GE DS3800HXPD MKIV, CPU Expander Card

The primary function of the DS3800HXPD is to enhance the capabilities of the Mark IV’s main microprocessor. It serves as an add-on board to provide additional processing power and input/output (I/O) capabilities. In the context of turbine control, this is crucial for:

  • Expanding I/O: The board allows for the connection of more sensors and actuators than the main CPU can natively support. This enables more detailed monitoring and precise control of the turbine.
  • Adding Processing Power: It can act as a co-processor, offloading complex calculations or algorithms from the main microprocessor, thereby improving the overall performance and responsiveness of the control system.
  • Upgradability: It provides a way to upgrade an existing system without a full overhaul, allowing for enhanced functionality and better performance with minimal disruption.
التصنيف:

الوصف

The GE DS3800HXPD is a CPU Expander Card used in the GE Speedtronic Mark IV series of turbine control systems. It is a legacy part, no longer in production, and is primarily found on the surplus and refurbished markets for the maintenance and repair of older systems.


 

Function and Purpose

 

The primary function of the DS3800HXPD is to enhance the capabilities of the Mark IV’s main microprocessor. It serves as an add-on board to provide additional processing power and input/output (I/O) capabilities. In the context of turbine control, this is crucial for:

  • Expanding I/O: The board allows for the connection of more sensors and actuators than the main CPU can natively support. This enables more detailed monitoring and precise control of the turbine.
  • Adding Processing Power: It can act as a co-processor, offloading complex calculations or algorithms from the main microprocessor, thereby improving the overall performance and responsiveness of the control system.
  • Upgradability: It provides a way to upgrade an existing system without a full overhaul, allowing for enhanced functionality and better performance with minimal disruption.

 

Technical and Design Features

 

The DS3800HXPD is a robust, industrial-grade circuit board designed to operate in a demanding environment.

  • Legacy Part: The “DS3800” prefix indicates that it belongs to the Mark IV series, a pioneering control system for gas and steam turbines in the late 1980s.
  • Connectors: The board features two 34-pin connectors for ribbon cables with retention latches, as well as a modular connector on one end and retention levers on the other for secure installation in a drive or rack.
  • Components: It includes multiple sockets for erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) modules and a number of jumpers (up to 18) for configuration. The EEPROMs store the board’s firmware and can be erased and reprogrammed for updates.
  • Operating Temperature: The card is designed to operate in a wide temperature range, from -35 to 65 degrees Celsius, to withstand harsh industrial environments.