DT WS4 Application guide

WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation
Hardware Reference
Updated 2022-10-31

© 2016-2022 Tucker-Davis Technologies, Inc. (TDT). All rights reserved.
Tucker-Davis Technologies
11930 Research Circle
Alachua, FL 32615 USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Notices
The information contained in this document is provided "as is," and is subject to being changed,
without notice. TDT shall not be liable for errors or damages in connection with the furnishing, use, or
performance of this document or of any information contained herein.
The latest versions of TDT documents are always online at https://www.tdt.com/docs/
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation | 2

Table of Contents
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation
4WS Overview
5Power and Interface
5WS Hardware Setup
5Connecting Multiple Devices
7WS Features
7LED Display
7System Hard Drive (C:)
8Data (D: & E:)
8USB Ports
9Video Support
10Input/Output Connections
10Back Panel Connections
11Connector Panel
12WS8 Technical Specications
13WS4 Technical Specications
Table of Contents | 3

WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation
Workstation Includes Keyboard and Mouse - Not Pictured
WS Overview
The TDT WS computer workstations are rack-mountable and purpose-built for research
applications, experiment control and data analysis. Each WS is equipped with a TDT Optibit
interface and 240 GB Solid State Drive (SSD) with preinstalled TDT software, and 64-bit
Windows 10.
The WS also includes at least one 1 TB hard drive. The drives are removable from the front
panel. Additional storage drives are available from TDT.
The WS is available in two congurations. The WS8 is optimized for the most demanding
applications, including high-channel count neurophysiology. The WS4 is targeted for less
demanding applications, such as ABR and DPOAE testing with BioSigRZ software or ber
photometry. Both form factors include two Gigabit Ethernet network ports for integration with
existing lab infrastructure or external device support.
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation | 4

Power and Interface
The WS comes factory installed with an Optibit optical interface card.
The power supply is auto-switching for 110 V or 220 V. A soft on/off button is provided on the
front panel and a hard power cutoff switch is provided on the back panel.
WS Hardware Setup
Use the provided duplex ber optic patch cables (orange) to connect the WS's factory installed,
Optibit optical interface card to a TDT processor device. The ber optic ports on each device
and the patch cables are color-coded and use key and notch connectors to ensure correct
wiring.
Connecting Multiple Devices
Multiple processors (or other interface-dependent devices mounted in a zBus chassis) can be
connected to the WS's Optibit interface in a communications loop. The most common
conguration consists of multiple RZ devices, such as multiple RZ2s used for processing
higher-channel counts. The strands of the duplex cable can be separated as needed to make
the required connections. See the diagrams below for additional congurations.
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation | 5

Multiple RZ Processors
Mixed RZ and RX or RP Processors
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation | 6

Multiple ZB1 Mounted Devices (RX, RP, PA5)
WS Features
LED Display
The LED display provides visual representation of system performance. The display includes
12 angled lines of LEDs representing percentage of performance capacity in use, from 0 -
100%, for each system element. Lines are labeled for quick identication and include
indicators for the system elements listed below.
System Hard Drive (C:)
The system hard drive is pre-loaded with Windows 10 and TDT Software that was purchased
with the system. It is labeled as the C: drive and is accessible from the front panel. This is a
removable drive, but must be in place for system operation. A blue LED indicates connection
and a purple LED indicates when the drive is being accessed.
NET-A Ethernet Port A
NET-B Ethernet Port B
1-4 Processor Threads 1 - 4
5-8 Processor Threads 5 - 8 (WS8 only)
HDD System Hard Drive
MEM RAM Usage
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation | 7

Data (D: & E:)
The WS supports up to two removable data drives for storage of experiment data. The drives
slots are accessible from the front panel and are labeled D: and E:. The standard system ships
with one storage drive and additional drives may be purchased separately. Any 2.5" SATA hard
drive is compatible. A blue LED indicates connection and a purple LED indicates when the drive
is being accessed.
To remove/insert drives:
Turn off the WS.
Press upward on the silver button near the bottom of the drive door then lift the door up to
open.
Pull the drive out or push it into place.
Close the drive door, pressing rmly until it snaps into place.
USB Ports
WS serial number 2000 and above include one front panel USB 3.0 port, six USB 3.0 ports on
the back, and two USB 2.0 ports on the back.
WS serial number <2000 include one front panel USB 2.0 port and four USB 3.0 ports on the
back. See the Connector Panel diagram below for port location. Two USB extension cables are
included so keyboard and mouse can be away from the WS.
Do not remove or insert drives while the WS is running.
Caution
1.
2.
3.
4.
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation | 8

