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Rastergraf VFX-M User Manual

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  • Page 2 VFX-M Graphics Board User’s Manual Rastergraf Rastergraf, Inc. 1804-P SE First St. Redmond, OR 97756 (541) 923-5530 FAX (541) 923-6575 web: http://www.rastergraf.com email: support@rastergraf.com Release 2.0 November 8, 2006 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...
  • Page 3 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    2.3 VFX-M I ........................2-3 NSTALLATION 2.3.1 Address Settings for the VFX-M..................... 2-3 2.3.2 Default Interrupt Settings on the VFX-M ................2-4 2.3.3 Installing the Graphics Board....................2-4 2.3.4 Changing the (only) VFX-M Configuration Jumper..............2-6 2.5 VFX-M C ........................2-10 ONNECTIONS 2.5.1 Breakout Cable VGA Video Connector ................
  • Page 5 4.2.6 I128S2 VGA Support ......................4-7 4.2.7 I128S2 Clocks ......................... 4-8 4.2.8 I128S2 Build Options and Power-up Settings............... 4-10 4.2.9 Page Faults and Autoincrement Registers ................4-12 4.2.10 RAMDAC Address Space....................4-12 4.3 VFX-M A ....................... 4-13 UXILIARY EGISTERS 4.4 TVP3030 RAMDAC........................4-15 Feature Summary ........................
  • Page 6 Table 1-1 VFX-M Standard Display Timing Specifications ........1-10 Table 1-2 Common VFX-M Configurations ..............1-11 Table 2-2 VFX-M Breakout Cable VGA Connector Pinout ........2-11 Table 2-3 VFX-M Connector Pinout (sorted by Function) .......... 2-12 Table 3-1 Rastergraf Software and Operating Systems Support ........3-2 Table 4-1 MCLK and VCLK Frequency Selections ............
  • Page 7 Figures Figure 2-1 Installation of the VFX-M into a Motorola MVME2604 ......2-5 Figure 2-2 VFX-M Side 1 Major Parts Locations ............2-7 Figure 2-3 VFX-M Side 2 Major Parts Locations ............2-8 Figure 2-4 Typical VGA Extension Cable ..............2-11 Figure 4-1 I128S2 Block Diagram..................

  • Page 8: Introduction

    Rastergraf Introduction This manual provides information about how to configure, install, and program the Rastergraf VFX-M PMC (PCI Mezzanine Card) graphics controller, which uses the Number Nine I128S2 graphics controller chip. This manual is broken down into five chapters: Chapter 1: Overview of the VFX-M Chapter 2: Installing VFX-M Chapter 3: Summary of Rastergraf’s Software Products...

  • Page 9: Getting Help

    2) fax your questions to (541) 923-6475, 3) or send E-mail to support@rastergraf.com. If your problem is monitor related, Rastergraf technical support will need detailed information about your monitor. Board Revisions This manual applies to the following board revision levels:...

  • Page 10: Notices

    Rastergraf, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the use or reliability of software or hardware that is not supplied by Rastergraf, or which has not been installed in accordance with this manual. Trademarks mentioned in this manual are the property of their respective owners.

  • Page 11: Conventions Used In This Manual

    Rastergraf Conventions Used In This Manual The following list summarizes the conventions used throughout this manual. Code fragments, file, directory or path names and Code fragments user/computer dialogs in the manual are presented in the courier typeface. Commands or Commands, or the names of executable programs, except those in code fragments, are in bold.

  • Page 12: Chapter 1 General Information

    128 Series 2 (I128S2) UVGA compatible 128-bit graphics accelerator. The VFX-M can function as the system VGA controller and includes an on-board BIOS PROM. The VFX-M can be used on a standard PCI bus machine by plugging it into a PMC to PCI adapter board. General Information 1-1...

  • Page 13: Functional Description

    Rastergraf 1.2 Functional Description As an aid to understanding the VFX-M, a block diagram is provided at the end of this section. The feature set of the VFX-M includes: • 128-bit 50 MHz Number Nine Graphics Controller • Embedded VGA controller and BIOS •...
  • Page 14 • One XY and Two Linear Memory Windows • Interrupts from the raster line counter and the drawing completion The VFX-M can address 8 MB of VRAM Display Memory, 2 MB of Mask Buffer DRAM, and 64 MB Pixmap Memory.
  • Page 15 Windows NT/2K Drivers. PC Compatible Video BIOS: provides PC for use in x86 or x86 BIOS emulating systems. X Windows X11R6 Solaris and Linux Servers (contact Rastergraf for availability): PX Windows is optimized for the I128S2 graphics accelerator. 1-4 General Information...
  • Page 16 Rastergraf General Information 1-5 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...

