Need firmware for Chinese BoB on Mesa 7i92

Hello! The 7i92 arrived from Mesa, I have it wired up to the old Chinese 5 axis BoB that has been used for years with a software stepgen in LinuxCNC. I searched through the hostmot bit files to find a suitable firmware to no avail. Also, I couldn't find pin files for the 7i92, maybe there was a change in the code structure.
As I'm almost off-grid here, it would take me a couple days to download the Xilinx IDE to compile a custom bit file.

1. Can someone provide me with a suitable bit file? PCW ?
Or did I miss a compatible one that has at least the stepgen at the right pins?

2. Is it possible to generate a 0-10kHz output for a VFD with the 7i92?

This is how I used it in a similar configuration (different machine) with stepgen:

net xenable => parport.0.pin-01-out
net xstep => parport.0.pin-02-out
setp parport.0.pin-02-out-reset 1
net ydir => parport.0.pin-03-out
setp parport.0.pin-04-out-invert 1
net spindle-pwm => parport.0.pin-04-out
net adir => parport.0.pin-05-out
net astep => parport.0.pin-06-out
setp parport.0.pin-06-out-reset 1
net zstep => parport.0.pin-07-out
setp parport.0.pin-07-out-reset 1
setp parport.0.pin-08-out-invert 1
net zdir => parport.0.pin-08-out
net spindle-on => parport.0.pin-09-out
net xdir => parport.0.pin-14-out
net ystep => parport.0.pin-16-out
setp parport.0.pin-16-out-reset 1
net coolant-flood => parport.0.pin-17-out
net max-home-z <= parport.0.pin-10-in-not
net min-home-y <= parport.0.pin-11-in-not
net min-home-x <= parport.0.pin-12-in-not
net probe-in <= parport.0.pin-13-in

Best,

Shu

I'll try to get to this sometime this week

Note, you can generate .pin files with mesaflash:

mesaflash --device 7I92 --addr 192.168.1.121 --readhmid

Thank you for your fast responses!

I could rearrange all the wiring, but as there is a common output enable on pin 1 at the db25 BoB and the available G540, DMMBOB.. bitfiles have either a PWM for the spindle at that pin OR a 3pin quad input that makes it impossible to wire up the limit switch inputs. Ideally there will be a 1pin counter for the spindle sensor (I make use of the spindle at speed function especially with heavy tools).
As the preempt-rt kernel won't run a sufficient base thread on the laptop I have to use the Mesa 7i92 to count the sensor and generate the spindle PWM. I also want to upgrade the sensor to more than 4 counts per revolution to allow heavier rigid tapping, the encoder count was limited by the base thread.

I don't think the 10kHz would need to be square wave, I guess there is a schmitt trigger at the VFD inputs. I don't plan on using the 10kHz input for now, just curious if that's possible.

@PCW
Loading a firmware just to read the pinout with mesaflash --readhmid seems tedious. Just discovered the .vhd files contain pin declarations, do they represent the db25 pins? I could look at them and see if there's a suitable one to start with.

How about a small page at mesa.com listing all the pin configs for the firmwares? Many people must have gone through these steps and bother you with questions

all the best,

Shu

Can the following three pins of the G540 bit files be used as limit switch, probe input, and the 1pin spindle encoder? I understand if I add one encoder during boot, it automatically uses all three pins as encoder inputs. If I would declare zero encoders, all three are free to use as GPIOs. How to have a 1pin encoder? Custom bit file?

Yes you would need custom firmware for a 1 pin encoder

The encoder inputs do not interfere in any way with using the GPIO except if you want to
use the encoder function

Note that a 1 pin encoder will not work for rigid tapping, normally 3 are needed
are needed (though 2 can work with some fancy hal work to simulate an index)

Alright, thanks so far. I rewired the BoB to match the 7i92_MX3660x2D.bit, except the 1pin encoder. I will remove the spindle-at-speed snippets and run it open loop until I get a second connector for the 7i92 or a firmware with a 1pin encoder.
Now on to the PWM output config for the spindle..

I noticed that I have to lower the probing speed to have the same accuracy as with a base thread. I guess I could lower the servo thread interval. Any other suggestions?

Actually both the encoders and the stepgen have a latch on probe option but its not supported in the driver yet
(its tricky since it requires changes to the motion module to do right)

Are you sure there's any difference in probing accuracy?
motion is run in the servo thread and the AFAIK feedback position is sampled by motion at the servo thread rate
to get the probe position

I didn't verify it, was just a quick test and my thinking as I had the probe input in the base thread. Will try again when I have the spindle PWM set up.