Help: ICE_RELEASE_SHARC_RESET_PROBLEM

Hardware fix available for series-4 cards


The PIC4 series of ICE cards has been plagued with an issue known as the SHARC reset problem.  
After 4-6 months in the field with various power cycles and platforms, a high percentage of 
the cards were unable to reset their 40/160 MHz phase lock loop circuit.  A software patch was 
introduced in ICE315 to limit the problem, but a hardware fix may be needed on some platforms.  
Tweaking the PLLs supply voltage by changing a small component has been found to eliminate the 
problem completely.

All new 4-series cards purchased from ICE have this modification as indicated by a RED DOT on 
the upper screw of the PCI faceplate which is normally visible from outside the chassis when
a card is installed.  If you would like this modification on cards purchased before this
problem was diagnosed (in early 2004) please send the cards back to ICE for repair.  There is
no cost.  Many customers are sending back spares to get the modification, and cycling the cards
5-10 at a time before they go bad to reduce down time.  Please call ICE to work out 
specific arrangements.

NOTE: This only applies to PIC4T/MBT4s without the red dot.  Once a card is repaired by ICE,
it will be returned with a red dot.