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This is a subset of the documentation. To use this driver you MUST have the
full package "z8530drv-2.4c.dl1bke.tar.gz" from either ftp.pspt.fi, 
sunsite.unc.edu or db0bm.automation.fh-aachen.de. Do not try to use the
utilities from z8530drv-utils-3.0 as they will not work with the 2.4 series
of the driver!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------


         SCC.C - Linux driver for Z8530 based HDLC cards for AX.25      

   ********************************************************************

        (c) 1993,1997 by Joerg Reuter DL1BKE

        portions (c) 1993 Guido ten Dolle PE1NNZ

        for the complete copyright notice see >> Copying.Z8530DRV <<

   ******************************************************************** 


1. Initialization of the driver
===============================

To use the driver, 3 steps must be performed:

     1. if compiled as module: loading the module
     2. Setup of hardware, MODEM and KISS parameters with sccinit
     3. Attachment of each channel in the packet software


1.1 Loading the module
======================

(If you're going to compile the driver as a part of the kernel image,
 skip this chapter and continue with 1.2)

Before you can use a module, you'll have to load it with

        insmod scc.o

please read 'man insmod' that comes with modutils.

You should include the insmod in one of the /etc/rc.d/rc.* files,
and don't forget to insert a call of sccinit after that. It
will read  your


1.2. /etc/z8530drv.rc
=====================

To setup all parameters you must run /sbin/sccinit from one
of your rc.*-files. This has to be done BEFORE the start of
NET or axattach. Sccinit reads the file /etc/z8530drv.rc
and sets the hardware, MODEM and KISS parameters. A sample file is
delivered with this package. Change it to your needs.

The file itself consists of two main sections.

1.2.1 configuration of hardware parameters
==========================================

The hardware setup section defines the following parameters for each
Z8530:

chip    1
data_a  0x300                   # data port A
ctrl_a  0x304                   # control port A
data_b  0x301                   # data port B
ctrl_b  0x305                   # control port B
irq     5                       # IRQ No. 5
pclock  4915200                 # clock
board   BAYCOM                  # hardware type
escc    no                      # enhanced SCC chip? (8580/85180/85280)
vector  0                       # latch for interrupt vector
special no                      # address of special function register
option  0                       # option to set via sfr


chip    - this is just a delimiter to make sccinit a bit simpler to
          program. A parameter has no effect.

data_a  - the address of the data port A of this Z8530 (needed)
ctrl_a  - the address of the control port A (needed)
data_b  - the address of the data port B (needed)
ctrl_b  - the address of the control port B (needed)

irq     - the used IRQ for this chip. Different chips can use different
          IRQs or the same. If they share an interrupt, it needs to be
          specified within one chip-definition only.

pclock  - the clock at the PCLK pin of the Z8530 (option, 4915200 is
          default), measured in Hertz

board   - the "type" of the board:

           SCC type                 value
           ---------------------------------
           PA0HZP SCC card          PA0HZP
           EAGLE card               EAGLE
           PC100 card               PC100
           PRIMUS-PC (DG9BL) card   PRIMUS
           BayCom (U)SCC card       BAYCOM

escc    - if you want support for ESCC chips (8580, 85180, 85280), set
          this to "yes" (option, defaults to "no")

vector  - address of the vector latch (aka "intack port") for PA0HZP
          cards. There can be only one vector latch for all chips!
          (option, defaults to 0)

special - address of the special function register on several cards.
          (option, defaults to 0)

option  - The value you write into that register (option, default is 0)

You can specify up to four chips (8 channels). If this is not enough,
just change

        #define MAXSCC 4

to a higher value.

Example for the BayCom USCC:
----------------------------

chip    1
data_a  0x300                   # data port A
ctrl_a  0x304                   # control port A
data_b  0x301                   # data port B
ctrl_b  0x305                   # control port B
irq     5                       # IRQ No. 5 (#)
board   BAYCOM                  # hardware type (*)
#
# SCC chip 2
#
chip    2
data_a  0x302
ctrl_a  0x306
data_b  0x303
ctrl_b  0x307
board   BAYCOM

An example for a PA0HZP card:
-----------------------------

chip 1
data_a 0x153
data_b 0x151
ctrl_a 0x152
ctrl_b 0x150
irq 9
pclock 4915200
board PA0HZP
vector 0x168
escc no
#
#
#
chip 2
data_a 0x157
data_b 0x155
ctrl_a 0x156
ctrl_b 0x154
irq 9
pclock 4915200
board PA0HZP
vector 0x168
escc no

A DRSI would should probably work with this:
--------------------------------------------
(actually: two DRSI cards...)

chip 1
data_a 0x303
data_b 0x301
ctrl_a 0x302
ctrl_b 0x300
irq 7
pclock 4915200
board DRSI
escc no
#
#
#
chip 2
data_a 0x313
data_b 0x311
ctrl_a 0x312
ctrl_b 0x310
irq 7
pclock 4915200
board DRSI
escc no

Note that you cannot use the on-board baudrate generator off DRSI
cards. Use "mode dpll" for clock source (see below).

