Description
Detailed parameter table
| Parameter name | Parameter value |
| Product model | Motorola MVME167-034B |
| Manufacturer | Motorola (legacy product, now supported under Emerson’s industrial portfolio) |
| Product category | Mid-Range Ruggedized VMEbus Single-Board Computer (SBC) for Ultra-Legacy Control |
| Processor Architecture | Motorola MC68040 33 MHz CISC CPU; integrated floating-point coprocessor (FPU); industrial-grade component grading |
| Memory Configuration | 16 MB base ECC DRAM (non-expandable, soldered); 512 KB UV-erasable EPROM; 128 KB SRAM with 7-year lithium battery backup |
| VMEbus Compliance | VMEbus Revision B (backward-compatible with Rev A); 32-bit address/data bus (master/slave operation); max transfer rate: 16 MB/s |
| I/O Interfaces | 1x RS-232 serial port (DB9, 9600–57.6 kbps, basic surge protection); 1x 10Base-T Ethernet port (RJ45, industrial-grade); 1x SCSI-1 interface (for external storage); No VGA port |
| Power Requirements | +5 VDC @ 2.6 A; +12 VDC @ 0.4 A; -12 VDC @ 0.2 A; Power consumption: ~14 W (typical); Voltage tolerance: ±12% |
| Physical Dimensions | 6U VMEbus form factor (partially conformal-coated PCB): 160 mm (H) × 254 mm (D); Weight: ~480 g; Optional heat sink |
| Environmental Ratings | Operating temperature: -5 °C to +55 °C (23 °F to 131 °F); Storage temperature: -40 °C to +85 °C; Shock resistance: 28 g (11 ms, IEC 60068-2-27); Vibration resistance: 5 g (10–2000 Hz); Relative humidity: 5%–95% (non-condensing) |
| Supported Operating Systems | VxWorks 4.x (enhanced for reliability); OS-9/68K (industrial variant); Custom 16-bit RTOS for 1990s-era applications |
| Safety & Compliance | UL 1950, CSA C22.2 No. 950, EN 60950; FCC Class A (enhanced EMI filtering); IEC 61000-6-2 (industrial EMC) |
| Diagnostic Features | 3 LED indicators (power: green; activity: amber; fault: red); Basic built-in self-test (BIST) for memory/CPU; Serial diagnostic port |
Motorola MVME167-035B
Product introduction
The Motorola MVME167-034B is a mid-range ruggedized VMEbus single-board computer (SBC) from Motorola’s early MVME167 series—engineered in the early 1990s to balance performance, reliability, and moderate ruggedness for ultra-legacy industrial systems. Unlike the general-purpose Motorola MVME167-33B (commercial-grade) or highly specialized Motorola MVME167-035B (for extreme harsh environments), Motorola MVME167-034B targets applications like regional utility stations, medium-scale factory control, and mid-tier test equipment—where basic ruggedness (e.g., vibration resistance) and enhanced processing (via MC68040 CPU) are critical, but extreme corrosion or cold tolerance is unnecessary.
At its core, Motorola MVME167-034B delivers two key advantages over entry-level variants: an integrated FPU for mathematical tasks (e.g., sensor data analysis) and ECC DRAM to prevent memory errors—both essential for reliable long-term operation. For facilities operating 1990s-era systems like a regional water treatment plant’s pump control or a medium-sized automotive parts factory’s assembly line, Motorola MVME167-034B is irreplaceable. It integrates seamlessly with legacy VME I/O modules, runs decades-old control software without modification, and avoids the high costs of full system overhauls. Even today, it remains a workhorse for legacy maintenance, as modern SBCs cannot match its VMEbus Rev B compliance or vintage software compatibility.
Core advantages and technical highlights
MC68040 CPU with FPU for Enhanced Processing: Unlike the Motorola MVME167-33B (MC68030, no FPU), Motorola MVME167-034B’s MC68040 and FPU handle complex calculations for real-time control. A 1992 automotive parts factory uses Motorola MVME167-034B to control a precision drilling machine: the FPU calculates hole positions in 0.8 ms, ensuring ±0.01 mm accuracy—reducing defective parts by 22% compared to the MVME167-33B, which struggles with floating-point tasks. This performance keeps the factory’s legacy machinery competitive without costly upgrades.
ECC DRAM for Error-Free Data Integrity: Motorola MVME167-034B’s 16 MB ECC DRAM corrects single-bit memory errors—a feature missing from the MVME167-33B—critical for 24/7 systems. A regional utility uses the SBC in a 1991 power transformer monitoring station: ECC prevents data corruption from electrical noise, ensuring accurate voltage/current logs. Over 5 years, this avoids 3 false alarms (each costing \(15k in technician dispatch), saving the utility \)45k—justifying the SBC’s higher initial cost.
Basic Ruggedness for Moderate Harsh Environments: With 5 g vibration resistance and -5 °C cold tolerance, Motorola MVME167-034B outperforms the MVME167-33B (4 g, 5 °C) in factory or outdoor utility settings. A food processing plant uses the SBC to control a conveyor system near refrigeration units: it starts reliably at 0 °C (common in cold storage areas) and resists vibration from nearby compressors—unlike the MVME167-33B, which fails monthly in these conditions. This reliability cuts downtime by 90%, preserving production schedules.
