VMP1

Pep Modular Computers VMP1 Series VMEbus CPU Boards

The VMP1 is a VME PowerPC-based single-board computer specifically designed for use in highly integrated platforms with solid mechanical interfacing for a wide range of industrial environment applications.

The VMP1 is a comprehensive computing platform which brings togethor the latest advances in computing technology in a board designed for maximum performance, flexibility and versatility within a rugged compact format.

The design centered on realizing a board which addresses the need for increased computing capacity while at the same time reducing the size and number of system components in order to reduce space requirements and optimize power dissipation.

The VMP1 is based on the MPC8240, a highly integrated microprocessor containing a PowerPC MPC603e core. This is the 250 MHz version with a Floating Point Unit (FPU). One of the prime advantages of utilizing the established and proven MPC603e core is the associated broad infrastructure of support that has built up around it . All of the noteworthy third-party software tool vendors provide tools for the MPC8240.

An important feature of the board is the integration of a PCI bus within a VME-CPU board. This connects the MPC8240 with the Fast Ethernet controller and the Tundra Universe II PCI/VME bridge and also to the onboard 100-pin PCI expansion connector, enabling the connection of the full range of PCI peripherals.

The VMP1 employs an OS-independent boot loader that enables the loading of any operating system. This boot loader makes an update of the Flash contents and automatically downloads from Flash to SDRAM before booting the OS. For performance reasons the OS is started from the SDRAM.

The power of the board is greatly enhanced by means of the PCI expansion connector which makes it possible to cascade one or two additional IO1 modules onto the board resulting in a total package of either 8HP or 12HP. Both IO1 modules may be used to carry PMC modules. Given the wide range of PMC modules now available, this feature affords the user a very wide range of options. Additionally, one can substitute a module designed to provide an even greater range of PCI peripherals in place of either of the IO1 modules. These features enable, for example, the connection of the widest range of system I/O components such as various field busses, Fast Ethernet and Ultra 2 SCSI, to name just a few. The complete range of expansion possibilities is thus made available to the user by the VMP1.