  • Page 17: Additional References

    Rastergraf documentation includes User’s Manuals, Graphics Library Package Manual, and Rastergraf PX Windows Server Installation and User’s Guide. Rastergraf includes on its Software Distribution CD a set of Technical Libraries which includes a lot of chip specific data: Rastergraf Software CD Rastergraf Inc.

  • Page 18: General Specifications For The Vfx-M

    Display Memory (VRAM): The VFX-M display memory 128-bits/word, byte addressable, no-wait state, dual-port VRAM The small size of the VFX-M limits the choice of display memory (VRAM) to either 4 MB or 8 MB. The standard VFX-M is built with 8 MB, as this provides the greatest flexibility.
  • Page 19 Zoom: vertical (incremental) horizontal: sub-integer, uses the TVP3030 PLL to adjust master pixel clock. The VFX-M video output uses a TI TVP3030. The input Color Map: multiplexer can be programmed to correspond to the pixel size of 8, 16, or 32-bpp by operating in 16:1, 8:1 or 4:1 (respectively) mux mode.
  • Page 20 Standard IEEE 1386 PMC bus card, 149 mm x 74 mm. . Module Size: PCI Subsystem Vendor ID: 0x10F0 (Rastergraf Vendor Code) PCI Subsystem Device ID: 0x001F for VFX-M Rev 0, 0x0000 for VFX-M Rev 1 +5V +/- 5%, 1.5 A typical. Power Requirements:...

  • Page 21: Monitor Requirements

    Rastergraf 1.5 Monitor Requirements Rastergraf display boards can be used with a wide variety of monitors. For best performance a monitor should have the following features: • VGA compatible 5 Wire RGB with separate TTL horizontal and vertical sync or 3 Wire RGB with sync on green (see note below) •...

  • Page 22: Configuration Information

    • VGA BIOS • 2 Kbit serial EEPROM • 3 diagnostic LEDs Please contact Rastergraf and/or refer to the short form catalog for more information about configurations and accessories. The following tables show some common models. Table 1-2 Common VFX-M Configurations...
  • Page 23 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...

  • Page 24: Chapter 2 Installing Your Rastergraf Graphics Board

    • Unpack and install the Rastergraf display board. • Install the software This chapter shows you how to install the Rastergraf display board in your computer. Your Rastergraf software User’s Manual (e.g. GLP) provides instructions on how to install the software.

  • Page 25: Unpacking Your Board

    When you unpack your board, inspect the contents to see if any damage occurred in shipping. If there has been physical damage, file a claim with the carrier at once and contact Rastergraf for information regarding repair or replacement. Do not attempt to use damaged equipment.

  • Page 26: Vfx-M Installation

    PMC location. PMC locations are currently supported on VME and CompactPCI compatible computers and PCI/PMC expander boards. The VFX-M will also work correctly in a system where the base board is a PCI motherboard. In this case, you can use a Rastergraf PMA-P PMC to PCI adapter to enable plugging a PMC board (the VFX-M) into a PCI slot.

  • Page 27: Default Interrupt Settings On The Vfx-M

    PMC slot maps its interrupt lines to a permuted set of INTA-INTD, the VFX-M will show up on a different interrupt line, according to the slot it is plugged into. Thus, the device driver may need to be changed to reflect this.

  • Page 28: Figure 2-1 Installation Of The Vfx-M Into A Motorola Mvme2604

    Rastergraf Figure 2-1 Installation of the VFX-M into a Motorola MVME2604 4. Wear a grounded wrist strap. Touch a metal part of the computer chassis, remove the graphics board from its anti static bag, and immediately slide it into the slot.

  • Page 29: Changing The (Only) Vfx-M Configuration Jumper

    5 Wire Video (RGBHS, VGA connector). Rastergraf software defaults to 5 Wire Video (NO sync on green). Be aware that if you connect a VFX-M that has video parameters set up for sync on green to a VGA compatible monitor you will get a green background on the display.

  • Page 30: Figure 2-2 Vfx-M Side 1 Major Parts Locations

    Rastergraf Figure 2-2 VFX-M Side 1 Major Parts Locations 25-Pin Connector Installing Your Rastergraf Graphics Board 2-7 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...