This is based on information provided by Mike Bilow (and verified
by Paul Helay)

The utility "gencfg"
--------------------

If you only know the parameters for the PE1CHL driver for DOS,
run gencfg. It will generate the correct port addresses (I hope).
Its parameters are exactly the same as the ones you use with
the "attach scc" command in net, except that the string "init" must 
not appear. Example:

gencfg 2 0x150 4 2 0 1 0x168 9 4915200 

will print a skeleton z8530drv.rc for the OptoSCC to stdout.

gencfg 2 0x300 2 4 5 -4 0 7 4915200 0x10

does the same for the BayCom USCC card. I my opinion it is much easier
to edit scc_config.h... 


1.2.2 channel configuration
===========================

The channel definition is divided into three sub sections for each
channel:

An example for /dev/scc0:

# DEVICE

device /dev/scc0        # the device for the following params

# MODEM / BUFFERS

speed 1200              # the default baudrate
clock dpll              # clock source: 
                        #       dpll     = normal halfduplex operation
                        #       external = MODEM provides own Rx/Tx clock
                        #       divider  = use full duplex divider if
                        #                  installed (1)
mode nrzi               # HDLC encoding mode
                        #       nrzi = 1k2 MODEM, G3RUH 9k6 MODEM
                        #       nrz  = DF9IC 9k6 MODEM
                        #
rxbuffers 8             # number of rx buffers allocated
                        #               (option, default is 4)
txbuffers 16            # number of tx buffers allocated
                        #               (option, default is 16)
bufsize 384             # size of buffers. Note that this must include
                        # the AX.25 header, not only the data field!
                        # (optional, defaults to 384)

# KISS (Layer 1)

txdelay 36              # (see chapter 1.4)
persist 64
slot    8
tail    8
fulldup 0
wait    12
min     3
maxkey  7
idle    3
maxdef  120
group   0
txoff   off
softdcd on                   
slip    off

The order WITHIN these sections is unimportant. The order OF these
sections IS important. The MODEM parameters are set with the first
recognized KISS parameter...

Please note that you can initialize the board only once after boot. 
You can change all parameters but "mode" and "clock" later with the
Sccparam program or through KISS. Just to avoid security holes... 

(1) this divider is usually mounted on the SCC-PBC (PA0HZP) or not
    present at all (BayCom). It feeds back the output of the DPLL 
    (digital pll) as transmit clock. Using this mode without a divider 
    installed will normally result in keying the transceiver until 
    maxkey expires --- of course without sending anything (useful).


2. Attachment of a channel by your AX.25 software
=================================================

2.1 KA9Q NOS derivates
======================

When the linux has startup, the SCC driver has been initialized,
you can attach the channels in your packet software. This is done
by open the scc devices by using the attach asy command.
The SCC-drivers emulates the scc devices as serial asy ports,
this means e.g. that the baudrate can be set in the attach command.


Example Wampes:

#############################################################################################
# Wampes device attach
# NOTE: Interfacename and the device must be the same!!
# Usage: attach asy 0 0 slip|vjslip|ax25ui|ax25i|nrs|kissui <label> 0 <mtu> <speed> [ip_addr]
#
attach asy 0 0 kissi  scc0 256 256 1200   # Attach SCC channel 1 in 1200 baud
attach asy 0 0 kissi  scc1 256 256 1200   # Attach SCC channel 2 in 1200 baud
attach asy 0 0 kissui scc2 256 256 38400  # Attach SCC channel 3 in 38400 baud
attach asy 0 0 kissui scc3 256 256 9600   # Attach SCC channel 4 in 9600 baud
#              ^^^^
#              for WAMPES 921229 use here: ax25
#

Example JNOS:

############################################
# JNOS device attach
#
attach asy scc0 0 ax25 scc0 256 256 1200
attach asy scc1 0 ax25 scc1 256 256 1200
attach asy scc2 0 ax25 scc2 256 256 300
attach asy scc3 0 ax25 scc3 256 256 4800
#
#


It allows AX.25 communication without a TNC.  Only a MODEM is
needed. The parameters have the same meaning as in KISS mode.
In fact, the AX.25 mode is emulating an extended KISS TNC, so
the same commands can be used to set the parameters of the
interface (see below).

