Hardware Troubleshoot Guide

Objective:

This guide will explain the hardware concepts of the EasyLinx Adapter (ELA) and how to troubleshoot issues regarding its communication with the system.

Summary:

1. Hardware Explanation

2. Hardware Troubleshoot

3. Communication Connectors for each Slot Brand

4. Card Reader Connections

5. Older ELA troubleshooting

6. Video Removing the Bracket

Hardware Explanation

The ELA is the EasyLinx Adapter that is placed behind the slot. It's a computer (Raspberry Pi) with a shield board connected to it. 

The ELA in its case is illustrated in the following image:

Outside of its case, it can be seen that there is a color coded pattern in the wires (screwed to the blue terminal block) right next to the power switch. The order of wires is important and must be used as shown in the picture. 

Hardware Troubleshoot

Behind the blue terminal block, there are six LEDs in the following order:

1. Rx (Yellow)
2. Tx (Blue)
3. Server (white)
4. TTL - Rx
5. 232 - Rx
6. Firmware (Green)

• The most important ones to diagnose a scenario are the first three LEDs. The LED  6 should be on to confirm that the ELA has power. If it is not on, it is a sign that the ELA has no power. The LEDs 4 and 5 are not relevant to the scenario. 
• The third white LED labeled "Server" will display a flashing pattern that indicates specific diagnostics, depending on how many times it flashes:

  2 flashes - "Host Connection Down"
  3 flashes - "Slot Link Down"
  4 flashes - "Slot not receiving ELA commands. Data connector reversed (wrong polarity) or Tx line (blue) not connected"
  5 flashes - "Not Promoted"
  6 flashes - "Validation Not Set"
  7 flashes - "Low Wireless Signal"

  Flashes are followed by a long pause.

• When a machine is up and communicating with the system the first two LEDs should be flashing blue and yellow lights and a pattern that they seem to follow each other.
  • If only the first LED is blinking (yellow) it is a sign that the ELA is not booting - important to highlight that this behavior must be noted after two minutes (time to ELA regularly boot). In this case, a power cycle shall be done first. If the scenario persists, two paths can be followed:
    • the customer should be asked to swap the SD card from the raspberry board with another one that is certainly good;
    • the whole ELA must be swapped (most used because the customers usually don't have tech knowledge). 
  • With this, it can be discovered that the ELA itself was the root cause of the scenario.  
  • If only the second LED is blinking (blue) it indicates that there is an issue with the communication of the slot and the yellow status on the slot management should be seen for the slot. This is a situation where the communication cable and the terminals of the com connectors must be reviewed and redone - more info regarding the topology of the jumpers on the Communication Connectors for each slot Brand section.
• If the LEDs 1 and 2 are blinking, but they are in an irregular flashing pattern and it's on the LED of the firmware, it's a sign that the polarity of the comm cable is inverted - check the white LED that may blink four times. 

Communication Connectors for each Slot Brand (Jumper's):

Here it will be listed all the jumper's configurations and the power cable (Molex) used on the communication between the ELA and the slot:

• BALLY/FIRE LINK
  
  
  
  
• IGT/SPIELO
  
  
  
  
• WMS/BBX/BLADE
  
  
  
  
• ARISTOCRAT/VIRIDIAN/HELIX
  
  
  
  
• KONAMI
  
  
  
  Konami's comm cable topology
  
  
  
  
• IT/3D/ARUZE/ATRONIC/AINSWORTH/LOCKIT
  
  
  
  
• GOLD CLUB
  
  
  
  
• EVERI
  
  

   

  For the new jumper configuration, there is a hub of switches that must be changed for the desired brand. The board is shown below:

Communication Connectors for each Slot Brand (Dip Switches):

• DB9 IGT, BBx, EVERI, SPIELO, WMS, BLADE, IT, 3D, ARUZE, ATRONIC, AINSWORTH, LOCKIT, TWINSTAR, AXIS

• DB9 GOLD CLUB

• 1x5 IGT, CRYSTAL DUAL GL20

• 1x5 BALLY, F.LINK, M.LINK V32, FRANKS, QUICKHITS J43 POWER4

• 1x5 ARISTOCRAT, HELIX, VIRIDIAN, BUFFALO

The pins used in the RS232 of the DB9 port can be seen in the figure below:

Card Reader Connections

The card reader is composed of an RFID sensor (under de case), a switch (circle gap), and the LED module (above the case)

How is it connected to the ELA?

There is a pattern in the connection that must be respected in order to properly work the module with the ELA. The topology is shown below:

This pattern comes as default from the EasyLinx Office on the installation. In case of any maintenance in the slot from a local technician, this pattern should be followed. 

Older ELA version troubleshooting

In rare scenarios, all LEDs from the ELA are up and blinking, but the slot is still with red status on the slot management page. This happens when the ELA is composed of an older version of Raspberry Pi that needs a dongle to connect to the Wifi - the client must double check if this piece is connected.  

Video removing the Bracket

Removing a Player Tracking Bracket: