Ö· Ö· Ò ÖÒ· Ö· Ö· Ò ·Ö Ö· Ƕ º º ºÐº º ǽ º ºº Ó· ½Ó Ó½ ÓÄ ½ Ð Ó½ ½ ÓÄ Ó½ Ó½ CONTENTS Notices & Warnings i Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1 General Description 1 1.2 Physical Description 1 1.3 System Requirements 2 1.4 Application Options 3 1.5 Application Flexibility for Programmers 3 Chapter 2 Installation 4 2.1 Board Installation 4 2.2 External Panel Connection 5 2.3 Connecting Peripherals 6 2.4 System Configuration 8 Chapter 3 Hardware 10 3.1 Introduction 10 3.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 10 3.3 Dual Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter 10 3.4 Random Access Memory (RAM) 11 3.4.1 Local RAM 11 3.4.2 Dual Port RAM 11 Appendices A. ACL MC+ Specifications 12 B. External Panel and Cable Wiring 13 Customer Assistance 14 Limited Warranty 15 ACL MC+ User's Guide manual part number: 650127-01 c 1994 by Star Gate Technologies, Inc. Printed in U.S.A. All brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. SPECIFICATIONS NOTICE Star Gate Technologies does not assume any liability arising from either the application or the use of any product or circuit described in this manual. We also reserve the right to make changes to any product to improve reliability, function, or design. Therefore, specifications are subject to change without notice. This manual has been carefully checked, and its information is believed to be reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies. This information does not give the purchaser any license under the patent rights of the manufacturer, or others. RFI WARNING NOTICE We recommend that all devices connected to this product have shielded cables with metal RFI/EMI connector hoods. FCC NOTICE The user is cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment. Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 General Description The ACL MC+ (Advanced Communication Link for the Micro ChannelTM) adapter from Star Gate Technologies is an intelligent expansion board that adds 8 serial ports to an IBM PS/2 with Micro Channel architecture or a compatible equivalent. Star Gate drivers will support up to four ACL MC+ boards in a host PC. The adapter relieves the PS/2 of communication responsibilities while supporting up to eight serial devices. These serial devices include terminals, printers, plotters, video displays, modems, and other computers. 1.2 Physical Description The ACL MC+ package consists of seven items which are listed roughly in order of unpacking: 1. ACL MC+ User's Guide For future reference, you may want to place this guide in the "Guide to Operations" binder supplied with the computer. 2. ACL MC+ Driver Diskette This diskette contains the device driver and support files for the ACL MC+ adapter. 3. Device Driver Installation Manual This manual describes how to install and use the device driver software. 4. ACL MC+ Option Diskette This diskette contains files necessary to allow the system to recognize the board and to configure the board under the reference diskette. 5. ACL MC+ Adapter Board 6. External Connection Panel This panel serves as a junction box to control wiring clutter and simplify connections. It contains the receptacle for connection to the adapter board. It also contains the eight serial ports that permit connection with up to eight serial devices. There are four types of external panels available: (1) EIA-232 with DCD (Data Carrier Detect) (2) EIA-232 with DSR (Data Set Ready) (3) EIA-422 (4) EIA-485 7. Board-to-Panel Interconnection Cable This cable connects the adapter board to the external panel. 1.3 System Requirements The following system requirements must be met for proper operation of the ACL MC+ adapter: ù The host computer must be an IBM Personal System/2 with Micro Channel architecture (such as a Model 50, 60, 70, or 80) or an IBM PS/2-compatible equivalent. ù One 16-bit expansion slot must be available for each ACL MC+ adapter used. 1.4 Application Options The ACL MC+ package is designed for maximum application flexibility with minimum effort. Configuration of the PS/2 for operation with the adapter is done with the help of the PS/2 Reference diskette and ACL MC+ Option diskette. This software allows you to: ù set up the dual port memory boundary (base) address, interrupt request level and interrupt control. ù assign the dual port boundary address on any 16K-byte boundary space within the first 1 Mb of memory space. ù access interrupt-driven operation using any one of the eight interrupt request levels provided by the adapter. Or, it allows you to disable interrupt-driven operation. ù assign the I/O address for the Control Register. 