Motorola MVME6100 (Now by Emerson) – High-Performance VME64x SBC with Freescale MPC7448 CPU up to 1.4 GHz

Description

Application Scenarios

At a European particle accelerator facility, beam diagnostics systems rely on Motorola MVME6100 boards to process high-speed sensor data in real time. Despite being deployed over 15 years ago, these systems remain operational due to the MVME6100’s rugged design, ECC memory protection against cosmic-ray-induced bit flips, and seamless integration with VME-based digitizers. When newer x86 platforms failed under radiation stress, the PowerPC-based MVME6100 continued functioning—proving its enduring value in extreme environments where reliability trumps raw speed.

Parameter

表格

Technical Principles and Innovative Values

Innovation Point 1: PowerPC + Altivec for Deterministic Signal Processing

The MPC7448’s integrated Altivec SIMD engine enables real-time FFT, filtering, and control algorithms without offloading to DSPs—ideal for radar, sonar, and vibration analysis in embedded VME systems.

Innovation Point 2: ECC Memory for Mission-Critical Data Integrity

Unlike commercial boards, the MVME6100 uses ECC DDR2. automatically correcting single-bit errors—critical in nuclear plants, space systems, and avionics where silent data corruption is unacceptable.

Innovation Point 3: Hybrid PCI-X + PMC Architecture for I/O Flexibility

Combines legacy VME with modern PCI-X and PMC expansion, allowing integration of high-speed digitizers, FPGA cards, or custom I/O without redesigning the entire system.

Innovation Point 4: Long-Term Availability & Lifecycle Support

Despite end-of-life status, the MVME6100 remains in demand due to 20+ year deployments. Third-party suppliers and legacy support programs ensure continued availability for brownfield upgrades.

Application Cases and Industry Value

Energy Sector: Used in substation automation (IEC 61850) systems across North America, where its deterministic response ensures <4 ms trip times during grid faults.

Rail Signaling: Deployed in European ETCS Level 2 train control systems—leveraging VxWorks determinism and conduction-cooled ruggedness for tunnel and outdoor cabinets.

Defense Test Rigs: Powers electronic warfare simulation platforms that require synchronized multi-channel RF signal generation—enabled by PMC FPGA carriers hosted on the MVME6100.

Industrial Retrofits: Replaced aging MVME162 systems in paper mills, extending asset life by 10+ years while adding Ethernet connectivity and modern OS support.

Related Product Combination Solutions

MVME7100: Successor with dual-core MPC8641D, PCIe, and higher performance

MVME5500: Lower-cost alternative with MPC7455 (no Altivec)

PMCs: FPGA-based digitizers (e.g., VMIC VMIPCI-5565), SCSI/SATA controllers, or ARINC-429 interfaces

VME Chassis: Continuum by Artesyn, VMIVME-7750. or Radstone VPX hybrids

Development Tools: Wind River Workbench (for VxWorks), GCC PowerPC toolchain, JTAG debuggers

Rear Transition Modules (RTMs): Custom I/O breakout boards for PMC signals

Cooling Solutions: Conduction-cooled wedges for ANSI/VITA 20 compliance in military racks

Installation, Maintenance, and Full-Cycle Support

Install the MVME6100 in a 6U VME64x chassis with proper cooling (forced air or conduction). Configure boot mode via DIP switches (CompactFlash, network, or PMC). Use shielded cables for Ethernet and serial to minimize EMI in industrial settings. Firmware updates (e.g., PSP—Programmer’s Support Package) are applied via TFTP or local storage.

While officially end-of-life (EOL), the MVME6100 remains widely supported through:

Legacy hardware suppliers offering tested units with warranty

Third-party BSPs for modern Linux kernels (e.g., Yocto Project layers)

Obsolescence management programs including lifetime buys and form-fit-function replacements

We provide certified refurbished MVME6100 boards—each tested for CPU stability, memory ECC, Ethernet link integrity, and PMC functionality. Units include original documentation, compatible PSP versions, and a 12-month warranty.

Contact us for MVME6100 solutions—whether you need a single replacement board, a batch for fleet refresh, or engineering support for OS migration. In the world of embedded VME computing, the Motorola MVME6100 remains a benchmark of reliability, longevity, and real-time performance.