Optec SSPCARD User manual

SSPCARD
IBM PC INTERFACE CARD
TECHNICAL MANUAL FOR
THEORY OF OPERATION AND OPERATING PROCEDURES
OPTEC, Inc.
OPTICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 199 Smith St.
Lowell, MI 49331
U.S.A.
[email protected] [phone]
http://www.optecinc.com [phone] FAX

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TABLEOFCONTENTS
Revision 4 - November 1997
Section Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
2.0 SYSTEM OVERVIEW 2
3.0 SSPCARD INSTALLATION 4
3.1 Precautions and Warnings 4
3.2 Systems Check 4
3.3 Installing the SSPCARD 5
4.0 PROGRAMMING THE SSPCARD 7
4.1 Application Software 7
4.2 I/O Ports 9
4.3 Initialization 11
4.4 Sample Subroutines 12
5.0 CCDFILTR.EXE 14
5.1 Description 14
5.2 Setup and Use 14
5.3 Compatibility 16
6.0 SSPCARD LAYOUT AND CIRCUIT DIAGRAM 17
7.0 SPECIFICATIONS 19

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LIST OFFIGURES
Figure Page
2-1 SSPCARD Block Diagram 3
6-1 SSPCARD Circuit Board Layout 17
6-2 SSPCARD Circuit Diagram 18
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
3-1 Base Address Switch Settings 5
3-2 Stock Number and Description of SSPCARD Cables 5
3-3 Pin Number and Function for the 15-pin D-connector 6
4-1 SSPCARD I/O Ports 9
4-2 4-bit Control Port for Baseaddress + 0 10
4-3 Output Port for Baseaddress + 1 10
4-4 Input Port for Baseaddress + 2 10
4-5 SSPCARD Initialization Sequence 11

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SECTION 1.0
INTRODUCTION
As an important part of the SSP photometric system, the SSPCARD provides an interface
between the photometer and the IBM 80x86,(and compatible) line of computers. This manual
provides the basic information necessary to install and use the SSPCARD as well as user
instructions for the supplied software. Programming examples and a complete description of the
operation of the card are provided to give the user/programmer sufficient information to write
his/her own applications if need be.
Before installing the SSPCARD, the user is advised to read and understand Section 3.0 of this
Technical Manual.

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SECTION 2.0
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The following functions are supported when using the SSPCARD with an SSP-3 or SSP-5
photometer:
1. Read count data from the photometer. Integration times from 0.001 to 32.78 seconds are
available.
2. Position the filter rack for photometers equipped with the automatic option (SSP-3A or SSP-
5A models).
3. Supply operating power for SSP-3A and SSP-5A models.
4. Operate the stepper motor functions for selecting filters with the automatic PFE-1A
photometric front-end.
Count data is collected via a 16-bit binary counter which is one channel of the 8254-2
programmable timer. Counts up to 65,536 can be obtained before overflow. Refer to the
SSPCARD Block Diagram, Figure 2-1.
The filter slider's stepper motor is driven by the SAA1027 driver IC. Each filter position requires
33 full steps which normally takes 0.50 seconds to accomplish.
The computer provides all the power necessary to operate the photometer and the stepper motor
through a 15-pin female D-connector. An on board 0.5 amp fast acting fuse protects the computer
bus from accidental shorts within the cable or photometer.
The base address of the SSPCARD is selected with the six position dip-switch. A range of port
addresses from 200 Hex to 3F8 Hex are available. Section 3.2 explains how to select the base
address.
The SSPCARD also provides access to the system's hardware interrupts. The interrupt level
desired is jumper selectable.
An on board crystal controlled programmable oscillator circuit allows accurate integration times
in the range from 0.001 to 32.780 seconds to be selected with the default initialization. Integration
time is selected in increments of 0.001 seconds. Longer integration times are possible with simple
program changes.

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Three output and three input digital ports are independently programmable. Normally, one of the
output ports (output bit #1 of port base address + 1) is connected to the stepper motor controller
in order to set the phase of the stepper to a known state. Use of the I/O ports is for future
enhancements of the SSP-3 and SSP-5 photometers.

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SECTION 3.0
SSPCARD INSTALLATION
3.1 PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS
The user is fully responsible for the proper installation of the SSPCARD. Care must be taken
then selecting the base I/O port address with the 6-position dip switch. Incorrect setting of this
switch MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM.
Read and understand all of Sections 3.0 and 4.0 before installing the SSPCARD. Optec, Inc.
cannot be held responsible for damage caused by an improperly installed card.
3.2 SYSTEM CHECKLIST
Determine what I/O port addresses are available within your computer. Your computer technical
reference manual should summarize the ports used by the system. If an additional option cards are
installed, consult the manufacturer's technical specifications to determine what additional ports (if
any) are being used. The SSPCARD requires eight consecutive I/O ports (base address through
base address + 7). The user must be certain that the base address selected and the next 7 address
locations are not used by any other option card. The factory setting is 300 Hex through 307 Hex
which is normally reserved for prototype cards in the standard IBM I/O port map.
If an I/O port address is selected other than the factory default setting, use Table 3-1 to set the 6-
position dip switch to the proper base address. The sum of the switch settings is added to 200
Hex (512 Decimal) to form the base address. For Example: If switch positions 3 and 5 are "open",
and positions 1, 2, 4, and 6 are "closed" or "on", the base address would be 2A0 Hex (200 Hex +
80 Hex + 20 Hex). Only switch position 6 should "open" for the factory default setting making
the base address equal to 300 Hex (200 Hex + 100 Hex). Typically, the base address would be
set within the range of 300 Hex to 317 Hex (768 Decimal to 791 Decimal) which are available for
prototype and option cards.
The interrupt option is disabled. The default position of the interrupt jumper is the "X" position.
Jumper JP2 normally has pins 1 and 2 connected which allows the stepper motor controller to be
reset by output port bit D1. If pins 2 and 3 are connected, this output is connected to the pin 12
of the 15-pin D-connector for external use.
The maximum current consumption of the card and photometer is about 250 ma of 12 V power
and about 100 ma of 5 V power. This current drain should not tax the computer power supply
unless it is already nearly overloaded.