1.5 Application Flexibility for Programmers The ACL MC+ adapter is mainly a device to enhance communications, but it has the processing power to do other tasks as well. With additional programming by the user, the ACL MC+ adapter can: ù perform line discipline functions, such as local terminal emulations and character conversions. ù perform file-oriented algorithms (such as data compacting) on an inter-channel basis. For example, a file can be received through one port, processed, then retransmitted through the same, different, or multiple ports simultaneously. ù reconcile format differences without host computer intervention. This makes it appear as if one device is directly compatible with another system even though the actual format is different. For example, the ACL MC+ adapter could function as an intelligent repeater which converts ASCII to EBCDIC. If you are interested in programming, call 1 (800) STAR-GATE and ask Technical Support to order the ACL Family Technical Reference Manual. Chapter 2 Installation 2.1 Board Installation CAUTIONS The ACL MC+ adapter board contains several components that can be permanently damaged if the board is handled improperly. To avoid accidental damage, follow these recommendations: ù Before handling the board, touch a grounded object to discharge any static electricity that has built up on your body. ù Never insert or remove the board while power is applied to the PS/2. Once the PS/2 power switch is shut off, wait at least 10 seconds for the power supply to discharge before inserting or removing the board. ù Hold the board only by its edges. The ACL MC+ adapter board may be installed into any PS/2 with Micro Channel bus architecture or compatible system. Follow these steps: 1. Place the PS/2, monitor and all peripheral device POWER switches in the OFF position. 2. Unplug the PS/2, monitor and all peripheral device line cords from their outlets. 3. Get the Guide to Operations manual supplied with the computer. Follow the instructions for removing the PS/2 cover and installing an adapter board. 4. The ACL MC+ adapter board may be installed into any expansion slot. After you select a slot, loosen the retainer screw located at the bottom of the slot at the rear of a PS/2 computer. 5. Remove the expansion slot's cover by sliding it up and out. 6. Holding the ACL MC+ board, align the board edge connector with the expansion slot connector. Firmly press the board straight down into the expansion slot connector. Make sure that the adapter is pushed in all the way. 7. Tighten the retainer screw to secure the board. 8. After installing the board, follow the instructions in the Guide to Operations manual for replacing the PS/2 cover. To remove the adapter board, follow these steps in reverse. 2.2 External Panel Connection Use the board-to-panel interconnection cable to connect the external panel to the ACL MC+ adapter. Follow these steps: 1. Make sure the host PC power is OFF before plugging or unplugging the interconnection cable. 2. Plug either end of the interconnection cable into the 62-pin receptacle on the external panel. 3. Plug the other end of the interconnection cable into the receptacle on the ACL MC+ adapter. NOTE The receptacles for both the ACL MC+ adapter and the external panel have 62 pins. Since the interconnection cable is a straight-through cable, it connects corresponding pins on each of its ends. The wiring in the interconnection cable is listed in Appendix B. 2.3 Connecting Peripherals From one to eight serial devices may be connected to the ports on the external panel. The I/O ports are 9-pin or 25-pin female receptacles numbered from P1 through P8 as shown below. ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ ³ ³ ÚÄÄ¿ ³ ³ ³ ³ ÚÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄ¿ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ÀÄÄÙ ÀÄÄÙ ÀÄÄÙ ÀÄÄÙ ÀÄÄÙ ÀÄÄÙ ÀÄÄÙ ÀÄÄÙ ³ ³ ÀÄÄÙ P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 ³ ³ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ FIGURE 2.1 - Serial ports on the External Panel Connect the peripheral's serial cable to any one of the ports available on the external panel. Pin assignments for the EIA-232 external panel with DCD are identified in Table 2.1. Pin assignments for the EIA-232 external panel with DSR are identified in Table 2.2. If a particular peripheral device doesn't require the modem handshake signals, only pins 2, 3 and 7 need be used. We recommend connecting only the necessary signals in the EIA-232 interface cable. TABLE 2.1 - EIA-232 (with DCD) Serial Port Data Connections Pin Signal Description Input/Output 2 TXD Transmit Data output 3 RXD Receive Data input 4 RTS Request to Send output 5 CTS Clear to Send input 7 GND Signal Ground 8 DCD Data Carrier Detect input 20 DTR Data Terminal Ready output TABLE 2.2 - EIA-232 (with DSR) Serial Port Data Connections Pin Signal Description Input/Output 2 TXD Transmit Data output 3 RXD Receive Data input 4 RTS Request to Send output 5 CTS Clear to Send input 6 DSR Data Set Ready input 7 GND Signal Ground 20 DTR Data Terminal Ready output Pin assignments for the EIA-422 external panel are identified in Table 2.3. TABLE 2.3 - EIA-422 Serial Port Data Connections Pin Signal Description Input/Output 2 RXD- Receive Data Low input 4 TXD+ Transmit Data High output 7 TXD- Transmit Data Low output 9 RXD+ Receive Data High input Pin assignments for the EIA-485 external panel are identified in Table 2.4. TABLE 2.4 - EIA-485 Serial Port Data Connections Pin Signal Description Input/Output 2 RXD- Receive Data Low input 4 TXD+ Transmit Data High output 7 TXD- Transmit Data Low output 9 RXD+ Receive Data High input 2.4 System Configuration After the ACL MC+ adapter is installed, the PS/2 must be configured to recognize and initialize the adapter. Follow these steps: 1. By using the DOS DISKCOPY command, make a backup copy of the Reference diskette supplied with the computer. Store the original diskette in a safe place, and use the backup copy as your working diskette. 