Emerson / Motorola MBX860-001C EBX Form Factor Embedded Controller

The Emerson/Motorola MBX860-001C is an EBX form factor embedded controller built around the Motorola MPC860 PowerQUICC processor. It integrates RISC processing with communications functions to deliver real-time performance in industrial control, data acquisition, and communication systems. The compact 5.75 × 8.0 inch board combines on-board memory, multiple serial and network interfaces, and extensive expansion connectivity to support demanding embedded applications in rugged environments.

Technical Specifications Processor & Memory

Motorola MPC860 PowerQUICC processor

16 MB on-board DRAM (standard configuration)

2 MB Flash memory (MBX860-001 model)

32 KB NVRAM

Floppy Disk Drive Controller (2.88 MB) Mechanical

Form Factor: EBX

Dimensions: 5.75 inches × 8.0 inches Interfaces & Connectivity

10BaseT Ethernet

Asynchronous Serial Ports (COM1, COM2)

MPC8xx Serial Communications Interface

Keyboard Interface

Mouse Interface

Infrared (IR)

EIDE interface (MBX860-002 model) Expansion Connectors

PC/104-Plus expansion bus

PCMCIA slot

8xx/COMM expansion connector (P1, 144-pin high-density socket) Power

+12V DC input required

On-board backup battery support

Key Features The MPC860 PowerQUICC architecture consolidates processor and communications functions on a single die, eliminating the need for separate communications controllers. Multiple serial ports and 10BaseT Ethernet provide direct connectivity without additional adapters. The 144-pin 8xx/COMM expansion connector enables integration of specialized communications and I/O modules.

Typical Applications Industrial control systems, real-time data acquisition platforms, network appliances, telecommunications equipment, and embedded systems requiring deterministic processing with integrated communications in space-constrained enclosures.

Compatibility & Integration The EBX form factor ensures mechanical and electrical compatibility with standard system enclosures. PC/104-Plus expansion supports both ISA and PCI bus architectures. PCMCIA slot accepts I/O cards, memory expansion, and communication devices. The 8xx/COMM connector provides direct integration of Motorola 8xx-family compatible expansion modules.