About this Manual

Overview of Contents

This manual is divided into the following chapters and appendices:

Chapter 1, Hardware Preparation and Installation, provides MVME5500 board preparation and 

installation instructions for both the board and accessories. Also included are the power-up 

procedure.

Chapter 2, Functional Description, describes the MVME5500 on a block diagram level.

Chapter 3, RAM55006E Memory Expansion Module, provides a description of the RAM5500 

memory expansion module, as well as installation instructions and connector pin assignments.

Chapter 4, MOTLoad Firmware, describes the basic features of the MOTLoad firmware 

product.

Chapter 5, Connector Pin Assignments, provides pin assignments for various headers and 

connectors on the MMVE5500 single-board computer.

Appendix A, Specifications, provides power requirements and environmental specifications.

Appendix B, Thermal Validation, provides information to conduct thermal evaluations and 

identifies thermally significant components along with their maximum allowable operating 

temperatures.

Appendix C, Related Documentation, provides a listing of related Emerson manuals, vendor 

documentation, and industry specifications.

The MVME55006E Single-Board Computer Installation and Use manual provides the 

information you will need to install and configure your MVME55006E single-board computer. It 

provides specific preparation and installation information, and data applicable to the board. The 

MVME55006E single-board computer will hereafter be referred to as the MVME5500.

As of the printing date of this manual, the MVME5500 supports the models listed below.

Model Number Description

MVME55006E-0161 1 GHz MPC7457 processor, 512MB SDRAM, Scanbe handles

MVME55006E-0163 1 GHz MPC7457 processor, 512MB SDRAM, IEEE handles

RAM55006E-007 Memory expansion, 512MB SDRAM

IPMC7126E-002 Multifunction rear I/O PMC module; 8-bit SCSI, Ultra Wide SCSI, one 

parallel port, three async and one sync/async serial ports. 

MVME712M6E Transition module with one DB-25 sync/async serial port, three DB-25 

async serial port, one AUI connector, one D-36 parallel port and one 50-

pin 8-bit SCSI; includes 3-row DIN P2 adapter board and cable. 

Model Number Description

MVME7616E-001 Multifunction rear I/O PMC module; 8-bit SCSI, one parallel port, two 

async and two sync/async serial ports. Transition module with two DB-9 

async serial port connectors, two HD-26 sync/async serial port 

connectors, one HD-36 parallel port connector, one RJ-45 10/100 Ethernet 

connector; includes 3-row DIN P2 adapter board and cable (for 8-bit 

SCSI).

MVME7616E-011 Transition module with two DB-9 async serial port connectors, two HD-26 

sync/async serial port connectors, one HD-36 parallel port connector, one 

RJ-45 10/100 Ethernet connector; includes 5-row DIN P2 adapter board 

and cable (for 16-bit SCSI); requires backplane with 5-row DIN 

connectors.

PMCSPAN26E-002 Primary PMCSPAN with original VME IEEE ejector handles.

PMCSPAN26E-010 Secondary PMCSPAN with original VME IEEE ejector handles.

PMCSPAN16E-002 Primary PMCSPAN with Scanbe ejector handles.

PMCSPAN16E-010 Secondary PMCSPAN with Scanbe ejector handles.

The following table describes the conventions used throughout this manual. 

MVME7616E-001 Multifunction rear I/O PMC module; 8-bit SCSI, one parallel port, two 

async and two sync/async serial ports. Transition module with two DB-9 

async serial port connectors, two HD-26 sync/async serial port 

connectors, one HD-36 parallel port connector, one RJ-45 10/100 Ethernet 

connector; includes 3-row DIN P2 adapter board and cable (for 8-bit 

SCSI).

MVME7616E-011 Transition module with two DB-9 async serial port connectors, two HD-26 

sync/async serial port connectors, one HD-36 parallel port connector, one 

RJ-45 10/100 Ethernet connector; includes 5-row DIN P2 adapter board 

and cable (for 16-bit SCSI); requires backplane with 5-row DIN 

connectors.

PMCSPAN26E-002 Primary PMCSPAN with original VME IEEE ejector handles.

PMCSPAN26E-010 Secondary PMCSPAN with original VME IEEE ejector handles.

PMCSPAN16E-002 Primary PMCSPAN with Scanbe ejector handles.

PMCSPAN16E-010 Secondary PMCSPAN with Scanbe ejector handles.

Model Number Description

Notation Description

0x00000000 Typical notation for hexadecimal numbers (digits 

are 0 through F), for example used for addresses 

and offsets

0b0000 Same for binary numbers (digits are 0 and 1)

bold Used to emphasize a word

Screen Used for on-screen output and code related 

elements or commands in body text

Courier + Bold Used to characterize user input and to separate it 

from system output

Reference Used for references and for table and figure 

descriptions

File > Exit Notation for selecting a submenu

<text> Notation for variables and keys

[text] Notation for software buttons to click on the screen 

and parameter description

… Repeated item for example node 1, node 2, …, 

node 12

.

