Mars Labs Titan CPX Expander User manual

Titan
CPX Expander

2
Titan CPX Expander
Titan CPX Expander User Manual v1.5
MNL 1030
September 2015
This informaon is furnished for installaon, operaon, test and maintenance purposes.
The informaon is proprietary in nature and should be treated accordingly. The data shall
not be released or used, duplicated or disclosed, in whole or in part, for manufacture or
procurement without the wrien permission of Mars Labs.
Proprietary Notice
This Technical Manual is copyright © 2015. All rights reserved. Brief excerpts may be
made from this manual for technical purposes, as long as they are referenced.
Although this manual is believed to be correct at the me of publicaon, Mars Labs, its
employees, or agents involved in the preparaon and publicaon of this manual do not
accept any form of liability for its contents or any consequences arising from its use.
People using the informaon contained in this manual should apply, and rely upon, their
own skill and judgement to a parcular issue which they are considering.
Copyright

3
Titan CPX Expander
Table of Contents
Support ............................................................................................................
General Guidelines ..........................................................................................
Guidelines for Wiring Sensors .........................................................................
Introduction
Operation
Front Panel .......................................................................................................
Rear Panel ........................................................................................................
Funconal Diagram .......................................................................................
4
5
6
7
8
9
Features & Specifications
Warranty & Repair ........................................................................................ 18
Changing the IP Address
Configuration ................................................................................................. 10
Notes & Known Issues............................................................................... 19
Standalone Mode and Auto Start/Auto Record Mode
................. 13
Remote Switch Operation
........................................................................ 14
...................................................................... 17
...................................................................... 12
Connections ................................................................................................. 11

4
Titan CPX Expander - Introduction
The Titan CPX Expander allows you to connect up to three Titan CPUs to
configure large channel-count test systems of up to 384 analog channels, plus
digital channels.
Device connecons to the Titan CPX Expander are made using industry-
standard Ethernet cables, which provide communicaon and synchronizaon
on a single cable. Data can be recorded directly to an SD memory card or to a
host PC, and network operaon is possible via TCP/IP or UDP.
This manual is intended to provide the user with an overview of the Titan
CPX Expander, with complete features, specificaons, set up procedures and
operaon. It contains important safety informaon as well.
Support for this product is available by contacng the factory during regular
business hours (9am – 6pm EST) at 301-470-3278. Addional informaon can
be found on our web site: hp://www.marslabs.com
Introduction
Support

5
Titan CPX Expander - Operation
ElectrostaƟc Discharge
Electrostac Discharge (ESD) occurs when a stac charge builds up on either
yourself or the Titan hardware, and then you touch the Titan hardware,
which rapidly dissipates the status charge. The spark of the discharge can be
so small that you don’t feel it, however, it can flaw a semiconductor. These
flaws may generate an immediate failure, or, in most cases, cause a slight
reducon in performance which will connue to degrade, eventually leading
to failure of the hardware. When you feel a stac shock, you are experiencing
a minimum of 3,000 volts of electricity.
Even though the input connectors have protecon to prevent ESD damage,
it is good pracce to always ground yourself and the Titan hardware while
connecng and removing sensors.
Always use approved ESD handling procedures to prevent ESD damage.
Grounding Titans
In general, grounding the Titan hardware to the test vehicle or test structure
will usually reduce noise pickup.
All of the analog inputs of the Titan hardware have a return path to ground.
However, it is very important that each sensor have only one return path to
avoid ground loops. When tesng a vehicle, oen the vehicle chassis and
Titan can have very large ground imbalances of one or two volts. In such
situaons, ground the sensors to Titan and use differenal inputs across
the sensor. A totally floang input (like a 9-Volt baery) must have one side
grounded at the point where used, either grounded to Titan or connected to
the vehicle chassis ground via a resistor (e.g. 10K ohm).
If there is a possibility that a floang sensor may be occasionally grounded,
install a 10K ohm resistor from the minus input to Titan ground. When the
sensor is floang, the 10K ohm resistance will reference it to Titan ground,
and when it is grounded, the resistor will allow the direct minus input wire to
reference the remote chassis ground.
Specific Warnings
When using a power adapter with the Titan, always connect the adapter to
the Titan before applying power. Never hot plug a Titan device under any
circumstances - hot plugging may damage the device!
General Guidelines and Warnings

