Mesa 7i98 + 7i85 = no firmware, how do I manage the solution?

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3 years 9 months ago #261391 by DrKnow65
Thank you for looking. I hope not pain you terribly with my inexperience.
I am using LinuxCNC 2.9 on a Dell Optiplex 780usff, 7i98 +7i85s +7i76D with the intent of reading 4x RS-422 linear scales and driving 4x stepper drivers with the expected array of home and limit switches, coolant, and a spindle VFD. 

I would like to use the 7i85s with my 7i98. The 7i85s requires firmware that muxes four encoders to function.
I can create a "generic" 7i98 config file with 7i98_5abobx3d.bit firmware within pncconf to then edit the .hal and .ini files, but this does not provide the muxing needs of the 7i85s. I cannot find any mother boards that use the 7i85s in pncconf to use as a template to modify to work with the 7i98.

How do I approach making a new firmware for a 7i98 with the provisions for a single 7i85? 

And if I want to do a 7i98 + 7i85s + 7i76D? 

The mesa site says " There are currently nine 7I98 compatible breakout cards available from Mesa, the 7I74 through 7I78 and 7I85, 7I85S, 7I88 and 7I89. The7I98 supports three breakout cards."

Can someone please help me understand how to configure a Mesa board with the various supported daughter boards when there is not a specific firmware set for the specific combination? 
I have been pouring over LinuxCNC tutorials, HAL tutorials, and Mesa documentation without much luck for this specific problem.

Searching for the 7i98 and 7i85s in the forum has also not revealed more than the requirement for firmware.

I am willing to put in the time but have very little practical experience with writing binary for FPGA's :)
Any help would be appreciated, and if you can point me to the super simple thing I'm missing I would be both humbled and grateful. 
Happy to RTFM if you can point me in the right direction.
Jeff

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3 years 9 months ago #261393 by tommylight
Moved to "driver boards".

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3 years 9 months ago #261397 by PCW
I emailed you specific firmware for the 7I98 +7I76+7I85S

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3 years 9 months ago #261399 by DrKnow65
Thank you, I can see now that "driver boards" was a better place for my question.

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3 years 9 months ago #261400 by DrKnow65
Thank you for the firmware file, it really pulls a barrier out from the progress of my project. 

I wish I had the capability to build a firmware configurator to graphically pair whichever compatible sets and combinations of Mesa boards a builder might choose. I presume it would be exceedingly difficult, which increases the value of the work you do all the more. Thank you again.

Jeff

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3 years 9 months ago #261533 by DrKnow65
I am getting an error trying to open any of the 7i98 configs I can put together with pncconf to modify, I do not know if I can correct this error in the .hal or .ini files.
I attached the debug and report files as .txt I hope that works... I will have to invest a moment to sort out pastebin.

hm2/hm2_7i98.0: IDROM IOPorts is 3 but MD IOPort NumInstances is 2, inconsistent firmware, aborting driver load

 

Attachment not found

 

Attachment not found


 

Attachment not found



Is there something I can change on my end? Is there more or better information I can post to help troubleshoot?

Jeff

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3 years 9 months ago #261572 by PCW
Sorry copy/paste error, try this one:

 

Attachment not found

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3 years 9 months ago #261584 by DrKnow65
Again I thank you Peter, without your help I would be stuck.

The firmware looks happy and now and the current errors are .hal related, which are in my ballpark to work to sort out.

With much gratitude I will push hard to use the provided manuals and tutorials to avoid asking any trivial questions in the build and debugging.

Jeff

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