AD Controls Department » Front-end Group » Infrastructure » MOOC Framework

On June 26th, Dennis reports:

I created the devices (named Z:NOVTSD** and have the front-end talking to the boards (1 at a time). Currently talking to the one at 9. I got the same result with the board at address 3. I don't successfully see anything counting. As soon as I enable any of the channels, 7, or 15, or whatever, I see the channel 0 reading go to -1 (0xffffffff), but nothing on the channels I enable.

I do note that these two cards are a different version of firmware (1, instead of 2) than the 3805 that we've dealt with successfully in the past. But I hope that isn't the problem here.

On June 27th, Peter responded:

It appears New SIS 3805 boards we are trying to use are ECL type, because FLAT cable input of TTL type would have (+) pin connected to ground (see attached), and I have tested right now: none of the pins on input socket is connected to Ground. Also, there is a removable 100 Ohm resistor network (8x each) before each four 74F245 Transceivers.

"Old" VME scaler board, which works (mapped as Z:NOVTSCxx), is of 3800 type, while new boards are 3805 type. They came from PREP with "CDFx" address, and with Jumper 500 setting [On,On,Off] = custom Firmware. I have selected Jumper 500 [On,On,On] = Default Firmware. (there is a chance to try using original [On,On,Off])

When New board was enabled and "reading data" yesterday (Yellow LED "A" flashing), the Red Led "OVL" was also flashing. OVL Led On = Copy In Progress (CIP). This looks OK, I think. (?)

Another difference is: "old" board has J101 - J108 set ON (LEMO 8x inputs) while new boards have J101 - J108 OFF (Flat 20 pin input). J101-J108 means disabling 100Ohm termination of "Control Inputs", so this should not affect counting of input channels, I think.

I can still test the input channel data CABLE orientation, although, my checks were suggesting the orientation was OK, with red wire at "1"....

...

I suggest to test the original firmware = Jumper 500 setting, and cable orientation in the morning.

Board with address "3" is in my hands now = it was removed from VME crate yesterday evening.
Board with address "9" is in VME crate, it was communicating OK = flashing Yellow light.

And later in the day:

I plugged in also board with address "3" this time with original J500 = (ON,ON,OFF), and board with address "9" is with J500 = (ON,ON,ON) = 0,0,0, = default firmware. Board "9" communicates (Yellow light flashing) and this time = now = "OVL" (red LED) stays OFF.

I will enable Z:NOVTSCxx and Z:NOVTSDxx now using ACNET console.

Both boards "3" and "9" get 10Hz input ECL at ch. 07 and 15 = the last ch of input A)

After enabling Z:NOVTSDxx on ACNET, the LED Red "OVL" light is flashing on the board Adrressed as "9", being currently read = Yellow Light ON.

On June 27, Peter further added:

I have played with input cables of Board "9".

A) channel Z:NOVTSD00 is probably broken, reading #FFFF, or the real count (17 now).

B) by plugging/unplugging input data cable, I was able to increase counts. on these channels (see attached) on new SIS3805 board "9".

I will try to clear the counter channels 00-32 using Control Input, on board "9" NOW.

We think, there is a possibility, that ECL control input has "Inhibit count" control signal set by default; the board is Not counting.