PCQ
THREE CHANNEL SERIAL INTERFACE
SKYLINE TEST EQUIPMENT
2423 Old Middlefield Way, Ste E, Mountain View, CA 94043
Manual Part Number 100176
January 11, 1993
Copyright 1996 by Skyline Test Equipment, Inc.
Reproduction or publication of the content in any manner, without
express permission of the publisher, is prohibited. No liability
is assumed with respect to the use of the information herein.
Printed in the United States of America
OVERVIEW1
OVERVIEW
The Skyline Software PCQ board is a special purpose three port serial interface. It's many features include:
Three Ports: Tester, Host Console, Host Tester
Six addresses: COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, LPT1, LPT2
Space for 2 more addresses in the EPLD
On-The-Fly PC or Remote Host Tester Control
Console Terminal Emulation Port
Compatible with PC/XT and PC/AT
Microsoft Windows support
The PCQ was designed primarily for use with the Megatest Q2 and Q8000 test systems.
Two modes of operation are available for the PCQ. The PC may select either mode on the fly.
In mode 0 the Host Console port is connected to the PC's COM port and the Host Tester port is connected to the Tester port. In this mode the PC acts as the Host's Console and the Host controls the tester. Most commonly available software for accessing the COM ports will work with the PCQ and will automatically place it in mode 0.
In mode 1 the COM port is connected to the Tester port. In this mode the PC controls the tester and the Host Console and Host Tester ports are not available.
The PCQ and some of the related options and spares are listed in the table below:
PRODUCT / P/NPCQ - THREE PORT SERIAL INTERFACE / 100170
CABLE, HOST TO TESTER, 25' / 100158
CABLE, HOST TO TESTER, 8' / 100191
CABLE, CONSOLE NULL MODEM, 25' / 100159
MAINTENANCE KIT, PC-HOST, Q2/52 / 100219
MAINTENANCE KIT, PC-HOST, Q2/62 / 100220
CABLE, HEADER TO DB25, FEMALE / 100171
CABLE, HEADER TO DB25, MALE / 100172
CABLE, DB25M TO DB25F, 1' / 100212
CABLE, DB25, FEMALE, LOOPBACK / 100213
CABLE, DB25M TO DB25M, NULL MODEM / 100216
S8 EIGHT PORT SERIAL INTERFACE / 100150
1INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION1
INSTALLATION
The PCQ board uses the COM1 port, addresses 3F8 to 3FF, COM2 port, addresses 2F8 to 2FF, COM3 port, addresses 3E8 to 3EF, COM4 port, addresses 2E8 to 2EF, LPT1 port, addresses 378 - 37F, or the LPT2 port, addresses 278 to 27F. Prior to installation, the program EMPTY.EXE should be run to verify that the port selected is not in use. This program is part of the PC-Host software package. COM1 and COM3 use interrupt vector 4, COM2 and COM4 use interrupt vector 3, LPT1 uses intrrupt vector 7, and LPT2 uses interrupt vector 5.
Before removing or installing modules make sure that the computer power has been turned off.
There is a 4 position DIP switch located on the PCQ board. It must be set as shown below for proper operation with the PC-Host software.
The PCQ may be installed in any available slot. It is usually most convenient to install the board as close as possible to the extra cut-outs for D type connectors. That is normally as close to the power supply as possible.
Two cables are supplied with the PCQ board for connection of the Host Console and Host Tester ports to the PC's bulkhead. The Host Console cable has a male connector. The Host Tester cable has a female connector.
The cables should be connected to the tester and host as shown:
The PCQ board will work whether the Q2 interface board is configured for hardware handshake or not. The hardware handshake configuration for WW8 is:
The non-handshake configuration for WW8 is:
The serial interfaces between the tester, PC-Host and PDP-11 host contain ground wires. To minimize unwanted current in these lines some precautions should be taken. All systems should be grounded to the same point. The hot and neutral sides of the lines should not be reversed.
INSTALLATION1
DIAGNOSTICS
The PC-Host software package includes a diagnostic program for the PCQ board. The program is called PCQ.EXE. Operation of this program requires the installation of a cable and a loopback connector. These are wired as follows:
The cable is Skyline Software part number 100212. The loopback connector is Skyline Software part number 100213.
To test the cable from the PC to the tester, place the loopback connector on the tester end of the cable, rather than on the PC.
