(including unlimited damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or any other losses) arising out of the use of or inability to use this product, even if Marvin Test Solutions has been advised of the possibility for such damages.
GX6384 User’s Guide Trademarks Marvin Test Solutions (prior ATEasy, CalEasy, DIOEasy®, DtifEasy, WaveEasy name is Geotest - Marvin Test Systems Inc.) C++ Builder, Delphi Embarcadero Technologies Inc. LabVIEW, LabWindows /CVI National Instruments Microsoft Developer Studio, Microsoft Visual C++, Microsoft Visual Basic, Microsoft Corporation .NET and Windows...
Page 5
Architecture ................................5 Switch Matrix Groups ............................6 GX6384-1 switch Matrix Dual 2x32 configured as two groups A and B each with 32 columns ......6 GX6384-1 switch Matrix Dual 2x32 configured as single group of 2x64:............6 GX6384-2: switch Matrix Dual 4x32 configured as two groups A and B each with 32 columns ......7 GX6384-2: switch Matrix Dual 4x32 configured as single group of 4x64: ............
Page 6
GX6384 User’s Guide Unpacking and Inspection ..........................17 System Requirements ............................17 Installation of the GXSW Software ........................18 Setup Maintenance Program ........................... 18 Overview of the GXSW Software ........................... 19 Installation Folders..............................19 Configuring Your PXI System using the PXI/PCI Explorer ................... 20 Board Installation ..............................
Page 7
GX6384 User’s Guide Index ................................55...
Manual Scope and Organization Manual Scope This manual provides all the information necessary for installation, operation, and maintenance of the GX6384-1/, GX6384-2/ GX6384-3 PXI Configurable High-Density Switch Matrix Board. The manual also covers the GXSW software package that includes the GX6384 driver. This manual assumes the reader has a general knowledge of PC based computers, Windows operating systems, and a general knowledge of modular test equipment.
Page 10
GX6384 User’s Guide Formatting Meaning Convention Monospaced Text Examples of field syntax and programming samples. Bold type Words or characters you type as the manual instructs. For example: function or panel names. Italic type Specialized terms. Titles of other references and information sources. Placeholders for items you must supply, such as function parameters...
Chapter 2 - Overview Introduction The Marvin Test Solutions PXI GX6384 is a 384-crosspoint high-speed configurable switch matrix card that fits in a single PXI/CompactPCI 3U bus slot. The GX6384 offers ultrahigh-density switch configurations in PXI with the ability to create up to 6x64 switch matrix. The GX6384 is offered in tree configurations: two groups of 2x32 (GX6384-1), two groups of 4x32 (GX6384-2) or two groups of 6x32 (GX6384-3).
GX6384 User’s Guide Board Description The Marvin Test Solutions PXI GX6384 is a 384-crosspoint high-speed configurable switch matrix card that fits in a single PXI/CompactPCI U bus slot. The GX6384 offers ultrahigh-density switch configurations in PXI with the ability to create up to 6x64 switch matrix. The GX6384 is offered in tree configurations: two groups of 2x32 (GX6384-1), two groups of 4x32 (GX6384-2) or two groups of 6x32 (GX6384-3).
Figure 2-2: GX6384-1 Matrix Switching Card model (128 cross points) Architecture The Marvin Test Solutions PXI GX6384 is a 384-crosspoint high-speed configurable switch matrix card that fits in a single PXI/CompactPCI 3U bus slot. The GX6384 offers ultrahigh-density switch configurations in PXI with the ability to create up to 6x64 switch matrix.
Figure 2-3: GX6384-1 - A and B Switching Groups GX6384-1 switch Matrix Dual 2x32 configured as single group of 2x64: Figure 2-4 demonstrates the GX6384-1 model when configured programmatically to as a single group A with 64 columns. Row A0...
GX6384 User’s Guide GX6384-2: switch Matrix Dual 4x32 configured as single group of 4x64: Figure 2-6 demonstrates the GX6384-2 model when configured programmatically to as a single group A with 64 columns. Row A0 Row A1 Row A2 Row A3 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 3130 29 28 27 26 25 24 2322 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Figure 2-6: GX6384-2 Switching Groups A and B configured as a single group A with 64 columns...
The following table outlines the specifications of the GX6384: Contact Specifications Matrix Configuration Programmatically: GX6384-1: two groups of 2x32 or single group of 2x64 GX6384-2: two groups of 4x32 or single group of 4x64 GX6384-3: two groups of 6x32 or single group of 6x64 Relay Contact Resistance <0.1...
To fully understand the front panel operation, it is best to become familiar with the functionality of the board. To open the virtual panel application, select GX6384 Panel from the Marvin Test Solutions, GXSW menu under the Start menu. The GX6384 virtual panel opens as shown here: Figure 2-9: GX6384 Virtual Panel Initialize –...
