Octagon 2430 User manual

NOTICE
The drivers and utilities for Octagon products, previously provided
on a CD, are now in a self-extracting zip file located at the Octagon
Systems web site on the product-specific page. Download this file to a
separate directory on your hard drive, then double click on it to extract
the files. All references in this manual to files and directories on the CD
now refer to files in the Utilities zip file.

2430 Super VGAVideo Card
2430 SuperVGAVideo Card– 1
COPYRIGHT
Copyright1994-2003—Octagon Systems Corporation. All rights
reserved. However, any part of this document may be reproduced,
provided that Octagon Systems Corporation is cited as the source.
The contents of this manual and the specifications herein may
change without notice.
TRADEMARKS
Octagon Systems Corporation®, the Octagon logo, the Micro PC logo
and Micro PCare trademarks of Octagon Systems Corporation.
NOTICE TO USER
The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct.
However, Octagon assumes no responsibility for any of the circuits
described herein, conveys no license under any patent or other right,
and makes no representations that the circuits are free from patent
infringement. Octagon makes no representation or warranty that
such applications will be suitable for the use specified without
further testing or modification.
Octagon Systems Corporation general policy does not recommend
the use of its products in life support applications where the failure
or malfunction of a component may directly threaten life or injury.
It is a Condition of Sale that the user of Octagon products in life
support applications assumes all the risk of such use and
indemnifies Octagon against all damage.
Doc.Order#03973 Rev.0603
Westminster, CO Tech. Support: 303–426–4521
R