  • Page 31: Figure 2-3 Vfx-M Side 2 Major Parts Locations

    Rastergraf Figure 2-3 VFX-M Side 2 Major Parts Locations 25-Pin Connector 2-8 Installing Your Rastergraf Graphics Board Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...
  • Page 32 2.4 Checking your Display Turn on the power and check your monitor’s display. If you are using a PC and the VFX-M is to be the system display board, the system BIOS may find the VFX-M, run its BIOS, and initialize the display.

  • Page 33: Vfx-M Connections

    Rastergraf 2.5 VFX-M Connections There is just one connector on the front panel of the VFX-M. It is a 25 pin Cannon MDSM Micro D-sub. It brings all the RGB analog video, Horizontal and Vertical Syncs, and DDC monitor control lines.

  • Page 34: Breakout Cable Vga Video Connector

    Rastergraf 2.5.1 Breakout Cable VGA Video Connector The VFX-M front panel connector supplies analog video to a standard VGA computer side connector via the Rastergraf MVK-1/3 25-pin Micro- D-Sub breakout cable. The RGB video outputs are driven by the TVP3030 RAMDAC, which is capable of driving terminated cable (75 ohms) to standard RS-330/IRE levels.

  • Page 35: Vfx-M Front Panel Connector

    Rastergraf 2.5.2 VFX-M Front Panel Connector As mentioned before, the VFX-M uses a 25-pin ITT Cannon MDSM (MDSM-25PE-Z10) connector for the video connections. It is necessary to build a breakout cable to make connections to standard devices. Rastergraf can supply the cable (MVK-1/3) or you can build it yourself.

  • Page 36: Vfx-M Connections To The Pmc Bus

    (+3.3V) n/c (RQ64L) PMC-RSVD Note: byp means the pin is connected to a bypass capacitor on the VFX-M, but is otherwise not used Installing Your Rastergraf Graphics Board 2-13 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...
  • Page 37 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...

  • Page 38: Chapter 3 Software Summary

    Manual sets for its Software products. Software is shipped by FTP and on CD-ROM media. Since the VFX-M does not have an on-board CPU, all software functions are executed by the host CPU. In order to optimize system performance, you should take into account the CPU overhead and additional memory requirements imposed by the software.

  • Page 39: Software Availability By Platform And Os

    Rastergraf 3.2 Software Availability by Platform and OS Table 3-1 Rastergraf Software and Operating Systems Support Operating Current OS System Version CPU Type Supported Software LynxOS PowerPC LynxOS PowerPC PX Windows Tru64 UNIX Alpha Driver for Tru64 (AKA X Windows...

  • Page 40: Px Windows Server

    3.5 Graphics Library Package The Graphics Library Package (GLP), comprises a significant value-added component for the Rastergraf display controllers. It is intended for the user who wishes to interface an application directly to the board without going through a standard windowing system like Windows NT or the X Window System.

  • Page 41: Opengl Support

    The NT Native Drivers are the Windows NT 4.0 minport and display drivers and a VGA BIOS. They are derived from code received from a third party. They allow the VFX-M to function seamlessly as the PC console and graphics display in any x86 system. As currently released, they are not 64 bit clean and will not run in an Alpha system.

  • Page 42: Tru64 Unix Driver

    The Tru64 Driver Kit allows the VFX-M to be seamlessly integrated into the Compaq Tru64 UNIX X Windows WorkStation (WS) environment. The driver enables the Tru64 X Server to access the VFX-M’s color map, display controller registers, and frame buffer. Note that at the time of this writing, the driver relies on the X Server’s CFB (Color Frame Buffer)
  • Page 43 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...

  • Page 44: Chapter 4 Programming On-Board Devices And Memories

    4.1 Introduction This chapter covers the special programming features of the individual devices used on the VFX-M. It is intended to supply information unique to the board or to the application of a particular chip. Section 1.3 provides a list of appropriate publications that include manufacturer’s data sheets and manuals.
  • Page 45 4.7 Flash EEPROM 4.8 Serial EEPROM Because the VFX-M is mostly an assembly of “black box” parts, there isn’t a lot of external logic that has to be documented. Thus, the following sections don’t actually provide much programming information, as the chip documentation and GLP source code cover that pretty well.

  • Page 46: Imagine 128 Series 2 (I128S2) Functional Unit

    Rastergraf 4.2 Imagine 128 Series 2 (I128S2) Functional Unit Note The I128S2 Technical Manual is available from Rastergraf under NDA.. Looking at the Block Diagram, there are eight components of the I128S2: • PCI Bus Interface • Memory Controller • CRT Controller •...

