1.0 DLPCIe General Operation & Applications

The DLPCIe continues the functionality of the current DLPC/DLPCI product line. It offers both the new addition of DH-485 as well an extra Serial com port. New is the ability to have the DLPCIe an extra serial communication port that most desktops don’t have.

The DLPCIe has two communication ports. Channel A is designed to connect to you industrial network, either A-B’s DH+ or DH-485 networks. Channel B is used to connect to your serial DF1 protocol.

Configuration of the operating parameters is done quickly and easily by the EQ32 windows based software shipped with the unit or available on the Equustek Website.

Currently there are two standard DLPCIe products available to allow access to A-B’s DH-485 and DH+ network. Contact Equustek Solutions to see if the DLPCIe is the correct device for your communication needs.

The DLPCIe-DF1 is a two port device that allows your DF1 driver to communicate with ones on an Allen Bradley DH-485 or DH+ network. The DF1 model is a direct replacement for the 1770-KF3 for DH-485 and 1770-KF2 for DH+ and allows your PCs or Laptops access to any node on the corresponding Allen Bradley network.

2.0 Hardware Specifications

The DLPCIe Hardware Platform has the following specifications.

2.1 Operating Specifications

CHA can be configured for DH-485 at 4800, 9600 or 19.2 KBaud, or DH+ of 57.6, 115.2 and 230.4 KBaud

CHB has RS232 with the ability of being configured with asynchronous speeds up to 115.2 KBaud, or 230.3 & 460.8 up on request if needed.

Currently DF1 is the supported protocol. Both CRC 16 and BCC error checking can be implemented. Simple Parameter Configuration using menu driven Windows (95/98/ME/XP/NT/2000/VISTA/WIN7 & WIN8 ) based Program.

Configuration Pushbutton to setup online configuration parameters.

Operating Parameters are stored in Non-Volatile Serial EEPROM

The DLPCIe uses FLASH upgradeable firmware from the configuration Software.

Color LED’s for each communication channel indicates activity and status.

2.2 Physical Specifications

Dimensions :

4.376" H x 4.0" W

PCI Express bus connection :

Can be installed in any X1, X4 , X8, and X16 PCI Express bus slot.

Operating Environment :

32 to 122 °F (0 to 50 °C)

Storage :

-40 to 185°F (-40 to 85°C)

Humidity :

5% to 95% non-condensing

Power :

PCI Express 3V and 12V - 1.5 Watts

4.0 Mode of Operation

4.1 Online Mode of Operation

Online Mode is the normal operating Mode of the DLPCIe. In this mode the Channels are now configured as they are defined by the configuration and the DLPCIe Model. The DLPCIe is ready to interface your equipment.
The Reset pushbutton automatically puts the DLPCIe into Online mode.

4.2 Offline Mode

Once the Configure Pushbutton is pressed the Offline BIOS Manager is started. Using either the configuration software and the “DL Offline Manager” option or a Windows Hyper Terminal type program with com port settings of 19,2KBaud,8,N,1 and Xon/Xoff flow control.

BIOS MANAGER for DLPCIe - Ver 1.10a - Jan 14,2009
(c) Equustek Solutions Inc. 2008

MAIN MENU

1 - Restore EEPROM to Factory settings
2 - WRITE new Firmware

3 - Memory DUMP
4 - OFF-LINE Diagnostics
5 - DEBUG Mode

6 - FIRMWARE Version
7 – ONLINE

MAKE SELECTION (1-7) -

4.3 BIOS Manager Options

1. Restore EEPROM to factory settings

Once pressed you will be asked “Restore EEPROM to defaults (Y/N)?” If the answer is “Y”es then the Online parameters will be reset to defaults of Address 1, and settings of 19200,N,8,1 on the communication channel.

2. Write New Firmware

**Please do not use this option unless instructed by the tech support team.

Once pressed the message “This *WILL* overwrite DATALINK system code enter (Y/N) to proceed” will be displayed. Hit “Y” and the next message will appear telling you that it is alright to send the new firmware to the Flash; ERASING FLASH, PLEASE WAIT...

SEND FIRMWARE TEXT FILE NOW...

Once the message to send the firmware appears then either click on the “Burn Flash System File” button to select the .txt file to send, or send the Text File under HyperTerminal.

Wait for an “*A-OK* BURN COMPLETE!” message to appear.

Memory Dump

This is used to display the RAM memory of the DLPCIe. This should only be done after contacting Equustek Solutions to debug problems. .

Off-Line Diagnostics

Starts a series of tests to test the DLPCIe’s hardware and should only be done if instructed so by a trained person.

Debug Mode

Starts up a DLPCIe internal Debug mode that can be used by trained personnel to debug problems and check hardware configuration and operation.

Firmware Version

Once selected the current DLPCIe model and version numbers will be displayed. Can be used to check the correct firmware was burnt into the Flash or if the DLPCIe has the most up to date firmware in the Flash.

Online

Does a soft “software” reset of the unit to put it online.5.0 Switch and LED Indicator Functions.

5.0 Switch and LED Indicator Functions

5.1 Switch Functions

The Configure pushbutton takes the DLPCIe out of On-Line operation mode and puts it in the BIOS Manager mode. The BIOS Manager mode also allows for configuration parameters to be downloaded from or uploaded to the Windows based configuration software (EQ32). When this mode has been entered the STATUS LED will be RED and BUS LED will be Green while NET LED will be off. To put the unit back On-line use option 7 from the BIOS menu or can power off then on the PC.

5.2 Indicator Functions

5.2.1 Power-Up and Reset Sequence

On Power-up the DLPCIe executes a self diagnostic check-up or the ram and flash firmware. The correct LED indicator sequence to show the DLPCIe is functioning properly is as follows: After all LEDS go out.

LED: Status
STATUSLED: RED for 0.5 seconds
BUSLED: Green for 0.5 seconds
NETLED: Green for 0.5 seconds

After this sequence the DLPCIe goes into the On-line mode of Operation. The LED indicators will behave in the certain way defined by the DLPCIe model used. Most likely all LEDS will be off waiting for communication on its channels.

5.2.2 Normal On-line Operation

The following is a description of the normal operation of the Channel Leds on the DLPCIe.

LED: Description of Operation
NET LED: Solid Green when on line on DH+ or DH485 Network.
BUS LED: Flashes or solid Green if there is activity of the DF1 side.
STATUS LED: Flashes RED for 0.5 seconds if a NAK is received or transmitted in DF1 protocol. Will also flash RED if duplicate node address on DH+/DH485 exists.

5.2.3 On-Line, Power-Up and Reset Errors

The following table describes the meaning of LED patterns if the internal diagnostic tests detect an error on Reset/Power-Up.

LED Pattern: Description of Problem
All Three LED’s Flashing: The flash has not be burnt properly and the A-OK was not transmitted. Please reburn the flash with the correct text file. Contact Customer Support for help.
Start-up Sequence keeps keeps repeating: The DLPCIe EEPROM is corrupt.. Please Restore to Factory settings (See Section 1.1) and then reconfigure the unit.

5.2.4 Off-Line Modes

The following table describes the meaning of LED patterns in the different Off-Line modes of operation.

LED Pattern: Description of Problem
STATUSLED ON NETLED OFF and BUSLED ON: BIOS Manager/Configuration Parameter Download/Upload
All Three LED’s ON: Offline Debug Mode

6.0 DLPCIe Wiring Diagrams

6.1 Online Cable DLPCIe-CHA DH+

Note: Clear & Blue might have to be swapped depending on existing DH+ wiring

6.2 Online Cable DLPCIe-CHA DH-485

8

7.0 DLPCI DH-485/DH+ Networking Applications

7.1 DLPCIe-DF1 – DF1 to DH-485/DH+ interface

Note : PC can be running RS-LINX or like software (MMI) to have access to nodes on the DH-485/DH+ Network.

Appendix A : Installing the RS232 Serial Driver For the PCI Express BUS

A1- Screen shots for an example of installing a driver for Windows XP are shown below

After installing the driver please make sure that it is installed correctly by checking it under the device manager, it should be some thing like it is shown below but with different port number depending on what is installed in the PC.

The COM Port with lowest number is the one to be used for the DF1 Driver. While the other one will be the general purpose RS232 serial com port.

A2- Equustek DLPCIe ( Allen BradleyDF1 to DH+ / DH485 ) PCI Express Bus Card with Windows 7

In case Windows 7 does not successfully install the DLPCIe driver like what you see in the following screen shots.

Click on Change setting..

Change it to Automatic update.

And if it still does not find the driver like what you see below.

Then go to your device manager and look under ports and LPTs and click on update driver software.

Choose Browse my computer.

Browse to where the SW_Windows_PCIe_NativeUart folder is on your CD and click on Next.

Wait until you see

The two serial port numbers will differ from one PC to another and you can change the number to your desired available one.

That will complete the installation of the PCI Express driver for the card.
please note that in Win7 the second port is used for setting up the DF1 drive, later on.

Appendix B : Configuring the DL_PCI Express BUS card

1- Using the EQ32 configuration software to configure the unit, all the screen shots below show an example of that.

Click on the DLPCIe Button

Select the DF1 Com port that was found under the Device Manager, then click on the Offline Manager button, you should see some thing like the screen below.

This confirms that the serial port is working, click on close. Then click on Configure button. It should come up with the screen shot shown below.

Click on Next

On next screen shot select the Network mode DH+ or HD485 and also select the node address number in Octal, please make sure that it is not a duplicate.