The Bus Isolation extender basically isolates the power and the signals from the motherboard to the I/O boards under test. It serves two purposes, one is to protect the motherboard from being damaged and the other is to allow repeated board test without having to power the whole system up and down. However, the user I/O board under test should be inserted or removed from the extender only while the extender is switched off. The extender could be switched on and off by either the toggle switch on the extender or by external TTL signal issued from external sources under software control.
The bus isolation extender itself, should be secured firmly onto the motherboard in either open or in-chassis test environment. This will prevent it from being accidentally lifted while the system power is still on. If this happens, the extender and the motherboard will be severely damaged.
POWER UP THE TESTER WITHOUT USER I/O BOARD ON TOP OF THE EXTENDER:
If any of the above conditions are not correct, then the power control biasing components are damaged. Verify the switch operation, and then try to change the related components according to the following:
R11, R7 and C2 are used for the biasing of the Q1, 5V.
R15, R23 and
C12 are used for the biasing of the Q2, 12V.
R16, R17 and C14 are used for
the biasing of the Q3, 3.3V.
R14, R24 and C13 are used for the biasing of
the Q4, -12V.
If still not correctable, then contact us with symptoms for further assistance. Please read the user manual for detail board operation. If the above conditions are correct then proceed to check the buffers.
A simple way is described in the following text to check out the buffer ICs without having to power up the extender board. Even though this is not a fool-proof method, it will capture most of the damaged buffer ICs.
We strongly suggest you replace any of the buffer ICs that have visible physical cracks or do not have the right reading, and then try the extender in your system again. One could also use logic probe or scope to check the buffers. The signal on one side should travel to the other side, when the buffers are turned on (except the pins that should read zero). If not, replace the buffers. Please see the buffer pinout for the input/output signal pair. Note: Not all signals are active at all times, during any particular bus cycle.
Usually the buffers at the corners, on both sides, are most likely to be damaged. This happens, when user forgets to turn off the extender while removing the user I/O boards. This is due to voltage pins, being close to the buffer pins, near the corners, and when pulling the board up, the I/O board voltage gold finger pins touch the buffer pins on the extender connector.
The isolation buffer ICs are very sensitive CMOS analog switches. Sparking or over current are usually the major causes that damage the buffers. When these buffers are damaged, they may short to VCC, Gnd, and become very resistive or overheat. We strongly suggest you be aware of ESD and handle the extender with care.
Please see the PCIX32-F parts list and the QS3245 pin out for buffer pairs. Update your board with the component values on the parts list if necessary. User can download the PCIX32-F user manual, PCIX32FMAN.PDF, in pdf format . The file size is about 1,498Kbyte.
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Inc. 3 Watson, Irvine, CA 92618, USA. (T) 949-597-1772; (F) 949-597-1729
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