7i97 + ???

I have a 7i97, attached to 3 servos X,Y,Z  + 1 more servo as a spindle. All problems i had at the beginning as been solved, so it is finally working
I need to control an extra of 10 outputs and  2 to 3 step & direction drives.
Looking for a solution I arrived to the 7i76, so I could attach it to the 7i97

1º Is there any better choice?
2º There is the 7i76 and 7i76D, the first one are sourcing outputs the second are sinking outputs. as I am building the machine from cero, what you consider the best choice.
3º Would the 7i76 be detected by 7i97 itself, and show in hal configuration or I need to change something in .hal to be recognized?

Thanks very much

I think the 7i97's FPGA might be too small to handle a full 7i76.

Maybe a 7i76 with less than 5 StepGen's or a 7i78 + SmartSerial 7i84 (standard or D version)

It will most likely require a custom Bitfile.

Maybe PCW can advise on what he would recommend for your use case.

Yes there is a 7I97+7I78 configuration
I'm trying a 7I97+7I76 config but its really tight and may not fit

If I had to drop something, would it be spare sserial expansion channels?
(theres a spare channel on the 7I97 and one on the 7I76) or stepgens?
(those are fairly big)

EDIT: 
  A7I97+7I76 config fits if you drop one expansion sserial port (there's still one free expansion port available)

 

PCW wrote:

Yes there is a 7I97+7I78 configuration
I'm trying a 7I97+7I76 config but its really tight and may not fit

If I had to drop something, would it be spare sserial expansion channels?
(theres a spare channel on the 7I97 and one on the 7I76) or stepgens?
(those are fairly big)

EDIT: 
  A7I97+7I76 config fits if you drop one expansion sserial port (there's still one free expansion port available)

 

File Attachment:

File Name: 7i97_7i76.zip
File Size:129 KB

Thanks for the answer, 0x2102 and PCW

I have no problem in dropping one expansion serial port. I only need from the 7i76 all its outputs, some inputs and a maximum of 4 stepgen.

PCW, the files you attached 7i97_7i76d.bit and PIN_7i97_7i76D_51.vhd, are valid for the 7i76? or only for 7i76D?
I would order the 7i76 (no D)

I understand I should flash the 7i97 with the new .bit provided by using mesaflash, it is correct? 
What I should do with the file .vhd?
May be affected the performance of the 6 encoder/pwm on the 7i97 and the 4 stepgen on the 7i76 in such configuration? I need a solid and fast behavior of the system, so I need to choose wisely. (with your help).
Thanks!!

 

The Bitfile will work with both 7i76(D and non D).

Install MesaFlash, if not already installed:
github.com/LinuxCNC/mesaflash

1.) Read your 7i97 (replace the IP address with your own):
mesaflash --device 7i97 --addr 10.10.10.10 --readhmid

2.) Write new Bitfile:
mesaflash --device 7i97 --addr 10.10.10.10 --write "BITFILE.BIT"

Repeat step 1.) and verify that your expansion port contains the new StepGen's

The .vhd file is just for your reference. It shows you how your Bitfile is configured. The --readhmid output should match your .vhd 




 

Thanks very much for your support! I hope to contribute something in the future, not only asking for help.

The file 7i97_7i76.bit will be very useful in the next project. For the current machine I am building (Slide head lathe) I decide to drop some outputs and use the 7i78 (already ordered).