ICPDAS LP-8x4x Quick Start Manual

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Version 1.6, 2013/06/06

 What’s In the Box?

LP-8x4x module microSD card CD Screw Driver RS-232 Cable

LP-814x: 1 slot (1C016) CA-0910
LP-844x: 4 slots 2.4mm CA-0915
LP-884x: 8 slots CA-0915

In addition to this manual, the package includes the following items:

 One set of LP-8x4x hardware
 One microSD card for storing system files
 One quick start guide (this manual)
 One software utility CD with Software User’s Manual included
 One screw driver (2.4 mm)
 RS-232 cable

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Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................3

2. FRONT VIEW .....................................................................................4

3. OPERATION MODES ........................................................................5

4. PREPARING START-UP ...................................................................6

5. CONNECT THE LINPAC AND WINDOWS PC .................................8

7. TELENT TO LP-8X4X ......................................................................10

8. CONFIGURE IP................................................................................11

9. TECHNICAL SUPPORT...................................................................11

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1. Introduction

The LP-8x4x is the flagship compact embedded controller manufactured by
ICP DAS. Its leading technology gives you all of the best features of both
traditional PLCs and Linux capable PCs. The LP-8x4x system is powered by Linux
and brings in the Linux programming style and skill into the world of PC-based
PLC. Application developers can develop their own programs directly into C or
Java language by using the LP-8x4x SDK, and then download them into the LP­8x4x for application and use.

The LP-8x4x model type is shown in the above figure. The Second number
shows the slot numbers coming with the main controller unit. Currently, we provide
three types of 1、4 and 8 slots. The last number demonstrates the application

platform. 1 stands as the Master controller and it means that the user needs to
design the application program.

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2. Front View

The LP-8x4x Embedded Controller is competitive with Industrial PCs in
performance, and is lower in price. The system provides VGA and USB
keyboard/mouse for local visualization and management. User control programs
and data can be saved in persistent storage via microSD memory card and USB
interfaces. Furthermore, it has communication capabilities via the built-in Ethernet
and RS-232/RS-485 interfaces

The following figure demonstrates the hardware system in the LP-8x4x. It

includes the main controller with HMI, serial communication and I/O

expansion

interface. COM3 and COM4 is the standard RS-232 interface, which can be
connected to the internet via serial port (COM3 or COM4) with the modem. COM2
and COM3 is the RS-485 interface, which can be applied to control the ICP DAS
DCON serial modules such as the I-7000W, I-8000W and I-87000W. The FRnet
system is an optional control interface.

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3. Configuring the Operating Mode

There are four basic operation modes for running LP-8x4x that can be

determined through a rotary switch. The operating mode selection as below:

Rotary Switch Position Operation Mode

0 : Normal mode Default
1 : Quick mode Quick boot
2 : OS update mode Update OS image
3 : Debug mode Development by ICP DAS
Others Reserved

 Normal mode(Default)
Normal mode is the default operation mode for the LP-8x4x. Use this mode to

perform additional tasks and configuration. Programs are also executed in this
mode.

 Quick mode
Quick mode is used to bypass the LP-8x4x boot screen when booting form a

microSD/microSDHC card, so as to speed up the booting process.

 OS update mode

This mode is used to update the OS image. Note that the Linux OS image is
only suitable for the LP-8x4x. If the LP-8x4x cannot be booted or operated in
normal mode, use this mode to update OS image again. Ensure that you
backup any important files, before updating the OS image. For more
information, refer to the “LP-8x4x OS update manual”.

The latest LP-8x4x OS Image: http://ftp.icpdas.com/pub/cd/linpac/napdos/lp-8x4x/

 Debug mode

This mode is only for use by ICP DAS during development of the device.

 Reserved

Rotary switch positions 4~9 are reserved by ICP DAS.

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4. Preparing start-up

Step 1: Make sure the rotary switch placed

in the ‘0’ position.

Step 2: Plug in your USB keyboard, mouse,

microSD card, VGA monitor and LAN.

Step 3: Insert the high profile I-8K/87K series

I/O modules into the LP-8x4x slots.
(Only high profile I-8K and I-87K series modules can be plugged)

Step 4: Connect the COM2, COM3 or the COM4 ports to your devices

controlled if necessary.
Step 5: Connect the DC power and turn it on.
(The input range of power supply is +10 to +30V

DC

)

Step 6: The LP-8x4x will start up, more detail information, refer to the software

user’s manual for further operations and for developing your own
applications.

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 The diagram below shows the connections of LP-8141.

 The diagram below shows the connections of LP-8441/ LP-8841.

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5. Connect the LP-8x4x to a Windows PC

 Open HyperTerminal by clicking on ‘Start Æ Programs Æ Accessories Æ

Communications Æ Hyper Terminal’

 In the ‘COM properties’ dialog box, set the parameters for COM 1 to

115200

bps, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit and no flow control, and then press

the OK button to save the settings.

 Turn on the LP-8x4x power, and the following message will be displayed to

indicate that the configuration process has been completed.

 Press ‘Enter’, you will see ‘linpac-8000 login:’ prompt.

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6. Connect the LP-8x4x to a Linux PC

Install HyperTerminal tool on the Linux PC, such as minicom, or gtkterm, etc.
Using Minicom as an example:

 In the terminal window, type ‘minicom -s’ to enter the Minicom

configuration menu. To configure the COM1 port, use the keyboard arrow
keys to select the menu item labeled ‘Serial port setup’ and then press
‘Enter’. Set the parameters for COM 1 and then press ‘Exit’.

A sample of the Minicon operation.

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7. Connect to the LP-8x4x via Telnet

To view information about the configured network interfaces with ‘ifconfig’ cmd:

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8. Configure the IP Address for LP-8x4x

There are two methods of assigning the LP-8x4x network settings. The first

uses DHCP and the other uses a manually Assigned IP address. The factory
default setting for the LP-8x4x is DHCP, and this is the easiest method. However,
if your network system does not include a DHCP server, then you will need to
manually configure the network settings by using the Assigned IP method. To do
this:

Boot the device and establish a connection to the LP-8x4x via Telnet.
Type in ‘vi /etc/network/interfaces’ to open the network setting file.

9. Technical Support

If any of these items are missing or damaged, contact the local distributors for

more information. Save the shipping materials and cartons in case you want to
ship in the future.

z Our service email account :

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

z LP-8x4x website:

http://www.icpdas.com/products/PAC/linpac-8000/introduction.htm

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