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 2
IMPORTANT!
Please read before installing your product.
Octagon's products are designed to be high in performance while
consuming very little power. In order to maintain this advantage,
CMOS circuitry is used.
CMOS chips have specific needs and some special requirements that
the user must be aware of. Read the following to help avoid damage
to your card from the use of CMOS chips.
Using CMOS Circuitry in Industrial Control
Industrial computers originally used LSTTL circuits. Because many
PC components are used in laptop computers, IC manufacturers are
exclusively using CMOS technology. Both TTL and CMOS have
failure mechanisms, but they are different. This section describes
some of the failures which are common to all manufacturers of
CMOS equipment. However, much of the information has been put
in the context of the Micro PC.
Octagon has developed a reliable database of customer-induced, field
failures. The average MTBF of Micro PC cards exceeds 11 years, yet
there are failures. Most failures have been identified as customer-
induced, but there is a small percentage that cannot be identified.
As expected, virtually all the failures occur when bringing up the
first system. On subsequent systems, the failure rate drops
dramatically.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 3
■Approximately 20% of the returned cards are problem-free.
These cards, typically, have the wrong jumper settings or the
customer has problems with the software. This causes
frustration for the customer and incurs a testing charge from
Octagon.
■Of the remaining 80% of the cards, 90% of these cards fail due to
customer misuse and accident. Customers often cannot pinpoint
the cause of the misuse.
■Therefore, 72% of the returned cards are damaged through some
type of misuse. Of the remaining 8%, Octagon is unable to
determine the cause of the failure and repairs these cards at no
charge if they are under warranty.
The most common failures on CPU cards are over voltage of the
power supply, static discharge, and damage to the serial and parallel
ports. On expansion cards, the most common failures are static
discharge, over voltage of inputs, over current of outputs, and
misuse of the CMOS circuitry with regards to power supply
sequencing. In the case of the video cards, the most common failure
is to miswire the card to the flat panel display. Miswiring can
damage both the card and an expensive display.
■Multiple component failures - The chance of a random
component failure is very rare since the average MTBF of an
Octagon card is greater than 11 years. In a 7 year study,
Octagon has never found a single case where multiple IC
failures were not caused by misuse or accident. It is very
probable that multiple component failures indicate that they
were user-induced.
■Testing “dead” cards - For a card that is “completely
nonfunctional”, there is a simple test to determine accidental
over voltage, reverse voltage or other “forced” current situations.
Unplug the card from the bus and remove all cables. Using an
ordinary digital ohmmeter on the 2,000 ohm scale, measure the
resistance between power and ground. Record this number.
Reverse the ohmmeter leads and measure the resistance again.
If the ratio of the resistances is 2:1 or greater, fault conditions
most likely have occurred. A common cause is miswiring the
power supply.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 4
■Improper power causes catastrophic failure - If a card has
had reverse polarity or high voltage applied, replacing a failed
component is not an adequate fix. Other components probably
have been partially damaged or a failure mechanism has been
induced. Therefore, a failure will probably occur in the future.
For such cards, Octagon highly recommends that these cards be
replaced.
■Other over-voltage symptoms - In over-voltage situations,
the programmable logic devices, EPROMs and CPU chips,
usually fail in this order. The failed device may be hot to the
touch. It is usually the case that only one IC will be overheated
at a time.
■Power sequencing - The major failure of I/O chips is caused
by the external application of input voltage while the Micro PC
power is off. If you apply 5V to the input of a TTL chip with the
power off, nothing will happen. Applying a 5V input to a CMOS
card will cause the current to flow through the input and out the
5V power pin. This current attempts to power up the card.
Most inputs are rated at 25 mA maximum. When this is
exceeded, the chip may be damaged.
■Failure on power-up - Even when there is not enough current
to destroy an input described above, the chip may be destroyed
when the power to the card is applied. This is due to the fact
that the input current biases the IC so that it acts as a forward
biased diode on power-up. This type of failure is typical on
serial interface chips.
■Serial and parallel - Customers sometimes connect the serial
and printer devices to the Micro PC while the power is off. This
can cause the failure mentioned in the above section, Failure
upon power-up. Even if they are connected with the Micro PC
on, there can be another failure mechanism. Some serial and
printer devices do not share the same power (AC) grounding.
The leakage can cause the serial or parallel signals to be 20-40V
above the Micro PC ground, thus, damaging the ports as they
are plugged in. This would not be a problem if the ground pin is
connected first, but there is no guarantee of this. Damage to the
printer port chip will cause the serial ports to fail as they share
the same chip.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 5
■Hot insertion - Plugging cards into the card cage with the
power on will usually not cause a problem. (Octagon urges
that you do not do this!) However, the card may be damaged
if the right sequence of pins contacts as the card is pushed into
the socket. This usually damages bus driver chips and they may
become hot when the power is applied. This is one of the most
common failures of expansion cards.
■Using desktop PC power supplies - Occasionally, a customer
will use a regular desktop PC power supply when bringing up a
system. Most of these are rated at 5V at 20A or more.
Switching supplies usually require a 20% load to operate
properly. This means 4A or more. Since a typical Micro PC
system takes less than 2A, the supply does not regulate
properly. Customers have reported that the output can drift up
to 7V and/or with 7-8V voltage spikes. Unless a scope is
connected, you may not see these transients.
■Terminated backplanes - Some customers try to use Micro PC
cards in backplanes that have resistor/capacitor termination
networks. CMOS cards cannot be used with termination
networks. Generally, the cards will function erratically or the
bus drivers may fail due to excessive output currents.
■Excessive signal lead lengths - Another source of failure that
was identified years ago at Octagon was excessive lead lengths
on digital inputs. Long leads act as an antenna to pick up noise.
They can also act as unterminated transmission lines. When 5V
is switch onto a line, it creates a transient waveform. Octagon
has seen submicrosecond pulses of 8V or more. The solution is
to place a capacitor, for example 0.1 µF, across the switch
contact. This will also eliminate radio frequency and other high
frequency pickup.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 6
DESCRIPTION
The 2430 Super VGA Card is a small, low power, video card that
supports a wide variety of CRT and panel displays for high
performance applications. The 2430 has 1 MB of video display
memory.
The 2430 interfaces easily with standard VGA monitors with analog
inputs using a DB–15 connector by using the 2430 CRT Adapter,
Octagon P/N 4000. Flat panel displays are connected to the 2430
using a 50–position IDC connector.
MAJOR FEATURES
• Fully VGA, EGA, CGA, MDA and Hercules compatible.
• Supports analog CRT monitors, interlaced and non–interlaced,
up to 800 x 600 x 256 colors, or 1024 x 768 x 256 colors.
• Supports monochrome LCD, EL and plasma flat panels up to
1280 x 1024 with 64 gray scales.
• Supports simultaneous CRT & flat panel display.
• Includes adjustable bias supply for LCD panel.
• PC/104
• 5V operation
• –40° to 85° C
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
The 2430 SVGA Video Card is installed on a 4010 or on any platform
accepting a PC/104 type device.
WARNING: Octagon assumes no responsibility for any damage
caused to flat panel displays and/or Micro PC video
cards if the display is connected incorrectly.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 7
Equipment
You will need the following equipment (or equivalent):
• 2430 SVGA Video Card and utility disk
• PC control card with a PC/104 interface
• *VGA compatible monitor with cable or flat panel display with cable
• PC SmartLINK
•YourPC
*NOTE: If you are using an analog CRT monitor, you must
purchase the CRT adapter from Octagon.
To install the 2430:
1. Please refer to Figure 1 for the location of various connectors
before installing the 2430.
Flat Panel
Display
J1
U1
65540
W2
W1
EN DIS
Bias Voltage
Adjustment
Potentiometer
Bias Polarity
Select
= Pin 1
BIOS
Enable/
Disable
J2
Video
Memory
U4
U3
U6
Video BIOS
EEPROM
Analog Monitor via
2430 CRTAdapter
R11
Figure 1—2430 Component Diagram

