Exatron 3000B
www.exatron.com 3-13 Chapter 3 Interface Info
operator that the handler is making an error, when in fact the tester has made an error. Therefore, it is
a good idea to set this check to On whenever your application allows for it.
SECOND START PULSE FEATURE
2ND START WIDTH: ADDRESS 00D82ND START DELAY: ADDRESS 00D9
Exatron has added a “2ND START PULSE” to the EXATRON Handler Port interface. This second
start pulse is to be used in the event that the tester you wish to use has a problem with the handler’s
standard start pulse timing. Use this “2ND START PULSE” only to solve interface problems flagged by
the error messages: SORT NOT RESET and/or MULTI SORT ERROR.
♦ For correct use of the handler’s standar d start pulse, the tester must reset all sort signals to Logic
High on the leading/falling edge of the standard start pulse. The handler resets its input sort latch on
the rising edge of the start pulse. At that instant in time, if any sort signals are still present from the
tester, they will be latched into the handler’s sort latch. This could cause the handler to sort an
untested device to an output bin based on the previous tester bin result. In many cases, the
mechanical motion of the handler will allow both the previous bin result plus the new bin result to be
latched into the handler’s sort latch. This will result in a MULTI SORT ERROR message. The
handler’s output cover LEDs will flash the input error combination. Typically, a Pass and a Fail input
will flash at the same time.
♦ It may be that your tester does not respond to either edge of the handler’s start pulse. This is a
common problem with PC-based testers. In this case, making the standard start pulse longer may
correct the problem.
♦ It may be that your tester resets the sorts on the rising edge of the handler’s standard start pulse. In
this case, making the standard start pulse longer will have no effect. You now have the option to use
the “2ND START PULSE.” You may, from the handler’s front panel, adjust the second start pulse to
start before the standard start pulse, and/or end after the standard start pulse. You may now use the
rising edge of the second start to reset the tester, independent of the rising edge of the standard start.
Care must be taken to be absolutely sure that the tester’s sorts are completely reset before the end of
the start pulse used by the tester.
Please refer to FIGURE 3-3 on the following page for timing diagrams of several “2ND START” set up
examples. If you are having interface problems, please call the EXATRON factory for free customer
service advice. Our toll-free telephone number is: 1-800-EXA-TRON. EXATRON cannot be held
responsible for mis-sorted devices when the tester’s sort signal timing is not correctly set up and fully
understood by the customer.