6
Titan CPX Expander - Operation
Guidelines for Wiring Sensors
Observe the following guidelines when wiring and connecng sensors to the
Titan hardware:
1. Observe polarity of sensor wires
2. Strain relieve all connecons
3. Secure cables with wire es and bundle cables where possible
4. Secure connectors by fastening to the Titan chassis
5. For Thermocouples, apply heat shrink to exposed wires
6. Double check all connecons prior to connecng the cables to
the Titan
7. Use only heavy gauge straight-through CAT-6 Ethernet cables
with locking tabs when connecng Titan CPUs to the CPX
Expander.
8. When roung cables, be aware of sharp edges and pinch points
where cables can bind or be cut, introducing shorts in the wiring

7
Titan CPX Expander - Operation
Operation
Front Panel
The Titan CPX Expander front panel incorporates an Ethernet port, Mini-USB
port, five RJ45 connecon ports, status indicators, and a power switch
Status Indicators
P – A green LED indicang that the CPX Expander is ON.
E – A red LED indicang an error condion when lit.
S – A green LED indicang that the device is scanning when lit
R – A red LED indicang that the device is recording when lit.
An unlabeled indicator on the upper leof the CPX Expander indicates
Ethernet hub power and is illuminated when power is applied.
Ethernet An RJ-45 port that provides an Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN) connecon
to the Expander microprocessor.
PGM
A Mini-USB port that provides communicaon with the Expander
microprocessor via a terminal emulator program.
RJ45 Connection Ports
Five RJ45 ports provide connecons for the Expander, the Ethernet LAN, and
up to three Titan CPUs.

8
Titan CPX Expander - Operation
Rear Panel
The Titan CPX Expander rear panel has a 4-pin power connector that accepts a
standard Titan Power Adapter (Mars Labs PS12V3A-SM or equivalent).
WARNING: When using a power adapter with any Titan device, always
connect the adapter before applying power. Never hot plug a device under any
circumstances - hot plugging may damage the device!
The CPX Expander power connector accepts
power from a standard Titan Power Adapter.
Should you need to power the Titan CPX
Expander using your own source, connect
using the power connecons shown.
Power Connector
NOTES:
1. The Expander does not provide power to Titan CPU devices. Titan CPU
devices require their own power.
2. The mating connector for 4-pin Auxiliary Power input is available from the
following sources:
Mars Labs - P/N MLCON10227
Description: 4-Pin Female CB and HAM Radio Microphone Plug
Radio Shack - P/N 274-001
Description: 4-Pin Female CB and HAM Radio Microphone Plug
Westlake Electrical Supply - P/N T609B
Description: 4-Pin Inline Female Mobile Connector

9
Titan CPX Expander - Operation
Functional Diagram
The diagram below depicts a 256 channel data acquision system using two
Titan CPUs and sixteen Titan Input Modules (a combinaon of Pods and Mini-
Recorders). A common clock establishes and maintains synchronicity between
the CPUs (see note 2 below). The Titan CPX Expander acts as a command and
control hub, direcng commands between the control soware (TCS) and
the appropriate CPU, and relaying responses back. While running, the data
received from the CPUs is stched together and passed upstream.
NOTES:
1. The CPX Expander automatically selects the CPU that provides the Master Clock
by choosing the CPU with the lowest numerical IP address.
2. The clock connection is made using an 1/8” Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS) cable between
the SYNC jacks on the CPUs. Note that when three CPUs are used, the clock
signal from the master clock must be split and connected to the remaining two
CPUs.

10
Titan CPX Expander - Interface
Configuration
The Titan CPX Expander can be operated directly from a host PC or over a
network connecon (see ‘Connecons’ secon).
For operaon using either method, make the connecons to the CPX
Expander as shown:
1. With power removed from all devices to be connected, use a short length of
Ethernet cable (shown in black) to connect the CPX Expander’s ‘Ethernet’ port
to Port 1.
2. Connect the LAN cable (shown in red) to Port 2.
3. Connect up to three Titan CPUs to Ports 3-5 (shown in blue).
4. Make the SYNC clock connecons between the CPUs (illustrated in the
funconal diagram on page 9).
5. Make all sensor connecons to the connected Titan Input Modules before
connuing.

11
Titan CPX Expander - Connections
Connections
1. If your CPX Expander is configured with a unique IP address on the same
subnet as your local network, you can simply connect it to your network.
To make sure there are no IP address conflicts, you should ping the address
before connecng the CPX Expander (open a command prompt [Start Menu
-> Run: cmd] and enter “ping <ip address>”).
2. Make all connecons as described the ‘Configuraon’ secon (page 10).
Connect the Titan CPX Expander to the network, but do not apply power.
3. With the CPX Expander power OFF, begin by applying power to the
connected Titan CPU’s and allow the devices to complete their inializaon
before connuing.
4. Apply power to the CPX Expander and allow the device to inialize (approx.
45 seconds).
5. If you have not already done so, install the TCS soware according to
the installaon instrucons in the TCS User Manual, and then follow the
procedure in the manual to configure the Titan CPX Expander, Titan CPUs
and Titan Input Modules for your setup.

12
Titan CPX Expander - Connections
Remote Switch Operation
A remote recording switch can be plugged into any one of the connected Titan
CPU’s and used to control the CPX Expander. The switch will work only if the
CPX Expander has first been configured and started scanning using TCS. Aer
configuring and running the system with TCS, turning on the record switch
will cause the CPX Expander to send a run startup sequence to all of the Titan
CPU’s (if the CPX Expander is not already in run mode). It then starts recording
into a file on the CPX Expander’s “/data” directory, and a command is sent to
connected CPU’s to instruct them to flash their RECORD LED’s. When the record
switch is turned OFF, the CPX Expander stops recording, sends a command to
the connected CPU’s to turn offtheir remote LED’s, and then sends a sequence
of commands to the CPU’s to stop.
In order to minimize potenal synchronizaon problems, the CPU’s will stop
scanning for a few seconds when the Remote Switch is turned off, and then
resume scanning.

13
Titan CPX Expander - Connections
Standalone Mode and Auto Start/Auto Record Mode
The CPX Expander can operate in Standalone Mode; it is able to power-on
and then beginning scanning and recording immediately when the Auto Start
or Auto Record modes are enabled in TCS, or under user control when the
Remote Record Switch is turned on. In order for standalone mode to work,
the CPX Expander must have first been configured and started scanning using
TCS. Aer a successful “RUN” using TCS, the CPX Expander will store the IP
addresses of the connected CPU’s in order to use them in standalone mode.
When the CPX Expander is subsequently power cycled, it will aempt to
connect to the stored IP addresses and put the connected Titan CPUs in slave
mode. If Auto Start or Auto Record mode is turned on, or when the Remote
Record Switch is turned on, the CPX Expander will iniate a RUN sequence and,
for Auto Record mode or the Remote switch, will then start recording.
The LED lights on the remote record switch and connected Titan CPUs are
designed to assist the user in recognizing and troubleshoong problems. A
slow blinking error LED (1 second period, 50% duty cycle) with a solidly lit
remote record LED indicates no connecon to the CPX Expander. When a CPU
is first powered on aer last being used in slave mode, it will slow blink its
error LED and solidly light the remote record LED. As soon as the CPX Expander
connects to it, or as soon as the user connects directly to it using TCS (v3.0.5 or
higher), the error LED is turned offand the remote record LED begins flashing
(0.75 second period, with a brief flash). When operang in slave mode, if the
CPU does not receive a “keep-alive” packet from the CPX Expander every 10
seconds, it will again slow blink its error LED and solid light the remote record
LED. This can happen, for example, if an Ethernet cable is disconnected or the
CPX Expander is powered off. When the connecon is restored, the error light
turns offand the remote record LED resumes flashing.
When the CPX Expander is recording, it instructs all connected CPU’s to blink
their record LEDs (approx. 0.75 second period, mostly on with a brief flash off).