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A stand alone computer system running DOS 3.3 or higher and comprising of a hard/floppy disk,
VGA/EGA/CGA card, modem, COM1 - COM4 serial ports, LPT1-LPT2 parallel ports and a bus
mouse should provide no conflict with the SSPCARD using the factory settings. However,
network cards, data acquisition cards and other special option cards could cause a conflict.
Position Value added if “open” Default
18 H 8 on
210 H 16 on
320 H 32 on
440 H 64 on
580 H 128 on
6100 H 256 open
Table 3-1. Base Address Switch Settings.
3.3 INSTALLING THE SSPCARD
To install the SSPCARD in your computer, first disconnect all power to the computer and select
an 8-bit or 16-bit slot. Remove the back plate cover bracket which normally covers all unused slot
positions. Carefully insert the card into the edge connector and push down. Make sure the card is
fully seated in the edge connector and not wedged. Secure the card to the back plate with the
small screw that was removed with the blank cover bracket.
Attach the control cable to the 15-pin D-connector and connect the other end to the photometer.
There are two ready made cables supplied by Optec for connecting the SSPCARD to the
photometer. The descriptions and stock numbers of cables for the SSPCARD are given in Table
3-2.
Stock No. Description
#17151 9-ft. - 2-conductor cable for SSP-3 and SSP-5
photometers. This cable is used to acquire the pulse
count only.
#17152 9-ft. - 9-conductor cable for Model PFE-1A front-
end for CCD cameras. This cable is used to operate
the motorized.
#17153 9-ft. - 15-conductor cable for SSP-3A and SSP-5A
photometers. This cable is used to operate the
motorized 6 and 10 position filter rack and control
the high voltage supply of the SSP-5A.
#17155 Custom cable - extra length of any type priced per
foot.
Table 3-2. Stock Number and Description of SSPCARD Cables.

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Custom cables of any length can made to order. Consult the current price list for additional
charges. Refer to stock number 17155.
Refer to Table 3-3 for a complete description of the pin functions of the 15-pin D-connector used
on the SSPCARD and the SSP-5A and SSP-3A photometers. The 9-pin connector used on the
PFE-A and the 2-pin connector used on the SSP-3 and SSP-5 are a subset of the 15-pin
connector and are also indicated in Table 3-3.
An onboard 500 mA fuse type GMA protects the photometer and computer from shorts on the 12
VDC line. If the user notices this fuse is blown, replace with identical fuse type and inspect the
cable for shorts between the 12 VDC line and ground. If this fuse continues to blow, contact
Optec for service.
15-pin 9-pin 2-pin
Function D-connector circular phono
+12 Volts to stepper motor 1 1
Pin 11 on SAA1027 driver 2 3
Pin 9 on SAA1027 driver 3 7
Pin 8 on SAA1027 driver 4 2
Signal Ground 5 5 shell
+12 Volts to photometer 6 6
Pin 6 on SAA1027 driver 7 4
Power return for photometer 8 8
Pulse count from photometer 9 9 center
Input D4 10
Output D2 11
Output D1 (see Note 1) 12
Output D0 13
Input D1 14
Input D0 15
Table 3-3. Pin Number and Function for the 15-pin D-connector.
Note 1: Output D1 connected to pin 12 only if jumper JP2 is in the 2-3 position.

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SECTION 4.0
PROGRAMMING THE SSPCARD
4.1 APPLICATION SOFTWARE
The following application and utility programs are available on the distribution disks supplied with
each SSPCARD.
README. Latest information and corrections for files on the distribution disks.
Please read this file first.
SSPTEST.BAS Qbasic source program that demonstrates the operation of the SSPCARD
and supplies the user with various subroutine examples for incorporation
into the user's program. Allows testing of all features of the SSPCARD
with a photometer to verify proper function of the card and photometer.
While not intended for data acquisition, the program will allow the user to
acquire count data and control filter position for simple photometric
measurements. Data logging features are not available.
SSPTEST.EXE Same as SSPTEST.BAS except compiled to run without an interpreter.
BASECHK.EXE Utility program to examine selected I/O ports for the SSPCARD to see if
they are available for use. If FF Hex values are reported for the 8 I/O
ports, then the area is probably free and available for SSPCARD use.
CCDFILTR.EXE Memory resident (TSR) program that allows the user to select a filter
when using the SSPCARD with PFE-1A front end, SSP-3A or SSP-5A
automatic photometers. This program is especially useful with the PFE-1A
front end for CCD cameras since it will allow the selection of filters while
the CCD camera image acquisition program is running.
SETUP.EXE Program to setup SSPCARD.CFG file for running CCDFILT.EXE. Allows
the user to select, BaseAddress, filter designations and step rate to
customize the program for the users computer and photometer setup.
SSPCARD.CFG Binary configuration file for CCDFILTR.EXE