Description
The Motorola / Emerson MVME5500 (specifically identified by assembly code 01-W3885F-02C featuring the GT-64260B-B1-0 system controller) is a high-performance VMEbus Single-Board Computer (SBC) designed for data-intensive embedded applications, defense and aerospace systems, medical imaging, and heavy industrial automation.
Built around a robust PowerPC architecture, the MVME5500 provides long-term lifecycle support and backward compatibility for legacy VMEbus infrastructures while delivering high-speed processing and balanced I/O subsystems.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Manufacturer | Motorola Computer Group / Emerson Network Power |
| Board Series / Model | MVME5500 Series (Part ID: 01-W3885F-02C) |
| System Controller / Bridge | Marvell Discovery GT-64260B-B1-0 System Controller & PCI Bridge |
| Main Processor | NXP / Motorola MPC7457 PowerPC processor running at 1 GHz |
| Cache Memory | 512 KB on-chip L2 cache + 2 MB on-chip L3 cache |
| System Memory (RAM) | 512 MB to 1 GB of soldered ECC SDRAM (133 MHz bus speed) |
| Flash Memory | 40 MB total in two soldered banks (32 MB + 8 MB) |
| VMEbus Interface | Tundra Universe II VME64 interface (ANSI/VITA 1-1994) |
| Expansion Mezzanine | Two 64-bit PCI Mezzanine Card (PMC) slots supporting 33/66 MHz operation |
| Network Interfaces | 1x Gigabit Ethernet (Intel 82544EI) + 1x 10/100BaseTX Ethernet port |
| Serial Ports | Two asynchronous serial ports (via 16550 compatible UARTs) |
| Form Factor | Standard 6U VMEbus Single-Board Computer (Single Slot) |
Core Features & Operating Capabilities
- High-Performance GT-64260B System Controller: The integrated Marvell Discovery GT-64260B chipset efficiently coordinates traffic between the 1 GHz PowerPC core, 133 MHz SDRAM memory banks, and dual independent 64-bit PCI local buses.
- Balanced Dual PCI Bus Architecture: Isolates the high-speed PMC expansion slots from the VMEbus Universe II interface, allowing PMC modules to run at full 66 MHz performance without slowing down backplane communications.
- Ruggedized Industrial Design: Engineered to operate reliably under extreme vibration, shock, and thermal conditions found in defense, aerospace, and high-availability industrial control enclosures.
- MOTLoad Firmware Environment: Features Motorola’s robust MOTLoad firmware supporting power-on self-tests (POST), extensive hardware diagnostics, script execution, and flexible operating system boot routines (VxWorks, Linux, real-time OS).
- Legacy VMEbus Backward Compatibility: Permits seamless upgrades for older systems running on MVME2300, MVME2400, or MVME5100 boards without requiring complete chassis or backplane re-engineering.
Related Motorola / Emerson VME Hardware
- MVME761 / MVME712M — Rear Transition Modules (RTM) and I/O transition panels.
- MVME6100 — Successor high-performance VMEbus single-board computer.
- PMCspan — PCI Mezzanine Card expansion modules.
