CUSTOMIZED ADAPTERS FOR RAMCHECK

INN-8668-APN2

--Revised 10-8-2007

Some customers may want to build their own adapters for unique memory formats not supported by RAMCHECK, and many have done so successfully. However, only customers with significant expertise in PCB and memory design are able to accomplish such customizations on their own.

If you elect to build your own customized adapter, please note that you are solely responsible for your design. INNOVENTIONS technical support is limited to our standard off the shelf product. We will not be able to provide free or fast technical support for your design. If you need help in your customized design please note that we do charge a fee for such services. In addition, you may still end up needing software customization. All customization work proceeds along the guidelines outlined in this document. In particular, please take into account that delivery time for customized works is typically 8-12 weeks.

If you decide to build your own customized adapter, you will need to sign our NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) so that we can send you information, which is limited to the following:

a. Drawing of the external connector wirings;
b. Sample placement of the connectors on a typical adapter PCB;
c. A short guideline document.

Please note that although you sign the NDA, we will not provide internal structure information or any source code. The RAMCHECK program, written in assembly, includes hundreds of thousands of lines of code and we have not documented it for external release.

We also recommend purchasing one of the RAMCHECK adapters to see how the interface is made.

ABOUT RAMCHECK

RAMCHECK employs multiple built-in ports that allow expansion for support of various module types through the use of adapters, or custom-built add-on equipment. When 168-pin DIMMs are being tested (that is, no adapter is connected to RAMCHECK), all available clock signals are directed strictly to the 168-pin DIMM socket. RAMCHECK adapters use recognition circuitry that allow the tester to detect their presence when connected, so that the needed clock signals can be directed to the ports where the adapter can use them. After construction of your adapter is completed and you are ready to test it, you will need to setup RAMCHECK's program to identify the presence of the add-on device, otherwise, RAMCHECK will not detect your adapter and report a "NO MEMORY" error message.

SETTING UP RAMCHECK

The procedure to activate the clock signals is done through RAMCHECK's setup mode. From Standby Mode, enter the following:

• Press F2: Enters SETUP
• Press F5: For NEXT
• Press F1: For CONFIG
• Press F5: For NEXT
• Press F5: For NEXT MENU
• Press F4: Selects CUSTADAP (Customized Adapter)

The Customized Adapter setting toggles the feature ON and OFF; once set, press ESC a few times to return to Standby Mode. The setting is also recorded into RAMCHECK's EEPROM as part of the normal setup mode. This means that RAMCHECK will retain this setup even after it is turned off and will recall it upon turn on; the setting can also be viewed in RAMCHECK's setup list (F2-F3). To clear this setting, enter the above sequence and toggle the setting OFF, or by entering a global clear command from Standby Mode (F2-F4) to return RAMCHECK to its default settings.

When activated ON, each standard module clock signal (CK0-CK3) is sent to its respective connector clock line as follows:

CK0 transfers to CK5
CK1 transfers to CK6
CK2 transfers to CK7
CK3 transfers to CK8

The pinout information for the CK5-CK8 signals are provided after the NDA is signed.

Some projects will require special firmware customization, provided at additional cost. We recommend that you contact us if you have specific needs.

For more information, please call us at (281) 879-6226 M-F 9:00-5:00 Central Time, or send your e-mail to support@innoventions.com, or fax your message to (281) 879-6415. Please remember to include your phone and e-mail.