• Topic ID: id_11038706
  • Version: 3.0
  • Date: Jun 10, 2020 2:26:21 AM

NIO16 Console with Z820 Host Computer Theory

This module contains the following subsections:

1 Overview

The NIO16 Console consists of the following components.

  • Host Computer - contains the System / Image Data Disks, KDIP board and two scan data disks.

  • GPU: a graphic card is used for ASIR or Fluoro Option.

  • GSCB - GSCB shall provide all functions on SCIM and ICOM, and meet new I/O requirements.

  • Cooling Package, including Air Filter.

For NIO16 console, Host computer receives raw data from the Data Acquisition System (DAS) through an on-board Data Interface processor (KDIP) card, and stores that data in the Scan Data Disks located in the Host computer. The raw data is then delivered from the scan data disks in the Host PC to the IG processes in Host PC. The IG processes then create images (If GPU card is installed, GPU card will be utilized during BP reconstruction). The images generated are saved in image disk in host computer.

The host computer for the NIO16 console will be an off-the-shelf, Linux-based system.

Key performance specification of the NIO16 console are:

  • Recon times: 6 fps with software BP, 16 fps with GPU BP

  • Image Matrix: < 512 x 512 pixels

2 Host Computer Z820

Host Computer in NIO16 console is the central operation controller of the CT system.

Host Computer controls all the NIO console functions and data flow, including actual image generation. Software in Host computer sends the reconstruction request, recognize the recon mode, timing, parameters, and data, and be able to generate the image set. The raw data is first restored from the disks. The Host Computer then creates an image set and requests image generation to the IG process in Host Computer. While most of the software components (e.g. Recon_Control, Data_Restore, Image_Buffer, and Data_Acq) reside on Host Computer, the components related to image generation also reside on Host Computer.

Main data flow of the Host Computer is described as follows:

  • Receive raw data from the Gantry

  • Store the raw data to the scan data disks

  • Restore the raw data from the scan data disks and transfer to buffer memory in Host Computer.

  • Take multi-image streams from Image generation processes ran on Host computer, and be saved on image disk in Host Computer.

The Host Computer is comprised of the following:

  • HP computer: a computer using a high-performance PC workstation

  • System disk: the OS and Applications software are stored on this disk

  • Image disk: Images are stored on this disk

  • Scan data disks: the raw data are stored on two scan data disks.

  • KDIP card: the DAS Interface Processor Card

  • Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) cards

  • DVD-ROM drive: will be used for software installation and stand-alone use

  • Graphics board: connect to two LCD monitors

  • GPU: an optional graphic card is used for 16 FPS image reconstruction, ASIR or Fluoro option.

2.1 Motherboard

The Host Computer will take advantage of a standard, off-the-shelf motherboard, using dual microprocessors to increase processing density. The Host Computer will use very high performance general-purpose processors, memory, and a server motherboard with GB Ethernet and SAS port(s), and power supply.

  • Dual Processors: Intel ® Xeon™ Quad Core processors or successor

  • Memory: 16GB DDR3-1333 ECC DIMM (4x4GB)

  • Onboard SAS Devices: four (4) SAS ports reside on mother board

  • Seven (7) PCI/PCI-X/PCI-E expansion slots.

    • SLOT 1 PCI-E: KDIP card

    • SLOT 2 PCI-E: Graphics card

    • SLOT 3 PCI-E: Not used

    • SLOT 4 PCI-E: Not used

    • SLOT 5 PCI-E: Dual Port Gigabit Ethernet card

    • SLOT 6 PCI: GPU card (an optional graphic card)

    • SLOT 7 PCI-E: Not used.

2.2 Component ID

The following picture show the Z820 panel and component ID.

Figure 1. Z820 Front Panel

Figure 2. Z820 Rear Panel

Figure 3. Mother Board

Detail Description:

Figure 4. Z820 Left Side View

2.3 Disk Drives

There are four (4) SAS hard disk drives (300GB) for scan data connected to Host computer. Below are the definition of these four hard disk drives:

Below are key performance of the scan data drives.

