R2DBE system setup

    Version as of 16:37, 18 May 2024

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    Pre-Checks

    • Check that the 1pps is connected to all R2DBE units (frontside)
    • Check that the IFs are connected to the Block Down Converter (BDC) with RCP and LCP as labeled on the backside
    • Check that the 10MHz signal is connected to the clock synthesizer unit
    • Check that the 10MHz signal is connected to the BDC unit
    • Check that the both IF input pins of all R2DBE units (frontside) are connected by cable
    • Check that all R2DBE units are connected by ethernet (PPC net port)  to the network hub box (backside)
    • Check that the noise generator unit is connected by ethernet to the network hub box (backside)
    • Check that all mark6 units are connected by ethernet cable to the the network hub box (backside)
    • In case you want to inspect the R2DBEs autocorrelation spectra make sure you insert a tone into the noise generator unit (backside)

    Startup sequence

    1. power on pv-mark6-1 and pv-mark6-2
    2. power on the clock synthesizer unit
    3. power on the BDC
    4. power on the R2DBEs
    5. power on the noise generator (optional)

    Verify startup

    • log into pv-mark-1 as user oper. If logging-in does not work the mark6 machine is probably stuck in booting. Connect a display and keyboard and check.
    ssh pv-mark6-1 -l oper -X
    ssh pv-mark6-2 -l oper -X
    
    • do the same with pv-mark6-2
    • log into pv-mark6-1 as user oper. Verify that all the R2DBEs units have booted up by trying an ssh connection:
    ssh r2dbe-1 -l root
    ssh r2dbe-2 -l root
    ...
    exit from r2dbe-1, r2dbe-2, ...
    

    if one of the units does not boot consult the Troubleshooting section below.

    Configuring the R2DBEs

    • log-into pv-mark6-1 as user oper
    • initialize all the R2DBE units by running:
    start-r2dbe-1
    start-r2dbe-2
    ...
    

    each script should finish with "Command executed successfully"

    Troubleshooting

    R2DBE unit does not boot

    • Connect a USB cable from the R2DBE (backside  "FTDI USB" port) to one of the USB ports on pv-mark6-1
    • log-into pv-mark6-1 as root
    • run:
    screen /dev/ttyUSB2 115200
    
    • hit the "enter" key. If the log-in prompt of the r2dbe unit appears go on to section XXXX
    • reset the R2DBE unit. In the screen window you should see the R2DBE booting. Inspect any messages that could indicate an error
    • press ctrl-a to leave the screen session

    R2DBE unit has booted but is not reachable from the mark6 machines

    • very likely the R2DBE has been assigned the wrong IP-adress by the dnsmasq service running on pv-mark6-1
    • log-into pv-mark6-1 as user root
    • run
    /etc/init.d/dnsmasq restart
    
    • reset the R2DBE unit