The Initialize dialog supports two different device drivers that can be used to access and control the board: 1. Use Marvin Test Solutions’ HW – This is the device driver installed by the setup program and is the default driver. When selected, the Slot Number list displays the available GX6384 boards installed in the system and their slots.
GX6384 User’s Guide Virtual Panel Setup Page After the board is initialized the panel is enabled and will display the current setting of the board. The following picture shows the Group page settings: Figure 2-12: GX6384 Virtual Panel Initialized (Switch Matrix configured as Two Groups with 32 columns each) The following controls are shown: Matrix Configuration (radio button): Set/Displays the current Matrix relays configuration.
Page 23
Overview Figure 2-13: GX6384 Virtual Panel Initialized with Switch Matrix configured as Single Group with 64 columns...
The About page also contains a button Upgrade Firmware… which is used to upgrade the board’s FPGA firmware. This button maybe used only when the board requires upgrade as directed by Marvin Test Solutions support. The upgrade requires a firmware file (.jam) that is written to the board FPGA. After the upgrade is complete, you must shut down the computer to recycle power to the board.
Installation and Connections Chapter 3 - Installation and Connections Getting Started This section includes general hardware installation procedures for the GX6384 board and installation instructions for the GX6384 (GXSW) software. Before proceeding, please refer to the appropriate chapter to become familiar with the board being installed.
1. Insert the Marvin Test Solutions CD-ROM and locate the GXSW.EXE setup program. If your computer’s Auto Run is configured, when inserting the CD, a browser will show several options. Select the Marvin Test Solutions Files option, then locate the setup file. If Auto Run is not configured, you can open the Windows explorer and locate the setup files (usually located under \Files\Setup folder).
PXI instruments later on when installed in your system. The applet configuration is saved to PXISYS.ini and PXIeSYS.ini and is used by Marvin Test Solutions instruments HW driver and VISA. The applet can be used to assign chassis numbers, Legacy Slot numbers and instrument alias names. The HW driver is installed and shared with all Marvin Test Solutions products to support accessing the PC resources.
Legacy slots numbers are used by older Marvin Test Solutions or VISA drivers. Alias names can provide a way to address a PXI device using a logical name (e.g. “DMM1”). For more information regarding slot numbers and alias names, see the Gx6384Initialize and Gx6384InitializeVisa functions.
Installation and Connections Board Installation Before you Begin Install the GXSW driver as described in the prior section. Configure your PXI/PC system using PXI/PCI Explorer as described in the prior section. Verify that all the components listed in the packing list (see previous section in this chapter) are present. Electric Static Discharge (ESD) Precautions To reduce the risk of damage to the GX6384 board, the following precautions should be observed: ...
Page 30
GX6384 User’s Guide Figure 3-2: Ejector handles position during module insertion After you feel resistance, push in the ejector handles as shown in Figure 3-3 to secure the module into the frame. Error! Objects cannot be created from editing field codes. Figure 3-3: Ejector handles position after module insertion Tighten the module’s front panel to the chassis to secure the module in.
GXSW driver as described in the prior section, then click on the Have Disk button and browse to select the HW.INF file located in C:\Program File\Marvin Test Solutions\HW. On 64 bit systems the HW.INF file is located in C:\Program File (x86)\Marvin Test Solutions\HW.
GX6384 User’s Guide Connectors and Jumpers Figure 3-4 shows the GX6384 board connectors and jumpers followed by their description: Figure 3-4: GX6384 Connectors and Jumpers J6 – Front Connector: J6 (78 Pin D Type) front connector. JP1- Guard Ground: Used to connect the relay ground layer to ground.
Installation and Connections Connectors and Accessories The following accessories are available from Marvin Test Solutions for GX6384 switching instruments. Part / Model Number Description GT96002 Connector, D-Type 78 pin male with solder pins GT96078 78 pin connector to screw terminal interface 3’...
GX6384 User’s Guide J6 Connector – Default mode (Matrix configured as two groups A and B) The J6 main connector pin assignments changes according to the board’s groups configuration mode. When set to default configuration (after power-up or whenever issued reset command) the connector will have two groups A and B each with 32 columns.
J6 Connector – Single Group mode (Matrix configured as single A with 64 columns) The J6 main connector pin assignments changes according to the board’s groups configuration mode. When set to Single Group configuration (set programmatically) the connector will have a single group A with 64 columns. The following table describes the J6 (78 Pin D Type) connector’s pin out: Name Name...
Functions Reference Chapter 4 - Functions Reference Introduction The GX6384 driver functions reference chapter is organized in alphabetical order. Each function is presented starting with the syntax of the function, a short description of the function parameters description and type followed by a Comments, an Example (written in C), and a See Also sections.