.

.

Omission of information from example/command 

that is not necessary at the time being

.. Ranges, for example: 0..4 means one of the 

integers 0,1,2,3, and 4 (used in registers)

| Logical OR

Summary of Changes

This manual has been revised and replaces all prior editions

Comments and Suggestions

We welcome and appreciate your comments on our documentation. We want to know what you 

think about our manuals and how we can make them better. 

Mail comments to us by filling out the following online form: 

http://www.emersonnetworkpowerembeddedcomputing.com/ > Contact Us > Online Form

In “Area of Interest” select “Technical Documentation”. Be sure to include the title, part number, 

and revision of the manual and tell us how you used it

Overview

This chapter contains the following information:

z Board and accessory preparation and installation instructions

z ESD precautionary notes

1.2 Introduction

The MVME5500 is a single-board computer based on the PowerPC MPC7457 processor and 

the Marvell GT-64260B host bridge with a dual PCI interface and memory controller. On-board 

payload includes two PMC slots, two SDRAM banks, an expansion connector for two additional 

banks of SDRAM, 8MB boot Flash ROM, one 10/100/1000 Ethernet port, one 10/100 Ethernet 

port, 32MB expansion Flash ROM, two serial ports, NVRAM and a real-time clock.

The MVME5500 interfaces to a VMEbus system via its P1 and P2 connectors and contains two 

IEEE 1386.1 PCI mezzanine card (PMC) slots. The PMC slots are 64-bit and support both front 

and rear I/O.

Additionally, the MVME5500 is user-configurable by setting on-board jumpers. Two I/O modes 

are possible: PMC mode or SBC mode (also called 761 or IPMC mode). The SBC mode uses 

the IPMC712 I/O PMC and the MVME712M transition module, or the IPMC761 I/O PMC and 

the MVME761 transition module. The SBC mode is backwards compatible with the MVME761 

transition module and the P2 adapter card (excluding PMC I/O routing) used on the MVME5100 

product. This mode is accomplished by configuring the on-board jumpers and by attaching an 

IPMC761 PMC in PMC slot 1. Secondary Ethernet is configured to the rear.

PMC mode is backwards compatible with the MVME5100 and is accomplished by configuring 

the on-board jumpers.

1.3 Getting Started

This section provides an overview of the steps necessary to install and power up the 

MVME5500 and a brief section on unpacking and ESD precautions.

1.4 Overview of Startup Procedures

The following table lists the things you will need to do before you can use this board and tells 

where to find the information you need to perform each step. Be sure to read this entire chapter, 

including all Caution and Warning notes, before you begin.

1.5 Unpacking Guidelines

Unpack the equipment from the shipping carton. Refer to the packing list and verify that all items 

are present. Save the packing material for storing and reshipping of equipment.

If the shipping carton is damaged upon receipt, request that the carrier’s agent be present 

during the unpacking and inspection of the equipment.

Table 1-1 Startup Overview

ESD

Emerson strongly recommends that you use an antistatic wrist strap and a 

conductive foam pad when installing or upgrading a system. Electronic components, 

such as disk drives, computer boards, and memory modules can be extremely 

sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). After removing the component from its 

protective wrapper or from the system, place the component flat on a grounded, 

static-free surface (and, in the case of a board, component side up). Do not slide the 

component over any surface.

If an ESD station is not available, you can avoid damage resulting from ESD by 

wearing an antistatic wrist strap (available at electronics stores) that is attached to an 

active electrical ground. Note that a system chassis may not be grounded if it is 

unplugged.

Personal Injury or Death

Dangerous voltages, capable of causing death, are present in this equipment. 

Use extreme caution when handling, testing, and adjusting.

Configuring the Hardware

This section discusses certain hardware and software tasks that may need to be performed 

prior to installing the board in a chassis.

To produce the desired configuration and ensure proper operation of the MVME5500, you may 

need to carry out certain hardware modifications before installing the module.

Most options on the MVME5500 are software configurable. Configuration changes are made 

by setting bits in control registers after the board is installed in a system.

Jumpers and switches are used to control those options that are not software configurable. 

These settings are described further on in this section. If you are resetting the board jumpers 

or switches from their default settings, it is important to verify that all settings are reset properly. 

 Configuring the Board

Figure 1-1 illustrates the placement of the jumpers, headers, switches, connectors, and various 

other components on the MVME5500. There are several manually configurable headers and 

switches on the MVME5500 and their settings are shown in Table 1-2. Each default setting is 

enclosed in brackets. For pin assignments on the MVME5500, refer to Chapter 5, Connector 

Pin Assignments.