To be able to run fullduplex using an SCC in AX.25 mode, an 
external divider must be available, that divides the baudrate 
generator clock available on the TRxC pin by 32, and puts the 
resulting signal on the RTxC pint of the same channel of the SCC.  
Such a divider is not necessary for normal CSMA packet radio 
operation, but interrupt overhead is slightly reduced if you 
still install it.  

2.2 Kernel AX.25
================

Well, as said before: The driver emulates a KISS TNC, so you
can simply run

        axattach -s 1200 /dev/scc0 DL1BKE

to establish the link between kernel AX.25 and z8530drv.


3. Adjustment and Display of parameters
=======================================

3.1 Displaying SCC Parameters:
==============================

Once a SCC channel has been attached, the parameter settings and 
some statistic information can be shown using the param program:

dl1bke-u:~$ sccstat /dev/scc0

Parameters:

speed       : 1200 baud
txdelay     : 36
persist     : 255
slottime    : 0
txtail      : 8
fulldup     : 1
waittime    : 12
mintime     : 3 sec
maxkeyup    : 7 sec
idletime    : 3 sec
maxdefer    : 120 sec
group       : 0x00
txoff       : off
softdcd     : on
SLIP        : off

Status:

HDLC                  Z8530           Interrupts         Queues
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent       :     273  RxOver :     0  RxInts :   125074  RxQueue :    0
Received   :    1095  TxUnder:     0  TxInts :     4684  TxQueue :    0
RxErrors   :    1591                  ExInts :    11776  NoSpace :    0
KissErrors :       0                  SpInts :     1503
Tx State   :    idle

Memory allocated:

Buffer size:     384
rx buffers :       4
tx buffers :       8


The status info shown is:

Sent            - number of frames transmitted
Received        - number of frames received
RxErrors        - number of receive errors (CRC, ABORT)
KissErrors      - number of KISS errors (should be zero...)
Tx State        - status of the Tx interrupt handler: idle/busy/active/tail (2)
RxOver          - number of receiver overruns
TxUnder         - number of transmitter underruns     
RxInts          - number of receiver interrupts
TxInts          - number of transmitter interrupts
EpInts          - number of receiver special condition interrupts
SpInts          - number of external/status interrupts
RxQueue         - number of received packets enqueued for this channel
TxQueue         - number of packets enqueued for Tx
NoSpace         - number of times the receiver buffer pool was found empty


An overrun is abnormal. If lots of these occur, the product of
baudrate and number of interfaces is too high for the processing
power of you computer. If "Space" errors occur, specify a higher
number of buffers in the "scc.h" file.


3.2 Setting Parameters
======================


The setting of parameters of the emulated KISS TNC is done in the 
same way in the SCC driver. You can change parameters by using
the command param in NET or NOS

     param <iface> <paramname> <value>

or use the program "sccparam":

     sccparam <device> <paramname> <decimal-|hexadecimal value>

You can change the following parameters:

param       : value
------------------------
speed       : 1200
txdelay     : 36
persist     : 255
slottime    : 0
txtail      : 8
fulldup     : 1
waittime    : 12
mintime     : 3
maxkeyup    : 7
idletime    : 3
maxdefer    : 120
group       : 0x00
txoff       : off
softdcd     : on
SLIP        : off


The parameters have the following meaning:

speed:
     The baudrate on this channel in bits/sec

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc3 speed 9600

txdelay:
     The delay (in units of 10 ms) after keying of the 
     transmitter, until the first byte is sent. This is usually 
     called "TXDELAY" in a TNC.  When 0 is specified, the driver 
     will just wait until the CTS signal is asserted. This 
     assumes the presence of a timer or other circuitry in the 
     MODEM and/or transmitter, that asserts CTS when the 
     transmitter is ready for data.
     A normal value of this parameter is 30-36.

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc0 txd 20

persist:
     This is the probability that the transmitter will be keyed 
     when the channel is found to be free.  It is a value from 0 
     to 255, and the probability is (value+1)/256.  The value 
     should be somewhere near 50-60, and should be lowered when 
     the channel is used more heavily.

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc2 persist 20

slottime:
     This is the time between samples of the channel. It is 
     expressed in units of 10 ms.  About 200-300 ms (value 20-30) 
     seems to be a good value.