To test the cables from the PC to the host, connect the two cables together at the host end with a male to male null modem cable. The null modem is Skyline Software part number 100216. It is wired as follows:
The following diagram shows the set-up for full cable testing:
When the PCQ is working properly the display will look like this:
C:\>PCQ
COM1FF000103106000FF020057600BaudLoopbackNo Errors
COM1FF000103126010FF020057600BaudLoopbackNo Errors
COM1FF0001030460E0FF020057600BaudTesterNo Errors
COM1FF0001030660F0FF020057600BaudTesterNo Errors
COM1FF0001030060F0FF020057600BaudConsoleNo Errors
COM1FF000103106000FF030038400BaudLoopbackNo Errors
COM1FF000103126010FF030038400BaudLoopbackNo Errors
COM1FF0001030460E0FF030038400BaudTesterNo Errors
COM1FF0001030660F0FF030038400BaudTesterNo Errors
COM1FF0001030060F0FF030038400BaudConsoleNo Errors
...
The first 5 tests are run at 57,600 baud. After each block of 5 tests the baud rate is changed and the 5 tests are repeated. The PCQ program runs continuously until control C is typed. The 5 tests are summarized in the table below:
# / Test / Causes of Failure1 / Loopback Data / 16550 74ABT245 EP1810 ..
2 / Loopback Data & Control / 16550 74ABT245 EP1810 ..
3 / Tester Data / MAX235, EP1810
4 / Tester Data & Control / MAX235, EP1810
5 / Console / Cables, MAX235, EP1810
Tests 1 and 2 use the 16550 UART's internal loopback capability. If these two tests pass, then the bus interface and UART are working properly. These tests may fail if there is another COM port enabled, or if the PCQ switch is incorrectly set, or if the PCQ board is bad.
Tests 3 and 4 exercise the tester port using the loop back connector. Test 3 exercises only the data signals. Test 4 exercises the data and control signals. If test 3 were to fail, the display would look like this:
C:\>PCQ
COM1FF000103106000FF020057600BaudLoopbackNo Errors
COM1FF000103126010FF020057600BaudLoopbackNo Errors
COM1FF0001030460E0FF020057600BaudTesterNo Errors
Expected00ReceivedFF...
Expected01ReceivedFF...
Expected02ReceivedFF...
Expected03ReceivedFF...
Expected04ReceivedFF...
Expected05ReceivedFF...
Expected06ReceivedFF...
Expected07ReceivedFF...
Expected08ReceivedFF...
Expected09ReceivedFF...
Expected0AReceivedFF...
...
Test 5 exercises the host console and host tester ports. If test 5 were to fail it would look like this:
C:\>PCQ
COM1FF000103106000FF020057600BaudLoopbackNo Errors
COM1FF000103126010FF020057600BaudLoopbackNo Errors
COM1FF0001030460E0FF020057600BaudTesterNo Errors
COM1FF0001030660F0FF020057600BaudTesterNo Errors
COM1FF0001030060F0FF020057600BaudConsoleNo Errors
Expected00ReceivedFF...
Expected01ReceivedFF...
Expected02ReceivedFF...
Expected03ReceivedFF...
Expected04ReceivedFF...
Expected05ReceivedFF...
Expected06ReceivedFF...
Expected07ReceivedFF...
Expected08ReceivedFF...
Expected09ReceivedFF...
Expected0AReceivedFF...
Expected0BReceivedFF...
Expected0CReceivedFF...
Expected0DReceivedFF...
...
INSTALLATION1
CONNECTOR PINOUT
The connector pinout at the bulkhead, when used with the supplied PCQ board to bulkhead cables is as follows:
These pinouts are not quite standard, to allow compatibility with existing installed Q2 cables.
WARRANTY1
WARRANTY
Skyline Test Equipment warrants to the original purchaser in the United States of America that this product will be free of defects in material or workmanship for one year from the date of purchase under normal use.
Skyline Test Equipment's sole and exclusive liability for defects in material and workmanship shall be limited to repair or replacement at its authorized service center. This warranty does not obligate Skyline Test Equipment to bear the cost of transportation charges in connection with the repair or replacement of defective parts.
This warranty is invalid if the damage or defect is caused by accident, act of God, customer abuse, unauthorized alteration or repair, vandalism or misuse.
Any implied warranties arising out of the sale of the product including the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are limited to the above one year period. Skyline Test Equipment shall in no event be liable for incidental, consequential, contingent or any other damages.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from State to State. Some states do not allow the 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 to you.