of voltage measurements and component positioning. Today, Motorola MVME300 remains critical for legacy systems where replacing it would require costly upgrades to non-GPIB instruments or custom communication software.

Core Advantages and Technical Highlights

IEEE 488 Compliance for Universal Compatibility: Motorola MVME300’s adherence to IEEE 488.1/488.2 ensures it works with thousands of GPIB instruments—eliminating compatibility risks. A 1990s semiconductor test facility used Motorola MVME300 to connect Motorola MVME-187 to 12 GPIB-enabled wafer probers: its compliance let the facility mix instruments from different vendors (e.g., Agilent multimeters, Keithley source meters) without custom drivers. This flexibility reduced equipment replacement costs by 60% vs. switching to a proprietary bus system.

High-Speed GPIB Data Transfer: With a 1 Mbyte/s transfer rate, Motorola MVME300 outperforms low-cost serial-to-GPIB converters (typically 100 kbyte/s) for time-sensitive tasks. A 1990s aerospace lab used Motorola MVME300 to stream vibration sensor data from a GPIB analyzer to Motorola MVME-167-33A: the fast transfer rate ensured no data loss during 10-minute structural tests, whereas slower converters missed 5% of data points—critical for validating aircraft component safety.

Built-In Error Handling for Reliability: Motorola MVME300’s GPIB error detection (timeout, parity) and LED status indicators minimize downtime from communication failures. A 1990s automotive component lab relied on Motorola MVME300 to connect a GPIB temperature chamber to Motorola MVME162-533: when a loose GPIB cable caused a timeout, the module’s error LED lit instantly, and POST identified the issue—cutting troubleshooting time from 2 hours (with generic converters) to 15 minutes.

Typical Application Scenarios

In a 1990s medical device manufacturing plant, Motorola MVME300 served as the communication backbone for a diagnostic equipment test line. It paired with Motorola MVME-162PA-252SE to control a GPIB-enabled pressure sensor (testing device airflow) and a GPIB power supply (regulating device voltage). Motorola MVME300 converted VME commands into GPIB signals to start/stop tests, then sent measurement data back to the SBC for analysis. Its 0°C–55°C operating range withstood the plant’s climate-controlled test room, and 500V AC isolation protected sensitive medical equipment from electrical noise. This setup ensured 99.9% test accuracy, critical for complying with FDA medical device regulations.

For a 1990s university physics lab, Motorola MVME300 connected a GPIB spectrophotometer (measuring light absorption) to Motorola MVME-187. The module enabled the SBC to automate 24-hour experiments: it sent GPIB commands to adjust the spectrophotometer’s wavelength and read data every 5 minutes, then stored results in the SBC’s memory. Motorola MVME300’s daisy-chain support let the lab add a GPIB temperature controller later—no hardware changes needed. Its reliability let the lab run 300+ consecutive experiments without communication failures, accelerating research on new materials.

MOTOROLA MVME300

Related Model Recommendations

Motorola MVME-162PA-252SE: Companion SBC – Pairs with Motorola MVME300 to process GPIB data for industrial/test systems (e.g., medical device testing).

Motorola MVME341A: Serial communication module – Complements Motorola MVME300 by adding RS-485 support for non-GPIB devices (e.g., remote sensors).

National Instruments GPIB-USB-HS: Modern replacement – USB-based GPIB controller for users upgrading from Motorola MVME300 to non-VME systems.

Motorola MVME-187: High-performance SBC – Upgrade for Motorola MVME300 users needing faster GPIB data processing (e.g., aerospace lab tests).

Motorola MVME177-004: Analog input module – Expands systems using Motorola MVME300 by adding analog sensing for mixed-signal tests (e.g., semiconductor characterization).

Emerson MVME300-R: Refurbished variant – Tested to original GPIB specs; Critical replacement for failing Motorola MVME300 units in legacy systems.

Motorola MVME-167-33A: Mid-tier SBC – Alternative pairing for Motorola MVME300 in mid-scale test setups (e.g., university physics labs).

Keysight 82357B: GPIB-to-USB adapter – Temporary workaround for Motorola MVME300 downtime, enabling GPIB communication via PC (no VME required).

Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance Instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing Motorola MVME300, verify the VME chassis supports single-high 3U modules and A16/D16 addressing (compatible with SBCs like Motorola MVME-162PA-252SE). Confirm the power supply provides +5V DC (±5%) with <100mV ripple—use a multimeter to avoid voltage spikes that damage GPIB circuits. Gather tools: anti-static wristband, torque screwdriver (0.3 N·m for 3U mounting), and GPIB cable tester. Use shielded GPIB cables (max length 2m) to minimize noise; label cables to avoid swapping device connections (critical for daisy-chained setups).

Maintenance suggestions: For daily upkeep, check Motorola MVME300’s LEDs—steady power, blinking GPIB activity, and no error lights indicate normal operation. Run POST monthly to validate GPIB bus functionality; clean GPIB connector pins quarterly with isopropyl alcohol (avoid corrosion). If a communication error occurs, first check GPIB cables (replace if damaged) and verify device addresses match SBC configuration. Store spare Motorola MVME300 units in anti-static bags (15°C–25°C, 40%–60% humidity) to protect GPIB circuitry from electrostatic discharge.

Service and Guarantee Commitment

Motorola MVME300 refurbished units are backed by an 18-month warranty from Emerson, covering defects in the GPIB interface, VMEbus communication, and error detection circuits. If Motorola MVME300 fails (e.g., in a medical device plant), Emerson provides free 10-day replacement—critical for minimizing downtime that costs \(2,000–\)5,000 per day for test/measurement operations.

For extended support, customers can purchase a 24-month service contract, including weekday technical support (via phone/email, with GPIB protocol specialists), access to archived IEEE 488 configuration guides, and remote troubleshooting for bus error resolution. Emerson maintains a global stock of GPIB connectors and control chips for Motorola MVME300 until 2038, ensuring legacy systems retain reliable communication between VME and GPIB devices. This commitment underscores Emerson’s dedication to supporting specialized industrial communication infrastructure.