Description

The sqMac module (the network interface logic) was upgraded to support up to 64 nodes. Key changes include:

larger packet forwarding buffer. Previously 128 bits deep, now 2048 bits (Spartan2/2e) or 8196 bits (Spartan3/3e).

Improved support for pipelined service commands.

A new unified Capture module was created to replace the older versions of both the Capture and Probe modules. In addition, new trigger features were introduced.

All Capture modules have a base feature set: Single-shot capture with the new trigger select, pre-trigger condition, and filter options. This Single-shot capture replaces the basic capture in prior FPGA versions. Some FPGAs support an additional Auto-arm mode. When enabled by software, Auto-arm uses a capture buffer memory to store multiple capture events (replaces the Probe module in prior FPGA versions).

The new trigger logic is common to all FPGAs (and slightly different to prior FPGA versions). Up to 32 trigger source inputs are available. The exact set of trigger source signals depends on the IO for each node. A trigger event can be selected from any input, with rising, falling, or both edges active. An optional filter function can be used to deglitch the signal. An optional pre-condition (based on the same trigger sources) can be specified: pre-condition high, low, rising edge, falling edge, or both.

For more information about using the new capture features, see Capture Objects.

Fix/Solution:
The FPGA bit, driveResetComplete, has been removed from the dedicatedIo Fault and Fault Mask registers. This bit has been replaced with driveBootComplete in the dedicatedIo Config register. This bit is monitored solely by the sqNodeLib utility. It is currently not visible through MPI calls or through Motion Console.
NOTE: This change causes compatibility issues between new FPGAs and old software (or old FPGAs with new software). FPGA version x0400 and later require the 03.04.00 MPI software release and later.

Fix/Solution:
The FPGA was changed so that if the watchdog fault was the trigger to enter into the stop mode, the watchdog fault would not disable itself, thus allowing the fault to stay latched and also trigger the nodeIo fault.

Description:
The sqNode x0400 FPGA release introduces an upgraded network module, sqMac version 0300. Upgraded features include:

• SynqNet HotReplace - allows one or more more nodes to be shutdown, replaced, and brought back on-line without interrupting other nodes.
• Revised Cable Length Discovery - a new node-to-node method was added to make discovery more accurate.
• sqPll shutdown - a controlled shutdown of individual nodes for HotReplace.

The sqMac 0300 version is NOT fully compatible with MPI versions prior to 03.04.00. Using 0300 sqMac with older software (for some configurations) might cause the "idle cable" check function to accidently corrupt normal packet traffic. But, the MPI will issue a warning if old/new FPGA/MPI are mixed by accident.

Fix/Solution:
The FPGA has been updated for the new serial stream.