SST 5136-PFB-VME High-performance Profibus interface card

SST 5136-PFB-VME is a high-performance Profibus interface card designed by Woodhead (now part of Molex/SST).

This module acts as a bridge between a VMEbus host computer and Profibus DP networks, providing deterministic, high-speed communication for industrial automation and motion control systems.

Equipped with an onboard RISC processor, it offloads the communication protocol management from the host, ensuring system stability and efficiency.

Technical Parameter Table

Parameter    Specification

Related Models

The 5136-PFB-VME is part of a broader family of interface cards for various bus architectures and protocols:

SST-PB3-VME-1/2: The next-generation “PB3” version (single or dual port) replacing the 5136-PFB-VME.

5136-PFB-PCI: The PCI-bus equivalent for industrial PCs.

5136-DN-VME: The DeviceNet version of the VME interface card.

5136-SD-VME: The Allen-Bradley (Smart Device) communication variant.

Application Cases

VME-Based PLCs: Used in large-scale programmable controllers to manage distributed I/O in automotive or steel manufacturing.

Motion Control: Real-time synchronization of complex axes in aerospace testing rigs.

Legacy System Upgrades: Integrating modern Profibus DP peripherals into existing VMEbus infrastructure.

Data Acquisition: High-speed scanning of field sensors (up to 6000 I/O points in 1 ms) for research or quality control.

Product Advantages and Features

Simultaneous Operation: Unlike many cards, it can run DP Master, DP Slave, and FDL (Layer 2) protocols concurrently.

Intel i960 Co-processor: By handling the full Profibus stack onboard, it prevents host CPU bottlenecks.

Deterministic Timing: Provides the high-speed scan rates required for sub-millisecond motion control response.

Flash Storage: Allows firmware and network configurations to be stored locally, enabling automatic boot-up without host intervention.

Diagnostic Capabilities: Integrated LEDs provide immediate feedback on system health, watchdog status, and communication errors.

Installation and Maintenance

Installation

Hardware Setup: Set the DIP switches (SW1) for the short I/O address and interrupt level (1–7) before insertion.

Backplane Connection: Slide the 6U card into the VME rack, ensuring the P1 connector is fully seated.

Software Configuration: Use the SST Profibus Console to create a configuration file (config.bss), which can be downloaded via the card’s serial port or the host memory.

Maintenance

Diagnostic LEDs: Monitor the bicolor LEDs: Green indicates the application is running; Red indicates a fatal error or that no application is loaded.

Serial Interface: Use the front-panel serial port for firmware updates or debugging without disrupting the VME backplane traffic.

Environment: Ensure the VME rack cooling fans are functional, as the i960 processor requires adequate airflow to maintain the 50°C operating limit.

Unique Product Description

The SST 5136-PFB-VME is an “Intelligent Bridge” for the VME ecosystem.

While modern systems have largely transitioned to EtherCAT, this card remains a critical component for high-reliability VME systems that require the massive fieldbus support of Profibus.

Its unique ability to store and execute the entire communication cycle from its internal 512 KB Flash makes it a “set-and-forget” solution for mission-critical industrial environments.