GE VMIVME-1150 — High-Reliability VMEbus Serial Communications Controller

It’s one of those cards you don’t think about—until it’s missing. The GE VMIVME-1150 is a rugged, dual-channel RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 serial communications controller built for VMEbus systems that need consistent, low-latency serial I/O in harsh industrial or defense environments. From my experience supporting control rooms in power substations and rail signaling cabinets, this board tends to stay powered on for years without a hiccup—especially when paired with well-grounded backplanes and stable 5 VDC supplies.

Key Features

• Dual independent serial ports — Each supports RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 (software-selectable per channel), letting you talk to legacy PLCs over 485 while logging diagnostics via RS-232 simultaneously.
• VMEbus slave interface with A16/A24 addressing — Integrates cleanly into existing VME chassis; no custom drivers needed if you’re running VxWorks or Linux-VME kernels (we’ve seen it work out-of-the-box on MVME2100 and PEPX-based systems).
• Onboard 16C550-compatible UARTs with 16-byte FIFOs — Reduces CPU overhead significantly compared to older 8250-style chips, especially at baud rates above 38.4 kbps.
• Galvanic isolation option (VMIVME-1150-ISO) — Not standard, but available as a factory-configured variant; we’ve recommended it for wastewater SCADA sites where ground loops caused intermittent framing errors on the non-isolated version.
• Extended temperature support (–40°C to +85°C) — Typically used in uncooled outdoor VME enclosures—though keep in mind the actual operating range depends heavily on airflow and adjacent heat sources.

Technical Specifications

Application Fields

This board shows up where legacy meets longevity: nuclear plant safety systems still using Modbus RTU over RS-485, military vehicle test benches syncing with GPS timing over RS-422, and aging refinery DCS gateways bridging Honeywell TDC-3000 serial links to modern HMI networks. One customer in Rotterdam told us they replaced three failing third-party serial cards with VMIVME-1150s—and haven’t opened that cabinet in 42 months. It’s not flashy, but it’s dependable in places where “just works” is the highest compliment.

Advantages & Value

If you’re sourcing for a long-lifecycle system (10+ years), compatibility matters more than raw speed—and here, the VMIVME-1150 delivers. Its register-level compatibility with industry-standard UART drivers means less validation time during OS upgrades or firmware refreshes. You’ll also avoid obsolescence surprises: GE maintained this model through multiple VME platform generations, and spare parts remain available through authorized channels (unlike some discontinued competitors). From a procurement angle, the 365-day warranty and predictable lead time—1 week if in stock, no more than 4 weeks otherwise—helps lock down project schedules without resorting to costly broker-sourced alternatives.

Installation & Maintenance

Mount it in a grounded, EMI-shielded VME chassis with ≥10 CFM airflow across the board—especially if ambient temps creep above 60°C. Avoid installing next to high-power CPU or FPGA modules unless you verify local hot spots with an IR thermometer. Wiring-wise: keep serial cables shielded and grounded at *one end only* (typically the controller side) to prevent ground loops. For maintenance: no field calibration is needed, but we recommend checking firmware revision every 18 months (GE occasionally releases minor errata updates for edge-case timing issues). A quick visual inspection for dust buildup around the UART crystals every 6 months helps avoid thermal drift in extended high-temp deployments.

Quality & Certifications

The VMIVME-1150 carries CE marking (EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU), UL 508 (Industrial Control Equipment), and RoHS 2011/65/EU compliance. It’s manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 processes. GE’s standard warranty is 365 days from shipment—covers defects in materials and workmanship, including return shipping for verified failures. Note: firmware updates and basic configuration support are included at no extra cost during warranty; extended technical assistance (e.g., driver porting or custom interrupt handling) is available under separate support contracts.