There is a difference between the USB and Ethernet connections.
(a) If you are using the Ethernet connection, then you can run multiple
applications, one on each module, simultaneously. For example, on a UNET/P2,
you can run MerlinPlus on the two Px modules, and DiscreteGenerator on the
Discrete module.
(b) If you are using the USB connection, then you can run only one application
at a time. This is because the access to USB (via third-party FTDI driver) is a
single communications line.
The single application may access multiple modules. For example, on a
UNET/P2, you could access the two Px modules and the Discrete module from a
single applications program. However, you cannot run two or more programs
using USB connection on different modules.
We do not expect this to change in the future. It is a limitation of the USB (thirdparty) driver.
An INPUT Discrete
Will register a 1 when a TTL/Avionics voltage is applied
Will register a 0 when GND is applied
If it is left floating/OPEN, then
(a) If the discrete input is pulled up to a TTL/Avionics voltage (either internally or
externally by the user), then the discrete will register a value of 1
(b) If the Discrete input is not pulled up to any voltage, then the Discrete will register a value of 0
All OUTPUT Discretes should be pulled up (either factory installed internally, or externally
by the user) to the desired TTL/Avionics voltage.
When an output Discrete is set to 0, the line will be pulled to GND
When an output Discrete is set to 1, the line will be left floating and will be pulled up
to the pull up voltage on the line.
If the output discrete is not pulled up the line will be left floating - this is not recommended !
Voltage Levels:
TTL:
digital 0: 0 to +0.8 volts
digital 1: +2 to +5 volts
Avionics:
digital 0: 0 to +3.5 volts
digital 1: +7.5 to +32 volts
The INPUT discrete channel must be configured according to the voltage level chosen.
There is a difference between the USB and Ethernet connections.
(a) If you are using the Ethernet connection, then you can run multiple
applications, one on each module, simultaneously. For example, on a
UNET/P2, you can run MerlinPlus on the two Px modules, an
DiscreteGenerator on the Discrete module.
(b) If you are using the USB connection, then you can run only one
application at a time. This is because the access to USB is a single communications line.
The single application may access multiple modules. For example, on a
UNET/P2, you could access the two Px modules and the Discrete module
from a single applications program. However, you cannot run two or more
programs using USB connection on different modules.
We do not expect this to change in the future. It is a limitation of the USB (third-party) driver.
For PCI[e] cards, the device number is the dip switch setting.
For UNET cards:
1. Please use the device number defined in the file "ExcaliburDevices.ini",
typically something like 1, 2, or 3.
2. Make sure that this .ini file resides in the /etc directory. Note that this
will require root privileges.
When using the USB connection to communicate with the UNET, you can run only
one application at a time. The USB driver (FTDI) has a single line connection to the
device, so only one application can access the device at a time.
Solution: You can write an application that (a) sets up multiple sub-applications within
a single application, or (b) that runs multiple threads.
OR: If you want to run two applications simultaneously, you need to use the Ethernet
connection to communicate with the UNET device.
The EXC-4000PCIe board will not work without the power cable connected.
The PCIe bus supplies enough power to drive the base board, but not enough power to drive the
modules. Therefore, it is necessary to connect a SATA-type power cable from the computer’s power
supply to the connector on the card.
So, please verify that you have connected the SATA-type power cable from the power supply to the
card. On older revisions of the card, the connector is of the Molex type.
If this does not help, then please contact our support team via our website, at URL http://www.mil1553.com/technical-support .
All software tools installation packages have a file that describes how to install the hardware. The file
name is readme.pdf. (For older product releases, the file name may be readme.txt.)
This file can be found in the root folder of the installation (on the Excalibur CD), or in the ZIP file you
downloaded from our website. In addition, it is installed in the software tools installation folder
“C:\Excalibur\ProductName Software Tools”.
You can also download this file “Hardware Installation Guide”, from our website, at www.mil-1553.com.
Click on SUPPORT | Help Desk.
Or go to URL https://www.mil-1553.com/help-desk .
The Excalibur PCIe cards will not work without the power cable connected.
The PCIe bus supplies enough power to drive the base card, but not enough power to
drive the modules. Therefore, it is necessary to connect a SATA-type power cable from
the computer’s power supply to the connector on the card.
So, please verify that you have connected the SATA-type power cable from the power
supply to the card. On older revisions of the card, the connector is of the Molex type.
If this does not help, then please contact our support team via our website, at URL
http://www.mil-1553.com/technical-support.
We first developed the 4000PCI card family (PCI, PCIe, etc) – which has room for up to
four modules.
We then developed the 2000PCI card family as a cheaper version for use with cheaper
module types – which has room for up to two modules.
We then developed the 8000PCIe card family to deliver a card with additional modules –
which has room for up to eight modules.
All three card families are essentially the same underneath. Therefore, the hardware
(kernel) driver lists them with a generic name (4000).
In the Device Manager,
• the PCI cards are listed in the Device Manager as the Excalibur 4000PCI Card
• the PCIe card are listed in the Device Manager as the Excalibur 4000 Series Card.