MOTOROLA MVME7100-0173

• Serial Interfaces: Five RS-232 serial ports
• USB: USB 2.0 host interface (available on commercial temperature variants)
• Expansion Capabilities:
  • Two PMC-X sites supporting 33/66/100 MHz modules
  • Support for Processor PMC (PPMC) modules
  • 8-lane PCI Express expansion connector for XMC and PMC-X module integration via SMART EC SMARTmesh technology
• PCI Express: On-board PCIe switch providing high-speed connectivity to expansion modules
• Form Factor: 6U VME (233.4 mm x 160 mm)
• Operating Temperature:
  • Commercial: 0°C to +71°C
  • Extended: -40°C to +71°C (ruggedized variant with enhanced environmental tolerance)
• Operating Systems: Supported by VxWorks, Linux, and other real-time operating systems through available Board Support Packages (BSPs)

Key Features

• Dual-core NXP MPC864xD SoC processor delivering up to 1.3 GHz performance for high computational throughput and real-time processing
• Integrated DDR2 memory controllers and PCI Express interfaces ensure efficient data flow and balanced system architecture
• 2eSST VMEbus support enables sustained data transfer rates of up to 320 MB/s, significantly improving bandwidth over legacy VME systems
• Full backward compatibility with VME64 and VME32 standards allows integration into existing chassis and protection of legacy investments
• Four Gigabit Ethernet ports provide high-speed networking, redundancy, and support for distributed system architectures
• Dual PMC-X expansion sites enable integration of specialized I/O, communication, or signal processing modules
• 8-lane PCI Express expansion connector supports advanced XMC and PMC-X modules for future scalability and performance enhancement
• Ruggedized extended temperature variant (-40°C to +71°C) ensures reliable operation in harsh environments including extreme temperatures, shock, and vibration
• USB 2.0 interface (on commercial models) facilitates integration of modern, cost-effective peripherals
• Direct compatibility with the MVME7216E Rear Transition Module (RTM) enables rear I/O routing for improved system integration and signal integrity
• Long lifecycle support reduces redesign cycles and minimizes maintenance overhead in long-term deployments

Application Areas

• Defense and aerospace systems including avionics, mission computers, radar and sonar signal processing, electronic warfare, and secure communications
• Industrial automation and control platforms such as semiconductor manufacturing, robotics, process monitoring, and machine vision systems
• Medical imaging and diagnostic equipment requiring high reliability, real-time performance, and data integrity
• Telecommunications infrastructure including base station controllers, network switches, and monitoring units
• Real-time data acquisition, test, and measurement systems in scientific and industrial environments
• Transportation systems such as railway signaling, onboard train computing, and intelligent traffic management
• Energy and power grid monitoring, substation automation, and renewable energy control platforms

Manufacturer and Support

The MVME7100-0173 is a product of SMART Embedded Computing, which evolved from Motorola’s embedded computing division and later became part of Emerson Network Power. The board is supported through specialized embedded systems vendors, industrial automation suppliers, and certified integrators. Technical documentation, spare units, and Board Support Packages (BSPs) for VxWorks, Linux, and other RTOS platforms are available for deployment and maintenance. Due to its rugged design, long lifecycle, and seamless compatibility with legacy VME systems, the MVME7100-0173 remains in active use in mission-critical applications where reliability, performance, and infrastructure continuity are essential. It serves as a strategic upgrade path for organizations modernizing their embedded systems without replacing entire hardware or software ecosystems.