Activating the Turbo DMA mode for mE 4 Frame Grabbers

 

Usually not required

 

The Turbo DMA mode is only relevant if you are using microEnable IV frame grabbers. Activation is only sensible if your application demands the maximum DMA bandwidth.

   

If you activate the Turbo DMA mode, you can achieve a higher (the maximum) DMA bandwidth. However, not all mainboards support maximum DMA bandwidth. Therefore, the DMA Turbo mode is de-activated as default. You can test if your mainboard supports this mode by

  1. activating the Turbo DMA mode and
  2. carrying out a performance test to check if you achieve a higher DMA bandwidth using the Turbo DMA mode (see below).

Activating Turbo DMA Mode

To activate or deactivate the Turbo DMA mode: 

  1. From the Tools menu, select System Configuration.
  2. In the dialog, select/unselect Activate Turbo DMA.

Performance Test

To check if your mainboard supports the Turbo DMA mode:

  1. De-activate the Turbo DMA mode (Menu Tools->System Configuration).
  2. Select the board you want to test.
  3. Start the performance test by clicking the according icon from the toolbar, or by selecting from the menu Diagnosis->Performance.

The performance test is carried out using the applet that is the currently active applet on the frame grabber.

  1. The results of the performance test are displayed: 

  1. Now activate the Turbo DMA mode (Menu Tools->System Configuration).
  2. Repeat the performance test by clicking the according icon from the toolbar, or by selecting from the menu Diagnosis->Performance.
  3. Compare the results of both tests to see if your mainboard supports DMA Turbo mode:
    1. If you achieve a higher DMA bandwidth (and you need this maximum DMA bandwidth), leave the DMA Turbo mode activated.
    2. If the DMA bandwidth stays the same or is even lower than without Turbo DMA mode, turn Turbo DMA mode off.