14
Titan CPX Expander - Operation
Changing the IP Address
If the IP address of the Titan CPX Expander is known, it can be changed using
the Titan IP Address Programmer. The Titan IP Address Programmer is part of
the Titan Service Pack, available from the Mars Labs Knowledge Base.
If the address is unknown or uncertain, it can be changed via the PGM port as
described on the following page.
Before running the Address Programmer:
- Connect the CPX to your Ethernet network.
- Set your computer to a stac IP address that uses the same subnet as the
CPX IP address.
- Power on the CPX and verify that you can connect to it [F1] using TCS.
- Make a note of the IP address for use in the next secon.
PROCEDURE
- Launch the Titan II IP Address Programmer:
NOTE: The Titan IPAddress Programmer changes configuration settings
that are critical to the operation of the CPX. Incorrect or incompatible
network settings can potentially cause the device to become unresponsive
on the network. If you are uncertain about any of the network settings,
leave them as default.
- Enter the current IP address of the CPU in the ‘IP Address’ field, and then
click ‘Connect’
- Enter the new IP address in the field in the lower half of the window, and
verify that it is correct. Click ‘Program Sengs’ to program the new sengs,
and then wait for the CPX to reboot.
- Aer the CPX reboots, verify the new sengs by clicking ‘Connect’ to
re-populate the programmer fields.
Using the Titan IP Address Programmer -

15
Titan CPX Expander - Operation
Via the PGM port -
Remove power to the Titan CPX and disconnect any connected Titan devices.
Connect the PC to the CPX’s PGM port using a mini-USB cable (this connecon
will provide power to the CPX; the device will take approximately one minute
to inialize before you can connue). Note that you may also need to install a
driver if the ‘Found New Hardware ‘ window appears. The driver is located in
C:\Program Files\MarsLabs\TCS3\Drivers\Gadget Driver, and is also found on
the TCS installaon CD-ROM. You can also obtain the driver online:
hp://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentaon/usb/linux-cdc-acm.inf
- When finished, click ‘Disconnect’ and close out of the Programmer window.
- Record the new IP Address for future reference.
Close the Device Manager window and open a terminal emulator program
(PuTTY is the preferred terminal emulator program - a copy can be found on
the installaon disc). Connect to the CPX PGM port using a Serial connecon.
Enter the Gadget Serial port number (COMxx) in the ‘Serial Line’ field:
Follow the Windows prompts to install the driver. With the Gadget Driver installed
and the CPX connected, open the Windows Device Manager, select ‘Ports (COM &
LPT)’ and make note of the Gadget Serial port connecon (COMxx):

16
Titan CPX Expander - Operation
You can also use the terminal emulator change the IP address. In the terminal
window, enter the command:
CHANGE_IP xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/yy <ENTER>
This command will reset the IP address to the entered value “xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx”.
The value “/yy” corresponds to the desired subnet mask (see note 1 below).
Note that there is no error checking using this command - the string of
characters that appears aer the ‘CHANGE_IP and up to the carriage return
<ENTER> simply becomes the new IP address. Aer changing or reseng the
IP address, power cycle the CPX to have the change take effect. To confirm
the change, reconnect in TCS using an Ethernet connecon.
NOTES:
1. The range of valid entries for “/yy” is 0-31. For example, a value of ‘/24’
corresponds to a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. For the value that corresponds to
your company/organization, consult with your IT department.
2. After changing the IP address you should make note of it for future use.
3. USB Power is not sufficient to operate the CPX with Titan devices connected. For
normal operation, connect to a Titan Power Adapter or other external power source.
Click ‘Open’ and a blank terminal window will appear. In the terminal
window, enter the command “RESET_IP” <ENTER>. This command will reset
the IP address to a default value of 192.168.10.50.
NOTE: In it’s default state, PuTTY will not echo back the characters entered in the
terminal window. To turn local echo on, select ‘Terminal’ in the PuTTY Configuration
window and then set both Line discipline options to ‘Force On’.
In the event that an invalid IP address entry is made, recovery is done by reconnecting
to the device using PuTTY and using either the RESET_IP or CHANGE_IP command
as described above. You could also reset the address by first using the RESET_IP
command to restore the address to a known state, and then use the IPAddress
Programmer to program a new address; the difference being that the IPAddress
Programmer takes the subnet mask value into account, whereas the CHANGE_IP
command requires you to enter the correct value.

