XYCOM 70686‑007 (XVME‑686) Detailed Product Description

I. Product Overview

XYCOM 70686‑007 (XVME‑686) is a 6U single-slot VMEbus PC/AT compatible industrial-grade CPU module launched by XYCOM (now part of Artisan Technology Group). It emphasizes low power consumption, high integration, wide temperature reliability, and is targeted at industrial automation, embedded measurement and control, data processing, and applications in harsh environments involving x86. Model 70686‑007 is the standard configuration version, with the core being XVME‑686. It can operate independently or serve as the main control node of a VME system, and is suitable for mid-to-low-end industrial control and embedded computing scenarios. 

II. Hardware Architecture and Mechanical Characteristics

Form Specification: Standard 6U single-width (Single‑Width) VMEbus size (165.1 mm × 200.02 mm), in accordance with IEEE 1014 standard, single-slot installation, compatible with all standard VME enclosures and backplanes.

PCB and Structure: Industrial-grade multi-layer reinforced PCB, on-board CPU, DRAM, VGA controller, IDE/FDD, VME bus, serial/parallel ports, power management, watchdog, EMI filtering; enhanced shock and impact resistance design, suitable for wide temperature and high dust conditions.

Front Panel Connectors: Integrated 1×VGA video port, 1×DB25 parallel port (LPT), 2×DB9 serial ports (COM), 1×DIN-5 keyboard port, reset button, 4-channel LED status lights; backplane realizes bus communication and I/O expansion through VME P1/P2.

Status Indicators: Power, operation, fault, watchdog LEDs, supporting power-on self-test (POST) and real-time monitoring of operation status, facilitating rapid on-site diagnosis.

III. Core Processor and Memory Configuration

Main Processor: Intel 80386SX 25MHz (low-power CMOS), 32-bit x86 architecture, 16-bit external data bus, integrated 8KB L1 cache, compatible with PC/AT instruction set, supports real mode and protected mode, suitable for industrial real-time control and embedded OS.

Floating-point Coprocessor: Reserved 80387SX socket, optional for enhanced floating-point operation, suitable for motion control, scientific computing, etc.

Memory Configuration:

DRAM: On-board 4MB (70686-007 standard), SIMM slots can be upgraded to 16MB, supports parity check, ensuring data reliability.

BIOS/Firmware: EPROM storage system BIOS and boot program, supports on-site firmware upgrade.

IV. VME Bus Interface and System Expansion

Bus Standards: Compatible with VMEbus A16/A24/A32 addressing, D08/D16/D32 data transmission, supports master/slave mode, bus arbitration, interrupts (1–7 levels), DMA, suitable for multi-board card collaborative systems.

Address Space: Supports 4GB A32 range, accessible to all VME slave devices, compatible with XVME-500/600/630/674 series I/O modules.

Bus Functions: Integrated system clock (SYSCLK), reset (SYSRESET), single-level arbitrator, bus timer, IACK daisy chain driver, meeting complete VME system management requirements.

V. I/O Interface and Peripheral Support

Serial Ports: 2×RS-232C (DB9), baud rate 50–115.2kbps, suitable for serial port sensors, HMI, debugging terminal.

Parallel Ports: 1×DB25 parallel port, compatible with IEEE 1284, supports printers, parallel devices and high-speed transmission.

Graphics Display: Integrated VGA controller, outputs 640×480@60Hz, suitable for industrial displays and touch screens.

Storage Interfaces:

IDE Controller: Supports IDE hard drives/CD-ROMs, expands large-capacity local storage.

Floppy Drive Controller: Supports 3.5-inch floppy drives, used for firmware upgrade and data backup.

Keyboard/Mouse: DIN-5 keyboard port, supports PS/2 mouse (via adapter).

Real-time Clock (RTC): Battery-backed RTC, power-off retention time and date, ensuring accurate event recording.

V. Electrical Characteristics and Operating Environment Power Supply: VME bus + 5V/±12V. Typical power consumption is 2.8A (+5V). Low power design, simplifies power configuration.

Operating Temperature: Standard 0 ℃ to + 60 ℃; optional -40 ℃ to + 85 ℃ wide temperature version, suitable for harsh environments such as industrial, automotive, military, aerospace, etc.

Storage Temperature: -40 ℃ to + 85 ℃.

Humidity: 5%–95% RH (no condensation).

Vibration / Shock: Complies with MIL‑STD‑810, with vibration 5–2000 Hz, 0.015" displacement, suitable for high mechanical stress scenarios.

Electromagnetic Compatibility: Complies with IEC 61000‑6‑2/4, strong anti-static, pulse group, and surge resistance.

VII. Core Functions and Software Support

Operating System Compatibility: Supports MS-DOS, Windows 3.x, Linux, VxWorks, QNX, compatible with standard PC/AT drivers, mature development ecosystem.

Hardware Watchdog (WDT): Programmable timeout 1–255 seconds, automatically resets on exception, ensuring long-term stable operation.

Power-On Self-Test (POST): Automatically detects CPU, memory, interfaces and buses upon startup, displays results via LED, quickly locates faults.

Interrupt Handling: Supports VME interrupts, local serial and parallel interrupts, timer interrupts, enhancing I/O response and real-time performance.

Development Support: Provides standard BIOS, drivers and C language libraries, supports secondary development, compatible with customized control logic.

VIII. Typical Application Scenarios

Industrial Process Control: As the VME master controller, drives analog/digital I/O modules, realizes temperature, pressure, flow closed-loop control.

Embedded Measurement and Control Platform: Control, monitoring and data recording in harsh environments such as military, automotive, rail transit, aerospace, etc.

Data Acquisition and Processing: Combined with XVME-500 series high-speed analog input modules, completes multi-channel data acquisition, processing and local display.

Automation Equipment Control: Semiconductor equipment, testing instruments, robot controllers, providing x86 real-time computing, I/O control and graphic display core.

Industrial HMI: Integrates VGA and serial/parallel ports, as the embedded HMI core, realizes on-site data visualization and operation control.

IX. Product Advantages

Low-power x86 architecture: 386SX processor, low power consumption, small heat dissipation pressure, suitable for long-term continuous operation.

High integration: Single slot integrates CPU, memory, VGA, IDE, serial/parallel ports and VME bus, comprehensive functions, saves space.

Flexible memory expansion: Standard 4MB, can be upgraded to 16MB, compatible with different program and data cache requirements.

Industrial-grade reliability: Reinforced design, wide temperature operation, hardware watchdog, EMC compliance, suitable for harsh conditions.

Complete VME master control capability: Master/Slave mode, bus arbitration, interrupt/DMA, system management complete, single card builds a complete VME system.