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MVME1603-012

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MVME1603-012
May 15, 2026

MVME1603-012

MVME1603‑012 6U VME Single‑Board Computer (SBC) Motorola / Emerson / Curtiss‑Wright User Manual (Plain Text, No Images) Part Number: MVME1603‑012 Manufacturer: Motorola, later Emerson / Artesyn / Curtiss‑Wright Form Factor: 6U VMEbus (double‑high, VME64, P1/P2 backplane, VMEbus Rev C compliant) CPU: PowerPC 603 @ 66 MHz Cache: 16 KB instruction / 16 KB data (on‑chip) Memory: 8 MB DRAM (non‑ECC) Bus Interface: VMEbus + PCI local bus (132 MB/s) Ethernet: Onboard 10/100 Mbps Ethernet Application: Cost‑sensitive industrial control, basic real‑time embedded systems, VME/PCI hybrid systems, low‑memory footprint applications, MVME760 transition module compatible

Description

MVME1603-012.jpg

MVME1603‑012

6U VME Single‑Board Computer (SBC)

Motorola / Emerson / Curtiss‑Wright

User Manual (Plain Text, No Images)

Part Number: MVME1603‑012
Manufacturer: Motorola, later Emerson / Artesyn / Curtiss‑Wright
Form Factor: 6U VMEbus (double‑high, VME64, P1/P2 backplane, VMEbus Rev C compliant)
CPU: PowerPC 603 @ 66 MHz
Cache: 16 KB instruction / 16 KB data (on‑chip)
Memory: 8 MB DRAM (non‑ECC)
Bus Interface: VMEbus + PCI local bus (132 MB/s)
Ethernet: Onboard 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
Application: Cost‑sensitive industrial control, basic real‑time embedded systems, VME/PCI hybrid systems, low‑memory footprint applications, MVME760 transition module compatible
Key Identification:
MVME1603‑012 = PowerPC 603 @66 MHz, 8 MB non‑ECC DRAM, VME64, PCI local bus, onboard 10/100 Ethernet, PMC expansion capable, MVME1600‑011 baseboard (revised P2 I/O routing) + PM603 processor mezzanine + low‑density RAM module
The “‑012” suffix denotes MVME1600‑011 baseboard (same as ‑011) + 8 MB non‑ECC DRAM (same as ‑002) + PPCBug firmware + Class 2 conformal coating + MVME760 compatible.

1. General Description

The MVME1603‑012 is a cost‑optimized, double‑high 6U VMEbus single‑board computer in the MVME1603 family, based on the PowerPC 603 RISC microprocessor. It combines the revised MVME1600‑011 baseboard (MVME760‑ready) from the ‑011 model with the 8 MB non‑ECC memory configuration of the ‑002 model, making it the low‑cost, MVME760‑compatible variant of the 1603 line.
It uses a modular construction: MVME1600‑011 baseboard + PM603 processor mezzanine + 8 MB non‑ECC DRAM module. It includes 2 KB battery‑backed CMOS SRAM and a battery‑backed real‑time clock (RTC). Four 32‑pin ROM/EPROM/EEPROM sockets support up to 4 MB of boot/firmware storage; the MVME1603‑012 ships with standard PPCBug firmware preinstalled.
Peripheral interfaces match all other MVME1603 models: four EIA‑232‑D serial ports, a Centronics‑compatible parallel port, onboard 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, PCI local bus (32‑bit, 33 MHz, 132 MB/s), and one PMC expansion slot.
The VMEbus interface supports A16/A24/A32 addressing and D08/D16/D32/D64 data widths, with master/slave operation and system controller functions. The MVME1603‑012 complies with VMEbus Rev C and is VME64 compatible.

2. Features

Processor and Memory

  • Processor: PowerPC 603 at 66 MHz, RISC architecture

  • On‑chip cache: 16 KB instruction, 16 KB data

  • DRAM: 8 MB standard, non‑ECC, not expandable to 64 MB without module change

  • Battery‑backed SRAM: 2 KB, non‑volatile data storage

  • Real‑time clock: Time‑of‑day clock/calendar with battery backup

  • ROM sockets: four 32‑pin sockets, up to 4 MB total firmware

  • Firmware: PPCBug debugger/monitor preinstalled (‑012 standard)

Onboard I/O Interfaces

  • Serial ports: four EIA‑232‑D asynchronous/synchronous (Z8530 SCC)

  • Parallel port: Centronics‑compatible printer port

  • Ethernet: 10/100 Mbps, onboard, PCI‑based

  • PCI local bus: 32‑bit, 33 MHz, 132 MB/s, one PMC slot

  • VMEbus: VME64, Rev C compliant, master/slave/system controller

System Functions

  • Timers: two 16‑bit programmable tick timers

  • Watchdog: hardware watchdog timer with system reset

  • Front panel LEDs: SCON, RUN, FAIL, STATUS, PCI ACT

  • Switches: RESET, ABORT

  • Configuration: factory default (‑012 = MVME1600‑011 baseboard + 8 MB non‑ECC DRAM)

3. Electrical Specifications

  • Power supply: +5 VDC, ±12 VDC (VMEbus standard)

  • +5 V current: 5.5 A typical, 7.0 A maximum

  • +12 V: 150 mA maximum

  • -12 V: 150 mA maximum

  • Logic levels: 3.3 V / 5 V TTL compatible

  • Power dissipation: approximately 11 W typical

4. Mechanical Specifications

  • Form factor: 6U VME, double‑high

  • Dimensions: 233.4 mm height × 160 mm depth

  • Weight: approximately 850 g

  • Conformal coating: Class 2 (industrial standard)

5. Environmental Specifications

  • Operating temperature: 0 °C to +55 °C

  • Storage temperature: −20 °C to +70 °C

  • Relative humidity: 5%–95% non‑condensing

  • Shock: 30 g, 11 ms pulse

  • Vibration: 5 g, 5 Hz–200 Hz

6. Supported Operating Systems

  • VxWorks (PowerPC versions, fully supported)

  • LynxOS

  • OS‑9

  • pSOS+

  • Motorola VMEexec

  • NetBSD/mvmeppc

  • Custom embedded RTOS

7. Compatibility and Ordering Notes

  • Baseboard: MVME1600‑011 (revised P2 for MVME760)

  • DRAM: 8 MB non‑ECC

  • MVME760 compatibility: YES (same as ‑011)

  • Pin‑compatible with MVME1603‑001/‑002/‑011 and MVME1604 series

  • Software‑compatible with MVME1600 family (PowerPC 603/604)

  • Not compatible with MVME147/148 (68k architecture, different pinout)

8. MVME1603 Series Comparison (Plain Text Summary)

  • ‑001: 001 baseboard, 64 MB ECC, non‑MVME760

  • ‑002: 001 baseboard, 8 MB non‑ECC, non‑MVME760

  • ‑011: 011 baseboard, 64 MB ECC, MVME760‑ready



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