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc0 slot 20

tail:
     The time the transmitter will remain keyed after the last 
     byte of a packet has been transferred to the SCC. This is 
     necessary because the CRC and a flag still have to leave the 
     SCC before the transmitter is keyed down. The value depends 
     on the baudrate selected.  A few character times should be 
     sufficient, e.g. 40ms at 1200 baud. (value 4)
     The value of this parameter is in 10 ms units.

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc2 4

full:
     The full-duplex mode switch. This can be one of the following 
     values:

     0:   The interface will operate in CSMA mode (the normal 
          half-duplex packet radio operation)
     1:   Fullduplex mode, i.e. the transmitter will be keyed at 
          any time, without checking the received carrier.  It 
          will be unkeyed when there are no packets to be sent.
     2:   Like 1, but the transmitter will remain keyed, also 
          when there are no packets to be sent.  Flags will be 
          sent in that case, until a timeout (parameter 10) 
          occurs.

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc0 fulldup off

wait:
     The initial waittime before any transmit attempt, after the 
     frame has been queue for transmit.  This is the length of 
     the first slot in CSMA mode.  In full duplex modes it is
     set to 0 for maximum performance.
     The value of this parameter is in 10 ms units. 

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc1 wait 4

maxkey:
     The maximal time the transmitter will be keyed to send 
     packets, in seconds.  This can be useful on busy CSMA 
     channels, to avoid "getting a bad reputation" when you are 
     generating a lot of traffic.  After the specified time has 
     elapsed, no new frame will be started. Instead, the trans-
     mitter will be switched off for a specified time (parameter 
     min), and then the selected algorithm for keyup will be 
     started again.
     The value 0 as well as "off" will disable this feature, 
     and allow infinite transmission time. 

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc0 maxk 20

min:
     This is the time the transmitter will be switched off when 
     the maximum transmission time is exceeded.

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc3 min 10

idle
     This parameter specifies the maximum idle time in full duplex 
     2 mode, in seconds.  When no frames have been sent for this 
     time, the transmitter will be keyed down.  A value of 0 is
     has same result as the fullduplex mode 1. This parameter
     can be disabled.

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc2 idle off       # transmit forever

maxdefer
     This is the maximum time (in seconds) to wait for a free channel
     to send. When this timer expires the transmitter will be keyed 
     IMMEDIATELY. If you love to get trouble with other users you
     should set this to a very low value ;-)

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc0 maxdefer 240   # 2 minutes


txoff:
     When this parameter has the value 0, the transmission of packets
     is enable. Otherwise it is disabled.

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc2 txoff on

group:
     It is possible to build special radio equipment to use more than 
     one frequency on the same bad, e.g. using several receivers and 
     only one transmitter that can be switched between frequencies.
     Also, you can connect several radios that are active on the same 
     band.  In these cases, it is not possible, or not a good idea, to 
     transmit on more than one frequency.  The SCC driver provides a 
     method to lock transmitters on different interfaces, using the 
     "param <interface> group <x>" command.  This will only work when 
     you are using CSMA mode (parameter full = 0).
     The number <x> must be 0 if you want no group restrictions, and 
     can be computed as follows to create restricted groups:
     <x> is the sum of some OCTAL numbers:

     200  This transmitter will only be keyed when all other 
          transmitters in the group are off.
     100  This transmitter will only be keyed when the carrier 
          detect of all other interfaces in the group is off.
     0xx  A byte that can be used to define different groups.  
          Interfaces are in the same group, when the logical AND 
          between their xx values is nonzero.

     Examples:
     When 2 interfaces use group 201, their transmitters will never be 
     keyed at the same time.
     When 2 interfaces use group 101, the transmitters will only key 
     when both channels are clear at the same time.  When group 301, 
     the transmitters will not be keyed at the same time.

     Don't forget to convert the octal numbers into decimal before
     you set the parameter.

     Example: (to be written)

softdcd:
     use a software dcd instead of the real one... Useful for a very
     slow squelch.

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc0 soft on


slip:
     use slip encoding instead of kiss

     Example: sccparam /dev/scc1 slip on



4. Problems 
===========

If you have tx-problems with your BayCom USCC card please check
the manufacturer of the 8530. SGS chips have a slightly
different timing. Try Zilog... I have no information if this
driver works with baudrates higher than 1200 baud. A solution is
to write to register 8 instead to the data port, but this won't
work with the ESCC chips *SIGH!*

I got reports that the driver has problems on some 386-based systems.
(i.e. Amstrad) Those systems have a bogus AT bus timing which will
lead to delayed answers on interrupts. You can recognize these
problems by looking at the output of Sccstat for the suspected
port. See if it shows under- and overruns you own such a system.
Perhaps it will help if you simplify the scc_isr() function a bit.
You'll find a slightly faster version in the files scc_isr_intack
or scc_isr_novec.


