SST 5136-PFB-VME

Description

Introduction to the SST 5136-PFB-VME

Product Description

The SST 5136-PFB-VME is a specialized communication interface card developed by SST (formerly division of GE, now part of Emerson), designed for the VMEbus industrial computing platform. This module functions as a Profibus Fieldbus Master Interface, enabling a VMEbus-based computer system, such as a high-performance industrial controller or data acquisition system, to act as the master on a PROFIBUS DP network. The SST 5136-PFB-VME serves as a critical gateway, translating commands and data between the VME host processor and the multitude of sensors, actuators, drives, and I/O stations connected on the high-speed PROFIBUS DP fieldbus. It allows a powerful VME system to integrate seamlessly into industrial automation environments standardized on the PROFIBUS protocol.  The configuration of the SST 5136-PFB-VME driver is essential for establishing stable network communication.

Product Parameters

• Manufacturer: SST (a brand of Emerson)

• Model: 5136-PFB-VME

• Device Type: VMEbus to PROFIBUS DP Master Interface Card

• Bus Interface: VME64 or VME32 bus interface for host system integration.

• Fieldbus Protocol: PROFIBUS DP (Decentralized Peripherals) Master (Class 1).

• PROFIBUS Interface: Typically features a 9-pin D-sub connector (per IEC 61158-2) for RS-485 signaling.

• Data Transfer Rate: Supports configurable PROFIBUS baud rates up to 12 Mbps.

• Address Space: Provides dual-port memory (DPM) for efficient data exchange between the VME host CPU and the PROFIBUS network.

• Form Factor: Standard 6U or 3U VME board format.

• Software Support: Requires a dedicated driver and configuration software (e.g., SST’s configuration tool) for the host operating system (e.g., VxWorks, QNX, Linux).

Advantages and Features

The primary advantage of the SST 5136-PFB-VME is its ability to bridge the high-performance, deterministic VME computing world with the widely adopted PROFIBUS industrial network standard. It provides a reliable and high-speed communication path, allowing real-time control applications on the VME host to directly command and monitor a large number of distributed field devices. The card typically features high-performance onboard processors dedicated to handling the PROFIBUS protocol, offloading this task from the main VME CPU. Its design includes robust electrical isolation to protect the sensitive VME backplane from noise and transients present on the industrial fieldbus. As a product from SST, a leader in industrial communication interfaces, the 5136-PFB-VME is known for its reliability and excellent long-term driver support.

Application Cases in Industry

This communication card is used in advanced automation systems where a VME-based computer requires connectivity to PROFIBUS DP networks. In industrial automation, it is found in complex machine control systems, high-speed test stands, and sophisticated robotic cells where the VME computer performs advanced control algorithms and interfaces with standard PROFIBUS I/O and drives. Within process control, it can be used in specialized subsystems, like compressor control or turbine monitoring, that require high computational power and need to integrate data into a plant-wide PROFIBUS architecture. It is also used in simulation and training systems and military/aerospace ground support equipment that emulate industrial environments.

Comparison with Competing Products

Competing products during its era included PROFIBUS Master cards for VME from other manufacturers like Hilscher or Softing. The SST 5136-PFB-VME competed through SST’s strong reputation and market presence in providing communication solutions for GE and other major automation platforms. Its integration and driver support for specific real-time operating systems (RTOS) were key differentiators. Compared to using a standalone PROFIBUS master gateway (a separate box connected via Ethernet or serial), the integrated 5136-PFB-VME offers lower latency, higher data throughput, and a more compact system design by residing directly in the VME chassis.

Selection Suggestions and Precautions

Selecting the SST 5136-PFB-VME is driven by the need to connect an existing or new VME-based controller to a PROFIBUS DP network. The foremost consideration is compatibility: the card must be compatible with the VME chassis’s form factor (6U/3U) and slot type, and most critically, a verified device driver must exist for the host computer’s specific operating system and kernel version. The required number of PROFIBUS slaves and the network’s data throughput requirements should be confirmed to be within the card’s specifications.

Precautions:

• This is a legacy product; sourcing new units and obtaining current driver support for modern operating systems can be challenging.

• Installation requires expertise in VME systems and handling of electrostatic discharge (ESD)-sensitive components.

• The PROFIBUS network must be properly terminated at both ends, and the card’s bus address and baud rate must be correctly configured.

• Driver installation and configuration are non-trivial and require detailed knowledge of the host RTOS and the SST configuration software.

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