User's Manual

PMAC User Manual
Getting Started with PMAC 5
GETTING STARTED WITH PMAC
PMAC is a very flexible controller, suitable for many different types of applications, with different types of
hosts, amplifiers, motors, and sensors. As such, the card must be configured for a specific application,
using both hardware and software features, in order to run that application properly. (PMAC is shipped
from the factory with defaults set in hardware and software setup to be satisfactory for the most common
application types.) This section explains this configuration process for the inexperienced user.
Note:
The PMAC Setup (PS) program that is provided on the Executive program diskette
walks you through each of these steps in an interactive fashion. Use of that program
may enable some to skip this part of the manual.
By following this procedure, those unfamiliar with PMAC should be able to get the
card going quickly and reliably. Once more acquainted with the card, these tasks
may be performed in a different order and some of the checking steps may be
skipped to perform the installation more quickly.
The Getting Started section is a quick introduction to exercise the basic functionality
of the card. Each of the areas dealt with in this section is also covered in later
chapters in more detail.
Preparing the Card
First, inspect the card for any signs of damage. PMAC was thoroughly tested, burned in, and tested again
(including actually running motors), before it left the factory, but there always exists the (remote)
possibility of shipping damage. If any visible damage is seen, report this to Delta Tau immediately.
E-Point Jumpers
On the PMAC, there are many jumpers (pairs of metal prongs) called E-points (on the bottom board of the
PMAC STD they are called W-points). Some have been shorted together; others have been left open.
These jumpers customize the hardware features of the board for a given application. The PMAC was
shipped with jumpers configured for the needs of a typical user, so it can be started initially without
changing any jumpers. However, we will check a few jumpers here to make sure they are correct before
we start.
In the Hardware Reference manual for the specific version of the board is a map of the jumper locations
and a detailed description of each jumper’s function. Check the jumpers according to the instructions and
refer to the map. For more detailed instructions on changing a setting, refer to the detailed jumper
descriptions.
Card Number Jumpers
The PMAC was preset in the factory at card number (software address) 0 by the jumper configuration of
E40 - E43 on the PMAC PC, -Lite, and -VME which should all be ON (for the PMAC STD this is
controlled by DIP switches SW1-1 to SW1-4 which should all be OFF).
The card number is important for two reasons. First, if several cards are daisy-chained together on the
serial interface, it is the software addressing that determines which card should send data and receive
commands. Second, card 0 creates its own servo clock signal; all the other cards receive the servo clock
signal from the outside as a synchronizing signal. If they do not receive it, they will shut down.
Each set of synchronized PMAC cards must have one, and only one, card 0. For the initial setup with
PMAC, it is advised that the card be set at software address 0. If this must be changed, refer to the detailed
E-point description.