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 high-performance 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.