Motorola MVME333-2 Controller Communications Module Specs

Motorola MVME333-2 Controller Communications Module Specs

Features:

6 Serial I/O Ports

Supports Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication

128 Kb of Dynamic RAM

High-Speed Bidirectional DMA on Two Channels

The Motorola MVME333S-2 is a VMEbus Intelligent Communications Controller with six serial I/O ports,

 configurable for synchronous or asynchronous and for either RS-232C or RS-422 electrical protocols.

On-board intelligence includes MC68010 CPU at 10 MHz, with two sockets for firmware, and 128 Kb of dynamic RAM for data buffering. 

It has firmware for implementing asynchronous protocol on all six channels (up to 9600 baud bidirectional on all channels simultaneously).

In addition, there is a high-speed bidirectional DMA on two channels for up to 1 Mb/second synchronous protocols.、

Manufacturer    Emerson / Motorola

Model    MVME333-2

Product Family    MVME 333S-2. MVME 333S 2. MVME-333S-2. MVME-333S 2. MVME333S2

MOTOROLA MVME333-2 6-Channel Intelligent Serial Communication Controller

Introduction

The MOTOROLA MVME333-2 is a high-performance, intelligent VMEbus serial communication controller designed to offload data processing tasks from the main system CPU.

Featuring an on-board MC68010 10MHz processor and a dedicated memory architecture, 

the MVME333-2 provides six high-speed serial I/O channels capable of managing complex synchronous and asynchronous protocols.

It is a critical component for legacy VME systems that require deterministic, multi-channel communication in industrial, military, and telecommunications environments.

Technical Parameter Table

Related Models

MVME333S-2: A slightly revised version of the -2 variant with optimized software compatibility.

MVME332XT: An 8-channel serial controller for higher density port requirements.

MVME331: A 6-channel controller similar to the 333 but without high-speed DMA support.

MVME705: The recommended Rear Transition Module (RTM) for physical port breakouts.

Application Cases

X.25 Network Interfacing: Utilizing the high-speed DMA channels to manage X.25 packet-switching protocols in wide-area network nodes.

Substation Automation: Controlling multiple intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) across several serial protocols in a power grid environment.

Marine Navigation Systems: Interfacing GPS, Radar, and Sonar data streams into a central VME processing unit on research or naval vessels.

Legacy Mainframe Connectivity: Serving as a front-end processor to bridge modern VME controllers with legacy serial mainframes and terminals.

Product Advantages and Features

Offloaded Intelligence: The dedicated MC68010 CPU handles all interrupt processing and data buffering, preventing the host VME processor from being bogged down by I/O overhead.

Synchronous Speed: Unlike standard serial cards, the MVME333-2 features high-speed DMA on two channels, making it capable of handling protocols up to 1 Mb/second.

Protocol Flexibility: Supports both RS-232C and RS-422. allowing it to communicate with local peripherals and long-distance industrial equipment.

Reliable Buffering: 128 KB of local RAM ensures data integrity during bursts of high-volume serial traffic, preventing buffer overflows.

Other Models in the Same Series

MVME332 (8-Channel Serial Controller)

MVME335 (Serial and Parallel Combo Module)

MVME340 (Parallel I/O Module)

MVME350 (Streaming Tape Controller)

Installation and Maintenance

Installation: Secure the MVME333-2 in a standard 6U VME slot. Ensure the P1 and P2 connectors are fully seated.

 If using high-speed DMA, verify that the VME backplane supports the necessary pinouts for the P2 connector.

Firmware: The module features two sockets for user-installed or factory EPROMs. Ensure that the firmware versions match across redundant system cards.

Maintenance: This module is built for longevity. Periodic maintenance includes cleaning the gold-plated edge connectors with isopropyl alcohol to maintain high-speed signal integrity and checking the cooling fan efficiency in the VME rack.

Unique Product Description

The MOTOROLA MVME333-2 is an "Intelligent Bridge" for the VMEbus era.

While standard cards merely pass data, the MVME333-2 thinks for the system. By combining raw processing power with high-speed DMA,

 it transforms the serial port from a simple bottleneck into a high-performance communication gateway.

For industrial facilities maintaining legacy infrastructure, the MVME333-2 remains the