GX6384 User’s Guide GX6384 Functions The following list is a summary of functions available for the GX6384: Driver Functions Description Gx6384Close Closes a relay specified by group, row, and column. Gx6384GetBoardSummary Returns the board summary. Return the state of the relay in the specified group’s row and column. Gx6384GetChannel Returns the state of all 32 relays of the specified group’s row when configured Gx6384GetGroupRow32Columns...
Functions Reference Gx6384Close Purpose Closes a relay specified by group, row, and column. Syntax Gx6384Close (nHandle, nGroup, nRow, nColumn, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. nGroup SHORT If the Switch Matrix is configured as two groups with 32 columns (default configuration) Group numbers are: GX6384_GROUP_A GX6384_GROUP_B...
Page 40
GX6384 User’s Guide Example The following example closes relay at group A row 1 relay 0: Gx6384Close(nHandle, GX6384_GROUP_A, GX6384_ROW_1, 0, &nStatus); See Also Gx6384SetGroupRow32Columns, Gx6384SetGroupRow64Columns, Gx6384GetChannel, Gx6384Close, Gx6384Open, Gx6384SetGroupsConfiguration, GxSWGetErrorString...
Functions Reference Gx6384GetBoardSummary Purpose Returns the board summary. Syntax Gx6384GetBoardSummary (nHandle, szSummary, nSumMaxLen, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. szSummary PSTR Buffer to contain the returned board info (null terminated) string. nSumMaxLen SHORT Size of the buffer to contain the board info string. pnStatus PSHORT Returned status: 0 on success, negative number on failure.
GX6384 User’s Guide Gx6384GetChannel Purpose Return the state of the relay in the specified group’s row and column. Syntax Gx6384GetChannel (nHandle, nGroup, nRow, nColumn, pnState, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. nGroup SHORT If the Switch Matrix is configured as two groups with 32 columns (default configuration) Group numbers are: GX6384_GROUP_A GX6384_GROUP_B...
Page 43
Functions Reference Example The following example checks whether relay at group A, row 0, relay 3 is closed: Gx6384GetChannel(nHandle, GX6384_GROUP_A, GX6384_ROW_0, 3, &nState, &nStatus); if (nClose==1) printf(“A0-3 relay is closed”); else printf(“A0-3 relay is open”); See Also Gx6384SetGroupRow32Columns, Gx6384SetGroupRow64Columns, Gx6384GetChannel, Gx6384Close, Gx6384Open, Gx6384SetGroupsConfiguration, GxSWGetErrorString...
GX6384 User’s Guide Gx6384GetGroupRow32Columns Purpose Returns the state of all 32 relays of the specified group’s row when configured as two groups with 32 columns each. Syntax Gx6384GetGroupRow32Columns (nHandle, nGroup, nRow, pdwStates, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. nGroup SHORT If the Switch Matrix is configured as two groups with 32 columns (default configuration)
Page 45
Functions Reference Example The following example returns the columns 0-31 of group A row 0: DWORD dwStates; Gx6384GetGroupRow32Columns (nHandle, GX6384_GROUP_A, GX6384_ROW_0, &dwStates, &nStatus); See Also Gx6384SetGroupRow32Columns, Gx6384SetGroupRow64Columns, Gx6384GetChannel, Gx6384Close, Gx6384Open, Gx6384SetGroupsConfiguration, GxSWGetErrorString...
GX6384 User’s Guide Gx6384GetGroupRow64Columns Purpose Returns the state of all 64 relays of the specified group’s row when configured as one group with 64 columns. Syntax Gx6384GetGroupRow64Columns (nHandle, nGroup, nRow, dwStatesColumns32to63, dwStatesColumns0to31, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. nGroup SHORT If the Switch Matrix is configured as two groups with 32 columns...
Page 47
Functions Reference Comments The Switch Matrix can be configured via software as two groups with 32 columns or one group with 64 columns. All the Switch Matrix channels will be opened prior to applying the new configuration settings. Applying the same configuration settings will not change the current group’s channels settings.
GX6384 User’s Guide Gx6384GetGroupsConfiguration Purpose Return the switch matrix configuration. Syntax Gx6384GetConfiguration (nHandle, pnConfig, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. pnConfig PSHORT Switch matrix configurations are: GX6384_CONFIG_AS_TWO_GROUPS_32_CHANNELS: The Switch Matrix configured as two groups with 32 columns. GX6384_CONFIG_AS_ONE_GROUP_64_CHANNELS: The Switch Matrix configured as one group with 64 columns.
The function uses the HW driver to access and program the board. The Marvin Test Solutions HW device driver is installed with the driver and is the default device driver. The function returns a handle that for use with other Counter functions to program the board. The function does not change any of the board settings.