  • Page 47: Pci Bus Interface

    4.2.1 PCI Bus Interface Although the actual PC boards are radically different, the standard PCI bus board and the VFX-M are virtually identical when it comes to the electrical side of things. The Number Nine I128S2 serves not only as the graphics controller but also as the PCI bus interface.

  • Page 48: Write-Per-Bit Registers

    The pixel size programmable to 8, 16, or 32 bpp. Although the RAMDAC supports packed 24-bit mode, the I128S2 does not. The VRAM on the VFX-M can be either 4 MB (4,194,304 bytes) or 8 MB (8,388,608 bytes). You can calculate the possible display formats based on these values.

  • Page 49: I128S2 Pixmap Memory (Dram)

    EDO DRAM. The Pixmap Memory is divided into two 32 MB sections. A control bit in the VFX-M Auxiliary Control Register is used to select between the two banks. This means that the I128S2 cannot access the unselected half of memory.

  • Page 50: Pix Bus

    640 x 480 displays. The TVP3030 PLLs come up in a default VGA mode, so they don’t need to be set up. The DD bus is also utilized in a design which has DRAM for display memory. The VFX-M doesn’t make use of this feature.

  • Page 51: I128S2 Clocks

    FS1, but it doesn’t actually do anything. FS1 comes from the VFX-M Auxiliary Control Register (see Section 4.5). When the VFX-M powers up, the memory and video clocks default to VGA compatible standard frequencies, such that MCLK is 50.11 MHz and VCLK is 25.057 MHz.

  • Page 52: Table 4-1 Mclk And Vclk Frequency Selections

    TVP3030’s Memory and Video PLL clock synthesizers. FS1 is programmed via the VFX-M Auxiliary Control Register. FS0 is programmed via the I128S2 VGA Core (see previous page) A consequence of the dual clock nature of the I128S2 is that if you read a register driven by the pixel clock (e.g.

  • Page 53: I128S2 Build Options And Power-Up Settings

    Note: Type = soft means that the value can be overridden by software. Type = hard means that the value cannot be changed by software. Please contact Rastergraf if it is necessary to change a value. Table 4-2 I128S2 Configuration Jumper Settings...
  • Page 54 Rastergraf In/Out Type Function Default hard spare hard ISA bridge timing no bridge function soft merge memory requests Enabled hard spare soft linear memory prefetch Enabled hard spare hard spare soft EDO/Fast Page soft VRAM bank transfers Unique soft RAS to CAS delay...

  • Page 55: Page Faults And Autoincrement Registers

    4.2.10 RAMDAC Address Space The I128S2 has a 16 register space that is nominally allocated to the RAMDAC. As the VFX-M has not only the RAMDAC, but also miscellaneous control bits and LEDs to deal with, the 16 register space has been partitioned to accommodate these requirements.

  • Page 56: Vfx-M Auxiliary Registers

    Rastergraf 4.3 VFX-M Auxiliary Registers Although most functions on the VFX-M are self-contained, it is necessary to maintain a few extra control bits and supplementary features. Since there is no other convenient way to support these functions, the 16 register RAMDAC address space is used.

  • Page 57: Table 4-5 Vfx_Asr Register Bit Assignments

    Rastergraf Table 4-5 VFX_ASR Register Bit Assignments Mnemonic Read/Write Function reserved Read-only reserved reserved Read-only reserved BLANKL Read-only High when Display is Active. Use with VFX_RAL and VFX_RAH to determine when it is OK to access the TVP3030 RAMDAC. [3:7] FIRMCODE[0:4]...

  • Page 58: Tvp3030 Ramdac

    TVP3026 and Bt476/8 color palettes. Note that while the TVP3030 also supports 24 bpp packed modes, the I128S2’s accelerated functions do not. Nevertheless, Rastergraf’s GLP software will operate correctly, but uses the I128S2 only in “dumb framebuffer” mode.

  • Page 59: Feature Summary

    Rastergraf an efficient means of combining graphic overlays and direct-color images on-screen. The TVP3030 has three 256-by-8 color lookup tables with triple 8-bit video digital-to-analog converters (DACs) capable of directly driving a doubly terminated 75-Ω line. The lookup tables are designed with a dual- ported RAM architecture that enables ultra-high speed operation.
  • Page 60 Rastergraf Troubleshooting 4-17 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...

  • Page 61: Video Timing Parameters

    Does your Display have a Green Cast to it? By default, the VFX-M supplies video in separate (five wire video RGBHS) video format. If you hook the VFX-M up to a multiscan monitor with a regular VGA cable then you will be giving RGBHS to the monitor.