Delayed processing of received data: This depends on

- the kernel version

- kernel profiling compiled or not

- the rather slow receiver in tty_io.c

- a high interrupt load

- a high load of the machine --- running X, Xmorph, XV and Povray,
  while compiling the kernel... hmm ... even with 32 MB RAM ...  ;-)

- NET's speed itself.


Kernel panics: please read to /linux/README and find out if it
really occurred within the scc driver.

If you can't solve a problem, send me

- a description of the problem,
- information on your hardware (computer system, scc board, modem)
- your kernel version
- the output of sccstat /dev/scc# ("#" is the No. of the channel)
- the settings of "speed", "clock" and "mode" for that channel
  in /etc/z8530drv.rc
- your scc_config.h


And always remember: 
The 1.1.* kernel series is for alpha tests -- use at your own risk ;-)
The 1.2.* series should run reliable. This driver perhaps NOT!
The 1.3.* kernel series is for alpha tests again... you get the idea!


3. DRSI Boards
==============

I still can't test the DRSI board, but this configuration derived from
the PE1CHL SCC driver configuration should work:

An example of scc_config.h for 

One DRSI board installed:
=========================

/* gencfg 1 0x300 0x10 2 0 1 0 7 4915200 */

/* file generated by $Id: z8530drv.txt,v 1.1.1.1 2001-09-10 07:44:10 simons Exp $ */

#include <linux/scc.h>

int     Nchips       = 1;
io_port Vector_Latch = 0x0;
int     Ivec         = 7;
long    Clock        = 4915200;
char    Board        = PA0HZP;
int     Option       = 0;
io_port Special_Port = 0x0;

io_port SCC_ctrl[MAXSCC * 2] =
{0x302, 0x300, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0};

io_port SCC_data[MAXSCC * 2] =
{0x303, 0x301, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0};

/* set to '1' if you have and want ESCC chip (8580/85180/85280) support */

/*                                            Chip      */
/*                                          ========    */
int SCC_Enhanced[MAXSCC] =      {0,     /* ...one...    */
                                 0,     /* ...two...    */
                                 0,     /* ...three...  */
                                 0};    /* ...four...   */

#define VERBOSE_BOOTMSG 1
#undef  SCC_DELAY               /* perhaps a 486DX2 is a *bit* too fast */
#undef  SCC_LDELAY              /* slow it even a bit more down */
#undef  DONT_CHECK              /* don't look if the SCCs you specified are available */



Two boards installed:
=====================

/* file generated by $Id: z8530drv.txt,v 1.1.1.1 2001-09-10 07:44:10 simons Exp $ */

#include <linux/scc.h>

int     Nchips       = 2;
io_port Vector_Latch = 0x0;
int     Ivec         = 7;
long    Clock        = 4915200;
char    Board        = PA0HZP;
int     Option       = 0;
io_port Special_Port = 0x0;

io_port SCC_ctrl[MAXSCC * 2] =
{0x302, 0x300, 0x312, 0x310, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0};

io_port SCC_data[MAXSCC * 2] =
{0x303, 0x301, 0x313, 0x311, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0};

/* set to '1' if you have and want ESCC chip (8580/85180/85280) support */

/*                                            Chip      */
/*                                          ========    */
int SCC_Enhanced[MAXSCC] =      {0,     /* ...one...    */
                                 0,     /* ...two...    */
                                 0,     /* ...three...  */
                                 0};    /* ...four...   */

#define VERBOSE_BOOTMSG 1
#undef  SCC_DELAY               /* perhaps a 486DX2 is a *bit* too fast */
#undef  SCC_LDELAY              /* slow it even a bit more down */
#undef  DONT_CHECK              /* don't look if the SCCs you specified are available */


*****************

You  m u s t  use "clock dpll" in /etc/z8530drv.rc for operation, 
the on-board baudrate generator is not supported.

*****************
(mni tnx to Mike Bilow)


4. Thor RLC100
==============

Mysteriously this board seems not to work with the driver. Anyone
got it up-and-running?


Many thanks to Linus Torvalds and Alan Cox for including the driver
in the Linux standard distribution and their support.

Joerg Reuter    ampr-net: dl1bke@db0pra.ampr.org
                WWW     : http://www.rat.de/jr
                Internet: jreuter@poboxes.com