Description
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Motorola |
| Model | MVME162-533A |
| Board Family | MVME162FX 500 Series |
| CPU | Motorola MC68040 |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| DRAM | 8 MB |
| SRAM | 512 KB, battery-backed |
| Flash Memory | 1 MB |
| IndustryPack | 4 ports |
| Ethernet | Integrated Ethernet transceiver interface |
| SCSI | SCSI bus interface with DMA |
| Serial Interfaces | 2 |
| VME Architecture | VMEbus single-board computer |
| Base Board | 01-W3960B70E |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to +70°C, forced-air cooling |
| Typical +5 V Consumption | 3.5 A typical, 4.5 A maximum |
Motorola’s MVME162FX documentation specifically includes the MVME162-533A within the 500-series controller family. The model is part of the later MVME162FX configuration group, rather than the earlier 1/4/8 MB MVME162 configurations.
The -533A configuration is documented by current technical references with a 32 MHz MC68040, 8 MB DRAM, 512 KB SRAM, 1 MB Flash, four IndustryPack interfaces, Ethernet, and SCSI. One documented board has the 01-W3960B70E base-board identifier.
Product Introduction
The Motorola MVME162-533A is a 6U VMEbus embedded controller designed for OEM and industrial computing systems that require a CPU, local memory, serial communications, storage connectivity, and IndustryPack expansion on one VME board. Its 32 MHz MC68040 processor is supported by 8 MB DRAM, 512 KB battery-backed SRAM, 1 MB Flash, four IndustryPack ports, Ethernet, and SCSI.
For a maintenance engineer, this is much more than a generic VME CPU card. The exact combination of Ethernet, SCSI, IndustryPack I/O, serial hardware, memory configuration, and VME address mapping can be part of the original machine’s application design. Replacing it with another MVME162 variant that merely uses the same processor can leave connected peripherals or boot software unsupported.
MVME162-533A
Application Scenarios & Field Pitfalls
Engineering Pain Point
The primary risk with the MVME162-533A is configuration mismatch. The MVME162 family contains many model variations, and the model suffix determines important combinations of memory, Ethernet, SCSI, processor, and other interfaces.
Typical Applications
- Industrial machine control — embedded VME computers coordinating custom IndustryPack I/O.
- Scientific and test equipment — VME-based instrumentation requiring SCSI, Ethernet, and local processing.
- Data acquisition systems — IndustryPack modules provide application-specific acquisition or control functions.
- Legacy OEM control systems — long-lived equipment using Motorola VME hardware and proprietary application software.
Technical Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not confuse -533A with -523A or -513A. Motorola’s later MVME162 documentation groups these models together, but their memory configurations differ. The -533A is associated with the 8 MB configuration, while the family includes other memory variants.
- Verify Ethernet and SCSI requirements. The -533A configuration includes both interfaces, while closely related MVME162 models may omit one or both. Motorola’s cross-reference information identifies the -533A/-523A/-513A group as the configuration with Ethernet and SCSI.
- Check the IndustryPack modules before substitution. Four IP ports are a significant part of the board’s I/O architecture. A replacement controller must support the existing IP hardware and software drivers.
- Preserve battery-backed data. The board contains 512 KB SRAM and battery-backed time-of-day/NVRAM functions. Maintenance should account for stored configuration and application-dependent data before removing the original board.
- Confirm the base-board identification. 01-W3960B70E has been documented with -533A units, but individual boards should still be checked against their physical markings because field configurations and replacement histories can differ.
- Do not assume any is a drop-in substitute. Motorola’s own cross-reference shows specific migration paths between older models and later MVME162P/PA variants.
Related Products
- — closely related 500-series VME controller; part of the same Ethernet/SCSI configuration family but with a different memory configuration.
- — another 500-series variant with Ethernet and SCSI; verify memory and board configuration before substitution.
- — earlier/related configuration; do not assume the absence of the “A” revision is insignificant.
- MVME162P-344SE — later VME controller family; 32 MHz MC68040, 16 MB SDRAM, four DMA IndustryPack interfaces, Ethernet, and SCSI. It is a potential modernization reference, not automatically a drop-in replacement.
- MVME162PA-344SE — second-generation Petra-based variant with the same broad 16 MB/Ethernet/SCSI architecture; verify system firmware and application compatibility.
- — related 500-series controller without the same Ethernet/SCSI combination; useful for family identification but not an equivalent replacement.
- — related MVME162FX configuration with a different interface/memory combination.
- MVME167 series — later Motorola VME embedded-controller family; useful for system migration projects but requires application-level compatibility review.
Procurement Check
For MVME162-533A, specify the complete part number and verify the physical board marking, especially the 01-W3960B70E base-board identifier where applicable.
Before approving a spare, confirm MC68040/32 MHz, 8 MB DRAM, 512 KB SRAM, 1 MB Flash, four IndustryPack ports, Ethernet, SCSI, serial configuration, VME backplane requirements, and the installed software/boot environment. The most common procurement mistake is accepting an board with a similar model number while overlooking the SCSI/Ethernet or memory configuration.
