Xycom XVME Series Modules: XVME-564 Analog Input Module —

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Xycom XVME Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The Xycom XVME series represents one of the most widely deployed VMEbus-based I/O and control module families in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power generation facilities, offshore platforms, and continuous-process chemical plants, XVME modules operate as the backbone of distributed control architectures where long service life, deterministic bus timing, and field-replaceable modularity are non-negotiable requirements. Xycom Automation (later acquired by Curtiss-Wright) engineered the XVME line to comply with VMEbus IEEE 1014 standards, enabling multi-vendor backplane interoperability in 6U and 3U card formats. The series spans analog I/O, digital I/O, CPU/controller boards, serial communication adapters, and power conditioning modules — providing a complete single-vendor bill of materials for VMEbus system integrators.

The Evolution of XVME Architecture

The XVME architecture was introduced in the mid-1980s alongside the commercial adoption of the VMEbus standard. Early-generation modules such as the XVME-010 and XVME-240 established the series' reputation for robust analog signal conditioning in electrically noisy industrial environments. These boards used discrete ADC/DAC chipsets with 12-bit resolution and relied on programmed I/O (PIO) transfer modes.

By the early 1990s, Xycom introduced DMA-capable modules and expanded the CPU board range to include Motorola 68030 and 68040 processors, enabling real-time operating system (RTOS) deployments under VxWorks and OS-9. The mid-generation XVME-500 and XVME-560 sub-families introduced 16-bit resolution analog I/O with programmable gain amplifiers (PGA), multiplexed channel architectures, and on-board signal conditioning for thermocouple and RTD inputs.

The later XVME-600 and XVME-700 sub-families added intelligent front-end processing, reducing VMEbus interrupt latency and enabling higher channel densities. Compatibility across generations is maintained at the VMEbus backplane level; however, software drivers are generation-specific and must be validated against the host CPU board's operating environment. As of 2026, the entire XVME product line has reached end-of-life (EOL) status with Curtiss-Wright. No new production runs are scheduled. Long-term maintenance support is exclusively available through authorized aftermarket distributors and certified repair facilities.

XVME Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Analog Input Modules

• XVME-564: 64-channel, 16-bit analog input module with programmable gain and multiplexed single-ended inputs; primary SKU of this listing.
• XVME-560: 32-channel, 16-bit differential analog input module with on-board signal conditioning for industrial sensor ranges.
• XVME-566: 16-channel simultaneous-sample analog input module; used in vibration and dynamic signal acquisition applications.
• XVME-010: Early-generation 12-bit, 16-channel analog input board; PIO transfer mode; widely deployed in legacy DCS retrofits.
• XVME-012: 12-bit analog input with expanded input range selection; compatible with XVME-010 software drivers.

Analog Output Modules

• XVME-570: 16-channel, 16-bit analog output module; voltage and current output modes; used in valve positioner and actuator control loops.
• XVME-572: 8-channel, 16-bit isolated analog output; galvanic isolation per channel; suited for high-voltage industrial environments.

Digital I/O Modules

• XVME-240: 48-channel TTL-compatible digital I/O module; bidirectional port configuration; used in relay logic and discrete sensor interfacing.
• XVME-244: 32-channel isolated digital input module; optocoupler isolation; rated for 24 VDC field signals.
• XVME-246: 32-channel isolated digital output module; open-collector outputs; 500 mA per channel sink current.
• XVME-248: 64-channel non-isolated digital I/O; high-density configuration for PLC-style discrete control applications.

CPU / Controller Boards

• XVME-688: Motorola 68040-based single-board computer; 32 MHz clock; supports VxWorks and OS-9 RTOS; primary controller for XVME-series racks.
• XVME-655: Motorola 68030 SBC; 25 MHz; VMEbus master/slave; used in earlier-generation XVME control rack configurations.
• XVME-670: Intel 486-based SBC; DOS/Windows NT compatible; transition-era controller bridging VMEbus and PC-based SCADA architectures.

Communication & Interface Modules

• XVME-490: Quad serial communication module; RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 configurable; used for MODBUS RTU and proprietary DCS serial links.
• XVME-402: IEEE-488 (GPIB) interface module; used in laboratory automation and instrument bus integration within VMEbus racks.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete XVME Parts

With the full XVME product line at EOL status, procurement of replacement modules — particularly low-volume SKUs such as the XVME-566, XVME-572, and XVME-402 — requires engagement with specialist aftermarket distributors. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of tested XVME modules sourced from decommissioned systems, controlled-environment warehouses, and verified secondary-market channels.

For plant operators running XVME-based DCS or VMEbus control racks beyond their original design life, DriveKNMS provides lifecycle extension services including: module-level functional testing, firmware version verification, cosmetic and connector refurbishment, and long-term consignment stocking agreements. Customers operating in regulated industries (nuclear, pharmaceutical, petrochemical) can request full traceability documentation including source records and test reports for each unit shipped.

DriveKNMS does not substitute alternative-brand modules without explicit customer authorization. All XVME replacements are sourced as original Xycom/Curtiss-Wright manufactured units.

Quality Control for the XVME Range

XVME modules present specific test challenges due to their VMEbus backplane interface, multiplexed analog front-ends, and in some cases, battery-backed SRAM and real-time clock circuits. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all XVME units prior to shipment:

• Backplane Bus Verification: Each module is seated in a live VMEbus test rack and verified for correct address decoding, interrupt response, and data transfer integrity across A16, A24, and A32 address spaces as applicable.
• Analog Channel Calibration Check: For analog I/O modules (including the XVME-564), all active channels are exercised across the full input/output range. Gain accuracy, offset error, and linearity are measured against factory specification limits.
• Digital I/O Functional Test: All digital channels are toggled and verified for correct logic levels, isolation integrity (for optocoupled variants), and output current compliance.
• Visual and Connector Inspection: P1/P2 VMEbus connectors are inspected for bent pins, corrosion, and mechanical damage. PCB surfaces are inspected for electrolytic capacitor leakage, cold solder joints, and component damage.
• Burn-In Soak: Selected modules undergo a 24-hour powered soak at elevated ambient temperature to screen for latent component failures prior to shipment.