Problem

When attempting to connect to an A3200 controller the following error message appears: No selfIDs are detected on the network. Check the FireWire or HyperWire cable connections.

You may also notice that your axes are in Virtual mode.

Solution

This problem occurs because no drives can be accessed via the FireWire or HyperWire card. This typically occurs because the first FireWire/HyperWire cable from the PC to the drives has become unplugged. If you wish to operate the controller in Virtual mode without drives, you do not need to correct this error.

For diagnostics, please take the following steps:

  1. Please review the Getting Started guide in the A3200 Help documents. If you have not yet gone through this process, please do so now. 



  2. If you have already completed this process, please review Step 4: Installing the FireWire or HyperWire™ Card, Step 5: Configuring and Verifying the FireWire or HyperWire™ Card, and Step 6: Connecting the System. It may be necessary to repeat these installation steps in order to clear the issue.
  3. Ensure that power is supplied to the drives.
    1. If you have purchased an integrated (TAS) system from Aerotech, please refer to the System Interconnect drawing on the included USB drive, Customer Information folder.
      1. This document explains the power requirements for your system as specified by our engineers, and provides pinouts for how to supply power. This may include both AC power and DC power, and the voltage requirements will be specified. An integrated system may also have a power supply designed or included by Aerotech, and this is most common on turnkey or cabinet solutions.
      2. Please note that there may be several System Interconnect drawings for systems with more than 6 axes.
      3. Contact us at Aerotech Global Technical Support if you do not have these files.
    2. If you have purchased non-integrated hardware (TAC) from Aerotech, please refer to the manuals for your controllers on our website.

If these diagnostics do not resolve the issue, please proceed to the diagnostics for existing installations.

  1. Is the controller powered on? Check the green PWR LED on the drives, or otherwise ensure that the controller is receiving power.
  2. Examine the FireWire or HyperWire card at the back of the PC. Ensure that the cables are connected.
    1. If the cables are connected, unplug and re-seat the cable to ensure that it is fully engaged.
    2. For HyperWire cables, use the pull-tab to disengage the locking pins and remove the cable. When plugging in, the connectors only should "click" into place in the card. 
    3. You may also remove and re-install the FireWire or HyperWire card. Power down the PC and drives before doing so, and use proper electrical safety precautions.
  3. Also examine the FireWire or HyperWire connection to the first drive in the daisy chain.
    1. Again, if the cable was already connected, unplug and re-seat the cable.

If the above diagnostics do not resolve the issue, or you suspect damage or defect of the FireWire or HyperWire card, please contact Aerotech Global Technical Support using our web portal.