2. Insert the backup copy of the PS/2 Reference Diskette into the floppy disk drive and turn on the PS/2. 3. The display will announce that a self-test has found a new option adapter installed, and it will ask you to run "automatic configuration." Disregard the suggestion and go to the main menu instead. NOTE Automatic configuration will not work properly until you add files from the ACL MC+ Option diskette. 4. From the main menu, select the command to copy an option diskette. 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to copy files from the ACL MC+ Option diskette to the PS/2 Reference diskette. Then return to the main menu. 6. Check your software driver manual and decide on the following. ù Assign the dual port boundary address on any 16K-byte boundary space within the first 1 Mb of memory space. The dual port address must not conflict with the address of any other adapter in the PS/2. Cache memory, which is often installed in the PS/2, does not act on addresses A0000 through F0000 in the first megabyte. ù After checking your software driver manual, select either interrupt-driven or polled operation. ù Select the interrupt level. ù Assign the I/O address for the Control Register. TABLE 2.5 - Choices Directly Supplied by the ACL MC+ Option Diskette * dual port address: 0D0000, 0D4000, 0D8000, 0DC000, 0C0000, (hex) 0C4000, 0C8000, 0CC000 I/O Address (hex): 0800, 0C00, 1000, 1400, 1800, 1C00, 2000 IRQ: 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 7. If you wish to, change the default conditions that have been loaded for the ACL MC+ adapter. Otherwise, select the automatic configuration option. The configuration program on the PS/2 Reference diskette will inform you of any conflicts with the dual port addresses or I/O addresses which you try to use. 8. Follow the on-screen instructions to leave the configuration menu and restart the computer. After you successfully complete this procedure, go to the installation manual for the software driver and load the driver software. * Defaults are shown in bold. To change the dual port address choices, exit the main menu and edit the @6406.ADF file on the PS/2 Reference diskette. (The original @6406.ADF file on the ACL MC+ Option diskette can be used as the backup.) Then return to the main menu. Chapter 3 Hardware 3.1 Introduction This section lists the major hardware circuits of the ACL MC+ adapter and describes their functions. 3.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU) The on-board CPU is a 20 MHz Intel 80C186. Its main task is to service interrupts from the DUARTs. The CPU also reads and processes (from the dual port memory) both commands and data that originate from the application program. This operation minimizes the overhead associated with moving data between the dual port memory and the application program. The 80C186 processor comes from the same family of CPUs as those used in the IBM PS/2. As a result, you can use the PS/2 itself to write application programs to be downloaded and run on the ACL MC+ adapter. For more information, refer to the Intel 80C186 data sheet. 3.3 Dual Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (DUART) Communication between the ACL MC+ adapter and peripheral devices is handled by four 2681 DUART (Dual Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) devices. These devices provide eight independent, full duplex, serial communication channels. For each channel, the specifications for operating mode, data format, baud rate and protocol are completely under program control. For more information, refer to the 2681 data sheet from Signetics. 