TEWS TVME200-10

Description

Product Description

The TEWS TVME200-10 is a high-performance, VMEbus-based Single Board Computer designed for demanding, embedded real-time applications in industrial automation and control. This board integrates a powerful microprocessor, memory, and a comprehensive set of industrial I/O interfaces onto a single, ruggedized card conforming to the 6U VME form factor. Engineered for reliability in harsh environments, the TVME200-10 serves as a versatile computing engine within larger automation systems, such as those controlling complex machinery, test stands, or simulation rigs. The robust architecture of the TEWS TVME200-10 makes it a preferred choice for integrators and OEMs who require deterministic computing performance coupled with direct connectivity to industrial field devices, all within the robust and time-tested VME backplane framework.

Product Parameters

• Form Factor: 6U VME (Single Slot).
• Processor: Features a high-performance CPU, often from the PowerPC or Intel architecture families (specific variant depends on the -10 suffix version), optimized for real-time operation.
• Memory: Includes onboard DRAM (SDRAM) and Flash memory for the operating system and application storage.
• Onboard I/O:
  • Ethernet: Dual 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports for network communication.
  • Serial: Multiple RS-232/422/485 serial ports for connecting to PLCs, drives, or legacy devices.
  • USB: USB 2.0 ports for peripheral connection.
  • Graphics: Optional VGA or LVDS flat panel controller interface.
• Expansion: Provides PCI Mezzanine Card (PMC) sites (typically one or two) for adding specialized I/O like additional serial, analog, digital, or fieldbus cards.
• Operating System Support: Compatible with real-time operating systems (RTOS) such as VxWorks, QNX, and Linux variants.

Advantages and Features

• Rugged Industrial Design: The TEWS TVME200-10 is built to withstand extended temperature ranges, vibration, and electrical noise, making it suitable for factory floor or mobile installations.
• High Integration: It combines a powerful computer with essential industrial communication ports on one board, reducing system complexity and saving valuable slot space in the VME chassis.
• Real-Time Performance: With its robust CPU and support for major RTOS, it delivers the deterministic response times required for closed-loop control and high-speed data acquisition.
• Flexible Expansion: The onboard PMC sites allow the functionality of the TVME200-10 to be customized and extended with a wide range of mezzanine I/O cards to meet exact application needs.
• Long-Term Availability: TEWS is known for supporting long product lifecycles, which is critical for industrial automation projects with decades-long service expectations.

Application Cases in Application Fields

• Industrial Test & Measurement: Acts as the central controller in automated test equipment (ATE) for automotive components, avionics, or semiconductor manufacturing, coordinating instruments and collecting data.
• Physics & Research: Used in particle accelerators and large experimental setups for high-speed data acquisition and equipment control via the precise timing capabilities of the VME bus.
• Transportation Systems: Serves as a vital processing unit in railway control systems or onboard vehicle computers for military vehicles, managing navigation, sensor fusion, and communications.
• Complex Machinery Control: Functions as the main computing node for custom, high-speed industrial machines like printing presses, packaging lines, or textile machinery, where it runs proprietary control algorithms.

Comparisons with Competing Products

Compared to other industrial SBCs or modern alternatives:

• vs. CompactPCI/PXI SBCs: The TEWS TVME200-10 is part of the mature VME ecosystem, known for its robust mechanical design and widespread use in defense and heavy industry. CompactPCI/PXI offers higher bus bandwidth and is more common in test/measurement. The choice is often dictated by legacy system compatibility or industry standards.
• vs. PLC-based Controllers: Unlike a standard PLC (e.g., Siemens S7-1500), the TVME200-10 is an open computing platform. It offers far greater programming flexibility (C, C++) and raw computing power for complex algorithms but requires more software development expertise and lacks the pre-built, certified PLC function blocks.
• vs. Industrial PCs: A rack-mount Industrial PC offers similar computing power but in a different form factor. The TVME200-10 offers superior ruggedness, better resistance to shock/vibration due to its passive backplane design, and deterministic performance via an RTOS, which a standard Windows-based IPC may not guarantee.

Selection Suggestions and Precautions

• Selection Advice: Choose the TEWS TVME200-10 when designing or maintaining a system that requires a rugged, modular computing core within a VME architecture, particularly for applications demanding real-time determinism, extensive I/O expansion via PMC, or operation in severe environments. Carefully review the exact CPU variant and clock speed indicated by the full part number suffix.
• Precautions:
  1. System Integration: Ensure compatibility with the existing VME backplane, chassis power supply, and any system controller (VME master) in the rack.
  2. Software Development: Factor in the cost and expertise required for developing and maintaining software on the chosen Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).
  3. PMC Selection: If using PMC expansion, verify the compatibility and driver support for the specific mezzanine cards with both the TVME200-10 hardware and the chosen RTOS.
  4. Thermal Management: The powerful CPU and additional mezzanine cards can generate significant heat. Ensure the VME chassis has adequate forced-air cooling designed for full slot loading.
  5. Lifecycle Planning: While TEWS supports long lifecycles, confirm the active production status of this specific variant and plan for eventual migration or secure a lifetime buy of spares for critical long-term deployments.

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