HP-IL IC?

[Gene Dorr]

I recently got a board from a HP 5890 Gas Chromatograph, with an HP-IL interface. I recognize the 9100-4226 as the HP-IL pulse transformer, but the 28-pin IC right next to it, that I would expect to be the HP-IL IC (1LB3-0003), instead has part number of 1ML7-0005. I've searched for this number and found nothing. Anyone here know whether this is a later version of the HP-IL IC? (The complete info on this package is: [hp logo] / 1ML7-0005 / 9551231 / 9743 # / PHILIPPINES) I haven't found any reference to any version of the HP-IL IC with a part number other than 1LB3-0003.

[Dave Frederickson]

(05-28-2021 12:28 AM)Gene Dorr Wrote:  I've searched for this number and found nothing.

I searched and found something.
https://www.google.com/search?q=hp+1ml7-0005

[Gene Dorr]

OK, my bad: I searched and DID find that page, which tells me nothing at all -- no indication whatsoever of its function, no datasheet, no availability, a generic image of a 28-pin DIP... which is why I didn't mention it. So yes, technically, I mis-spoke. Does anyone have any *useful* information about this part?

[cruff]

The 3468A service manual lists 1LR4-0002 as an HP-IL interface IC. I know that doesn't answer your question, but it seems likely unless there is another HP labeled 28 pin IC hear the IL transformers that your guess is correct.

[Paul Berger (Canada)]

I have two versions of "Network Interface" cards that are apparently for 5890 gas chronographs. The first part number 19242-60010 I have two one has a 1LB3-0003 the other a 1LR4-0002 the 1LR4 has a date code 1 year newer than the 1LB3. This card is powered by a 8031 processor.

The other 3 cards I have are PN 19242-60015 this is likely a later card all have 1LR4-002 chips with date codes 90 and 91 and is powered by a 68B09 this card has a large VLSI chip that I would really like to know the function of. It is obviously a more capable card with a much more powerful processor and 256K of DRAM.

If the card you have is the same as either of them then yes the 28 pin chip near the pulse transformer is a HPIL chip. Since the date code on your chip is still later it may just be a later revision of the chip.

Paul.

[Gene Dorr]

The processor on my card is also a 68B09 -- the card itself is P/N 19257-60015 (DIV 43 REV A-1). So far it sounds like 1LB3-0003, 1LR4-0002 and 1ML7-0005 are all versions of the HP-IL IC.

[J-F Garnier]

(05-28-2021 03:16 AM)Gene Dorr Wrote:  The processor on my card is also a 68B09 -- the card itself is P/N 19257-60015 (DIV 43 REV A-1). So far it sounds like 1LB3-0003, 1LR4-0002 and 1ML7-0005 are all versions of the HP-IL IC.

I believe the 1LR4 may be a slightly improved version of the original 1LB3 (some bugs or limitations are mentioned in the 1LB3 documentation), then the 1ML7 may be a much later redesign for technology or cost reasons to still support the HP-IL in the GC products.
I have a board with a 1ML7 with date code 9852, driven by a Zilog CPU. Long after after the end of HP-IL in calculators...

(05-28-2021 03:02 AM)Paul Berger (Canada) Wrote:  I have two versions of "Network Interface" cards that are apparently for 5890 gas chronographs.

Did you try to power one of these boards and access it from the HP-IL?
I once tried, but without success, no answer. I was curious to see how these boards would answer to HP-IL ID requests.

J-F

[Paul Berger (Canada)]

(05-28-2021 07:51 AM)J-F Garnier Wrote:  

(05-28-2021 03:02 AM)Paul Berger (Canada) Wrote:  I have two versions of "Network Interface" cards that are apparently for 5890 gas chronographs.

Did you try to power one of these boards and access it from the HP-IL?
I once tried, but without success, no answer. I was curious to see how these boards would answer to HP-IL ID requests.

J-F

No I didn't but that might be a good idea, but I suppose they may be waiting for something from the host before they become functional. It occurs to me now that I could put a logic analyzer onto it to see what if anything it does when power is applied, maybe it is just sitting waiting for the host to reset it or something like that.

I had made a start at trying to figure out the code in the EPROM on one of the 8031 based boards but did not get far, I found the 8031 code to be difficult to decode. Maybe I should try the code for one of the 6809 based boards, I have had a lot better luck understanding 6800 code, but if the code was created using a high level language compiler it can make things very difficult.

Paul.

[Paul Berger (Canada)]

(05-28-2021 07:51 AM)J-F Garnier Wrote:  

(05-28-2021 03:02 AM)Paul Berger (Canada) Wrote:  I have two versions of "Network Interface" cards that are apparently for 5890 gas chronographs.

Did you try to power one of these boards and access it from the HP-IL?
I once tried, but without success, no answer. I was curious to see how these boards would answer to HP-IL ID requests.

J-F

Well I tried applying power to one of the 19242-60015 and found it breaks the loop. Checking a little further I found that both the CPU and HP-IL chip are held reset so next step is to figure out where reset come from.

Found reset pin 24 of connector on card grounding that pin -reset on CPU and HP-IL chip go high but still no response.

Paul.

[Paul Berger (Canada)]

Figured out more of the card requires external clocking and I found a pinout of the connector to the main board of the 5890. After providing a suitable clock the processor does run but the HP-IL chip is never selected so it looks like the 5890 needs to send a command to turn on the HP-IL.