3.4 Random Access Memory (RAM) There are two types of RAM on the ACL MC+: 1. local memory 2. dual port memory 3.4.1 Local RAM The local RAM is 64K bytes of static RAM which: ù contains any software that has been downloaded ù stores the temporary data needed for ACL MC+ program operation 3.4.2 Dual Port RAM The ACL MC+ adapter communicates with the PS/2 via a 16K-byte dual port memory, which is basically a hardware configuration which allows two processors to share the same physical memory space. This is a very efficient means of communicating data or commands between the CPU on the ACL MC+ adapter and the CPU in the PS/2. All accesses to the dual port by both the host PC and the ACL MC+'s CPU can be either 8- or 16-bit-wide transfers. This permits faster movement of data to and from the dual port memory. Because both CPUs cannot access this memory at the same time, a circuit called an arbiter between the memory and the CPUs determines which CPU gains access to the dual port memory. The arbiter handles simultaneous requests by granting access on a predetermined priority basis. In the case of the ACL MC+ adapter, the PS/2 CPU is given higher priority than the ACL MC+ CPU. However, if one CPU requests access to the memory while the other CPU already has access, the arbiter will activate the "wait" line of the requesting CPU. Thus, the longest either CPU must wait to gain access is the maximum cycle time of the other CPU connected to the dual port memory. More information on the dual port memory can be found in the ACL Family Technical Reference Manual. Call 1-800-STAR GATE and ask Technical Support for a copy if you would like more programming information. Appendix A ACL MC+ Specifications TABLE A1 - Communication Parameters Number of Channels 8 Interface Format Asynchronous Software Program Parity: even, odd, mark, space or none. Choices Character length: 5, 6, 7 or 8 bits. Stop bit length: 1 or 2 bits. Baud Rate 75 to 115.2K baud per channel Board-to-Panel 62-position D-shell style connectors, Interconnection Cable male plug on each end EIA-232 External Panel 8 25-position D-style female connectors, (DTE configured) EIA-422 and EIA-485 8 9-position D-style female connectors External Panels TABLE A2 - Micro Channel Parameters Interrupts IRQ 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 via software configuration Power Consumption +5 V at 1.370 A +12 V at 0.043 A, -12 V at 0.043 A (all calculated maximum statistical) Temperature 0 to 55 oC (operating) -10 to 70 oC (storage) Relative Humidity 10% to 90% noncondensing (operating) Appendix B External Panel and Cable Wiring Signal Connector Cable Signal Connector Cable Name box Signal Pin Name Box Signal Pin TXD1 P1-2 4 TXD6 P6-2 13 RTS1 P1-4 3 RTS6 P6-4 12 DTR1 P1-20 45 DTR6 P6-20 11 RXD1 P1-3 26 RXD6 P6-3 35 CTS1 P1-5 25 CTS6 P6-5 34 GPI1 P1-6 24 GPI6 P6-6 33 TXD2 P2-2 23 TXD7 P7-2 61 RTS2 P2-4 22 RTS7 P7-4 21 DTR2 P2-20 44 DTR7 P7-20 20 RXD2 P2-3 2 RXD7 P7-3 60 CTS2 P2-5 1 CTS7 P7-5 62 GPI2 P2-6 43 GPI7 P7-6 42 TXD3 P3-2 10 TXD8 P8-2 19 RTS3 P3-4 9 RTS8 P8-4 18 DTR3 P3-20 8 DTR8 P8-20 17 RXD3 P3-3 32 RXD8 P8-3 41 CTS3 P3-5 31 CTS8 P8-5 40 GPI3 P3-6 30 GPI7 P8-6 39 TXD4 P4-2 7 N.C. 46 RTS4 P4-4 6 N.C. 47 DTR4 P4-20 5 GND P3-7 48 RXD4 P4-3 29 GND P4-7 49 CTS4 P4-5 28 GND P5-7 50 GPI4 P4-6 27 GND P6-7 51 TXD5 P5-2 16 GND P7-7 52 RTS5 P5-4 15 GND P8-7 53 DTR5 P5-20 14 GND P1-7 54 RXD5 P5-3 38 GND P2-7 55 CTS5 P5-5 37 GND 56 GPI5 P5-6 36 GND 57 GND 58 GND 59 Customer Assistance For Customer Service or Sales, call 1-800-STAR GATE (1-800-782-7428) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. For your convenience, we have extended Tech Support hours from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., E.S.T. If you still need technical assistance after reading this manual, please call and ask for Technical Support. Our specialists will try to provide solutions over the phone. If you face a shipment or order processing difficulty, please ask for Customer Service. An experienced Customer Service representative will be pleased to assist you. If you have any comments, suggestions, or corrections regarding this manual, please make photo-copies of the affected pages, indicate your comments on the copies, and mail or FAX the copies to the address or FAX number below. FAX (216) 349-1978 Star Gate Technologies, Inc. Attn: Technical Documentation Dept. 29300 Aurora Road Solon, Ohio 44139 LIMITED WARRANTY Star Gate Technologies, Inc., warrants the ACL MC+ adapter against defective materials or workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase. This limited warranty is void if the hardware has been damaged by accident, improper modifications, neglect, improper service or other causes not arising out of defects in material or workmanship. If this product is not in good working order as warranted above, your only remedy shall be repair or replacement. In no event will Star Gate Technologies, Inc., be liable to you for any damages, including lost profits, lost savings or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use such a product, even if Star Gate Technologies, Inc., has been advised of the possibility of such damages, or any claim by any other party. Note: Some states do not allow exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply. THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. REPLACEMENT OF NONCONFORMING GOODS, FOR THE REASONS AND PERIOD DESCRIBED ABOVE, SHALL CONSTITUTE FULFILLMENT OF ALL LIABILITY OF SELLER TO BUYERS, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE WITH RESPECT TO OR ARISING OUT OF SUCH GOODS. Note: Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights; you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.