Description
The MEN Mikro Elektronik A201SR04 (Part Number 01A201S12 / 5880-0009) is a high-reliability VMEbus M-Module carrier board. It is designed to act as an interface between the VMEbus backplane and up to four specialized M-Modules, allowing for flexible I/O expansion in embedded industrial and rugged computing environments.
Product Parameters (Datasheet)
- Model Number: A201SR04
- Part ID: 01A201S12 / 5880-0009
- Form Factor: 6U VMEbus (Single-slot)
- M-Module Slots: 4 slots (compliant with ANSI/VITA 12-1996)
- VME Interface: A16/A24/A32, D16/D32, Master/Slave
- Address Space: Configurable via jumpers or software for each M-Module slot
- Interrupts: Supports VMEbus interrupts for each of the four modules
- Power Supply: Derived from VME backplane (+5V, +12V, -12V)
- Mechanical Integrity: Ruggedized design, suitable for high-vibration environments
- Operating Temperature: -40°C to +85°C (Screened/Industrial versions available)
MEN A201SR04 01A201S12 5880-0009
MEN A201SR04 01A201S12 5880-0009
MEN A201SR04 01A201S12 5880-0009
Country of Origin
This module is engineered and manufactured by MEN Mikro Elektronik in Germany, known for producing mission-critical embedded systems for rail, aerospace, and industrial automation.
Application Fields
The A201SR04 is used in legacy and high-reliability VME systems:
- Railway Systems: Train control, monitoring, and signaling processing.
- Aerospace & Defense: Flight simulation, test stands, and radar interface units.
- Industrial Automation: High-speed data acquisition and specialized motor control.
- Energy & Power: Substation automation and monitoring of power distribution grids.
- Research & Physics: Data collection in laboratory environments using the VME standard.
Product Usage Instructions
- M-Module Installation: Secure the desired M-Modules (e.g., AD/DA converters, serial interfaces) onto the four carrier slots using the specified mounting screws before inserting the carrier into the rack.
- Addressing: Configure the base address for the VME card using the onboard DIP switches or jumpers. Ensure each of the four M-Module slots is mapped correctly in the system memory map.
- VME Insertion: Carefully align the 6U board with the VME chassis guides. Slide it in firmly and lock the injector/extractor handles to seat the 96-pin DIN connectors.
- Cooling: Ensure the VME rack has active fan cooling. High-performance M-Modules can generate significant heat within a single 6U slot.
- Software Setup: Use the MEN MDIS (Modular Device Driver System) framework to initialize the carrier and the individual sub-modules in your real-time operating system (e.g., VxWorks, Linux, or OS-9).
Product Technical Description
Technically, the A201SR04 serves as a VME-to-M-Module bridge. It translates VMEbus protocols into the M-Module interface specification. The “SR04” revision is designed for reliability, featuring robust electrical isolation and the ability to handle various I/O types—from simple digital signals to high-speed analog data—depending on the sub-modules installed. By using a carrier system, engineers can customize a single VME slot to perform four different functions, significantly reducing the footprint of the control system.
Q&A (Common Questions)
Q: Can I use M-Modules from different manufacturers on this board? A: Yes, the A201SR04 is fully compliant with the M-Module standard (VITA 12), allowing you to mix and match modules from any compliant vendor.
Q: What is the difference between the 5880-0009 and standard A201 models? A: 5880-0009 is often a customer-specific or revision-specific part number that may include specialized coating or specific factory-set jumper configurations for a particular industrial project.
Q: Does it support 32-bit data transfers? A: Yes, the carrier supports D32 VMEbus transfers, though the actual speed will be limited by the capability of the specific M-Module plugged into the slot.
Q: My system isn’t recognizing Slot 3. What should I check? A: Check the slot-specific address jumpers. Also, ensure the M-Module is correctly seated; even a slight misalignment in the high-density connector can cause communication failures.
Similar Model Recommendations
- MEN A201S (Standard VME Carrier)
- MEN B11 (CompactPCI M-Module Carrier)
- MEN A21 (VME Carrier for 3 M-Modules)
- MEN M36 (Common 16-channel Analog Input M-Module)
- MEN M58 (Common Digital I/O M-Module)
For more information on the MEN A201SR04 and other VMEbus solutions, please contact our technical support team.