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 8
WARNING: The 2430 SVGA Video Card contains static–
sensitive CMOS components. The greatest danger
occurs when the card is plugged into another card.
The 2430 card becomes charged by the user, and
the static discharges to the system. To avoid
damaging your card and its components:
1. Ground yourself before handling the 2430 card.
2. Disconnect power before removing or inserting
the card.
Take care to correctly position the 2430 card onto
the card that it is being installed on.
2. The 2430 is factory configured and programmed for a VGA
analog monitor (W1[1–2] BIOS enable). If you are using a
different monitor or flat panel display, you must reprogram the
video BIOS for the appropriate display. See “Programming the
2430 EEPROM.”
3. With the components on the 2430 facing upward, insert the pins
beneath the card into the PC/104 connector of the CPU card.
4. Power on your system.
5. Refer to Figure 2 for a functional diagram of the 2430 card.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 9
Decode
29C256
Ext
BIOS
Flat Panel Data
Data
Address
Display
Memory
65540 SVGA
Controller
PC/104 Bus
BIOS
Enable/Disable
Analog VGA
Filter
DB-15
J3
DC-DC
Converter
W2
50-position IDC
J2
J1
R11DC
Adj
DC
Polarity
2430 CRTAdapter
J4
W1
Figure 2—2430 Functional Diagram
PROGRAMMING THE 2430 EEPROM
The 2430 is factory configured and programmed to support a
standard VGA monitor. If you are using the default monitor and
have not previously reprogrammed the 2430, skip to section
“Connecting the Monitor/Display”.
If you are installing the 2430 in a Micro PC system and are using a
monitor/display other than the default settings, read the following
instructions. Programming the 2430 requires that you boot the
Control Card from the BIOS drive, and establish a serial
communications link between your PC and the Control Card.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 10
To Program the 2430
The following instructions assume you are using the 2430 in a Micro
PC system.
1. Make sure power to the 2430 is off.
2. Set jumper W1[2–3] on the 2430. This disables the BIOS on the
2430 and allows you to use the serial port on your Control Card.
BIOS Enable/Disable: W1
Pins
Jumpered Description
[1-2]* Enables the video BIOS
[2-3] Disables the video BIOS
* = default
3. Start PC SmartLINK.
NOTE: Disable any shadowing in the Control Card SETUP
(e.g., 4010, 5025A, etc.).
4. Power on the Micro PC system. The Control Card logon
message should display on your PC monitor.
5. Download the file, PGMVIDEO.EXE, and the *.DAT file for your
display (e.g., STNDD.DAT) to your Control Card. Refer to your
Control Card user’s manual for detailed information on
downloading files to the Control Card using the TRANSFER
program.
NOTE: If you are using a flat panel display, refer to the
README.DOC file on the VGA 65540 Utilities Disk for a list of
the supported displays. If your particular display is not
currently listed, please contact Technical Support (303–426–
4521) for assistance.
6. Change the jumpers to W1[1–2] which enables the 2430 BIOS.
NOTE: Do not power off the 2430 when changing the jumper
settings at W1.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 11
7. To program the 2430 for the appropriate monitor/display, type
the following:
<drive>:PGMVIDEO <drive>:STNDD.DAT
The <drive> designator is the read/write drive where you
transferred the files from your PC. The *.DAT file should be
changed to reflect the type of display you are using.
8. Enter 'Y' when asked if you want to proceed. The program
PGMVIDEO then updates the video BIOS on the 2430. The
system displays a message similar to the following:
Video BIOS programming utility
------------------------------------------------
PGMVIDEO Vers x.x.x Copyright(c) 1992-6 Octagon Systems Corp.
------------------------------------------------
You must reboot after running this program.
Make sure the jumper labeled EN–DIS is at the EN
position.
Do you want to continue? (Y/[N])
Programming...Please wait..................
Verifying...Please wait....................
PGMVIDEO completed.
9. Power off the 2430 and install your monitor/display.
CONNECTING THE MONITOR/DISPLAY
The 2430 supports both a CRT monitor or a flat panel display. The
programs CT.COM and FP.COM allow you to toggle between
displaying the monitor and the flat panel. The program SM.COM
allows you to display from the monitor and some types of flat panels
simultaneously. These programs are found on the VGA 65540
Utilities Disk along with other diagnostic and configuration utilities.
The 2430 CRT Adapter Assembly is ordered separately. The kit
(P/N 4000) includes an adapter card with a DB-15 connector, two
stand-offs, two screws and two nuts. This adapter mates to the 2430
via J1, allowing connection to standard analog monitors.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 12
Analog Monitor
1. The DB–15 connector supports an analog VGA color or
monochrome monitor. Install the DB-15 connector at J1 and
attach it securely with the stand-offs provided. (See Figure 3.)
Plug the cable supplied with your monitor directly into the
DB-15 connector.
Stand-off
DB-15 connector
Figure 3—2430 with CRT Adapter Assembly