  • Minimum rotation rate of 10,000 RPM

  • SAS interface

  • Formated capacity of 300 Gigabytes

  • 3.5” full height

2.4 KDIP Card

This PCIe KDIP card supports almost the same functionality as the current DIP in that it converts the optical signal received from the Gantry into electrical raw data and writes that data to one of the double buffers on the card. When the received data count reaches a predetermined value it will switch over to the other buffer. The Host Computer then receives this data via the PCI bus. This card supports 64bit, 66MHz, PCI bus interface with an FPGA, and should be able to support 833MB/sec data rate optical fiber interface.

2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Card

TGPG board in gantry is connected to the Host computer via Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) card connected to one of the PCI-e slots.

Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) card:

  • Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports

  • 10Base-T, 100Base-TX, 1000Base-TX IEEE802.3ab compatible

  • 64bit, 66MHz (or higher) PCI-e interface

  • Low profile form factor

Gigabit Ethernet card ports definition is described below:

2.6 USB Ports

The USB ports on Host Computer are used to connect the peripheral devices. The definition of USB ports is listed as below:

2.7 DVD-ROM Drive

The DVD-ROM drive is used for software installation, system diagnostics, and to support stand-alone operation of the Host computer.

3 GPU (Graphic Process Unit)

This PCI card accelerates the back-projection process of the NIO console and is plugged into PCI-e slot in the Host Computer.

This parallel beam back-projector provides the NIO console the ability to off-load the back-projection application from general-purpose processors to fully programmable hardware. This option dramatically increases the reconstruction performance per cost ratio.

Following are the high-level CTQs for the GPU card:

  • Perform parallel beam back-projection at >16fps

  • PCI-e compatible

  • Reconstruct any image matrix size up to 524,288 32bit pixels

4 Positioner Interface

4.1 Global Scan Control Box (GSCB)

Global Scan Control Box (GSCB) together with an off-the-shelf keyboard shall be the user interface in CT system. GSCB compatible with current SCIM (Scan Control Intercom Module) and ICOM (Console Intercom Prescribed Tilt Hub). GSCB shall provide all functions on SCIM and ICOM, meet new I/O requirements (See Figure 5 for GSCB functions).

Figure 5. Global Scan Control Box (GSCB)

The GSCB is a component of the CT system. The following diagram shows the overall structure. The GSCB interfaced to the host PC and TGP board of the Gantry subsystem. The Host workstation is the control central of the whole CT system, The TGP is the main controller of the Table, Gantry and PDU. The GSCB is a user interface to the technician as the front end of the scan control loop. (See Figure 6)

Figure 6. GSCB Block Diagram

4.2 Prescribed Tilt

4.2.1 Overview

The Intercom block enables communication between the console operator and the patient on the table. The communication direction through the Intercom can be switched by depressing the TALK button on the keyboard. The operator can speak to the patient by depressing the TALK button (ON). When the TALK button is released (OFF) the operator can then listen to the patient.

When Auto-voice is playing, the operator can listen through the Console speaker on the Auto-voice R channel while the TALK button is released (OFF). At the same time the patient can listen through the Table speaker on the Auto-voice L channel.

If the operator depresses the TALK button (ON) while Auto-voice is playing, the Intercom will disable the Auto-voice sound and will switch the sound source to the Console microphone output. The Console microphone output is amplified and routed to the Host computer's audio input for the Auto-voice recording. The Auto voice recording will be managed by the host computer's software. It will be up to the software to start and stop recording the sound.

4.2.2 Prescribed Tilt / Reset Circuit Operation

The Prescribed Tilt circuit block will detect the status of the TILT push button in the keyboard as it is pressed or released (NO - Normal Open; NC - Normal Closed respectively) by the use of two independent paths. An invert logic signal condition (XOR) in between these two paths is used to determine the tilt condition. The pulse width of both signals shall be the same when the push button is pressed. Once the signals are received, the dual signal (redundant path) will be transmitted to the TGP board so than a single point of failure will not cause tilt motion.

The Prescribed Tilt circuit performance requirements are specified in the following:

  • One push button switch double-pole double-throw. The button has six contacts. Contacts 1-3 are used for primary (Hardware) path. Contacts 4-6 are used for secondary (Firmware). (See Figure 7)

    Figure 7. Prescribed Tilt Requirements

  • The Prescribed Tilt block detects the condition of the DPDT button in the keyboard (either press or release) by using two independent paths. These two paths have an inverse logic condition between them and both signals must remain constant for the same period of time while the button is pressed.

