Pci Bus Types; Installation (Physical) - AEC PCIe-TC User Manual

PCI BUS TYPES

The original PCI bus standard called for a 32-bit 33MHz bus using 5.0V
signaling (logic levels). Our original PCI-TC boards (in 1999) were de-
signed to operate in that 5.0V-only bus environment, and would only plug
into and operate with PCI motherboards which used 5.0V signaling. To
support increased PCI bus speeds, the PCI bus signaling voltages were
soon reduced from 5.0V to 3.3V. In 2003 we introduced a new "Universal"
PCI-TC board which would automatically adapt to and operate properly
with either a 5.0V or a 3.3V PCI motherboard.
The PCI bus standard keeps evolving as chips and personal computers
become faster. The "PCI Express" bus was developed to keep pace with
these trends. Each PCI Express bus "lane" can transfer data serially at
burst speeds up to 2.5Gbps. One nice feature of the PCI Express stan-
dard is that high bandwidth boards (like graphics boards) can have more
than one PCI Express lane assigned to them. An "x1" board uses 1 lane,
an "x8" board uses 8 lanes, etc..
Our PCIe-TC boards only use one PCI Express lane, so they are called
"PCI Express x1" boards. Our boards can be plugged into any PCI Ex-
press slot on a motherboard, and multiple PCIe-TC boards can be plugged
into a single PCI Express computer. If an "x1" board is plugged into an
"x8" slot, for example, the motherboard hardware detects this configura-
tion and is designed to work properly (the "extra" lanes are unused in this
case).
Although the hardware interface changed dramatically from PCI to PCI
Express (for example the board edge connectors are completely different),
the underlying PCI configuration cycles and software interface were de-
signed to be completely transparent. Thus, with very few exceptions, any
software written to operate with our original PCI-TC boards should work
equally well with our PCIe-TC boards. Our Windows software drivers
provide a common interface for our PCI-TC, USB-TC, and PCIe-TC prod-
uct families. Thus, in most cases, Windows application software written
for any of these products will work just as well with the other products (a
driver software update may be needed).
There is a "low profile" version of PCI Express plug-in boards which uses
a shorter than normal bracket (this allows PC chassis to be smaller). Our
PCIe-TC boards can be ordered with either size bracket. You must be
sure to order the correct size bracket to fit into your PC's chassis.
PCIe-TC User Guide Page 4 April 2012
INSTALLATION
Here is how to properly install a PCIe-TC board into a PCI Express bus
personal computer. One very nice feature of the PCI Express bus design
is that there aren't any address or interrupt jumpers to worry about. Just
plug and play. Be sure to follow all of the following steps, in the order
given, to avoid damaging either your PCIe-TC board or your computer:
1) Power down your computer, then DISCONNECT THE AC POWER
CORD. This step is very important, because modern PC's remain "on"
(with auxiliary +3.3V) even when you think they are "off", and the moth-
erboard will be ruined if you drop a screw in the wrong place.
2) Carefully remove the computer's cover (and save the screws).
3) Your PCIe-TC board and your computer can both be easily damaged by
electrostatic discharge (ESD). These are tiny sparks such as those you
may see, hear, or feel on dry days when you scuff your feet on a carpet,
for example. Electronic parts can be fatally weakened or destroyed by
sparks so small that you cannot detect them. To avoid ESD problems,
always discharge yourself before handling any electronic parts. For
example, touch the chassis (metal parts) of a computer for about a sec-
ond with your bare hand or finger(s) before touching anything inside.
4) Carefully remove the PCIe-TC board from its pink shipping bag. Do
not set the board down anywhere or plug it into a computer slot with-
out first having touched that object with your other hand to eliminate
possible ESD problems. Similarly, do not hand the PCIe-TC board to
any other person without first having touched that person with your
other hand, and make sure that the other person strictly observes ESD
handling procedures as well.
5) Decide which PCI Express slot inside the computer will receive the
PCIe-TC board. Any PCI Express slot will do, even if it is longer than a
standard "x1" slot (the extra PCI Express lanes will go unused).
6) If needed, remove the blank bracket held in place by a small bracket
retainer screw. Be sure to save the screw for the next step.
7) Carefully plug the PCIe-TC board into the PCI Express bus slot which
you have selected. Use firm but gentle pressure until it snaps into
place. If you have to get a hammer (DON'T!), you are doing something
wrong, and you will likely damage your PCIe-TC board and/or the moth-
erboard. Secure your board in place with the small screw which you
should have saved from step #6. This little screw is VERY important.
8) Carefully install the computer's cover, and properly secure with screws.
9) Plug the AC power cord back into your computer.
10) Proceed to the next page to test your installation.
PCIe-TC User Guide Page 5 April 2012