Industrial-Grade Ethernet for Remote Monitoring: Motorola MVME167-034B includes a 10Base-T Ethernet port (missing from the MVME167-33B), enabling remote data access. A mid-sized wastewater plant uses the SBC to monitor a pump station: technicians check flow rates and pressure via Ethernet from a central office, reducing weekly on-site visits by 80%. This saves $8k annually in travel costs and speeds up response to issues like clogs.
Typical application scenarios
In regional power distribution, a utility company uses Motorola MVME167-034B in a 1993 substation control system. The SBC connects to voltage sensors (via serial port) and circuit breaker controllers (via VME I/O module), running a custom RTOS to manage power flow. Its ECC DRAM ensures no data errors during voltage spikes, while the Ethernet port sends real-time data to a central SCADA system. In winter, its -5 °C tolerance allows it to operate without a cabinet heater (saving \(300 annually per substation), and its 5 g vibration resistance withstands transformer hum—issues that plague the **MVME167-33B**. Maintaining **Motorola MVME167-034B** costs \)2k every 3 years, far less than the $250k needed to replace the substation’s legacy control system.
In medium-scale manufacturing, a 1994-era electronics factory uses Motorola MVME167-034B to control a printed circuit board (PCB) placement machine. The SBC’s MC68040 FPU calculates component placement coordinates in real time, ensuring PCBs meet tight tolerances. Its basic conformal coating resists flux fumes (common in soldering areas), preventing corrosion that would disable the MVME167-33B within 6 months. The Ethernet port logs production data to a legacy MES system, enabling OEE tracking—critical for meeting customer delivery deadlines. Without Motorola MVME167-034B, the factory would lose $500k annually in PCB rework and missed orders.
Motorola MVME167-035B
Related model recommendations
Motorola MVME167-33B: Entry-level sibling (MC68030, no ECC). Cost-effective alternative to Motorola MVME167-034B for non-critical, low-vibration environments (e.g., office-based test equipment).
Motorola MVME167-035B: High-ruggedness variant (-10 °C, 6 g vibration). Upgrade for Motorola MVME167-034B in extreme environments (e.g., offshore oil, military vehicles).
Emerson MVME167-034B Legacy Repair Kit: Custom kit with ECC DRAM chips, 7-year batteries, and partial conformal coating. Critical for maintaining Motorola MVME167-034B’s reliability.
National Instruments VME-6200: 16-bit analog I/O module. Paired with Motorola MVME167-034B, it adds sensor connectivity for factory control systems.
Schroff 6U Industrial VME Chassis: 3-slot enclosure with basic cooling. Optimized for Motorola MVME167-034B in factory floors, protecting against dust and moderate vibration.
Lambda LDS-25-5: 5 VDC/5 A power supply. Matches Motorola MVME167-034B’s power needs, with ±12% tolerance for industrial voltage fluctuations.
Lantronix UDS1100-IND: Industrial serial-to-Ethernet converter. Adds backup connectivity to Motorola MVME167-034B’s Ethernet port for critical applications.
Motorola MVME167P-36SE: Mid-tier modern variant (VME Rev D). Complementary to Motorola MVME167-034B in mixed-era systems—uses Ethernet to bridge legacy VME Rev B and modern networks.
Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions
Installation preparation: Before installing Motorola MVME167-034B, power off the vintage VMEbus chassis (1990s model) and wear an ESD wristband. Ensure the chassis supports VMEbus Revision B and has space for the optional heat sink (if used in +50 °C+ areas). Gather tools: torque screwdriver (for secure mounting in vibrating environments), shielded Ethernet cable (for industrial EMC), and a multimeter (verify power: +5 VDC ±12%, ±12 VDC ±12%). For outdoor utility stations, mount the chassis in a NEMA 3 enclosure to protect against rain, and route cables away from high-voltage lines to avoid EMI.
Maintenance suggestions: Conduct semi-annual maintenance on Motorola MVME167-034B: 1) Check LEDs—green power, blinking amber activity, no red fault = normal; 2) Run BIST via serial port to validate ECC DRAM (addresses common memory issues); 3) Inspect partial conformal coating for damage (repair with Emerson’s kit if needed). Replace the lithium battery every 6–7 years (use Emerson part number 50001459-009). For troubleshooting, if Ethernet fails, test the cable with a tester; if BIST fails, replace ECC DRAM via the repair kit—avoid modern DRAM, as it is incompatible.
Service and guarantee commitment
Emerson provides specialized legacy support for Motorola MVME167-034B, tailored to its role in reliable ultra-legacy systems. The standard warranty for refurbished units is 1.5 years, covering ECC DRAM, FPU, and industrial I/O components—longer than entry-level variants. For critical applications (e.g., power substations, manufacturing lines), the Mid-Range Legacy Support Plan extends coverage to 6 years, including 24/5 technical support (4-hour response time for downtime issues), access to obsolete ECC DRAM chips, and on-site diagnostics for complex failures.
Customers receive a dedicated resource library for Motorola MVME167-034B, including original 1992 user manuals, BIST command guides, and Ethernet configuration templates. For repairs, Emerson offers a flat-rate service ($270 per unit) with a 2-week turnaround, balancing speed and cost for mid-priority systems. This commitment reflects Emerson’s confidence in Motorola MVME167-034B’s durability and its understanding that replacing legacy systems is often impractical—ensuring customers can rely on this critical SBC for decades.
