Motorola Single Board Computers Explained

Motorola's single board computers are designed to be compact and powerful.

These tiny computers can be used in a variety of applications, including robotics, industrial control systems, and embedded systems.

Their small size and low power consumption make them ideal for use in spaces where traditional computers may not fit.

Motorola SBCs have been around since 1988, with the first version of the board appearing that year. They still produce these boards today.

The mvme68k family of Motorola Single Board Computers includes boards like the MVME147, MVME162, and MVME167, which are supported by NetBSD. These boards have CPUs like the 68030 and 68040.

Here's a brief look at some of the Motorola Single Board Computers:

The Tiny68K is another example of a Motorola Single Board Computer, with its unique feature of filling the entire 16-megabyte memory space with RAM. This allows for a high-performance yet low-cost single board computer.

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Motorola Single Board Computers (SBCs) have been around since 1988, with the first version of the board appearing that year. They're still being made today.

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These boards are designed for embedded systems and come in three main lines: mvme68k, mvmeppc, and mvme88k. The mvme68k family, which includes the MVME147, MVME162, MVME167, MVME172, and MVME177 boards, is particularly interesting.

The MVME147, for example, has a 68030 CPU and can run at speeds of 16.67, 25, or 33.33 MHz. The MVME162, on the other hand, features a 68040 CPU and runs at 25 MHz.

Here are some of the key features of the Motorola SBCs:

The PowerPC line of SBCs, which includes the MVME160x and MVME230x boards, offers even more options. The MVME1603, for instance, features a PowerPC 603 CPU, while the MVME2301 has a PowerPC 603 CPU as well.

Tiny68K, a single board computer based on the Motorola 68000, is another interesting example. It has two unique features: the entire 16-megabyte memory space is filled with RAM, and the boot software resides in a 32Kbyte serial flash that's copied into the lowest 32Kbyte of the DRAM when powered up or with a reset.

The Mvme5100 Single Board Computer is a high-performance computing solution that's perfect for embedded systems. It provides 100 MHz bus speed.

This board computer is based on the VME/VME64 bus and uses Motorola's PowerPC 602e processor. It integrates a highly optimized PCI interface and memory controller.

The Mvme5100 has a 32/64 bit PMC expansion slot, which allows for easy expansion and customization. It also comes with 17MB of flash memory.

Users can connect to the board via two 10/100 base Ethernet ports. This provides reliable and fast communication.

The Mvme5100 is designed for applications that require high performance, low power consumption, and reliability. It's suitable for industrial automation, communication systems, military applications, medical equipment, and more.

This board computer supports up to 582MB of memory read bandwidth and 640MB of burst write bandwidth. This makes it ideal for applications that require high-speed data transfer.

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The hardware behind Motorola Single Board Computers is quite impressive. The Tiny68K Kit #1 requires a build procedure from scratch, while the Kit #2 can be built using a partially assembled board.

The CPU is a powerful 68040 processor, running at either 25 or 33.33 MHz, with a MMU and Floating Point Processor for enhanced performance.

For those interested in the specifics, the Tiny68K Kit #2 build procedure involves assembling SMT capacitors and resistors, as well as programming the EPM7128.

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Building a Tiny68K board can be a straightforward process if you have the right procedures. There are different build procedures for each kit, so make sure you choose the right one for your project.

The build procedure for Tiny68K Kit #1 involves building from scratch, which means you'll need to assemble all the components.

You can also build a partially assembled board for Kit #2, which can save you some time and effort.

If you're using Kit #2, you'll need to follow a specific build procedure that takes into account the already assembled SMT capacitors and resistors, as well as the EPM7128 which is already assembled and programmed.

The resulting board will be fully functional and ready to use.

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The CPU is the brain of any computer system, responsible for executing instructions and handling data. A key component of the CPU is the processor, which can be either a 68040 running at 25 or 33.33 MHz.

This processor is notable for including a MMU (Memory Management Unit) and a Floating Point Processor, making it a powerful and efficient choice for handling complex calculations and memory management.

The VME (Versa Module Eurocard) standard is a widely used interface in the field of embedded systems. It's a key component in many industrial applications, including automation and communication systems.

VME is known for its high-speed data transfer capabilities, with some implementations reaching speeds of up to 100 MHz. This makes it an ideal choice for applications that require fast data processing and transfer.

One of the benefits of VME is its flexibility. It can be implemented in various ways, such as through the use of a VME chip or ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). The VME-I/O is typically implemented via the P1 connector.

VME boards like the Motorola mvme5100 are designed to provide high-performance computing and control functions. They often feature a modular design, making it easy to customize and expand according to specific needs.

Here are some key features of VME boards:

Motorola Single Board Computers support a variety of operating systems, including OpenBSD/mvme68k, NetBSD/mvme68k, and Linux/m68k.

These operating systems offer flexibility and choice for users looking to deploy their SBCs in different environments. Linux/m68k, in particular, is a popular choice for its open-source nature and community support.

Some of the specific operating systems supported by Motorola SBCs include OpenBSD/mvme68k, NetBSD/mvme68k, Linux/m68k, and several proprietary options like pSOS+, LynxOS, OS-9, VRTX-32, and VxWorks.

Here are some of the operating systems supported by Motorola SBCs, listed in a table for easy reference:

These operating systems provide a solid foundation for building and deploying applications on Motorola Single Board Computers.

The MVME167 models are a key part of Motorola's single board computer lineup. They come in a variety of configurations, each with its own unique features.

Here are some of the available models:

Some models, like the MVME167-031, have a 33MHz CPU clock, while others, like the MVME167-001, have a 25MHz CPU clock.

The Comet68k is a highly integrated, Motorola 68000 based "single" board computer.

It's worth noting that the design of the Comet68k is quite fascinating.

My take on this design is that it's a great example of how to pack a lot of functionality into a single board.

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The MVME167 models are quite varied, but they all share some common characteristics. There are two main clock speeds to consider: 25MHz and 33MHz.

The 25MHz models include the MVME167-001, MVME167-002, MVME167-003, MVME167-031, MVME167-032, MVME167-033, and MVME167-034.

RAM options for the 25MHz models range from 4MB to 16MB with parity, depending on the specific model.

The 33MHz models, on the other hand, offer more RAM options, including 4MB, 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, and 128MB with ECC.

Here's a breakdown of the RAM options for each model: