8400 System Processor (SP)

Customers considering upgrading System 8400 components may refer to the following guidelines. We recommend that you consult with factory Sales or Applications personnel before ordering any upgrades. Please contact the Repair Department for a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number should any product need to be returned to the factory for upgrade.

Microprocessor PCB Upgrade

Over the years, the 8400 System Processors have been shipped with three different Motorola microprocessor PCB's depending on the vintage. The first 8400 SP's were shipped with MVME133 PCB's using version 3.XX firmware. After serial number 350, the 8400's were shipped with MVME162 PCB's using version 4.XX firmware. Two versions of MVME162 PCB's exist; one with 25MHz clock speeds and one with 33MHz clock speeds depending on the vintage. The easiest way to distinguish between the two is to look at the labeling of the microprocessor (the large chip with the round heat sink on top) on the PCB. If the labeling is MC68040RC25, it's the 25MHz version and, if the labeling is MC68040RC33, it's the 33MHz version. The table below indicates some important distinctions between the three versions as well as the part number for the upgrade kit. The upgrade kit includes the microprocessor board, two GPIB IP cards, a Remote Display wiring harness, and an Ethernet wiring harness, as well as instructions.

	MVME13	MVME162 (25MH)	MVME162 (33MHz)
Microprocessor	M68020 @ 12MHz	M68040 @ 25MHz	M68040 @ 33MHz
Onboard RAM	1Mb	4Mb, std. 8Mb, opt.	4Mb, std. 8Mb, opt.
Computer Interface	GPIB (IEEE-488) using Mizar card	GPIB (IEEE-488) using Mizar card	GPIB (IEEE-488) using Mizar card or GPIB IP cards, std. Ethernet onboard, opt.
Firmware Version	v3.XX	v4.XX	v4.XX
Upgrade Kit	N/A	N/A	PN: 8VME-0801, 8Mb Ethernet

Memory Upgrade

System Processors using the MVME162 microprocessor PCB with 4 Mb RAM can be upgraded to 8 Mb RAM. Due to the necessary reprogramming of the microprocessor PCB to utilize the additional RAM locations, we do recommend that the microprocessor PCB be returned to the factory to be upgraded. The part number for this upgrade is 50-02-MEM162.

GPIB (IEEE-488) Upgrade

Until recently, 8400 System Processors were shipped with GPIB cards made by Mizar which plugged into one of the VME slots within the SP. The Mizar card handled both the GPIB communication with the host computer as well as the GPIB communication with the Local Slave. Mizar discontinued this board at the end of 1998. As a result, Pressure Systems was forced to adopt Industry Pack (IP) mezzanine GPIB cards which plug onto the microprocessor board itself as a replacement. The 8400 SP firmware was modified (version 4.12) to support these new IP cards. The IP cards can only be operated on the MVME162 (33MHz) PCB's and two are required to handle both host computer and Local Slave communication. The MVME133 PCB did not support IP cards and the MVME162 (25MHz) PCB did not support DMA transfer to the IP cards. Should a Mizar card fail, it is not possible to replace it as the boards are no longer in distribution. Therefore, the user must upgrade to the MVME162 (33MHz) PCB in order to regain GPIB operation. The 8VME upgrade kit includes both of the new GPIB IP cards. Replacement GPIB IP cards can be ordered using part number 50-02-IP488.

Ethernet Upgrade

With the advent of the MVME162 (33MHz) microprocessor PCB, Ethernet host communication became available on the microprocessor PCB as an option. Pressure Systems modified the 8400 SP firmware to support this communication interface and offered it as an option. System Processors with serial numbers greater than 351 can be upgraded in the field by purchasing an Ethernet upgrade kit which includes the microprocessor PCB, IP cards and a Ethernet wiring harness as well as instructions. The Ethernet wiring harness is only required on SP's with serial numbers 352 to 387. System Processors with serial numbers less than 352 need to be returned to the factory for upgrade as the rear panel must be modified. System Processors running Ethernet also support GPIB communication as standard.

Scanner Digitizer Interface (SDI) Configuration

Existing 8400 System Processors can be upgraded to the new SDI configuration to provide windtunnel customers with the benefits of Digital Temperature Compensation (DTC) technology. This technology reduces thermal errors of the ESP scanners by a factor of 20 which reduces on-line calibration requirements by 95% and greatly improves productivity during testing. The A/D converter is now located in close proximity to the ESP scanners reducing the across-sting wiring from the System Processor through the use of fiber-optic technology. Data from the A/D converter is digitally transmitted to the system via a fiber-optic cable rendering it immune from any noise inducement.

The 8400 SP requires the MVME162 (33MHz) PCB with version 4.12 or greater firmware. The Model 8426 Fiber-optic Interface Unit (FIU) serves similar functions as the Model 8425 Scanner Digitizer Unit (SDU) within the SP except A/D conversion is now done remotely. The SDU is still supported and SDU's and FIU's can both be run simultaneously in the 8400 system, if desired. The Model 8411 Scanner Digitizer Interface (SDI) serves similar functions as the Model 8415 Scanner Interface (IFC) but also incorporates a 16 bit A/D and fiber-optic communication to the FIU. The Model 8474 fiber-optic cable connects the SDI to the FIU in the System Processor. If the equivalent of four (4) ESP-64HD scanners or less are used with the SDI, power can be derived from the SP using a Model 8474 power cable between the System Processor and the SDI. If the equivalent of more than four (4) ESP-64HD are to be used, then the Model 8491 Remote Power Supply (RPS) must be used with the Model 8476 power cable connecting it to the SDI.

Model PSCB scanner cables are used to connect the ESP scanners to the SDI. Both conventional HD Series ESP scanners and the new DTC Series ESP scanners, even any combination of the two, can be used with the SDI configuration of the 8400 system and are pin for pin compatible. This enables an upgrade path for the windtunnel customers without requiring immediate replacement of all conventional ESP scanners with DTC Series scanners. Please contact the Sales and Applications Department regarding any questions.

Firmware Upgrade