24
M2i.60xx / M2i.60xx-exp Manual
Installing the board in the system
Hardware Installation
Installing multiple boards synchronized by star-hub option
Hooking up the boards
Before mounting several synchronized boards for a multi channel system into the PC you can hook up the cards with their synchronization
cables first. If there is enough space in your computer’s case (e.g. a big tower case) you can also mount the boards first and hook them up
afterwards. Spectrum ships the card carrying the star-hub option together with the needed amount of synchronization cables. All of them are
matched to the same length, to achieve a zero clock delay between the cards.
Only use the included flat ribbon cables.
All of the cards, including the one that carries the star-hub piggy-back module, must be wired to the star-hub as the figure is showing as an
example for three synchronized boards.
It does not matter which of the available connectors on the star-hub module you use for which board. The software driver will detect the types
and order of the synchronized boards automatically. The figure shows the three cables mounted on the option M2i.xxxx-SH16 star-hub to
achieve a better visibility. The option M3i.xxxx-SH8 is handled similar to this picture. When using the M3i.xxxx-SH4 or M2i.xxxx-SH5 version,
only the connectors on the upper side of the star-hub piggy-back module are available (see figure for details on the star-hub connector loca-
tions).
As some of the synchronization cables are not secured against wrong plugging you should take
care to have the pin 1 markers on the multiple connectors and the cable on the same side, as the
figure on the right is showing.
Mounting the wired boards
Before installing the cards you first need to unscrew and remove the dedicated blind-brackets usually mounted to cover unused slots of your
PC. Please keep the screws in reach to fasten your Spectrum cards afterwards. All Spectrum boards require a full length PCI slot with a track
at the backside to guide the card by its retainer. Now insert the cards slowly into your computer. This is done best with one hand each at
both fronts of the board. Please keep in mind that the board carrying the star-hub piggy-back module requires the width of two slots, when
the option M3i.xxxx-SH8 or M2i.xxxx-SH16 version is used.
While inserting the board take care not to tilt the retainer in the track. Please take especial care to not bend
the card in any direction while inserting it in the system. A bending of the card may damage the PCB totally
and is not covered by the standard warranty.
Please be very careful when inserting the cards in the slots, as most of the mainboards are mounted with
spacers and therefore might be damaged if they are exposed to high pressure.
After inserting all cards fasten the screws of all brackets carefully, without overdoing. The figure shows an example of three cards with two
installed modules each.
