You can configure multistation operation in the ibaPDA I/O Manager in the General tab – Multistation.

Multistation mode

Mode

Meaning

Standalone (default)

Multistation operation is disabled, the ibaPDA system operates autonomously. In the interface tree this is indicated by the  symbol.

Master

Select this mode on the ibaPDA system that is to operate as the multistation master. This computer must be equipped with FO hardware for distributing the synchronization clock (ibaFOB card with an ibaFOB-4o-D module at the mirror connection). This ibaFOB card must be set to Interrupt mode “Master mode internal”. In addition, the computer must be connected to the multistation LAN.

See Configuring the multistation master.

Synchronized slave (Slave)

Select this mode on all ibaPDA systems that are to be synchronized by the master via ibaNet FO connection. Each slave requires an ibaNet FO connection to the master. To do this, an ibaFOB input card must be inserted in the computer and set to Interrupt mode “Master mode internal”. The FO connection from the output module of the master computer can be established to any free link on the card. In addition, the computer must be connected to the Ethernet network.

See Configuring a synchronized slave.

Non-synchronized slave (Slave without master)

Select this mode on an ibaPDA system that is to be connected to the multistation LAN in order to exchange global triggers, but otherwise collects its data independently. This system is not synchronized by the master and therefore does not require an ibaNet FO connection. A connection to the Ethernet network is still required.

See Configuring a non synchronized slave.

The following matrix shows the connection options between systems with different and identical multistation modes.

Multistation mode

Standalone

Master

Synchronized slave (Slave)

Non-synchronized slave (Slave without Master)

Standalone

-

-

-

-

Master

-

***

**

*

Synchronized slave (Slave)

-

**

*

*

Non-synchronized slave (Slave without Master)

-

*

*

*

* connection only via Multistation LAN, only non-synchronized connections

** multistation network with FO synchronization and network, non-synchronized connections optional

*** master-master, only connection between two multistation networks, only non-synchronized connections

Port number

Port number of the current computer

The port is preset to 9175. The master and all synchronized slaves in the multistation network must use the same port number.

Start timeout (master only)

Time that the system waits until it has established a connection with the other participants before starting the measurement.

If the acquisition must be started on a slave, e.g. after a change of the I/O configuration, the system waits for a feedback of the master for this time. If the connection to the master is not achieved in this time, the systems starts in the standalone mode.

Non-synchronized systems (Unsynchronized stations)

(master and synchronized slaves only)

Selection of the protocol for communication with non-synchronized participants.

Receiving port/Port

(master and synchronized slaves only)

Port number for the exchange of multicast messages

The default port number for UDP unicast is 9177, and for UDP multicast it is 9176.

Local IP address (UDP multicast only)

Network card of the local ibaPDA server to be used for communication with non-synchronized participants

Multicast IP address (UDP multicast only)

IP address for the exchange of multicast messages

TTL (Time To Live)

Here you can set how many routers a multicast message can pass through. Ideally, TTL = 1, i.e., even the non-synchronized slaves are directly connected to the multistation LAN.