The first argument szVisaResource is a string that is displayed by the VISA resource manager such as NI Measurement and Automation (NI_MAX). It is also displayed by Marvin Test Solutions PXI/PCI Explorer as shown in the prior figure. The VISA resource string can be specified in several ways as follows: Using chassis, slot, for example: “PXI0::CHASSIS1::SLOT5”...
Functions Reference Gx6384Open Purpose Opens a relay specified by group, row, and column. Syntax Gx6384Open (nHandle, nGroup, nRow, dwColumn, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. nGroup SHORT If the Switch Matrix is configured as two groups with 32 columns (default configuration) Group numbers are: GX6384_GROUP_A GX6384_GROUP_B...
Page 52
GX6384 User’s Guide Example The following example opens relay at group A row 1 relay 0: Gx6384Open(nHandle, GX6384_GROUP_A, GX6384_ROW_1, 0, &nStatus); See Also Gx6384SetGroupRow32Columns, Gx6384SetGroupRow64Columns, Gx6384GetChannel, Gx6384Close, Gx6384Open, Gx6384SetGroupsConfiguration, GxSWGetErrorString...
Functions Reference Gx6384Panel Purpose Opens a virtual panel used to interactively control the GX6384 board. Syntax Gx6384Panel (pnHandle, hwndParent, nMode, phwndPanel, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments pnhandle PSHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. This number may be zero if the board is to be initialized by the panel window.
GX6384 User’s Guide Gx6384Reset Purpose Opens all the board relays. Syntax Gx6384Reset (nHandle, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. pnStatus PSHORT Returned status: 0 on success, negative number on failure. Comments The function is typically called after calling the Gx6384Initialize function. Example The following example initializes the driver and then resets the board.
Functions Reference Gx6384ResetGroup Purpose Opens all the specified group’s relays. Syntax Gx6384ResetGroup (nHandle, nGroup, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. nGroup SHORT If the Switch Matrix is configured as two groups with 32 columns (default configuration) Group numbers are: GX6384_GROUP_A GX6384_GROUP_B...
GX6384 User’s Guide Gx6384SetGroupRow32Columns Purpose Sets the state of all 32 relays of the specified group’s row when configured as two groups with 32 columns each. Syntax Gx6384SetGroupRow32Columns (nHandle, nGroup, nRow, dwStates, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. nGroup SHORT If the Switch Matrix is configured as two groups with 32 columns (default configuration)
Page 57
Functions Reference Example The following example close relays 0, 1, 4, 8 and 19 in group A, row 0: Gx6384SetGroupRow32Columns (nHandle, GX6384_GROUP_A, GX6384_ROW_0, 0x80113, &nStatus); See Also Gx6384SetGroupRow32Columns, Gx6384SetGroupRow64Columns, Gx6384GetChannel, Gx6384Close, Gx6384Open, Gx6384SetGroupsConfiguration, GxSWGetErrorString...
GX6384 User’s Guide Gx6384SetGroupRow64Columns Purpose Sets the state of all 64 relays of the specified group’s row when configured as one group with 64 columns. Syntax Gx6384SetGroupRow64Columns (nHandle, nGroup, nRow, dwStatesColumns32to63, dwStatesColumns0to31, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. nGroup SHORT If the Switch Matrix is configured as two groups with 32 columns...
Page 59
Functions Reference Comments The Switch Matrix can be configured via software as two groups with 32 columns or one group with 64 columns. All the Switch Matrix channels will be opened prior to applying the new configuration settings. Applying the same configuration settings will not change the current group’s channels settings.
GX6384 User’s Guide Gx6384SetGroupsConfiguration Purpose Sets the switch matrix configuration. Syntax Gx6384GetConfiguration (nHandle, pnConfig, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nHandle SHORT Handle to a GX6384 board. nConfig SHORT Switch matrix configurations are: GX6384_CONFIG_AS_TWO_GROUPS_32_CHANNELS: The Switch Matrix configured as two groups with 32 columns. GX6384_CONFIG_AS_ONE_GROUP_64_CHANNELS: The Switch Matrix configured as one group with 64 columns.
Functions Reference GxSWGetErrorString Purpose Returns the error string associated with the specified error number. Syntax GxSWGetErrorString (nError, pszMsg, nErrorMaxLen, pnStatus) Parameters Name Type Comments nError SHORT Error number as returned by the pnStatus of any GXSW function. See table below for possible error numbers values. The error number should be a negative number, otherwise the function returns the “No error has occurred”...
Page 62
GX6384 User’s Guide Invalid group number Invalid string length Board specific parameter error Invalid configuration Invalid channel number Illegal bus number Illegal group number Illegal row number Illegal column number Invalid Relay number Invalid Daisy Chain Mode Invalid relay type Invalid Group Mode Invalid Section number Board Errors/Warnings...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the GX6384-1 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers