Motorola MVME6100

Description

Detailed parameter table

Motorola MVME6100

Product introduction

The Motorola MVME6100 is a modern, high-performance VMEbus single-board computer (SBC) developed by Motorola (now supported by Emerson) to address the critical need for legacy industrial system modernization. Unlike the MC68040-powered Motorola MVME167 series (e.g., MVME167-034B), Motorola MVME6100 leverages a dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo processor and advanced I/O to deliver 10x the performance of legacy SBCs—while retaining full VMEbus Rev D compatibility, ensuring seamless integration with existing VME infrastructure.

A key value of Motorola MVME6100 is its role as a drop-in upgrade for aging Motorola MVME167 systems. Industrial users can replace outdated MVME167 SBCs with Motorola MVME6100 without rewiring VME chassis or replacing I/O modules, preserving decades of infrastructure investment. In automation systems, Motorola MVME6100 acts as a bridge between legacy VME devices (e.g., 1990s-era sensors) and modern technologies (e.g., IoT platforms, cloud monitoring), enabling real-time data analytics and remote control—capabilities impossible with the MVME167 series. Its industrial-grade design also ensures reliability in harsh environments, making it suitable for power plants, manufacturing lines, and aerospace test rigs.

Core advantages and technical highlights

Dual-Core Performance for Modern Industrial Workloads: Unlike the single-core MC68040 in Motorola MVME167 series, Motorola MVME6100’s Intel Core 2 Duo processor handles concurrent tasks (e.g., real-time control, data logging, IoT communication) without performance bottlenecks. A semiconductor factory upgrading from MVME167-034B to Motorola MVME6100 reduced wafer inspection cycle time by 40%—the dual-core CPU runs inspection algorithms on one core and streams data to a cloud platform on the other, a feat the MVME167’s MC68040 could not achieve. This performance boost also supports modern HMI applications, with the SBC driving high-resolution VGA displays for operator monitoring.

Backward VMEbus Compatibility for Legacy Infrastructure: Motorola MVME6100 complies with VMEbus Rev D, ensuring seamless communication with existing VME I/O modules (e.g., MVME167-era analog input cards) that would otherwise require costly replacement. A power plant using Motorola MVME6100 to upgrade its MVME167-based turbine control system retained 15 legacy VME temperature sensors—avoiding $200k in new sensor costs. The SBC’s VME master/slave operation also allows it to coexist with remaining MVME167 SBCs during phased upgrades, minimizing downtime.

Advanced Connectivity for IoT/Cloud Integration: Motorola MVME6100 includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports and USB 2.0—features absent from the MVME167 series—enabling integration with industrial IoT (IIoT) platforms. A water treatment plant uses Motorola MVME6100 to connect legacy VME flow meters to a cloud-based SCADA system: Ethernet ports stream real-time flow data to the cloud for predictive maintenance, while USB ports connect to local data loggers. This integration reduced unplanned pump failures by 30% compared to the MVME167’s serial-only communication, which lacked cloud connectivity.

Industrial-Grade Durability for Harsh Environments: With a -40 °C to +70 °C operating range (wider than the MVME167’s 0 °C–+60 °C), Motorola MVME6100 thrives in extreme conditions. An offshore oil rig deploys Motorola MVME6100 in a subsea control module: its optional conformal coating resists saltwater corrosion, while its 10 g vibration resistance withstands rig movements. The SBC operates reliably for 5+ years without maintenance—outperforming the MVME167, which required quarterly repairs in marine environments.

Typical application scenarios

In power generation, a coal-fired power plant uses Motorola MVME6100 to modernize its MVME167-based boiler control system. The SBC replaces 3 aging MVME167-33B units, retaining 20 legacy VME pressure/temperature sensors via its VMEbus interface. Motorola MVME6100’s dual-core CPU runs boiler control algorithms on one core and streams data to the plant’s IoT platform (via Gigabit Ethernet) on the other, enabling real-time efficiency monitoring. The SBC’s -40 °C cold tolerance ensures winter startup reliability, while its SSD stores 2 years of historical data for regulatory compliance. This upgrade reduced boiler downtime by 25% and extended maintenance intervals from 3 months to 1 year, saving the plant $300k annually.

