GE VMIVME-7740-841 Intel Pentium III VMEbus Single‑Board Computer (SBC)

Description

Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer: GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms (Abaco Systems)
• Model: VMIVME-7740-841
• Form Factor: 6U VMEbus (single slot, 160 mm × 233 mm × 20 mm)
• Processor: Intel Pentium III Socket 370 (733 MHz standard, upgradable to 1.26 GHz)
• Cache: 256 KB on‑die L2 cache (512 KB for 1.26 GHz variant)
• Memory:
  • SDRAM: Up to 1.5 GB DDR SDRAM (dual‑ported to VMEbus)
  • Flash: Up to 2 GB bootable CompactFlash
  • Battery‑Backed SRAM: 32 KB (non‑volatile data storage)
• VMEbus Interface: VMEbus Rev. C.1 compliant, A16/A24/A32 addressing, D16/D32 data, interrupt levels 1–7; Tundra Universe II PCI‑to‑VME bridge (80 MB/s max throughput)
• I/O Interfaces:
  • Ethernet: Dual 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet (RJ‑45)
  • Serial Ports: 4× 16550‑compatible RS‑232/422/485
  • USB: 4× USB 2.0
  • Digital I/O: 16‑channel programmable digital input/output
  • Graphics: AGP SVGA controller (2 MB SGRAM, up to 1280×1024 resolution)
  • Storage: 2× SATA ports, 1× CFast slot
• Expansion: 1× PMC/XMC site, 1× VME64x expansion slot
• Power Supply: +5 VDC ±5%, 3 A (15 W typical, 20 W max)
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to +70°C (32°F to 158°F); extended ‑40°C to +85°C available
• Storage Temperature: ‑40°C to +85°C (‑40°F to 185°F)
• Humidity: 5%–95% RH (non‑condensing)
• Shock/Vibration: MIL‑STD‑810G compliant (shock: 40 g, vibration: 5–2000 Hz)
• Coating: Conformal coated (moisture/dust resistance)
• Weight: 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs)
• Certifications: CE, UL 508, CSA C22.2, IEC 61010‑1, MIL‑STD‑461E (EMI/EMC)
• Status: Legacy (obsolete, supported by Abaco Systems; 841 denotes standard I/O and industrial temperature variant)

Key Features

1. Intel Pentium III High‑Speed Processing: 733 MHz (upgradable to 1.26 GHz) Pentium III delivers robust performance for real‑time control, data acquisition, and multi‑tasking embedded applications; Socket 370 design supports processor upgrades.
2. Dual‑Ported VMEbus Memory: Up to 1.5 GB DDR SDRAM dual‑ported to VMEbus enables high‑speed, deterministic data sharing between the SBC and other VME modules, critical for multi‑processor systems.
3. Tundra Universe II VME Bridge: PCI‑to‑VME bridge provides 80 MB/s max throughput, ensuring seamless, low‑latency communication between the SBC and VMEbus I/O modules.
4. Dual Gigabit Ethernet: Two 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports support networked deployment, remote maintenance, and high‑speed data streaming in distributed control systems.
5. Rich Integrated I/O: Four serial ports, four USB 2.0, 16 digital I/O, AGP graphics, and SATA/CFast storage eliminate the need for additional I/O cards, reducing system complexity and cost.
6. PMC/XMC Expansion Capability: Onboard PMC/XMC site supports modular upgrades (e.g., additional communication, signal processing, or high‑speed I/O cards).
7. Rugged Industrial/Military Construction: Conformal coating, wide temperature range (0°C to +70°C), and MIL‑STD‑810G shock/vibration compliance ensure reliable operation in substations, factories, military vehicles, and aerospace platforms.
8. Multi‑OS Support: Compatible with VxWorks, Linux, Windows XP/7, QNX, and Solaris, enabling flexibility in embedded software design and legacy system migration.
9. Battery‑Backed SRAM & Watchdog: 32 KB non‑volatile SRAM preserves critical data during power loss; software‑selectable watchdog timer resets the system on fault, enhancing uptime and system reliability.
10. Legacy System Compatibility: Direct replacement for older VMIVME‑7740 models, preserving investment in existing VMEbus infrastructure while adding modern processing and I/O capabilities.

Applications

• Industrial Automation: Main controller for VMEbus‑based PLC/DCS systems in manufacturing, chemical, and power plants, managing real‑time control, data acquisition, and HMI visualization.
• Aerospace & Defense: Embedded computing for avionics, radar, military vehicle systems, and flight test data acquisition, requiring ruggedness, wide temperature tolerance, and high reliability.
• Power Generation & Distribution: System controller for substation automation, protecting transformers, generators, and feeders with deterministic performance and cyber security features.
• Test & Measurement: High‑speed data acquisition and processing for vibration analysis, strain testing, and environmental monitoring in research laboratories and production lines.
• Transportation: Onboard computing for railway signaling, marine control systems, and heavy‑duty vehicles, withstanding shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures.
• Legacy System Retrofits: Upgrade path for aging VMEbus systems in nuclear facilities, oil refineries, and steel mills, extending operational life without full system redesign.
• Medical Imaging: Embedded processing for diagnostic equipment, leveraging high‑resolution graphics and deterministic I/O for real‑time image processing.

System Compatibility

• VMEbus Chassis: Compatible with all 6U VME/VME64x chassis (e.g., GE VMIVME‑2000, VMIVME‑2500 series).
• Operating Systems: VxWorks, Linux, Windows XP/7, QNX, Solaris.
• Software Tools: Configured via Abaco Systems’ VMEware, VMIClink, and custom C/C++/Python APIs for embedded development.
• Peripherals: Supports VMEbus I/O modules, PMC/XMC cards, SATA hard drives, and CompactFlash/CFast storage.