SST 5136-PFB-VME AB Profibus DP Interface Module VME

Description

Product Introduction

The 5136-PFB-VME is a high-performance VMEbus communication interface module originally developed by SST (now Molex) and distributed under the Allen-Bradley brand. Engineered specifically for complex industrial architectures utilizing VMEbus backplanes, this card enables host processors to communicate directly with field devices, drives, and remote I/O nodes across high-speed Profibus DP networks.

What makes the 5136-PFB-VME indispensable in legacy process control is its dual-port RAM interface combined with full Profibus DP Master (Class 1 and Class 2) and Slave operational capabilities. By offloading network protocol stack processing directly onto the board’s onboard microprocessor, it minimizes host CPU overhead and guarantees deterministic data throughput across demanding real-time control applications.

Key Technical Specifications

Application Scenarios & The “Trench” Experience

Picture this: It’s 1:45 AM during a critical production run at a steel rolling mill. The main VMEbus host controller suddenly loses communication with six downstream variable frequency drives on the main line. The diagnostic log flags a unrecoverable network controller fault on slot 4—the 5136-PFB-VME interface board has died from years of thermal exposure in the cabinet. The line is dead in the water, costing $5,000 every ten minutes. You need a exact replacement board configured with matching memory addresses to get the mill rolling again before morning shift.

• Metals & Heavy Manufacturing – Rolling Mill Drive Control – Links central VMEbus process computers to high-power Profibus VFDs and mill stand actuators.
• Power Generation – Turbine Control Systems – Connects legacy VME-based turbine governors to distributed balance-of-plant remote I/O blocks.
• Paper & Pulp Processing – Web Tension Monitoring – Delivers microsecond-level deterministic Profibus updates between central logic racks and tensioning drives.

In a recent emergency at a rubber extrusion facility, an aging VME rack lost its primary Profibus communications card due to a power supply surge on the 5V bus. Because the facility was running a custom C-based VME control application, modern ethernet retrofits would have required weeks of code rewriting. Dropping in a tested 5136-PFB-VME replacement restored full DP network master communication within 45 minutes of receipt.

5136-PFB-VME

5136-PFB-VME

Transparency SOP: Quality Assurance & Testing

We test every 5136-PFB-VME module thoroughly on actual VMEbus test rigs before shipment. Here is our exact verification SOP:

1. Visual & Board-Level Inspection: We examine gold-finger edge connectors, backplane DIN 41612 pins, electrolytic capacitors, and onboard jumper traces for signs of heat stress or modification.
2. Backplane Power & Bus Handshake Test: The board is inserted into a powered VME chassis to test 5V power rails, SYSRESET compliance, and VMEbus address decoding.
3. Profibus Network Loopback & Master Test: We configure the board as a Profibus DP Master running at full 12 Mbps on an active test loop with multiple slave devices (drives and I/O blocks) using test tools to verify zero packet loss.
4. Dual-Port RAM Verification: Read/write memory sweep tests are executed across the onboard SRAM to ensure no corrupted memory addresses exist.
5. Anti-Static Packaging: Once verified, the board is thoroughly cleaned and sealed in industrial static-shielding bags with custom foam packing blocks.

The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide (Crucial Value-Add)

• ⚠️ Set your jumper settings BEFORE inserting the board! The 5136-PFB-VME relies on physical hardware jumpers for base VMEbus memory address selection, interrupt levels, and vector offsets. Take a clear, high-res photo of the jumper block on the dead card before pulling it out, and align the replacement card’s jumpers identically.
• ❗ Watch out for termination resistor settings. If this card is located at either physical end of your Profibus DB9 cable segment, ensure the built-in termination switch on the DB9 connector is switched ON. If it’s in the middle of a daisy chain, it must be OFF. Incorrect termination will cause sporadic 12 Mbps comm dropouts.
• ⚠️ Do not force the VME backplane pins. VME card cages use 96-pin DIN connectors. If the card isn’t aligned precisely in the chassis card guides, pushing hard will bend or snap the pins on the rack backplane. Align it carefully and press smoothly using the front ejector handles.
• ❗ Verify firmware and driver compatibility. Depending on whether your host system runs VxWorks, OS-9, or a custom UNIX environment, ensure your host software driver matches the hardware revision of the card’s onboard EEPROM code.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ for Conversion)

Q: Is the Allen-Bradley 5136-PFB-VME identical to the Molex / SST 5136-PFB-VME?

A: Yes. SST originally manufactured these cards, which were then co-branded and distributed by Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation. The board layout, firmware stack, and hardware functionality are completely identical.

Q: Can this module operate as both a Profibus Master and Slave simultaneously?

A: Yes. The 5136-PFB-VME supports multi-role operation, allowing it to act as a Master (Class 1 or Class 2) to manage lower-level field devices while simultaneously acting as a Slave node to a higher-level plant controller.

Q: What baud rates does this module support?

A: It supports all standard Profibus DP communication rates from 9.6 Kbps up to the maximum standard speed of 12 Mbps, with automatic baud rate detection supported in slave mode.

Q: Since this model is discontinued, are your parts brand new or surplus?

A: Because Rockwell and SST have discontinued this series, these cards are available primarily as New Surplus (unused original stock) or Certified Pre-Owned/Refurbished units. Every unit passes our complete live hardware test process before shipping.

Q: What happens if the card fails after installation?

A: We provide a full 12-month operational warranty on all 5136-PFB-VME modules. If the board experiences any hardware defect or backplane communication error within one year, we will replace it or process a full refund immediately.