Table 1-2 MVME5500 Jumper Settings

Jumpers / 

Switches Function Settings

J6, J100, J7, 

J101

Ethernet 2 Selection 

Headers

(see also J34, J97, J98, 

J99)

Refer to the hint on page 7 

for a configuration 

limitation.

2-3 on all

[1-2 on all]

Rear P2 Ethernet (SBC mode)

Front-panel Ethernet

J8 Flash Boot Bank Select 

Header

No jumper installed

[1-2]

2-3

Boots from Flash 0

Boots from Flash 0

Boots from Flash 1

S3-1 Flash 0 Programming 

Enable Header

OFF

[ON]

Disables Flash 0 writes

Enables Flash 0 writes

S5-1 Safe Start ENV Header [OFF]

ON

Normal ENV settings used 

during boot

Safe ENV settings used during 

boot

S3-2 Flash 0 Block Write 

Protect Header

OFF

[ON]

Disables Flash 0 J3 block 

writes

Enables Flash 0 J3 block writes

S3-4 Non-Standard Option 

Header

[OFF] For factory use only

S5-2 SROM Initialization 

Enable Switch

OFF

[ON]

Enables SROM initialization

Disables SROM initialization

S4-1 PCI Bus 0.0 Speed 

Header

[OFF]

ON

PMC board controls whether 

the bus runs at 33 MHz or 

66 MHz

Forces PCI bus 0.0 to remain at 

33 MHz

J27 VME SCON Select 

Header

No jumper installed

1-2

[2-3]

Always SCON

No SCON

Auto-SCON

J28, J32 PMC/SBC Mode Selection 

Headers

(set both jumpers)

Refer to page 7 for a 

notice about configuring 

for IPMC mode. 

1-2 on both

2-3 on both

[1-2 on J28]

[2-3 on J32]

PMC mode

SBC/IPMC761 mode

SBC/IPMC712 mode

Table 1-2 MVME5500 Jumper Settings 

The MVME5500 is factory tested and shipped with the configuration described in the following 

section.

1.6.2 Ethernet 2, PMC/SBC Mode, and P2 I/O Selection Headers (J6, 

J7, J28, J32, J34, J97 – J110)

All of the headers described below are used in conjunction with each other to select various 

modes of operation for 10/100BaseT Ethernet, PMC/SBC mode, and P2 I/O mode.

1.6.2.1 Ethernet

Four 3-pin planar headers (J6, J7, J100, J101) and four 2-pin planar headers (J34, J97, J98, 

J99) are for 10/100/BaseT Ethernet 2 selection.

Ethernet 1 is the Gigabit Ethernet port and is front panel only.

Figure 1-1 MVME5500 Board Layout

For J6, J100, J7 and J101, install jumpers across pins 2-3 on all four headers for rear P2 Ethernet. For front-panel Ethernet, install jumpers across pins 1-2 on all four headers. For J34, J97, J98 and J99, no jumpers are installed for front-panel Ethernet. For rear P2 Ethernet, install jumpers across pins 1-2 on all four headers when in SBC/IPMC761 mode. 1.6.2.2 PMC/SBC Mode Selection The MVME5500 is set at the factory for PMC mode. The SBC/IPMC761 mode should only be selected when using the IPMC761 module in conjunction with the MVME761 transition module.The PMC mode should be selected when using PMC modules with specific user I/O in conjunction with the corresponding transition module. PMC mode should also be selected when using PrPMC modules. Two 3-pin planar headers (J28, J32) control the supply of +/- 12 volts to the P2 connector; one or both of these voltages are required by the MVME712 or MVME761 module when operating in SBC mode. For PMC mode, jumpers are installed across pins 1-2 on both headers. For SBC/IPMC761 mode, install jumpers across pins 2-3 on both headers. For SBC/IPMC712 mode, install a jumper across pins 2-3 for J32 and install a jumper across pins 1-2 for J28. 1.6.2.3 P2 I/O Selection Nine 3-pin planar headers (J102 –J110) are for P2 I/O selection. Jumpers are installed across pins 1-2 on all nine headers when in PMC mode. Install jumpers across pins 2-3 on all nine headers when in SBC/IPMC761 or SBC/IPMC712 mode to connect the extended SCSI signals to P2. If the rear P2 Ethernet is selected by jumpers J6, J7, J100, and J101, the Ethernet signals also connect to PMC 1 user I/O connector J14. If a PMC card is plugged into PMC slot 1, there may be a conflict between the I/O from the PMC card and the rear Ethernet signals. This conflict does not occur with the IPMC761 or IPMC712 modules. Product Damage When J28 is configured for SBC/IPMC mode, –12V is supplied to P2 pin A30. If there is an incompatible board plugged into this P2 slot, damage may occur. When J32 is configured for SBC/IPMC mode, +12V is supplied to P2 pin C7. If there is an incompatible board plugged into this P2 slot, damage may occur.

