Key Technical Specifications
- Product Model: MVME51005E-0163
- Manufacturer: Emerson
- Processor Type: MCP7410 / MCP75x PowerPC
- External Bus Speed: 100 MHz maximum
- L2 Cache: 1 MB or 2 MB
- On-board Memory: 32 MB to 512 MB ECC SDRAM
- Memory Expansion: Up to 1 GB via RAM500 mezzanine modules
- Network Interfaces: Dual 10/100BaseTX Ethernet ports
- Serial Interfaces: TL16C550 UART (9-pin planar)
- VME Interface: P1/P2 Connectors (SBC and PMC I/O modes)
- Flash Memory: 1 MB to 17 MB
- RTC/NVRAM: M48T37V with Watchdog Timer
Product Introduction
The EMERSON MVME51005E-0163 is a VMEbus single board computer designed for industrial control and data acquisition systems. It features a PowerPC processor architecture and supports up to 100 MHz external bus speeds for real-time processing tasks.This board distinguishes itself through dual Ethernet ports and flexible memory expansion via RAM500 mezzanine modules. Total ECC memory capacity can reach 1.5 GB when combining on-board SDRAM with expansion mezzanines, providing reliable data integrity for critical applications.
Installation & Configuration Guide
Preparation (10 min)
Verify VME chassis power is OFF and locked out. Check that the target VME slot matches the board’s P1/P2 connector requirements. Review jumper settings J4, J6, J10, J17, and J20 before handling the board. Wear an ESD wrist strap connected to chassis ground.Removal (5–10 min)
Release the VME ejector handles on the existing board. Unscrew the front panel retaining screws. Pull the board straight out along the card guides. Inspect the backplane connectors for bent pins or debris.Installation (10 min)
Align the MVME51005E-0163 with the VME card guides. Slide the board in until the P1 and P2 connectors seat fully. Tighten front panel retaining screws to specified torque. Close the ejector handles to lock the board into the backplane.Power-On & Test (10 min)
Restore chassis power. Observe the status LEDs for POST completion. Connect a terminal to the 9-pin UART port. Verify PPCBug firmware initializes and displays the boot prompt. Run the built-in self-test (BIST) commands to validate memory and Ethernet ports.
Troubleshooting Quick Reference
| Symptom | Probable Cause | First Check |
|---|---|---|
| No POST, no LEDs | Backplane power failure | Measure +5V and +3.3V at P1 connector |
| POST fails, LED error | Memory mezzanine fault | Reseat RAM500 module; test without mezzanine |
| Ethernet Port 1 dead | Jumper misconfiguration | Verify J4, J10, J17 settings per manual |
| Serial port no output | UART clock mismatch | Confirm TL16C550 baud rate in PPCBug ENV |
| Intermittent resets | Watchdog timeout | Check M48T37V battery voltage; review WD config |
| VMEbus errors | P2 I/O mode mismatch | Verify J6 and J20 match SBC vs PMC mode |
Dimensions, Mounting & Wiring Notes
- Form Factor: Standard 6U VME (verify exact H×W×D from mechanical drawing)
- Mounting: VME card guides with front panel screw retention
- P1 Connector: VME P1 standard pinout (address/data/control lines)
- P2 Connector: Configurable for SBC (761/IPMC) or PMC I/O routing via jumpers
- Front Panel I/O: Dual RJ45 Ethernet, 9-pin UART
- Mezzanine Connectors: Top and bottom stackable RAM500 headers
- Note: Always photograph jumper positions before removal. The P2 I/O mode (SBC vs PMC) is user-configurable and must match your transition card or PMC adapter.
FAQ
Will the MVME51005E-0163 work with my existing VME backplane?
Yes, it uses standard VME P1/P2 connectors. Verify your backplane supports 6U SBCs and that the P2 pinout matches your I/O requirements.I need to replace an MVME712. Is this a direct drop-in?
The MVME51005E-0163 in SBC mode is backward-compatible with MVME712/MVME761 transition cards. Confirm your P2 jumper settings match the legacy configuration before installing.How much memory can I actually install?
On-board SDRAM supports up to 512 MB. Adding two RAM500 mezzanines (512 MB each) brings the total to 1.5 GB ECC memory. Verify mezzanine part numbers match your board revision.Can I use this board without a PMC module?
Yes. In PMC mode, the board operates with on-board resources only. In SBC mode, you need an IPMC712 or IPMC761 PMC in slot 1 for full P2 I/O routing.What firmware does this board ship with?
PPCBug debugger firmware is pre-loaded. Use the CNFG and ENV commands to configure boot parameters, network addresses, and console settings.I pulled the old board and forgot the jumper positions. Now what?
Refer to the P2 I/O Mode jumper table in the installation manual. Set J6 and J20 based on whether you need SBC or PMC mode, then configure J4, J10, and J17 for Ethernet routing.Is the Ethernet MAC address programmable?
Each board has two factory-assigned MAC addresses ($0001AFXXXXX format). LAN 1 address is also stored in NVRAM and SROM. Custom MAC assignment requires PPCBug configuration commands.