Video Support
The WS8 and WS4 each include a high-performance video card. The WS8 (SN >2000) supports
up to three monitors. The WS4 (SN >2000) supports up to two monitors. One DVI to HDMI
cable is provided*.
*
WS4
(SN
>2000)
built
after
approximately
29
June
2021
may
have
a
mini-Display
Port
to
Display
Port
(DP)
adapter and a DP-DP cable instead.
Note
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation | 9

Input/Output Connections
The WS includes standard connections for keyboard, mouse, and audio input/output lines. Two
Gigabit Ethernet ports and an RS232 type serial port are also provided.
Back Panel Connections
WS serial number 2000 and above
1. AC Power Cord Input 5. PO5e Optical Card
2. On/Off Switch 6. Unavailable
3. Connector Panel 7. Open PCIe x4, Half-Length Slot
4. Video Card with DisplayPort (WS8 only), HDMI, and DVI *
Do
not
connect
to
the
motherboard
video
connections
(labeled
'3').
Only
connect
monitors
to
the
graphics
card
(labeled '4').
Warning
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation | 10

Connector Panel
* WS4 (SN >2000) built after approximately 29 June 2021 may have three mini-Display Port connectors instead.
Note
1. Serial (RS232) port 5. USB 3.0
2. DVI-D * 6. Gigabit Ethernet
3. Display Port / HDMI * 7. Audio Line Out
4. USB 2.0 8. Mic In
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation | 11

WS8 Technical Specications
*
Do
not
connect
a
monitor
to
the
motherboard
video
connections
(labeled
'2'
and
'3').
Only
connect
monitors
to
the graphics card (labeled '4' in the
Back Panel Connections
).
Warning
CPU s/n >2000: 4.0 GHz Intel Core i7-6700K
s/n <2000: 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7-3770
Memory s/n >2000: 8 GB DDR4-2133
s/n <2000: 8 GB DDR3-1600
Video Card s/n >2000: GeForce GTX 1050Ti with 4 GB GDDR5
s/n <2000: GeForce GTX 650 with 2 GB RAM
OS Hard Drive 240 GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
Data Storage s/n >2000: 1 TB SSD, removable (1 included)
s/n <2000: 1 TB HDD, 7200 RPM, removable (1 included)
Network Two Gigabit Ethernet ports
TDT Interface s/n >2000: PO5e card
s/n <2000: PO5 card
Open Slot PCIe x4, half-length
Keyboard Das Keyboard Model S Mechanical Keyboard with two port USB hub
Mouse Logitech G502 SE
Operating System 64-bit Windows 10
Software TDT Drivers, RPvdsEx, and other TDT software as requested
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation | 12

WS4 Technical Specications
CPU s/n >2000: 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5-6600K
s/n <2000: 3.4 GHz Intel Core i5-3570
Memory s/n >2000: 4 GB DDR4-2133
s/n <2000: 4 GB DDR3-1600
Video Card s/n >2000: GeForce GT 1030 with 2 GB RAM
Built after appox. 6/29/21: NVIDIA P400 or T400 with 2GB RAM
s/n <2000: GeForce GT 730 with 2 GB RAM
OS Hard Drive 240 GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
Data Storage s/n >2000: 1 TB SSD, removable (1 included)
s/n <2000: 1 TB HDD, 7200 RPM removable (1 included)
Network Two Gigabit Ethernet ports
TDT Interface s/n >2000: PO5e card
s/n <2000: PO5 card
Open Slot PCIe x4, half-length
Keyboard/Mouse Microsoft USB Keyboard and Mouse
Operating System 64-bit Windows 10
Software TDT Drivers, RPvdsEx, and other TDT software as requested
WS4/WS8 Computer Workstation | 13