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IntroductionFIDE SoftwareSign UtilityProgramming9010A Code Generator


If you are not familiar with the Fluke 9010A, it is a micro-system troubleshooter. The 9010A, along with an associated microprocessor pod, allows the user to test boards. This is done by replacing the CPU with the pod, allowing the Fluke 9010A to control the Unit Under Test (UUT).

Logical block description of Fluke 9010A

One of the benefits of using the 9010A, is that you can create scripting test suites. All Fluke 9010A Troubleshooters have a microcassette tape system. However, this requires that you manually key in programs -- a long and error-prone process.

Luckily, Fluke released the "-001" option (marked on the bottom of the base unit) that has an RS-232 serial port. This allows yout to author programs off-line, compile them, and then download your program to the base unit.

The original RKSIC.EXE software is still available today. However, it is a DOS program, and while it works, it is a little clunky. For example, your program names must adhere to the DOS 8.3 file format. You must also keep all of your scripts in one directory. This makes it somewhat hard to keep all of your scripts organized. This was the impetus of creating the Fluke Integrated Development Environment (FIDE) program.

Using the Fluke 9010A

Below is a picture of a typical setup. It's from Fluke's original documentation.

Fluke 9010A from the color marketing material

The operator can use the base unit (the large unit with the display) to issue commands to the pod and therefore the UUT (unit under test). While a logic probe and scope can identify a lot of possible problems, there are some things that are a hard to test with those tools (validated that ROMs are good, verifying RAM, and so on). By giving the user control over the microprocessor, and some built-in routines to do these tests, repair time can be cut down dramatically. Note that using a 9010A does not replace a scope, DMM, or logic probe. And if you're not familiar with those tools, you might not be ready for a 9010A. If you're looking for a fix-it-quick tool, this is not it. There is a lot "homework" required to be able to effectively use a 9010A.

How it compares to a CAT Box

A Fluke 9010A is similar to a CAT box, but it allows you to do a lot more. A CAT box is specifically designed for Atari systems, and documentation provided is sometimes geared towards CAT box usage. But the CAT box doesn't provide the capability to build automated test scripts, doesn't have built-in utility tests, and it's difficult (although I guess not impossible) to use it on non-Atari boards.

Available Options

There are a few options that come with the 9010A. If you are considering purchasing one, be sure to check for what is included. These options are:

-001 RS-232 I/O (serial port)
-002 IEEE-488
-003 Async signature (clock module)
GFI Guided fault isolation option. I've only seen this once--on my personal 9010A.

By far the most important option to consider is the RS-232/serial port option. With that option you can make use of programs like FIDE to communicate to the 9010A. Developing scriptable programs without being able to create the scripts off-line is nearly impossible.

The -003 clock module option is a somewhat advanced option, but worth looking at. The actual clock module itself is hard to come by. You're probably better off finding a probe to begin with, as the probe can be used in a very similar manner.


Pods are necessary to interface with your UUT. For example, let's say that you have an Atari Centipede as your Unit Under Test (UUT). You'd need a 6502 Pod because that is the microprocessor used in that game. Unfortunately this means that you're going to need to acquire several pods, and (again, unfortunately) these pods can be expensive. Some cost nearly as much as a base unit. Keep this in mind when you buy. Try to purchase a base unit with a common pod that you might need, like the 6502 or Z80 pod.

Type of tests you can run

So what about these tests that you can run? Here is a brief run down of the available tests.

BUS Tests for the ability to drive the data, address, and control lines. Identify failures like a bad buffer chip.
ROM Allows you to test ROMs in circuit. The 9010A scans the address space (you have to provide an address range to test) and computes a mathematical "signature" much like a CRC. Unfortunately, it's not a CRC or other common calculation. This means that you'll need to have a working board with a known good set of ROMs in order to test. Additionally the ROM signatures will be different for different ROM versions since it's based on the actual data in the ROM. Finally, you'll have to deduce or find out the memory map to the chip level to make this completely effective. Luckily, it's not all that hard to do. Some times reading the schematic or associated manual information will give you the memory map for all of the program memory. You can use the size of the ROM to deduce which chips are located at which address. MAME driver information also contains a lot of information about the memory maps, so you can check there as well.
RAM The RAM Short test and the RAM Long test perform a series of read and writes to the address range you specify. Again, you have to know what address ranges to test. Some RAMs can't be easily tested. For example you might be able to write to a color pallete entry RAM, but you can't read from it. Still, this is one of the most useful tests that your 9010A can do for you and something that you'd have a hard time debugging with a scope, DMM, or probe.
I/O Not too different than the bus test, except the control lines are tested. Specific to each pod.

These built in tests can locate a lot of the errors that you'll run into. However, in many cases you'll want even more control, either manually or programmatically. The base unit also allows you commands like READ, WRITE, and a host of address and data manipulation commands.

Authoring Scripts

If you have a base unit with the RS-232 option, you can connect it to your computer. In order to do so, you'll need to build a serial cable, or purchase a null-modem cable. You'll want a DB9 female to DB25 female cable. Several places sell these online for cheap. The back of the 9010A, where the serial cable plugs into the unit, has a set of switches for the base unit's serial port. You'll want to make sure that these settings match your computer.

You'll also need the compiler program and RKSIC program, or you can use the FIDE program that replaces these legacy DOS programs.

Programming is line-based and resembles assembly code (although it is a lot more readable). All of the commands that are available via the keyboard are available in the scripting language, although the syntax may be slightly different.

Keep in mind that scripts don't have to be overly complicated. For example, if you've spent some time figuring out that memory locations 0000-03FF are RAM for a board that you've been working on, why not make a simple script that tests that RAM for you. When you return to another board like that in three months, you'll just need to run that script versus figuring out what address space you need to test.

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