ADLINK cPCI-3610 Blade Computer Integration and Debugging

Hot swappable operation: requires compatibility with hot swappable drivers and operating system support (Windows or Linux). Before unplugging, be sure to uninstall the device through software (such as "Safely Remove Hardware"), and then press the hot plug button. If software uninstallation is not performed, it may cause bus suspension or system crash.

PCI arbitration: 32-bit/33MHz, 3.3V or 5V universal level. Sharing bandwidth with other PCI peripheral boards on the backplane, such as motion control cards and data acquisition cards, may result in latency if multiple boards transmit big data simultaneously. Actual load needs to be evaluated.

Selection and connection of Rear Routing Module (RTM)

The cPCI-3610, when combined with the cPCI-R3610 or R3610T rear wiring module, can switch most of the front output interfaces to the rear output for easy cabinet wiring. Key points:

Switching mechanism: Dual GbE, VGA and other interfaces can be selected as front out or back out through software (BIOS or driver). The default is usually forward output, and if backward output is required, the "Rear I/O" option in the BIOS needs to be modified.

RTM model difference: cPCI-R3610 has a depth of 50mm, R3610T has a depth of 80mm, depending on the rear space of the chassis. The two have the same I/O configuration: 2 x GbE, 2 x COM, 1 x USB, 2 x SATA, VGA.

Wiring precautions: The rear cables must meet the shielding and length requirements for high-speed signals (Gigabit Ethernet, SATA). The SATA signal on RTM is a 7-pin connector that can be connected to standard SATA wires. If the EMC requirements inside the chassis are strict, it is recommended to use shielded wires.

Operating system installation and driver adaptation

CPCI-3610 officially supports Windows XP/7 (32/64 bit), Fedora 12, RHEL 5.3, and VxWorks 6.7/5.5.1. But industrial sites often require newer versions (such as Windows 10 IoT or Yocto Linux), which require self verification of drivers.

5.1 Windows System Deployment

Graphics card driver: Integrated Intel GMA 3150, up to QXGA 2048 × 1536@60Hz Windows 7 comes with built-in basic drivers, but for hardware acceleration, you need to download Intel ®  Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Atom D400/N400 series.

Network card driver: Intel 82574L, Windows built-in or official driver. If you need jumbo frames or VLANs, you need to install Intel PROSet.

Serial port configuration: Three serial ports (RS-232/422/485/485+) can be set in mode in BIOS or driver. Note that 485+refers to RS-485 with automatic direction control, and half duplex should be confirmed when wiring. Suggest using a virtual COM port management tool.

5.2 Linux System Adaptation

The RHEL 5.3 kernel is older, and if using a new distribution (such as Ubuntu 20.04), it is necessary to manually compile the Intel 82574L driver (e1000e) and graphics card driver (GMA3150, using xf86 video Intel). In addition, Watchdog (WDT) and hardware monitoring (lm sensors) require the activation of ICH8M related modules.

5.3 VxWorks real-time optimization

VxWorks users should note that Atom N450 does not support hardware virtualization, but interrupt response should be microsecond level. BSP needs to be compatible with PCI bridge, and if using dual core D510, SMP scheduling should be configured. ADLINK provides BSP based on Wind River Workbench, but requires contacting sales to obtain it.

PMC/XMC extension precautions

CPCI-3610 provides a PMC or XMC (PCIe x1) site, greatly expanding flexibility.

PMC (PCI 32-bit/66MHz): Can be connected to standard PMC modules (such as MIL-1553, CAN, AD/DA, video capture). Note: PMC only supports 5V or 3.3V I/O and needs to be matched; And the height limit is either front out or back out (depending on whether the module comes with a panel).

XMC (PCIe x1): Supports the new generation of high-speed serial modules, but x1 has limited bandwidth (about 250MB/s) and is not suitable for storage modules with large data throughput.

Mechanical compatibility: The 8HP version has PMC/XMC installation positions, but if a thick backplate module is added, it may affect the adjacent slot space. Be sure to confirm whether the "thickness" of the module exceeds the allowable range for a single slot.

Practical troubleshooting tips

7.1 No display or system startup upon startup

Check if the VGA on the panel is enabled. If the BIOS defaults to back out and there is no signal on the front port. Can connect to the VGA port of RTM or enter BIOS (via serial terminal) to modify the "Primary Display" option.

Confirm that the CPU model is consistent with the memory soldering. If D510 requires dual core support, it may not start if the operating system is a single core version.

Check the power supply of the CompactPCI slot: Use a multimeter to measure the 5V and 3.3V pins of the backplane, ensuring that they are within the allowable range (± 5%).

7.2 Unstable Ethernet connection

Confirm whether the dual network ports conflict with MAC addresses (on the same chip, but with different MAC addresses). In Linux, ifconfig can be used to view, but if they are the same, the EEPROM needs to be manually modified.