The GE VMIVME-5576-210 is a high-performance, single-board computer (SBC) module designed for the rugged and demanding environment of VMEbus-based industrial control and military/aerospace systems. As part of General Electric’s (GE) renowned VMIC (VMICbus International Corporation) product line, which was later integrated into GE Intelligent Platforms and subsequently into Abaco Systems, this board embodies the legacy of mission-critical embedded computing. The GE VMIVME-5576-210 is engineered to deliver substantial processing power within the standardized VME form factor, serving as the central computing engine in systems requiring deterministic performance, high reliability, and extended product life cycles. It typically functions as the system controller (Slot 0) or a powerful intelligent node in complex, multi-processor VME systems deployed in real-time data acquisition, simulation, signal processing, and industrial automation applications.
At its core, the GE VMIVME-5576-210 integrates a powerful microprocessor, memory, and essential I/O interfaces onto a single 6U VME card. Its value proposition lies in its combination of raw computational capability, robust mechanical construction, and support for harsh operating environments (extended temperature ranges, resistance to shock and vibration). The board is designed for long-term availability and backward compatibility, which is crucial for legacy system sustainment and upgrades. For system integrators in sectors like defense, transportation, and industrial process control, the GE VMIVME-5576-210 provides a reliable, proven computing platform that can host custom application software, manage system resources, and interface with other specialized VME I/O boards to form a complete, high-integrity control or data processing solution.
Technical Specifications
Parameter Name
Parameter Value
Product Model
GE VMIVME-5576-210
Manufacturer
GE Intelligent Platforms (now part of Abaco Systems legacy products)
Product Type
VMEbus Single Board Computer (SBC)
Form Factor
6U VME (Single Slot)
Microprocessor
PowerPC 750FX or similar G3/G4 series processor (e.g., 800 MHz to 1+ GHz)
System Memory (SDRAM)
Typically 512 MB to 1 GB, soldered for high reliability
Onboard Flash Memory
Typically 64 MB to 128 MB for OS and application storage
Commercial: 0°C to +55°C; Extended/Conditioned: -40°C to +70°C (specific variant dependent)
Power Requirements
+5V @ ~7A (typical), ±12V from VMEbus backplane
Key Features and Advantages
The GE VMIVME-5576-210 is distinguished by its robust architecture and suitability for critical embedded applications. A primary advantage is its powerful PowerPC processor core, which offers a favorable balance of performance and power efficiency, along with strong real-time characteristics that are essential for deterministic system behavior. The integration of substantial, soldered SDRAM and onboard Flash memory enhances reliability by minimizing connection points prone to failure under shock and vibration, a key requirement in mobile or harsh industrial environments.
VMIVME-5576
Expansion and connectivity flexibility are central to its design. The inclusion of one or two PMC (PCI Mezzanine Card) expansion sites is a significant feature, allowing system designers to customize the GE VMIVME-5576-210 with additional, application-specific I/O such as additional serial channels, specialized network interfaces (ARINC 429, Mil-STD-1553), analog/digital I/O, or graphics controllers. This modularity extends the board’s utility across vastly different use cases without requiring a completely new SBC design. The dual Gigabit Ethernet ports provide high-speed network connectivity for system communication and data transfer, while the multiple configurable serial ports cater to legacy device interfacing.
Reliability and long-term support are embedded in its product philosophy. The board is built with industrial-grade or military-grade components and is tested to operate reliably over extended temperature ranges. Its design for the VMEbus ecosystem ensures mechanical robustness and excellent cooling in forced-air chassis. Furthermore, products like the GE VMIVME-5576-210 from this lineage are known for their long-term availability and sustained technical support, which is a critical factor for projects with multi-decade lifecycles, such as those in defense, aerospace, and infrastructure, where system obsolescence poses a major risk.
Application Areas
The GE VMIVME-5576-210 finds its primary application in fields that demand rugged, reliable, and long-lifecycle embedded computing. In defense and aerospace, it is a trusted component in vehicle mission computers, radar and sonar signal processing systems, electronic warfare (EW) suites, and flight test instrumentation. Its ability to operate in extended temperature ranges and withstand severe shock and vibration makes it suitable for deployment in ground vehicles, naval vessels, and aircraft. The PowerPC architecture’s historical prevalence in these sectors also means a wealth of compatible real-time operating systems (RTOS) and legacy application software.
Within industrial automation, the GE VMIVME-5576-210 serves in the most demanding control and monitoring systems. This includes supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems for oil and gas pipelines, power generation and distribution control systems, and high-speed railway signaling and control networks. Its role is often that of a communications gateway, data concentrator, or a real-time controller coordinating multiple subsystems via the VME backplane and its onboard networks. In semiconductor manufacturing, it can be found controlling complex wafer handling and test equipment where reliability and precision timing are paramount. Essentially, the GE VMIVME-5576-210 is deployed wherever a robust, standardized, and powerful embedded computing platform is required to perform deterministic tasks in physically challenging or mission-critical environments.
Related Products
GE VMIVME-5565: An earlier generation VME SBC from the same family, often featuring a PowerPC 7400 or 750 series processor at a lower clock speed.
GE VMIVME-7807: A more advanced 6U VME SBC featuring a higher-performance PowerPC or Intel processor, more memory, and enhanced I/O, representing an upgrade path.
GE PPC7A / PPC8A: Later-generation 3U CompactPCI SBCs from GE/Abaco with PowerPC processors, catering to platforms transitioning to the cPCI form factor.
GE PMC Cards (e.g., MVMEM100, MVME610): Various PMC mezzanine modules that can be installed on the VMIVME-5576-210‘s expansion site to add functions like additional serial ports, analog I/O, or reflective memory.
GE VME Chassis (e.g., SBC620): A 6U VMEbus enclosure designed to house and power boards like the VMIVME-5576-210, providing backplane, cooling, and power supply.
GE VxWorks BSP (Board Support Package): The specific software package that enables the Wind River VxWorks RTOS to run on the VMIVME-5576-210 hardware.
LynxOS, QNX, Linux RT: Other popular real-time and embedded operating systems with support for this family of SBCs.
GE VMIC PCI Mezzanine Cards (PMC): A broad range of I/O, communications, and data acquisition PMC cards compatible with the VMIVME-5576-210‘s expansion site.
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