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1 Connecting Cables
2 Connecting the Ground Screw
3 Power-up sequence
4 Testing I/O Signals
- 4.1 DIN and DOUT Loopback Test
- 4.2 AIN and AOUT Loopback Test

Connecting Cables

These are the basic cabling instructions for your OP4520. Use the cables provided to connect your devices, as instructed.

Connect the PCIe or optical fiber link for communication with the simulator:

PCIe connection for OP4520-IO-PCIe units only

If your OP4520 came as part of a full system delivery, including an OPAL-RT simulator, simply connect the PCIe cable between the simulator and the OP4520 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 OP4520.

If you purchased the OP4520 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 OP4520 to the simulator. Make sure to connect the cable end labeled host to the simulator, and the cable end-labeled target to the OP4520.

SFP connection for OP4520-IO-REMOTE units only

If your OP4520 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.

Connect the power cord to the unit and to an appropriate power source (outlet).
Connect DB37 cables from the OP4520 to the external device under test. Before connecting cables, make sure that the voltage amplitudes are compatible with OPAL-RT I/O modules' voltage range.
(optional) Connect DB9 cables for RS422 signals from OP4520 to the external device under test
(optional) Connect the OP4520 module’s plastic optical fibers Tx ports to Rx the ports, and the Rx ports to Tx ports of the external device under test
(optional for Generic Aurora communication) Connect SFP transceivers and optical fiber cables to the external device under test or other OPAL-RT units. Additional SFP modules and optical fiber cables are required.

Connecting the Ground Screw

You must connect a grounding cable from the OP4520 ground screw to the rack to ensure that the OP4520 terminates securely in a ground. Proper grounding helps prevent electric shocks, protects the OP4520 from voltage spikes (from a variety of causes, 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 provides the best protection), with ring terminals on each end
Attach one ring terminal to the ground screw on the OP4520 (shown in the figure below)
Attach the other ring terminal to the rack using a nut and lock washer

Power-up sequence

For OP4520-IO-PCIe: it is mandatory to power up the OP4520 before you power up the simulator. Failure to do so prevents the simulator from detecting the OP4520 FPGA during boot.
For OP4520-IO-REMOTE: the OP4520 can be powered up after powering the simulator. However, the OP4520 must be up and running before loading the simulation.

Testing I/O Signals

Before using your OP4520, 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

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.

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 12V signal as the power source
Observe the AOut feedback on the AIn using the integration model

Hardware Products Documentation

OP4520 Installation