  • Page 62: To Change The Horizontal Frequency

    However, it may be that adjustments are required. This section gives you some advice on how to do this. You can also supply Rastergraf with a filled-in copy of the monitor parameters sheet which follow this section. We can then assist you in solving your display problem.

  • Page 63: To Change The Vertical Frequency

    1280 x 1024 x 8 bpp gives you a little more than three full screens to roam around in with a VFX-M that has 4 MB VRAM. Routines in the Rastergraf software provide you with an easy way to pan and scroll in memory.

  • Page 64: Request For Assistance In Determining Video Timing Parameters

    Vertical Back Porch____________________ Sync Information Sync Polarity (+ or -): Composite:_____ Horizontal:_____ Vertical:_____ Additional Notes _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Table 4-8 VFX-M Video Timing Parameter Request Form Troubleshooting 4-21 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...

  • Page 65: Vfx-M Interrupts

    Rastergraf 4.6 VFX-M Interrupts There is not a lot to say about interrupts for the VFX-M. The I128S2 is connected to the INTA line. The interrupt is controlled through the I128S2. What happens on that line at the other end (CPU side) is beyond the scope of this manual.

  • Page 66: Flash Eeprom

    Although in most cases the standard BIOS PROM would be 64 KB, a 128 KB is used on the VFX-M due to a bug in the I128S2 which requires that the minimum PROM size be 128 KB. The VFX-M has overlapping positions to accommodate 32, 40 and 48 pin devices.

  • Page 67: Serial Eeprom

    EEPROM over DC_DAT. Serial EEPROM Data Format Rastergraf reserves the first 128 bytes of the 256 byte Serial EEPROM for internal use. This includes the VFX-M board serial number, revision, and configuration data. The remaining 128 bytes are left for user data. The following table lists the byte assignments in the EEPROM.

  • Page 68: Soft Configuration

    Board Serial Number in ASCII 0x10 0x01 VFX-M Board ID 0x11 0x?? VFX-M Fab Rev (0xFF = rev unknown ) 0x12 0x?? VFX-M Configuration Code Bit 0 = reserved Bit 1 = Low 4 MB VRAM installed Bit 2 = High 4 MB VRAM installed...
  • Page 69 Rastergraf Soft configuration will only be used by BIOS code to setup a default video configuration. GLP does not use the Soft Configuration Data (SCD) directly to control video mode programming. However, the SCD can be accessed from GLP via the pk_get_attribute and pk_set_attribute calls.

  • Page 70: Chapter 5 Troubleshooting

    Rastergraf Chapter 5 Troubleshooting Introduction This chapter contains information which should assist you in tracking down installation and functional problems with your board. 5.1 General procedures 5.2 Dealing with the PCI bus 5.3 Maintenance, Warranty, and Service Troubleshooting 5-27 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...

  • Page 71: General Procedures

    It can also happen that if you build your own cables and you short +5 to ground on the VFX-M front panel connector you may trigger the auto- resetting fuse which protect power supply pins when an overload occurs.

  • Page 72: Table 5-1 Basic Troubleshooting Procedures

    Check cabling. Reload software. motion and/or cable not plugged in. PX keyboard entry. Windows board side server is crashed. VFX-M not detected a) Check BIOS configuration by BIOS firmware or b) Check board seating Operating System. c) Check driver installation.

  • Page 73: Dealing With The Pci Bus

    CPU physical and virtual address maps and the CPU to PCI bridge address map. The result of this is that the operation of the VFX-M is very sensitive to the host CPU, as no standards have been adopted which guarantee, or even imply, universality among CPU boards, even if they use the same CPU and PCI bridge.

  • Page 74: Maintenance , Warranty And Service

    5.3 Maintenance, Warranty, and Service Maintenance The VFX-M requires no regular service, but if used in a particularly dirty environment, periodic cleaning with dry compressed air is recommended. Because of the heat generated by normal operation of the graphics board and other boards in the system, forced crossflow ventilation is required.

  • Page 75: Out Of Warranty Service

    If extensive repairs are required, Rastergraf will request authorization for an estimated time and materials charge. If replacement is required, additional authorization will be requested. All repair work will be done at the Rastergraf factory in Redmond, Oregon, unless otherwise designated by Rastergraf. 5-32 Troubleshooting...
  • Page 76 4-7 technical support, 0-2 unpacking your graphics board, 2-2 VFX-M Serial EEPROM Example Listing, 4-25 VFX-M Side 1 Major Parts Locations, 2-7 VGA Video Connector, 2-11 Artisan Scientific - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisan-scientific.com...

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