TECHNICAL NOTES - RT6

• The GR33 Recorder firmware has part number RMS1120. Series "09" of the firmware corresponds to the Standard version, while series "08" corresponds to Special #1.

• The GR33A Recorder firmware has part number RMS1460. Series "01" of the firmware corresponds to the Standard version, while series "02" corresponds to Special #1.

• Latest firmware revisions (as of Nov 16/95) are as follows:

• When using RMS Instruments' Automatic Test Box, the selection of Recorder Type should be either Standard or Special #1, according to the table above.

The tests run are virtually identical, with the exception of the programming of the Header Messages: the Special #1 version uses a customized message, different from the "default" message used in standard recorders.

When selecting Software Version, "Pre- Version 09A" refers to releases that preceded version RMS1120-09-A of the Standard firmware (equivalently, releases preceding RMS1120-08-A of the Special #1 firmware).

"Post- Version 09A" refers to releases RMS1120-09-A and later (equivalently, RMS1120-08-A and later).
All firmware releases of GR33A recorders are of the "Post- Version 09A" type.

For illustration purposes, the table below shows the evolution of the firmware, indicating the distinction between "Pre- Version 09A" and "Post- Version 09A".

II. Differences between Standard and Special #1

1. Standard recorders support the standard RMS4137 20-Digit BCD Module, while Special #1 recorders support the RMS4137-1 20-Digit BCD Module, especially modified to interface to the Control Panel.

2. The time marker line pattern in Standard recorders is used as event marker in Special #1 recorders. Similarly, the event marker pattern is used in place of the time marker.

3. After printing of Header Messages, Standard recorders will leave 16 blank dot-rows as spacing. Special #1 recorders leave 120 blank dot-rows.

4. For Standard recorders, Programmable Header Messages are factory-configured to a standard format. For Special #1 recorders a Print Form designed by the customer is used.

5. A host-command that allows to enable or disable the external Control Panel is available on Special #1 recorders. Standard recorders ignore this command. The syntax for the command is as follows:

< 6DH , X > ,

where 6DH is the command itself, and "X" is a single byte argument such that:

X = 00H .......... disables Control Panel
X = 01H .......... enables Control Panel

This command facilitates the operation of Special #1 recorders in an "automatic" mode (under control of a host computer), with a "manual" mode for back-up purposes (using the Control Panel).

1. Support of new transient digitizer module (variable sampling rate from 35 msec to 50 µsec, up to 512 Kbyte memory, 1,2, 4 or 8 channels digitized, fully programmable).

2. The initialization of configuration parameters has been modified to allow the basic operation of the recorder in the absence of NVM.

3. Hardware modifications have provided memory expansion up to the following limits:

EPROM = 40 KB.
RAM = 8 KB.
NVM = 8 KB.

- The total number of set-up tables is now 4 instead of 3.

- Tradeoffs for storage of some parameters in NVM have been eliminated.

- The following parameters, which used to have single-storage in NVM, have now multiple storage:
 

• Signal ID labels
• Signal confinement
• Setpoint values, on/off status
• Offset
• Linearization
• Auto-null

4. Facility to allow initialization of NVM from the control panel.

5. When modifying the zero position of a channel, it is no longer necessary to "assign" the channel to its new pair of boundaries manually; this is now done automatically at the time when the positions are stored.

6. The implied status of the "offset" feature (enabled), is no longer part of the parameter table.

7. When an AIM error message is printed on the chart, the code number associated with it is also printed.

8. Improved setpoint condition handling when dealing with the occurrence of simultaneous alarms.

9. The menu entry for the time marker has been modified, in order to display the status and time interval simultaneously.

10. The message "NVM-PROG.ERR" is displayed if an attempt to write one byte into the X2864 EEPROM has not succeeded within 15 msec.

11. Support of new linearization algorithms.

12. Real-time data transmission via Serial Port B (programmable data rate).

13. New command for selection of sampling rate.

14. Command added to update 2nd line in video buffer without printing on the chart. Command added for alternate linearization types.

15. Increased number of grids to 22 - "special" grids are now included in the standard set of grids as styles 16, 17, 18 and 19. Implementation of "exact" metric grid.

16. Facility for chart annotation with AIM's temperature.

17. System clock running at 5 MHz instead of 4 MHz.

18. Maximum chart speed increased from 6.00 mm/sec (0.250 in/sec) to 8.00 mm/sec (0.320 in/sec).

19. Facilities to keep track of the "up-time" of the system.

20. Support of a hardware real-time clock and calendar (it is no longer necessary to start the clock after power-up). The print interval of the time/date is programmable.

21. Enhancements to command set in the area of setting/starting the real-time clock.

22. Test routines to verify correct loading of bit-map RAMs.

23. Facilities to check EPROM's checksum during self-testing.

24. Facilities to calculate and store NVM's checksum after storage of any parameter. Checksum is verified during self-testing.

25. The system remains in the set-up table entry after loading a new configuration from NVM.

26. Improvements to the facility to control chart on/off status via Event #5, so that an option allows to automatically print header messages on the chart, in response to a signal to turn the chart off.

27. Facility to allow factory pre-setting of recorder's accumulated operating time ("up time").

28. Parameter table reorganization groups together all features that require AIM.

29. Reorganization of the "data source" property of recorder channels. This became more important since support for ARINC traces was incorporated.

30. Support of new printhead driver board with 10 strobing transistors (substantially reduces "ghosting" effect of the printhead). It maintains compatibility with older 9-strobe version of the printhead board. The software automatically detects which type of board is installed and uses appropriate timing and bit map.

31. Support of ARINC Interface Module.

32. Implementation of new (host) command which instructs the recorder to store the set of working parameters into the set-up table in NVM which is currently selected.

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