PC interface card

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This page covers familiarizing yourself with the DRV-2000 SEM-PC interface and installing it.

Requirements:  

The PC must support VESA graphics.  Most do.
A 100% Microsoft compatible mouse is required.
The PC must have 1 free ISA slot.

  Use anti-static precautions when handling any electronic device.

  Also, it is a good idea to handle the PCB by its edges, as some of the electronics are sensitive to oils and other contaminants which may be found on the hands.

Familiarize yourself with the DRV-2000 interface card.

Printed circuit boards are usually rectangular.  Note that the DRV-2000 has several diagonal cutouts at the lower left corner in the picture above.  This is to accommodate certain older Pentium TM motherboards that had tall components in this region.   

At roughly the upper left quadrant are the video prescalers, gated integrators and video digitizers.  There are two identical video sub-sections so SE and BSE images can be digitized simultaneously.  At roughly the top center of the board are the precision 16 bit DAC's used for X and Y beam positioning.  At the upper right is some miscellaneous support circuitry including power indicators and status LED's.  At the lower right is the DBC-25 connector used to cable the DRV-2000 to the SEM.

 

Now for a more detailed description of the pertinent sub-sections of the DRV-2000 interface.

The DRV-2000 has a very flexible I/O circuit to accommodate any SEM interface without the need for external 'black boxes'.  There are two general categories of SEM with regards to implementing Digital Beam Control.  We classify them as mode 0, or mode 1 interfaces.  These terms are used later on this page, so you might wish to detour to our DBC Overview page and return here using you browsers 'Back' button.

Note these magnified sections of the board (as viewed from outside the PC when the DRV-2000 is installed.

This figure above shows the status and power indicator LED's, and several test points. 

The RED ones:  The left two red LED's illuminate when the imaging software for your DRV-2000 is attempting to take control of the SEM.  There are two methods the DRV-2000 can employ to establish DBC.  Depending on the SEM model and how it will be interfaced, either the far left LED will indicate control (mode 0), or both the left and center LED will illuminate (mode 1).  The rightmost red LED indicated that the PC is trying to unblank the SEM's CRT or main probe.  This LED is only used by customers who are using the DRV-2000 to implement electron beam lithography or other unusual applications.  
The GREEN ones:   All three must be illuminated for proper operation.  They indicate that the +5, +12 and -12 volt power supplies are present.   They also are good indicators that the safety fuses (below) are good.  In order from left to right, they indicate +5, +12 and -12V.

 

This image shows the section of the DRV-2000 containing the 'DBC mode'  jumpers, DBC enable relays, and the safety fuses.

The 12 DBC mode jumpers are either all set towards the DB-25 connector (in the case of a mode 0 installation), or in the position away from the DB-25, as is the case with a mode 1 installation.
There are two DBC relays.  Two of the red status LED's indicate which of these relays are energized.  In a mode 0 situation,  The second relay is available for options such as automatically energizing a video printer, or other device.  Although we haven't done it as of this CD's release, this relay could be interfaced to the auto focus button on some SEM's.
The light green components in sockets at the upper right corner of the photo are the safety fuses.  Going from left to right,  they are the -12, +5 and +12 supplies.  The DRV-2000 provides these voltages on pins 7, 16 and 17 of the 25 pin DBC connector for powering external adaptors or supplying unusual voltages to SEM's that require them.  As these voltages are generated by the PC power supply, we thought it prudent to fuse these lines in the event of an cable failure or other unforeseen event.   

 

This image shows a very important part of the DRV-2000 for calibration.  Note the following:

Blue multi turn trimpots which set the X and Y scan amplitude. 
Two sets of jumpers (extreme lower left and about 1 inch to the right) which activate a video attenuator.  This is required for SEM's that have an 'unusually robust' video signal.
4 single turn (270 degrees) potentiometers at the lower right.  These set the X and Y scan offset, and the SEC and BSE video brightness.  From left to right they are: X offset, Y offset, BSE brightness, and SE brightness.

 

Now that you are familiar with the interface, we can proceed to install it in you PC.

Follow these steps:

  1. Note the positions of the adjustments on the DRV-2000 interface card.  
  2. Remove the cover of the PC.  Be sure the adjustments noted in step 1 will be accessible.  Note that some PC's use a detachable 'buss cage', which is designed to make service simpler.  Unfortunately, this design places the adjustments in an inaccessible place!  The best solution is to get another PC.
  3. Insert the DRV-2000 in a spare ISA slot and secure the bracket.
  4. Check that no components of the DRV-2000 are in contact with adjacent boards.  Pay particular attention to the safety fuses.

Don't put the cover on the PC yet, there are adjustments to make later.

That's all.  Go back to Installation or continue with SEM connections.

 

DIGISEMTM and DRV-2000TM are a registered trademarks of ELMDAS Company.
Questions or problems regarding this CD should be directed to: jbest@elmdas.com
Copyright © 2001 ELMDAS Co.  All rights reserved.