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 13
Analog Connector: J1
Pin # Function
1Red
2 Green
3Blue
4 Digital Gnd
5 Analog Gnd
6 Analog Gnd
7 Analog Gnd
8 Digital Gnd
9NC
10 NC
11 NC
12 NC
13 H Sync
14 V Sync
15 NC
2. Make sure the BIOS jumper is enabled — W1[1–2].
3. Configure and program your Control Card for use with a video
card and monitor.
4. Boot your Micro PC system.
5. A BIOS and DOS message similar to the following should
appear on your video monitor:
Octagon xxxx BIOS vers x.xx
Copyright (c) 1994, Octagon Systems Corp.
All Right Reserved.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 14
Flat Panel Display
1. The DC to DC converter is used to supply a DC voltage for the
bias voltage required on some flat panel displays. This voltage
must be set prior to connecting the display. A BIOS for the
panel must already be programmed in the EEPROM.
2. Configure jumper block W2 for the polarity of the voltage
required.
BIAS Polarity: W2
Pins
Jumpered Description
[1-2] Negative DC-DC output to J2, pin 3
[2-3]* Positive DC-DC output to J2, pin 3
* = default
3. Power on the 2430 and measure Vee at J2, pin 3 and adjust R11
to the correct voltage for your display.
NOTE: Without a flat panel BIOS programmed into the
EEPROM and W1[1-2] installed, Vee will not come up.
4. Power off the 2430 and connect the flat panel display to the
2430 using a 50–position IDC connector. The following table
lists the pin number and function for J2:

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 15
Flat Panel Connector: J2
Pin # Function Pin # Function
1 VDDSAFE (+5V) 2 +5VSAFE
3 VEESAFE 4 NC
5 ENABKL 6 Gnd
7M 8DE
9Gnd 10LP
11 FLM 12 Gnd
13 SFCLK 14 Gnd
15 PNL0 16 PNL1
17 Gnd 18 PNL2
19 PNL3 20 Gnd
21 PNL4 22 PNL5
23 Gnd 24 PNL6
25 PNL7 26 Gnd
27 PNL8 28 PNL9
29 Gnd 30 PNL10
31 PNL11 32 Gnd
33 PNL12 34 PNL13
35 Gnd 36 PNL14
37 PNL15 38 Gnd
39 PNL16 40 PNL17
41 Gnd 42 PNL18
43 PNL19 44 Gnd
45 PNL20 46 PNL21
47 Gnd 48 PNL22
49 PNL23 50 Gnd
NOTE: Several of these pins are multifunctional and
change depending on the BIOS loaded. Refer to the
README.DOC file on the VGA 65540 Utilities Disk for
more information.
See the section “Flat Panel Connector Summary Reference” for
information on the functional description of the pins for the different
panel types.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 16
5. Make sure the BIOS jumper is enabled — W1[1–2].
6. Configure and program your Control Card for use with a video
card and monitor. Refer to your Control Card user’s manual.
7. Power on your Micro PC System.
8. A BIOS and DOS message similar to the following should
appear on your display:
Octagon xxx BIOS vers x.xx
Copyright (c) 1994, Octagon Systems Corp.
All Rights Reserved.
9. Due to loading of the Vee source, the Vee voltage will probably
require additional adjustments at this time in order to obtain
proper contrast. With the power on, re-measure Vee at J2 pin 3
and adjust R11 for the correct voltage.
TECHNICAL DATA
Power Specification
5V +/–5% at 300 mA
Environmental Specifications
–40° to 85° C operating
–50° to 90° C nonoperating
RH 5% to 95%, noncondensing
Interface
16–bit PC/104 ISA bus
I/O Map
Standard IBM compatible video I/O addresses

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 17
ROM BIOS
C000:0H—C000:7FFFH
Video Memory
1 MB Display Memory at A000H—BFFFH
Monitor Type
Analog RGB DB–15 connector VGA monochrome and VGA color.
Flat Panel
50–position IDC connector
Supports LCD, EL and plasma flat panels.
Flat Panel Mating Connector
Use Thomas & Betts Ansley 609-5030
or equivalent mating connector.
Size
2430 Board Only:
3.5 in. x 3.7 in. x 0.5 in.
2430 with CRT Adapter:
3.5 in. x 3.7 in. x 1.1875 in.
For further information, refer to the Chips & Technology data sheet
for the 65540 High Performance Flat Panel/CRT VGA Controller.

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 18
PC BUS PINOUTS
PC/104 “A”
Pin # Description Pin # Description
A1 IOCHCHK* A17 SD14
A2 SD7 A18 SD13
A3 SD6 A19 SD12
A4 SD5 A20 SHAH
A5 SD4 A21 SA10
A6 SD3 A22 SA9
A7 SD2 A23 SA8
A8 SD A24 SA7
A9 SD0 A25 SA6
A10 IOCHRDY A26 SA5
A11 AEN A27 SA4
A12 SA19 A28 SA3
A13 SA18 A29 SA2
A14 SA17 A30 SHAH
A15 SA16 A31 SA0
A16 SA15 A32 Gnd
* = active low

2430 Super VGA Video Card – 19
PC/104 “B”
Pin # Description Pin # Description
B1 Gnd B17 DACK1*
B2 RESETDRV B18 DRQ1
B3 +5V B19 REFRESH*
B4 IRQ9 B20 SYSCLK
B5 nc B21 IRQ7
B6 DRQ2 B22 IRQ6
B7 nc B23 IRQ5
B8 ENDXFR* B24 IRQ4
B9 nc B25 IRQ3
B10 ( KEY ) B26 DACK2*
B11 SMEMW* B27 TC
B12 SMEMR* B28 BALE
B13 IOW* B29 +5V
B14 IOR* B30 OSC
B15 DACK3* B31 Gnd
B16 DRQ3 B32 Gnd
* = active low