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Connecting Cables
These are the basic cabling instructions for your OP4610-IO.
Make sure to provide all adequate and necessary ventilation.
Use the cables provided to connect your devices, as instructed.
Power
Connect the power cord to the unit and to an appropriate power source (outlet).
Ground
A grounding cable must be connected from the OP4610-IO ground screw to the rack to ensure that the unit terminates securely in a ground.
Proper grounding helps prevent electric shocks, protects the simulator from voltage spikes (from a variety of sources, including lightning strikes), and provides increased immunity from EMI by lowering noise levels and emissions.Select a flat braided grounding strap of adequate length (as short as possible to provide the best protection), with ring terminals on each end.
Attach one ring terminal to the ground screw on the OP4610-IO.
Attach the other ring terminal to the rack using a nut and lock washer.
Make sure that the power switch at the rear of the unit is easily accessible for emergency shutdown.
External Devices
Connect DB37 cables from OP4610-IO to external devices (motor, controller, etc.).
Before connecting the cables, make sure that the amplitudes are compatible with OPAL-RT DB37 amplitudes.
[OPTIONAL] Connect DB9 cables for RS-422 signals from OP4610-IO to the external device under test (DUT).
[OPTIONAL] Connect the OP4610-IO module’s plastic optical fibers Tx ports to Rx the ports, and the Rx ports to Tx ports of the external device under test (DUT).
[OPTIONAL] For Generic Aurora communication, connect SFP transceivers and optical fiber cables to the external device under test (DUT) or other OPAL-RT units. Additional SFP modules and optical fiber cables are required.
Communication
Connect the I/O Expansion Unit communication cables from OP4610-IO to the master unit and to other external devices if applicable.
SFP connection for OP4510-IO-MuSE units only:
If your OP4610-IO came configured for MuSE communication, use the SFP transceivers and LC-LC multimode fiber cable purchased with the unit to connect one SFP port of the unit to one SFP port of the real-time simulator.
Make sure the simulator bitstream has been configured for MuSE communication also.Unless otherwise specified in the System Description document of your unit, any of the four SFP ports can be used for MuSE communication.
PCIe connection for OP4610-IO-PCIE units only:
If your OP4610-IO came as part of a full system delivery, including an OPAL-RT simulator, simply connect the PCIe cable between the simulator and the OP4610-IO PCIe connector in the back of the unit.
Make sure to connect the cable end labeled "Host" to the simulator, and the cable end labeled "Target" to the OP4610-IO.If you purchased the OP4610-IO as a separate unit, it is delivered with a PCIe cable and a PCIe interface board.
This board must be installed in your OPAL-RT simulator. Contact OPAL-RT Support for instructions to install the PCIe adaptor card in the simulator.
Then connect the PCIe cable from the PCIe connector at the back of the OP4610-IO to the simulator.
Make sure to connect the cable end labeled host to the simulator, and the cable end-labeled target to the OP4610-IO.
Power-up Sequence
Make sure that all cables are properly connected before powering up.
Power up the unit using the main power switch in the rear of the unit and the power switch in the front.
For OP4610-IO-PCIe: it is mandatory to power up the OP4610-IO before you power up the simulator.
Failure to do so prevents the simulator from detecting the OP4610-IO FGPA during boot.For OP4610-IO-MuSE: the OP4610-IO can be powered up after powering the simulator.
However, the OP4610-IO must be powered up before loading the simulation.
Testing I/O Signals
Before using your OP4610-IO, we recommend running the RT-LAB or HYPERSIM integration model delivered with your system.
If the I/O configuration is symmetrical (same type and number of inputs and outputs), it is good practice to test I/O channels using the loopback board provided with the integration kit, which lets you read any feedback from outputs to inputs.
Din and Dout Loopback Test
Connect the loopback board to a Dout DB37 connector and connect the cable to a Din DB37
Connect the loopback board’s Vuser to a power source
Observe the Dout feedback on the DIn using the integration model
Ain and Aout Loopback Test
Connect the loopback board to an Aout DB37 connector and connect the cable to an Ain DB37
Connect the loopback board's Vuser to a power source or set the board to internal mode to use the simulator’s 12 V signal as the power source
Observe the Aout feedback on the Ain using the integration model.
For more information about the use of Vuser and Vrtn pleaser refer to this article in the OPAL-RT knowledge base : How to power the different DB37 boards for digital outputs.