VPX-GLIB

VPX-GLIB [Global Interface Board] is a multi-purpose hardware design supplying many system supervisor and space saving interfaces. VPX-GLIB is controlled via SPI bus [LVDS] using CLK, EN, SEL [2-0], MOSI, MISO. Currently the SEL encoding 000, and 001 are used for internal SPI controlled register access with SEL 010 used for conversion to SMB. The SPI interface with the CPU is received and decoded. SPI accesses to internal functions are re-routed to a second decoder which extracts data to be written or packages data to be read. The extracted data is stored into a local register, and then parallel loaded to the target register. The size of the data is programmable within the VHDL. Messages of incorrect length are filtered - keeping the initial message and dumping the extra clocks. Each of the local registers has a separate data path [parallel] back to the encoder/decoder. The address received selects the mux output desired and the state-machine returns the requested data.

The FPGA is a Spartan VI LX25. The FPGA can be reprogrammed via JTAG to add new features. We mount to PCIe8LSwVPX3U for test and programming purposes. Most of the differential IO is programmable for direction and termination allowing for direction changes etc.

The FPGA receives 50 MHz from the oscillator. The clock input is doubled to 100 MHz and used locally for decoding SPI signaling and operating miscellaneous state-machines.

A TCXO oscillator provides a 10 MHz local reference. The local reference is compared with the external clock reference. Software can select the internal or external reference to be driven to the SSMC connector at the bezel. The selected clock is buffered with a 24 mA line driver.

The external 10 MHz is a +7dbm signal [1.416 V pk-pk into 50 ohm load]. The signal is diode protected to 3.3V and ground, terminated with 50 ohms, and compared with a .9V reference. The FLASH 1.8V reference is used along with local division and filtering to insure a quiet reference for this signal. The reference can be changed if necessary.

The local 10 MHz is supplied to a counter in parallel with a second counter referenced to the external 10 MHz. The software can reset, start, and set the end count for the internally referenced counter. For example the software can set a count corresponding to 1 mS of time counting. In addition upper and lower limits can be programmed. At the end of the test the value counted is checked against the limits and status is generated. Passing status is between the limits. The compared values and end counts are buffered and synchronized to allow changes to happen at any time. The value changes are implemented synchronicity as well. The new values will be applied at the next opportunity for a check etc.

LM81 is a monitor circuit controlled with the SMB bus. The FPGA converts the SPI bus to SMB format. The LM81 is initialized for operation and then interrogated for Voltage levels, Fan speeds, and temperature. The device uses A/D´s to load the conversion values into memory. The LM81 stops updating when a value is read. It takes the better part of a second to update again. It is best to do a burst read of any values you are interesting in and then wait for the system requirement before doing it again. The LM81´s can be programmed with upper and lower limits for each of the measurements and alarms generated if the values are out of bounds. Three LM81´s are utilized to have enough voltage inputs for all of the signals to be monitored.

The VPX interface supplies 5V and 3.3V to VPX-GLIB. The 3.3V is used to run the supervisor circuit. When the 3.3V is within range the Reset signal is released to allow the FPGA to operate. This does not affect FPGA loading directly. However, the FPGA won't load properly if the 3.3V is not present since it is used for that process as well.

EXT-GPIO is a bidirectional single ended LVTTL signal. The signal defaults to input and can be controlled via the SPI interface to be an output.

A second GPIO signal is provided with an LVDS buffer. Also programmable to operate as a receiver or transmitter with SW control.

TMP-421 is a remote junction temperature inteface with an SMB connection. Internal and external temperatures are available. The SPI bus can be used to initiate initialization which loads some operating parameters from the internal FPGA registers to the TMP-421.

A second command causes a read of the device. The read polls the device to determine when a cycle has completed [Busy is(becomes) active busy becomes not active] and then read the local and external temperatures and stores those. Status is provided to allow the attached CPU to know when the new values are available. The device ID is returned at the end of initialization.

The received single ended Blanking signals are converted presented to the FPGA. The signals can be scaled with resistors coupled with shunts to reduce higher level signals. The signal path is FUSE - 4.7K - 1K - 1K pulldown - diode protection - comparator. The shunts allow the 4.7K and 1K series resistors to be eliminated. The comparator is referenced via a POT to allow SW to further scale when/how to respond to Blanking inputs.

The POT is programmed via the FPGA SPI path. The references are set to 0 & 3.3V. There are 256 taps. The reference is therefore D/256 * 3.3V with a small offset. A testpoint is provided for the Blanking reference to allow checking of the programmed value. The ATP sets the POT to receive the Blanking inputs and provides a ramp for scope checking.

LVDS IO are provided for the output side of the blanking. These are hardwired to transmit.

Two sets of LVDS to 485, 485 to LVDS IO translation are provided. These IO default to the system standard and can be redefined in SW to reverse direction.

CAL MOD SW is expected to be an LVDS signal and is hardwired to be received. The signal is routed to the FPGA.

Several of the transceivers are programmable for direction and in turn have programmable termination support. The terminations are set to 100 ohms with a 200 MHz rated analog switch to control the connection. Each switch is protected with a diode to prevent active differential pairs from "self powering" the GLIB.

For test purposes PMC-BiSerial-VI was mounted to PCIeBPMCX1 and connected via SCSI cable through the PCIe8LSwVPX3U to interface with the VPX J2/P2 connector. The BiSerial creates the SPI bus and drives/receives the differential and single ended signals. In addition we use an IP-Debug-IO to mount voltage dividers to the rear of the BiSerial to provide the references to the LM81 devices.
If your situation demands a custom application we will update the Xilinx FPGA and IO components. Send us your timing and we will send you the interface. See Models section for currently available versions
email us your wish list or call today