Description
Motorola MVME162-213 | VMEbus Embedded Controller | 68040 CPU
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Motorola Computer Group |
| Model | MVME162-213 |
| Product Type | VMEbus Embedded Controller |
| CPU | Motorola MC68LC040 |
| CPU Speed | 25 MHz |
| CPU Architecture | 32-bit |
| DRAM | 4 MB shared DRAM |
| SRAM | 512 KB battery-backed SRAM |
| Flash | 1 MB |
| SCSI Controller | NCR 53C710 |
| Ethernet Controller | Intel 82596CA |
| IndustryPack | 2 ports |
| VMEbus | VMEbus master/slave |
| VMEbus Addressing | A16–A32 master; A24–A32 slave |
| VMEbus Data Width | D08–D64 |
| +5 V Consumption | 3.5 A typical / 4.5 A maximum |
| Operating Environment | Forced-air VME chassis |
| Board Format | Double-high VME board |
Motorola documentation identifies the MVME162-213 specifically as the 4 MB DRAM version with SCSI and Ethernet, while the broader MVME162 documentation describes the 25 MHz 32-bit processor architecture and VMEbus capabilities.
Product Introduction
The Motorola MVME162-213 is a legacy VMEbus embedded controller designed for applications requiring local processing together with VME backplane communication. Its 25 MHz MC68LC040 processor, 4 MB shared DRAM, SCSI interface, Ethernet interface, and two IndustryPack ports make it suitable for embedded control, data acquisition, instrumentation, and other VME-based systems.
The board is particularly relevant when maintaining an installed VME system where application firmware, boot configuration, I/O mapping, and VMEbus relationships are already established. Replacing it with a superficially similar MVME162 variant can change the available interfaces or memory configuration, so the complete model number matters.
MVME162-213
Application Scenarios & Field Pitfalls — Engineer’s Perspective
Engineering Pain Point
The main difficulty with an MVME162 replacement is usually not the physical VME installation. It is preserving the original software environment and peripheral configuration. A board with the same mechanical format but a different processor variant, memory size, SCSI/Ethernet configuration, or firmware can require substantial recommissioning.
Typical Applications
- Legacy VME industrial control systems
- Embedded data-acquisition equipment
- Industrial test and measurement systems
- Instrumentation and OEM computing platforms
- Legacy systems using SCSI and Ethernet peripherals
Technical Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not confuse the -213 with other MVME162 variants.
Motorola’s model table identifies the MVME162-213 as the 4 MB DRAM, SCSI-and-Ethernet configuration with two IndustryPack ports. The -210, -211, and -212 variants have different interface configurations. - Watch for incorrect modern listings.
Some current product pages incorrectly describe the -213 as a PowerPC 603e board with 266 MHz operation and 128 MB SDRAM. Those specifications belong to a different hardware generation and should not be used to identify this legacy model. - Check the battery-backed memory before deployment.
The architecture includes battery-backed SRAM and NVRAM/time-of-day functionality. On long-stored surplus boards, battery condition should be checked before putting the controller back into service.
Related Products
- Motorola -210 — 4 MB DRAM version without SCSI or Ethernet; not functionally equivalent to the -213.
- Motorola -211 — 4 MB DRAM configuration with SCSI but without the -213’s Ethernet combination.
- Motorola -212 — 4 MB DRAM configuration with Ethernet but without SCSI.
- Motorola -213A — Related revision/configuration designation; verify board revision and firmware before substitution.
- Motorola -223 — MC68040-based 4 MB SCSI/Ethernet configuration in the higher-performance family; verify exact hardware revision.
- Motorola -233 — 4 MB ECC DRAM SCSI/Ethernet variant; memory architecture differs from the standard -213.
- Motorola -323 — Higher-memory ECC configuration with SCSI and Ethernet.
- Motorola MVME712M — Associated transition/interface hardware used with applicable serial and peripheral connections.
Procurement Check
Before approving an replacement, verify:
- Exact model:
- Processor type: MC68LC040
- CPU speed: 25 MHz
- 4 MB DRAM configuration
- SCSI interface present
- Ethernet interface present
- Two IndustryPack ports
- Flash memory contents
- Boot ROM/EPROM configuration
- Battery-backed SRAM/NVRAM condition
- VMEbus chassis compatibility
- Existing application firmware
- SCSI peripheral configuration
- Ethernet address/configuration
- IndustryPack module types
- Board revision and artwork
Recommended procurement description:
ola VMEbus Embedded Controller, 25 MHz MC68LC040 32-bit CPU, 4 MB DRAM, 512 KB Battery-Backed SRAM, SCSI, Ethernet, Two IndustryPack Interfaces, Legacy VME Control Board.
The key identification point is 25 MHz MC68LC040 + 4 MB DRAM + SCSI + Ethernet + two IndustryPack ports. That combination distingthe from several closely related configurations.