  • No single wire can cause Tilt motion. If one of two wires fails, the circuit will not cause tilt.

  • The circuit receives dual signals and generates two independent differential signals that are sent to the TGP board. The output remains active as long as the button is pressed.

  • The defined Voltage level of the Prescribed Tilt signal is no greater than 5V.

The Reset block will receive and detect the serial break command from the Host computer serial port expander (RS-232), and then generate another pulse, which will be sent to the TGP board in the Gantry. Its performance requirements are illustrated below:

  • The Serial port expander interface sends a minimum RS-232 serial break command of 4mA and 8.1V in order to generate the Gantry Reset signal.

  • The Gantry Reset circuit responds to any pulse with a width longer than 200ms and will not respond to any pulse with a width less than 150ms.

  • Once the serial break command has been detected the output of the Gantry Reset circuit will be differential, an active high pulse signal, from 0VDC to +5VDC, with a width no less than 100ms.

5 Peripheral Media Tower

The DVD peripheral Media Tower includes one USB interface DVD-RW drive used on the NIO16 Console. This Peripheral Tower is interfaced to the Host Computer using USB 2.0. The following block diagram shows this interface and the SATA to USB Bridge adapters needed to connect the more commercially available DVD-R/RW Optical Drives.

Figure 8. DVD Peripheral Media Tower (5270510-20, -21)

The DVD-R/RW drive is an optical storage device used for data store and data interchange (i.e. transfer of data to other systems) and for archiving data (PET only). DVD-R/RW media storage capacity is 4.7GB and is connected to the Host Computer through a USB 2.0 interface. It also supports CD-R media.

note:

When performing Save/Restore System State, check to ensure there is no two or more USB storage devices plugged in Console/Tower at the same time which may result in incorrect data storage.

USB storage device includes SSA (Secure Service Access) key and other mobile storage devices.

Figure 9. DVD Peripheral Media Tower Block Diagram

6 Cooling System

GSCB power supply and other electronic parts in the AC BOX, located upper portion of NIO. And the cooling of Host PC is done by built-in-fans. The air flow to the Host PC fans is conducted by duct of Rear cover. Therefore the rear cover must be closed when Host PC power is on as much as possible.

Air filter is located to both sides and front covers. Periodical cleaning is required.

Figure 10. Rear Cover

Figure 11. Air Filter

7 Service and Diagnostics

The NIO console supports two types of diagnostic, power-on test and offline test. The power-on test is a subset of offline test. This test sweeps devices condition and checks the motherboard at system power-on after OS booted. The offline test checks each device condition, interface, and environment more strictly.

NIO console supports some kind of diagnostic tools.

  • Host Computer diagnostics

  • DIP diagnostic

  • Scan Data Disk diagnostic

  • Network / connectivity test

  • GPU Diagnostics

  • Peripheral Media Tower Diagnostic

  • GSCB / Keyboard Function test

Assemblies are assigned as FRUs based on the likelihood of need for replacement and fixed-right- first-time (FRFT). The following is a breakdown of NIO Console FRUs:

  • Host Computer

  • KDIP Board

  • Hard disk drive

  • GPU card

  • Graphic card

  • Ethernet card

  • DVD ROM Drive

  • Host Power Supply

  • AC outlet box

  • Switch Hub

  • GSCB

  • Peripheral Media Tower

  • Power Switch Assy

  • Fan Assy

8 Console Block Diagrams

Data Flow Dictionary

  1. Gantry -> KDIP: Serial data receive from a fiber optic interface

  2. KDIP -> Hard Disk: Scan Data Store

  3. Hard Disk -> Recon Control: Offset Data

  4. Hard Disk -> Data Restore: View Data

  5. Recon Control -> IG process on host: Calibration Data, offset vector, tables, parameters

  6. Data Restore -> IG process on host: view data transfer between software processes within host computer.

  7. IG process -> Reconstruct images with the offset data and view data received.

  8. IG process -> Image Buffer Created, and stored into image HDD (DB): Pixel image data and small header are transferred from the IG process in host or in optional IG computer to image buffer create process in Host.

Click on the PDF icon below, for a PDF version of the NIO console Interconnect Diagram.

Figure 12. NIO16 Console Interconnect Diagram (Z820)

NIO16 Console (Z820) Interconnect Diagram.pdf