Description
DS3800HXPA1B1A: Product Overview
The DS3800HXPA1B1A is a daughterboard-grade memory expansion and analog I/O interface that plugs onto a motherboard carrier inside the GE Speedtronic Mark IV rack. It expands the on-board EEPROM memory pool and provides isolated ±10 V or 4–20 mA analog inputs/outputs, allowing the CPU to store additional firmware segments, lookup tables, and real-time data while simultaneously acquiring low-level process signals. Because it is hardware-deterministic (no firmware download), the card delivers bit-exact timing across all three legs of a TMR string, making it suitable for SIL-2 / API 670 safety loops.
The board belongs to the DS3800 daughterboard architecture, allowing hot-swap replacement without rewiring the turbine deck. Gold-plated edge fingers, conformal coat, and –20 °C to +70 °C rating ensure 25-year service life in coal-dust, salt-fog, or high-vibration environments.
DS3800HXPA1B1A: Technical Specifications
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Model Number: DS3800HXPA1E1D (suffix E1D on current shipping revision)
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Manufacturer: General Electric (GE)
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Product Type: Memory Expansion & Analog I/O Interface Board
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System Compatibility: Speedtronic Mark IV (6BA06 slot)
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I/O Range: ±10 V differential or 4–20 mA (jumper-selectable)
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Memory: Multiple EEPROM modules (field-erasable)
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Indicators: 40 amber LEDs for code/data status
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Connectors: 40-pin modular (field side) + VME edge fingers (back-plane side)
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Input Protection: 120 V AC / 125 V DC continuous over-voltage withstand
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Isolation: 1500 V AC board-to-ground (from VME back-plane)
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Operating Temperature: -20 °C to +70 °C; Storage: -55 °C to +85 °C
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Certifications: CE, RoHS, IEEE 344 seismic qualified
Core Features & Customer Value
Hardware-Deterministic Timing
Because the card contains no flashable firmware, every channel and memory segment responds with bit-exact timing across all three legs of a TMR string. This eliminates scan-to-scan jitter that could introduce voter disagreement, giving you SIL-2 / API 670 confidence for overspeed, over-temperature, or flow-protection loops.
Because the card contains no flashable firmware, every channel and memory segment responds with bit-exact timing across all three legs of a TMR string. This eliminates scan-to-scan jitter that could introduce voter disagreement, giving you SIL-2 / API 670 confidence for overspeed, over-temperature, or flow-protection loops.
Hot-Swap Ready
The daughterboard form factor allows you to extract and insert the card while the turbine remains on-line (provided the carrier is in a TMR string). Mean-time-to-repair is <5 minutes, so you avoid forced outages and start-up delays.
The daughterboard form factor allows you to extract and insert the card while the turbine remains on-line (provided the carrier is in a TMR string). Mean-time-to-repair is <5 minutes, so you avoid forced outages and start-up delays.
Field-Calibratable Without Software
On-board trim pots and jumper-selectable I/O ranges let you match ±10 V pickups or 4–20 mA loops on the turbine deck using only a screwdriver and a DMM. This eliminates the need for a laptop or OEM service call when you swap sensors, change cable runs, or reload firmware segments.
On-board trim pots and jumper-selectable I/O ranges let you match ±10 V pickups or 4–20 mA loops on the turbine deck using only a screwdriver and a DMM. This eliminates the need for a laptop or OEM service call when you swap sensors, change cable runs, or reload firmware segments.
Surge-Hardened for Harsh Sites
Continuous 120 V AC / 125 V DC over-voltage withstand and TVS diodes on every line clamp >500 V spikes from lightning, VFD switching, or exciter flash-over. The 1500 V galvanic isolation barrier prevents ground-fault currents from propagating into the low-voltage CPU domain, extending card life beyond 25 years in coal-dust, salt-fog, or high-vibration environments.
Continuous 120 V AC / 125 V DC over-voltage withstand and TVS diodes on every line clamp >500 V spikes from lightning, VFD switching, or exciter flash-over. The 1500 V galvanic isolation barrier prevents ground-fault currents from propagating into the low-voltage CPU domain, extending card life beyond 25 years in coal-dust, salt-fog, or high-vibration environments.
Typical Applications
Gas Turbine Memory & I/O Expansion
In large combined-cycle plants, DS3800HXPA1B1A is widely used to expand on-board EEPROM for additional start-up curves while simultaneously conditioning bearing-metal RTDs. The 40-pin modular connector and 40 amber LEDs provide real-time visibility into code execution and sensor health during Frame 7/9 start-ups.
In large combined-cycle plants, DS3800HXPA1B1A is widely used to expand on-board EEPROM for additional start-up curves while simultaneously conditioning bearing-metal RTDs. The 40-pin modular connector and 40 amber LEDs provide real-time visibility into code execution and sensor health during Frame 7/9 start-ups.
Steam Turbine Governor & Flow Monitoring
The card’s ±10 V and 4–20 mA capability make it the preferred interface for steam-valve position LVDTs and exhaust-flow transmitters. During load ramps, the deterministic update rate prevents valve dither, extending servo life beyond 100 000 cycles while maintaining ±0.1 % flow accuracy.
The card’s ±10 V and 4–20 mA capability make it the preferred interface for steam-valve position LVDTs and exhaust-flow transmitters. During load ramps, the deterministic update rate prevents valve dither, extending servo life beyond 100 000 cycles while maintaining ±0.1 % flow accuracy.
Island-Mode & Black-Start Sites
On offshore platforms or remote peaking plants, the –20 °C rating and conformal coat allow the card to run without HVAC. Battery-backed operation is supported because the card draws <1 W and continues to deliver accurate readings when external transmitters are powered from station DC.
On offshore platforms or remote peaking plants, the –20 °C rating and conformal coat allow the card to run without HVAC. Battery-backed operation is supported because the card draws <1 W and continues to deliver accurate readings when external transmitters are powered from station DC.
