Emerson / Motorola MVME187 RISC Single Board Computer

The Emerson/Motorola MVME187 is a single-height 6U VMEbus-compatible RISC single board computer built around the Motorola 88100 processor. It delivers computing for embedded systems requiring real-time processing, industrial control, and high-availability operation. The board integrates dual Motorola 88200/88204 memory management coprocessors, an Intel 82596CA Ethernet controller, and comprehensive I/O connectivity - making it suitable for system integrators developing sophisticated VME-based solutions.

Technical Specifications Processor & Cache

Motorola 88100 CPU at 25 MHz or 33 MHz clock speeds

Dual Motorola 88200 or 88204 CMMUs (cache memory management units)

L1 cache: 16 KB or 64 KB I/D options Memory

Onboard static RAM: 128 KB

DRAM via mezzanine boards: 4, 8, 16, 32 MB (parity) or 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 MB (ECC)

Maximum 256 MB ECC DRAM or 64 MB parity DRAM with stacked dual mezzanine configuration (requires two VMEbus slots)

Four-way DRAM interleaving for cache burst optimization

ROM/EPROM: Four 44-pin sockets supporting up to 4 MB onboard

Mixed parity and ECC memory supported; parity mezzanines limited to 25 MHz boards I/O Interfaces

Four serial ports (EIA-232-D, managed via PCCchip2)

Parallel printer port (Centronics)

8-bit bidirectional parallel interface

SCSIbus with DMA (NCR 53C710 SCSI I/O controller)

Integrated 10 Mbps Ethernet (Intel 82596CA coprocessor, RJ-45 front-panel connection; custom rear I/O available) VMEbus & Control

VMEchip2 ASIC: VMEbus interface, local bus conversion, DMA controller, system controller functions

Compliant with ANSI/IEEE Std 1014-1987 VMEbus specification

VME-I/O via P1 connector

8 status LEDs (FAIL, STAT, RUN, SCON, LAN, 12V, SCSI, VME)

RESET and ABORT switches Physical

Form factor: Single-height 6U VME board

Weight: ~2.2 kg

Key Features

Dual memory management coprocessors for high-throughput data access

Interleaved DRAM architecture optimized for CPU burst cycles

Multiple memory protection options (parity and ECC)

Integrated 10 Mbps Ethernet and SCSI connectivity

Onboard ROM support for firmware and boot code

Comprehensive status monitoring and manual control

Typical Applications

Real-time industrial control systems

VMEbus-based data acquisition platforms

Embedded systems requiring UNIX or RTOS operation

SBC-based engine controllers and automation

Compatibility & Integration The MVME187 integrates into standard VMEbus backplanes and supports mixed memory configurations. Four independent serial channels enable multi-port communication. Ethernet and SCSI I/O allow direct network and storage connectivity without additional interface cards.