DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE TOOLS
The following suite of diagnostic words provide easy access to specific
areas within the kernel, via the operator port, to assist in both commissioning
and fault finding:
WHO
displays the node name and message received by the kernel from the ethernet
port. Employed for checking that the message has been passed on by the
network layer as well as diagnosing kernel processing of that message.
M-LIST
displays all 6 entries in the monitor-mode request list
MON-LIST
along
with their request type (1 or 2).
S-LIST
displays all 4 entries in the write-only status (immediate and delayed)
request list STATREQ.
SEE
All the fields in the PRESENTSTATUS table for the specified mechanism
are displayed in a tabular form. Each parameter is displayed using its
correct numerical base along with it's field identification label.
.TIMEOUTS
displays the number of resets and communication timeouts for all serial
links in a tabular form, labelling each link with its corresponding module
name. These values may also be transmitted across ethernet to the VAX System
Computer by employing the health monitor status command, HMS200. A
history may then be built up for each module, enabling suspect units to
be weeded out of the system.
#SLINK
requires the mechanism mnemonic number on the stack prior to executing
this word. It displays the work space RAMSLINK for specified serial
link. Employed when faults occur on serial link e.g. #ERROR byte field
can show framing, parity and overrun errors indicating wrong baudrates
etc. See section on communication software.
#LINK
requires the mechanism mnemonic number on the stack prior to executing
this word. It displays the serial communication receive buffer for specified
links. See section on communication software.
.MECHS
lists all the instrument's mechanism mnemonics. Employed as an aide-memoire.
?BOXES-RUNNING
displays which serial links are faulty. This automatically occurs on powerup/reset
of the 4MS but may be requested at any time through the operators port.
No output given if all links are OK.
LOCAL
Provides the ability to enter a single ethernet message (which may contain
several instrument commands) via the operator port. It initially shuts
the ethernet tasks down in an orderly fashion to prevent two sources of
messages using the same internal buffer resources. The operator is prompted
for the required message which is terminated by a carriage return. The
kernel then processes the message in exactly the same way as for a message
received via the ethernet port. Finally the ethernet tasks are reactivated
followed by a NET101 execution to flush the network software layer.
Under LOCAL operation status requests (immediate or delayed) will
result in status replies being sent to the node who last sent a command
via the ethernet port. It is therefore advised to omit all status requests
when employing the LOCAL
mode.
A shorthand version is available in the from | (pipe).
TRANSPARENT
requires the mechanism mnemonic number on the stack prior to executing
this word. The SMDM protocol header is displayed, informing the operator
which box# and motor# the specified mechanism is attached to. The commands
required to enable the echo mode and to terminate the TRANSPARENT mode
are also included:
a) Transparent to Smdm C Motor 2
To enable echo : UNSEAL
To return to 4MS : 4MS
Additional mnemonic constant, BCR, is defined to gain access
to the barcode reader module ( BCRM ).
The kernel shuts down all status MAINTAIN, JOB and ethernet tasks
in an orderly fashion, then revectors the interrupt routine and enables
the serial link interrupt ready for transparent operation. This state is
indicated by :
Application halted
being displayed when commands may now be entered via the operator terminal.
Refer to the corresponding manuals for description of the commands available
for each module. On termination of transparent mode the interrupt routine
is revectored and all the tasks are reactivated. Resumption of normal operation
is indicated by the message :
Application restarted
appearing on the operator terminal.
All modules employing the 6303 processor card ( SMDM and BCRM ) must
be correctly sealed up by their word '4MS' before returning to normal kernel
operation otherwise all subsequent communications with the module will
result in continuous timeouts due to unexpected strings being received.
A shorthand version of TRANSPARENT is available in the form TT.