SBS PMC-3101-BP PMC Ethernet Module – PMC Series

SBS PMC-3101-BP PMC Ethernet Interface Module: Deterministic Network I/O for Embedded Control Architectures

The SBS PMC-3101-BP is a PCI Mezzanine Card (PMC) form-factor Ethernet interface module engineered for embedded computing platforms operating in industrial, defense, and telecommunications environments. Designed to the IEEE P1386.1 PMC standard, this module occupies a single PMC site on a compatible carrier board and delivers 10/100Base-T Ethernet connectivity directly onto the PCI local bus, enabling deterministic, low-latency network I/O without the overhead of an external network adapter or additional backplane slot consumption.

In a distributed control architecture, the PMC-3101-BP functions as the primary network node for single-board computers (SBCs) that require Ethernet access but lack an onboard NIC. It bridges the embedded processor’s PCI bus to the plant network or supervisory LAN, supporting real-time data exchange between field controllers, SCADA hosts, and engineering workstations. Its compact mezzanine form factor preserves the carrier board’s primary expansion slots for mission-critical I/O, making it a preferred choice in slot-constrained VME and CompactPCI chassis deployments.

Real-time Stock & RFQ: [email protected] | WhatsApp: +86 18359268345

Technical Parameters

Hardware Logical Analysis

The PMC-3101-BP is built around a bus-master DMA architecture that decouples packet processing from the host CPU. When a frame arrives at the RJ-45 port, the onboard MAC controller writes the payload directly into a pre-allocated host memory descriptor ring via PCI bus-master DMA, asserting an interrupt only after the transfer completes. This eliminates programmed I/O (PIO) polling cycles and reduces CPU utilization during sustained 100 Mbit/s traffic to under 5 % on a 400 MHz PowerPC host — a critical advantage in real-time control loops where CPU cycles are budgeted for deterministic task scheduling.

The module’s PCI interface operates at 32-bit / 33 MHz, delivering a theoretical peak bandwidth of 132 MB/s — more than sufficient to sustain full-duplex 100Base-TX at wire speed (12.5 MB/s each direction) with substantial headroom for burst traffic. The universal 3.3 V / 5 V signaling on the PMC J1/J2 connector ensures backward compatibility with both legacy 5 V VME carrier boards and modern 3.3 V CompactPCI platforms without requiring hardware modification.

From an EMC standpoint, the PMC-3101-BP’s rear I/O routing through the P14 connector keeps the Ethernet differential pair traces entirely within the shielded chassis enclosure, avoiding the radiated emission risks associated with front-panel cable egress. The RJ-45 magnetics (integrated transformer and common-mode choke) provide 1500 V AC isolation between the network cable and the PCI bus ground plane, protecting the host SBC from ground loop currents and transient surges common in industrial plant environments. The board layout follows IPC-2221 Class B spacing rules, with the analog Ethernet front-end physically separated from the digital PCI logic by a ground pour, suppressing cross-domain noise coupling below the –60 dBm threshold.

The Intel 82559 MAC controller implements hardware-accelerated TCP/IP checksum offload for IPv4, reducing the per-packet software overhead on the host CPU and enabling higher packet rates without sacrificing latency. Its internal FIFO buffers (16 KB transmit, 16 KB receive) absorb short-duration PCI bus arbitration latencies, preventing packet loss during burst transfers from co-resident PMC modules competing for bus ownership.

System Integration Benefits

• Preserved slot density: The PMC mezzanine site is a dedicated expansion resource on most SBCs; using the PMC-3101-BP for Ethernet leaves all primary VME or cPCI slots available for analog I/O, serial communication, or DSP modules, maximizing chassis utilization without adding a dedicated network card slot.
• Deterministic interrupt latency: Bus-master DMA with a single completion interrupt per descriptor ring cycle eliminates the variable latency of polled I/O, enabling the host RTOS (VxWorks, LynxOS) to schedule network receive tasks with sub-millisecond jitter — essential for time-stamped process data acquisition.
• Transparent diagnostics via standard NIC counters: The Intel 82559 exposes IEEE 802.3 MIB-II counters (CRC errors, frame alignment faults, late collisions, carrier sense failures) through the driver’s IOCTL interface, giving maintenance engineers a direct view of physical-layer link quality without external test equipment.
• Dual-speed auto-negotiation: The 10/100Base-TX auto-negotiation eliminates manual speed/duplex configuration errors when integrating into mixed-speed plant networks, reducing commissioning time and eliminating duplex mismatch — a common source of intermittent packet loss in industrial Ethernet segments.
• Long-lifecycle driver availability: The Intel e100 driver is maintained in the Linux mainline kernel and in VxWorks BSP archives, ensuring software support continuity for systems with 10–15 year operational lifespans — a non-negotiable requirement for defense and process control platforms.
• Galvanic isolation at the network boundary: The 1500 V AC transformer isolation on the RJ-45 port prevents ground potential differences between the control cabinet and the plant LAN from injecting common-mode noise into the SBC’s power rail, protecting sensitive analog measurement circuits on co-resident I/O modules.
• Reduced cabling complexity: Rear I/O routing through P14 allows the Ethernet cable to exit through the chassis rear panel, conforming to IEC 61131-2 cabinet wiring practices and eliminating front-panel cable clutter that obstructs airflow and complicates hot-swap operations.
• Compatibility with standard IP stacks: The module presents as a standard NIC to the host OS, requiring no proprietary middleware. Existing PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, or Modbus TCP application stacks run unmodified, protecting software investment when migrating from discrete NIC solutions to PMC-based architectures.

Quality Assurance & Global Logistics

Every SBS PMC-3101-BP unit supplied by siemensplc.com is sourced through verified industrial distribution channels and subjected to a structured pre-shipment inspection protocol. Physical inspection confirms PCB integrity, connector pin condition, date code consistency, and the absence of remarking or counterfeit indicators. Functional verification confirms PCI bus enumeration and Ethernet link establishment under controlled bench conditions. Units are packed in IEC 61340-5-1 compliant anti-static bags, placed in foam-lined cartons rated for international air freight vibration profiles per ASTM D4169.

Shipments originate from Xiamen, China — a major logistics hub with direct access to DHL Express, FedEx International Priority, and UPS Worldwide networks. Standard in-stock orders are dispatched within 3–5 business days. Express next-flight-out arrangements are available for urgent MRO requirements. Full export documentation — commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of conformance — is provided with every shipment to facilitate customs clearance in EU, US, and ASEAN jurisdictions. Bulk procurement inquiries receive a dedicated logistics plan including freight mode selection, HS code classification (8473.30), and incoterm options (EXW, FOB, CIF).

A 12-month warranty covers manufacturing defects and functional failures under normal operating conditions. DOA claims are processed within 5 business days of receipt, with replacement or credit issued upon inspection confirmation.

Contact Information

📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 WhatsApp: +86 18359268345
🌐 Web: siemensplc.com
📍 Location: Xiamen, China
© 2026 siemensplc.com. All rights reserved.