Here is some info for the MK5A test in the May/June 2003 session assembled by Walter Alef with Alan Whitney, Dave Graham, Michael Wunderlich and Dan Smythe: 22 May 2003 8UT


Please verify the operation of your MK5A and the disk packs well before the session.

Please read the manuals on the Haystack web page.

http://web.haystack.mit.edu/mark5/operations.html In particular

http://web.haystack.mit.edu/mark5/manual5a.pdf


  1. Check if you have the latest MK5A and Streamstor software from: http://fourier.haystack.edu/Mark5/UpdateMark5.html

    To determine software version Type DTS_id ?; . Return should be something like

    !DTS_id? 0 : Mark5A : 2003y142d14h : 1 : mark5-10 : 1 : 1 : 2.4 : 0xb5 : 0x18;

    The value 2.4 in this example specifies the revision level of the command set that corresponds to this particular version of Mark 5A control software; this value is updated at each new command set update. The hex b5 and 18 refer to input/output firmware level, the numbers given are for Haystack version approved on May 21

  2. Check for correct connection of the MK5 unit to the formatter. Keep the cables between formatter and MK5 short. Ground the MK5 chassis with a strap to the MK4 rack. Avoid crosstalk e.g. from VGA cables.

  3. Check if you have the latest Xilinx code. If you have the correct software level then the DTS_id command should have provided it. If not, proceed as follows:

    Start server with "Mark5A -m 0 -f 0 & (new syntax for INformal parsing!). When starting Mark5A, or after issuing a Mark5A command that addresses the I-O board, you should see a few lines that look like this (with Mark5A in debug mode):

    Mark5A IOB DEBUG: buf1[0] 0x0000, buf1[1] 0x0004, buf1[2] 0x0000 ^M

    Mark5A IOB DEBUG: buf1[3] 0x0000, buf1[4] 0x0000, buf1[5] 0x00b5 ^M

    Mark5A IOB DEBUG: buf2[0] 0x0e0d, buf2[1] 0x1004, buf2[2] 0x0001 ^M

    Mark5A IOB DEBUG: buf2[3] 0x0000, buf2[4] 0x0000, buf2[5] 0x0018 ^M

    buf1[5] is the Xilinx Version Number for the Input Section and buf2[5] is the Version Number for the Output Section. The current Version Numbers are shown above.

  4. Operation at 1 Gbps requires an FPDP cable shorter than 12 cm. 8 cm is short enough. Performance in the range 8-12 cm is unknown.

  5. It is imperative that Mark 4 rack ID be set to an even value when parity-strip mode is used. This probably affects Wb and Nt. Pin 36 of connector between formatter and rack must be grounded. See Mk3 documentation drawing 6169-27.

  6. With the bank-switch software the keyswitch also mounts and dismounts a disk pack. Please read in the docu about the new meaning of the LEDs. Note:

    the MK5A unit will only work in bank-switch mode. Important: Do NOT use the mount and dismount commands! (This is not yet reflected in the http://web.haystack.mit.edu/mark5/test5a.pdf file.)

  7. Latest field system version. (9.6.2 or later). Station software should be recompiled, using new versions of stparams.h and setup_st.c .

  8. Check if the disk packs have a VSN. If not, write it to the disk pack as given on page 4 of

    http://web.haystack.mit.edu/mark5/moduleassembly.pdf

    The ones from Bonn don't have a VSN. The "full" VSN is used: "Extended ID" see pages 2 and 4 of disc management manual. http://web.haystack.mit.edu/mark5/diskmanagement5a.pdf The FS logs VSN automatically.

  9. Prepass the disk packs. Even though this is only needed for new disk packs, e.g. the ones from Bonn, please do it for all disk packs you will use for the test. Write each complete pack at 1 Gbps with the formatter connected so that the formatter and the cabling are tested at the same time. Then play it all back, then write the complete 8-pack again. If you have problems with the 1 Gbps mode check 512 Mbps. If that works, check if the formatter works at 1Gbps with the drive in pass-through to the decoder. You can also check if you can write at 1 Gbps with the TVG. If nothing helps call Dan Smythe for further help. (He is travelling 13th-24th May, call +1-781-275-0921 or mobile: +1-617-697-0870.)

  10. If you get that far and everything works, send me e-mail to alef@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de and relax.

NB: Barrel-rolling and data modulation should be off

Notes on Mk5 schedules in EVN May Session

F03L2 (19th May): Use piggyback mode (option 13 in drudg)

D03C1 (2nd June) and D03C2 (3rd June) : MK5A mode,