Flash Boot Bank Select Header (J8)

A 3-pin planar header selects the boot Flash bank. No jumper or a jumper installed across pins 

1-2 selects Flash 0 as the boot bank. A jumper installed across pins 2-3 selects Flash 1 as the 

boot bank

Flash 0 Programming Enable Switch (S3-1)

This switch enables/disables programming of Flash 0 as a means of protecting the contents 

from being corrupted. The switch set to OFF disables all Flash 0 programming. The switch set 

to ON enables the programming, this is the factory setting.

 Safe Start ENV Switch (S5-1)

This switch selects programmed or safe start ENV settings. When set to OFF, it indicates that 

the programmed ENV settings should be used during boot. Set to ON indicates that the safe 

ENV settings should be used.

Flash 0 Block Write Protect Switch (S3-2)

This switch supports the Intel J3 Flash family write protect feature. Set to OFF, it enables the 

lock-down mechanism. Blocks locked down cannot be unlocked with the unlock command. The 

switch must be set to ON in order to override the lock-down function and enable blocks to be 

erased or programmed through software. Refer to the Intel J3 Flash data sheet, listed in 

Appendix C, Related Documentation, for further details.

 SROM Initialization Enable Switch (S5-2)

This switch enables/disables the GT-64260B SROM initialization. When set to 2, it enables the 

GT-64260B device initialization via I2C SROM. Set to ON disables this initialization sequence.

 SROM Initialization Enable Switch (S5-2)

This switch enables/disables the GT-64260B SROM initialization. When set to 2, it enables the 

GT-64260B device initialization via I2C SROM. Set to ON disables this initialization sequence.

PCI Bus 0.0 Speed Switch (S4-1)

This switch can force PCI bus 0.0 to run at 33 MHz rather than the standard method of allowing 

the PMC board to control whether the bus runs at 33 MHz or 66 MHz. Set to 1, it allows the 

PMC board to choose the PCI 0.0 bus speed. Set to ON forces PCI bus 0.0 to run at 33 MHz.

9 VME SCON Select Header (J27)

A 3-pin planar header allows the choice for auto/enable/disable SCON VME configuration. A 

jumper installed across pins 1-2 configures for SCON disabled. A jumper installed across pins 

2-3 configures for auto SCON. No jumper installed configures for SCON always enabled.

0 PCI Bus 1.0 Speed Switch (S4-2)

This switch can force PCI bus 1.0 to run at 33 MHz rather than the standard method of allowing 

the PMC board to control whether the bus runs at 33 MHz or 66 MHz. Set to 1, it allows the 

PMC board to choose the PCI 1.0 bus speed. Set to ON forces PCI bus 1.0 to run at 33 MHz.

1 EEPROM Write Protect Switch (S3-3)

This switch enables/disables programming of the on-board EEPROMs as a means of protecting 

the contents from being corrupted. Set to 1, it disables EEPROM programming by driving the 

WP pin to a logic high. Set to ON to program any of the EEPROMs at addresses A0, A6, A8, 

and/or AA.

Setting the PMC Vio Keying Pin

Signalling voltage (Vio) is determined by the location of the PMC Vio keying pin. Each site can 

be independently configured for either +5V or +3.3V signalling. The option selected can be 

determined by observing the location of the Vio keying pin.

Installing the RAM5500 Module

Procedure

To upgrade or install a RAM5500 module, refer to and proceed as follows:

1. Attach an ESD strap to your wrist. Attach the other end of the ESD strap to the 

chassis as a ground. The ESD strap must be secured to your wrist and to ground 

throughout the procedure.

2. Perform an operating system shutdown. Turn the AC or DC power off and remove 

the AC cord or DC power lines from the system. Remove the chassis or system 

cover(s) as necessary for access to the VME boards.

3. Carefully remove the MVME5500 from its VME card slot and lay it flat, with 

connectors P1 and P2 facing you.

4. Inspect the RAM5500 module that is being installed on the MVME5500 host board 

to ensure that standoffs are installed in the four mounting holes on the module.

5. With standoffs installed in the four mounting holes on the RAM5500 module, align 

the standoffs and the P1 connector on the module with the four holes and the P4 

connector on the MVME5500 host board and press the two connectors together 

until they are firmly seated in place.

6. Turn the entire assembly over and fasten the four short Phillips screws to the 

standoffs of the RAM5500.c