17
Titan CPX Expander - Specifications
• Supports up to 3 Titan CPUs
• Wide ranging, isolated power supply accepts voltages of 11–32 VDC.
• Provides communicaon and synchronizaon via CAT5/6 Ethernet cable
• Records directly to SD card (internal) or to a host PC
• Network interface allows remote operaon via TCP/IP
• Auto Start / Auto Record modes
• CPUs may be linked together for expanded configuraon up to 384 analog channels,
plus digital channels
Features and Specifications
Number of Titan
Modules supported: Up to three Titan 8-port Titan CPUs; 384 analog channels total,
plus digital channels.
Sample Rate: Recording to device:
Up to 2000 samples/second (256 channels) for Titan CPU08
Up to 5000 samples/second (256 channels) for Titan CPU08V
Recording Media: 32 GB SD Memory Card (non-removable)
PC Operaon : Via network
Power Requirements: 11–32 VDC
Dimensions / Weight: 13.3 cm x 10.6 cm x 5.6 cm (L x W x H) / 500g
Key Features
Specifications

18
Titan CPX Expander - Warranty & Repair
Mars Labs warrants all their manufactured equipment to be free from defects in material
and workmanship. Mars Labs liability under this warranty is limited to servicing or adjusng
any equipment returned to the factory for that purpose, and to replace any defecve parts
thereof. The warranty remains effecve for 365 days following delivery to the original
purchaser. During this me, equipment will only receive repair when the original purchaser
prepays all return transportaon charges, and Mars Labs finds to its sasfacon that the
equipment is indeed defecve.
If the fault has been caused by misuse or abnormal condions of operaon, normal service
charges will prevail. In this case, an esmate will be submied before work is started. Mars
Labs must authorize any warranty returns.
Mars Labs reserves the right to make changes in the design of its instruments without
incurring any obligaon to make the same changes on equipment previously purchased.
This warranty will be void if unauthorized alteraons or modificaons are found which
impede the repair or tesng of the equipment.
Warranty
The equipment should be tested as soon as it is received. If the equipment is damaged in
any way, a claim should be obtained by the claim agent, and this report should be forwarded
to Mars Labs.
Mars Labs will then advise the customer of the disposion to be made of the equipment
and arrange for repair or replacement. When referring to this equipment for any reason, the
model number, serial number and purchase order number should be included.
Receipt of Equipment
If the unit fails to operate, or any fault develops, Mars Labs should be nofied, giving full
details of the difficulty, including model number and serial number. Upon receipt of this
informaon, Mars Labs will provide service data and shipping instrucons.
This warranty is expressly in lieu of all other obligaons or liabilies on the part of Mars
Labs, which neither assumes nor authorizes any person to assume for it any other liability in
connecon with the sale of its equipment. Contact:
Mars Labs
29 C Street
Laurel, MD
20707
[phone]
email: [email protected]om
Malfunction

19
Titan CPX Expander - Notes & Known Issues
Notes & Known Issues
Digital Pod and CPX Expander
If your test setup does not include a Digital Pod, make sure that the Digital Pod is not
enabled in TCS. If enabled without a Digital Pod in the system, TCS will not connect to the
CPX Expander and me out.
MONITOR MODE not supported
The CPX Expander does not support monitor mode. Issuing the command
“SET_MONITOR_MODE 1” will return an ERROR.
CPU Scan Rate LimitaƟon
When using a CPX Expander, the maximum recommended CPU scan rate should not
exceed 2000 s/s for CPU08 devices, and 5000 s/s for CPU08V devices.
ConnecƟvity interrupƟon using a Remote Switch:
If a Remote Switch is connected to a CPU and scanning, and then you aempt to
connect [F1] to TCS, engaging the remote switch will cause TCS to interrupt the scan
and query the ports.
CPU Power Loss/Data Loss
If a CPU loses power while scanning, all independently-powered Titan Input Devices
(Mini-Recorders or Pods) must be power-cycled in order to re-synchronize the system.
Sync Cable
If running a single CPU with the Expander, the sync cable must be disconnected from
the SYNC jack. Failure to observe this can result in issues.