ADLINK cPCI-6760D/P7/P8 Module Installation and Hot Plug Guide

ADLINK cPCI-6760D/P7/P8 Module Installation and Hot Plug Configuration Guide

In the fields of communication, telecommunications, and industrial automation, the CompactPCI platform has become the preferred architecture for critical task systems due to its high reliability, modularity, and hot swappability. The cPCI-6760D series 6U single slot CPU module launched by ADLINK is based on the Intel BGA2 Mobile/Low Voltage Pentium III processor, combined with the 440BX AGPset chipset, providing a powerful hardware foundation for high-density computing and real-time control. As the original factory gradually stops production, many active systems still rely on this module to maintain operation. Mastering its hardware deployment, post I/O expansion, hot plugging operations, and driver installation skills is of great practical value for on-site maintenance engineers. This article is based on the official technical manual, and systematically outlines the key operational points of the entire lifecycle of this module, from model selection, hardware assembly, jumper setting, hot plug process to software drivers.

Product Model and Selection Comparison

The cPCI-6760D series front-end motherboard (CPU module) offers two standard models:

CPCI-6760D/P7: Equipped with Intel BGA2 low voltage Pentium III 700MHz, 100MHz FSB, 256KB L2 cache.

CPCI-6760D/P8: Equipped with Intel BGA2 mobile Pentium III 850MHz, 100MHz FSB, 256KB L2 cache.

Both use Intel 440BX AGPset chipset, supporting two 144 pin SO-DIMM slots, with a maximum PC-100 SDRAM of 512MB (optional ECC). Onboard SMI SM721 AGP 2x VGA controller (with built-in 4MB VRAM), supports up to 1280 × 1024 resolution (24 bit true color), and can support 1600 × 1200 through special BIOS (Windows NT only). Provides dual Intel 82559 10/100Mbps Ethernet ports, dual USB (one front/one back), COM1 (front board DB-9) and COM2 (through the back board), one PMC expansion slot, and IDE interface for 2.5 "HDD or CompactFlash (through DB-6760CF daughter board).

There are two types of Rear I/O Transition Modules (RTM):

CPCI-R6760D (Standard RTM): Provides rear VGA (DB-15), parallel port (DB-25), COM2 (DB-9, optional RS-232/422/485), dual LAN (RJ-45), keyboard/mouse (PS/2), USB, two 40 pin IDEs, and one 34 pin FDD interface. Corresponding drivers need to be installed (but RTM itself does not have additional drivers, only CPU board drivers are required).

CPCI-R6760S (Super RTM): Adding two additional Ethernet ports (out of a total of four) and an external Ultra-160 SCSI interface (HD-68, based on LSI 53C1000R controller) to the R6760D, and changing VGA, parallel ports, and COM1 to onboard pin sockets (for customized connections), while COM2 still provides DB-9. Key limitation: When using R6760S, 14 slot backboards (such as cBP-6515R or cBP-6014R) are not supported because R6760S uses the PCI bus on J4/J5, which conflicts with the expansion bus of the 14 slot backboard and may cause onboard SCSI or network card failure, or even damage to other devices.

Careful selection should be made based on the required number of rear I/O ports and the number of backplane slots.

Key points for hardware installation

1. CPU and Memory

The CPU has been pre soldered onto the PCB, and the heat sink has also been pre installed. It is strictly prohibited to disassemble or replace it by oneself, otherwise irreversible damage will occur and the warranty will be lost. The memory uses 3.3V PC-100 144 pin SO-DIMM, with optional capacities of 32/64/128/256MB, and a total capacity of no more than 512MB. During installation, ensure that the memory module is fully inserted and the height does not exceed the limit to avoid damaging components when inserting into the chassis.

2. Installation of CompactFlash (CF) card

The CF card is connected to the onboard 44 pin IDE (CN2, also known as the Secondary IDE) through the detachable daughter board DB-6760CF. DB-6760CF supports Type I/II CF cards or IBM MicroDrive. By default, DB-6760CF is pre installed at the factory (if HDD is not selected). Installation steps:

Align pin 1 of DB-6760CF with pin 1 of CN2 and insert it, then fix it with three hexagonal copper pillars.

Set the CF card as master (2-3 short circuit) or slave (jumper open circuit) through JP1, default to master.

Insert the CF card, ensure it is in place, and finally tighten the upper screw to prevent vibration and detachment.

Note: The CF card uses the Secondary IDE channel, which is also connected to the back panel through J5. If the back panel is also connected to IDE devices, attention should be paid to master-slave conflicts. For example, if the CF on the front panel is set to Master, the back panel can only be connected to Slave devices.

Installation of 2.5 "HDD/FFD

If you need to install a 2.5 "ATA hard drive or Flash2000 solid-state drive (thickness ≤ 9.5mm), you need to first remove the DB-6760CF (if present). The installation package includes a 44 pin cable and screw kit. Secure the hard drive onto four copper pillars, connect the ribbon cable (note pin 1 alignment), and check the master-slave jumper (hard drive body jumper). Similarly, the hard drive also occupies the Secondary IDE channel, and the master-slave settings need to be coordinated with the backend devices.