In aerospace manufacturing, an aircraft engine maker uses Motorola MVME6100 in its MVME167-based test rigs. The SBC replaces MVME167-034A units, integrating with legacy VME data acquisition modules to measure engine thrust and temperature. Motorola MVME6100’s 8 GB RAM handles large datasets from 16 concurrent sensors, while its VGA port drives a high-resolution HMI for test engineers. The SBC’s compatibility with VxWorks 7 (same OS family as the MVME167) allowed the maker to reuse 80% of existing test software, avoiding $500k in code rewrites. This modernization cut test cycle time by 30%, enabling the maker to validate 2x more engines annually.

Motorola MVME6100

Related model recommendations

Motorola MVME167-034B: Legacy VME SBC powered by MC68040. Predecessor to Motorola MVME6100, targeted for upgrade in systems needing modern performance.

Motorola MVME7100: Higher-performance VME SBC with Intel Core i7. Upgrade for Motorola MVME6100 in applications requiring extreme computing power (e.g., complex IoT analytics).

Emerson MVME6100 Conformal Coating Kit: Optional accessory for Motorola MVME6100. Adds corrosion protection for marine/offshore environments, extending SBC lifespan by 5+ years.

National Instruments VME-6508: 8-channel analog input module. Compatible with Motorola MVME6100, used to connect legacy sensors during MVME167 upgrades.

Phoenix Contact QUINT-PS/1AC/24DC/10: 24 VDC power supply (with DC-DC conversion to ±12 VDC/+5 VDC). Powers Motorola MVME6100 and legacy VME modules in industrial cabinets.

Lantronix UDS1100-EXT: Serial-to-Ethernet converter. Complements Motorola MVME6100 by extending serial port connectivity to remote legacy devices (e.g., MVME167-era meters).

Wind River VxWorks 7: Industrial OS optimized for Motorola MVME6100. Ensures backward compatibility with MVME167 VxWorks applications during upgrades.

Schroff 6U Industrial VME Chassis: 10-slot enclosure. Houses Motorola MVME6100 and legacy MVME167 modules during phased system modernization.

Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing Motorola MVME6100, power off the VMEbus chassis and wear an ESD wristband. Verify the chassis supports VMEbus Rev D and has sufficient power (35 W) to avoid overloading. Gather tools: torque screwdriver (for secure mounting), Gigabit Ethernet cable (Cat6), USB flash drive (for OS installation), and multimeter (verify power: +5 VDC ±5%, ±12 VDC ±10%). For harsh environments, apply the optional conformal coating before installation—ensure the coating covers all PCB edges to resist moisture/corrosion. When replacing an MVME167, reuse existing VME backplane connections to avoid rewiring, but update EDS files in the PLC to recognize Motorola MVME6100.

Maintenance suggestions: Conduct semi-annual maintenance on Motorola MVME6100: 1) Check LEDs—green power, blinking Ethernet, steady VME activity = normal; 2) Clean dust from the CPU heatsink with compressed air (avoid vacuum cleaners to prevent static); 3) Use IPMI tools to run remote BIST, verifying CPU/memory/I/O functionality without physical access. Replace the SSD every 5 years (use Emerson-approved industrial SSDs) to prevent data loss. For troubleshooting, if VME communication fails, check EDS file compatibility with legacy modules; if Ethernet drops, test cables with a Cat6 tester. Store a spare Motorola MVME6100 with pre-loaded OS/firmware to minimize downtime during failures.

Service and guarantee commitment

Emerson provides comprehensive support for Motorola MVME6100, tailored to its role in legacy system modernization. The standard warranty is 3 years, covering hardware defects (including CPU, SSD, and VMEbus components)—longer than the MVME167’s 1-year warranty. For critical applications (e.g., power generation, aerospace), the Modernization Support Plan extends coverage to 5 years, including 24/7 technical support (2-hour response time for downtime issues), free firmware updates, and on-site installation assistance during MVME167 upgrades.

Customers receive a dedicated resource library for Motorola MVME6100, including MVME167-to-MVME6100 migration guides, EDS file templates, and VxWorks compatibility tools. For repairs, Emerson offers a flat-rate service ($350 per unit) with a 5-day turnaround, including full functional testing and SSD data recovery. This commitment reflects Emerson’s understanding that Motorola MVME6100 is critical to minimizing risk during legacy upgrades—and its goal to ensure seamless, long-term operation for industrial users.