
Electrical Integration
Overview
![]()
This document describes how to use oDynamo safely and securely. Using the device in any way other than the approved methods described in this document invalidates the PCI PTS approval of the device.
Not following the guidelines in this section could damage the device, render it inoperable, and/or violate the conditions of the warranty.
This section provides information and guidelines for designing the electrical aspects of a solution that incorporates oDynamo. MagTek strongly recommends vetting and testing solution designs before finalizing and deploying them, to make sure the design meets all requirements (e.g., functional, legal, security, certification, safety, and so on).
When designing the electrical portions of a solution that incorporates oDynamo, consider the following:
Review section 1.6 About oDynamo Components for an overall introduction to the device’s physical features and what they are called.
Review Appendix A Technical Specifications.
See all the subsections below for options and constraints involving cable design, signals, power, and other aspects of electrical integration. To coordinate with the solution’s mechanical design team about cables, see section 3.6 Cabling.
Consider additional factors that may affect the electrical aspects of the solution design. See section
Miscellaneous Considerations.
Review safe handling practices in section 1.9 Handling to make sure the logistical aspects of the solution design meet the device’s handling requirements.
Review recommended installation practices in section 4 Installation. The steps provided in that section depend on the solution design team to customize the steps or fill in solution-specific details before distribution to installation technicians.
Review section 6 Maintenance. When installed in the solution-specific enclosure, the maintenance procedures may require modifications, or the solution may require additional maintenance not covered in the general guidelines provided here.
Review any additional requirements from other agencies, such as PCI certification requirements, building codes, and so on, which may introduce additional constraints to the solution design.
Grounding / ESD Protection
To guard against ground loops and to protect the device against electrostatic discharge (ESD), it is important that solution designs ground the device correctly. MagTek strongly recommends checking whether the host’s communication ports provide earth ground, and whether the cables carry that ground all the way to the corresponding ports on the device’s board. This will help make an informed decision about proper grounding. There are three paths to provide earth ground to the device; MagTek recommends all solution designs bring in earth ground to the device using one and only one of the possible paths:
Bring in earth ground through pin 10 of the RS-232 and Power Port [J1]
Bring in earth ground through pin 1 and pin 2 of the Alternative Earth Grounding Port [J9]
Bring in earth ground from the host through the USB cable’s metal connector shell to the USB Device Port [J3]
If it is not practical to connect earth ground using only one of the available paths (for example, if the solution uses multiple shielded cables that provide earth ground from the host), then the solution design must ensure that every source of external earth ground is at the same electrical potential, to prevent damaging ground loop currents from occurring. MagTek also recommends using an earth ground isolated power supply (i.e., with the power supply’s negative output not connected to earth ground) like the one shown in Figure 2-1, because a non-isolated supply would connect digital ground to earth ground, defeating the separation of digital ground from earth ground on the device’s PCBs.

Figure 2-1 - Example Earth Ground Isolated 24V Regulated Power Supply
In addition, solutions that incorporate devices with a metal bezel must ground the bezel to the same earth ground potential as the point chosen above. This provides an additional path to protect the device from electrostatic discharge during card insertion and provides additional protection for the device’s electronics. MagTek recommends this earth grounding cable comprise two 18AWG stranded wires twisted together to form a Y cable. Figure 2-2 shows a prototype example of a Y cable that could be included in a standard installation kit.

Shielding and Conditioning
MagTek recommends using shielded cables to provide noise immunity and to prevent radiated emissions. The device itself has been tested by an FCC lab for Class B radiated susceptibility and has no special shielding requirements. For details, see the FCC information provided at the beginning of this document.
MagTek also recommends that all communication cabling (i.e., USB, Ethernet, RS-232) should be draped together where possible, and isolated from the earth grounding cable to oDynamo and any other unrelated wiring at the installation site that could potentially couple noise into the device and degrade the low-level MagnePrint head signals.
The device has no special requirements for power conditioning or signal conditioning.
About the Connectors
oDynamo provides the following connections (see Figure 1-1 - oDynamo Major Components):
·An RS-232 and Power port, which must be connected to a power source and may be connected to an RS-232 host for bidirectional communication. For details, see section 2.5 RS-232 and Power Port.
A USB Device port, which can be connected to a USB-capable host for bidirectional communication. For details, see section 2.6 USB Device Port [J3].
An Ethernet port, which can be connected to an Ethernet-capable host for bidirectional communication. For details, see section 2.7 Ethernet Port [J4].
An Alternative Earth Grounding port, which can be used in solutions that need a connection for attaching external earth ground. For details, see section 2.2 Grounding / ESD Protection and section 2.8 Alternative Earth Grounding Port [J9].
RS-232 and Power Port [J1]
The RS-232 and Power port must be connected to a power source and may be connected to an RS-232 host for bidirectional communication. It is a Pancon MTSS100-10-CB header designed to mate with a Pancon MAS-CON CE100F22-10-CB connector or equivalent. Pinouts and a schematic excerpt are shown in Figure 2-3 and Table 2-1. Pin 1 is located nearest the front bezel, as shown in Figure 2-4.

Figure 2-3 - oDynamo RS-232 and Power Port J1
Table 2-1 - Connector Pin Specifications for RS-232 Device Cable
RS-232 Signal
Connector Pin
Digital Ground (SG)
1
Float
2
Float
3
TXD (To host)
4
RXD (From host)
5
Vin
6
Polarizing Key
7 (no pin present)
Float
8
Digital Ground (SG)
9
Optional Earth Ground (see section 2.2)
10

Figure 2-4 - oDynamo J1 Pin 1 Location
The Vin and Digital Ground (SG) pins must be connected across the terminals of a power supply. Vin is protected by an internal (non-serviceable) 3A fuse, shown in Figure 2-3.
oDynamo should be powered by a regulated isolated power supply having a fixed output between 9VDC
±5% to 24VDC ±5%, with worst-case output ripple voltage not exceeding 100mV RMS. See section 2.2 Grounding / ESD Protection for additional important information about sourcing an appropriate power supply. For optimal performance, solutions using less than 24VDC must configure the device to disable the card latch, because below 24V the latch behavior is not reliable.
The maximum current draw required from the power supply depends on the selected power supply voltage and the device features used in the solution design. To calculate the maximum required current, use the information in Table 2-2. For example, using a 24V power supply, with card latch function enabled, the maximum total current draw is 417 mA + 170 mA = 587 mA @ 24V.
Table 2-2 - oDynamo Maximum Current Draw Calculations
Power Supply Voltage
Card Latch Enabled?
Maximum Steady State Current
Total
24V ±5%
No: 0 mA
Yes: 417 mA1
+
170 mA
=
Maximum current draw
12V ±5%
Do not use card latch
+
338 mA
=
Maximum current draw
9V ±5%
Do not use card latch
+
433 mA
=
Maximum current draw
1) Card latch solenoid is energized for 0.5 seconds.
MagTek recommends 22AWG wires for all signal and power lines. The connector contacts must have a minimum of 15µ" of selective gold plating over nickel. MagTek also recommends filling the pin 7 hole on the cable connector with a Pancon PK100-D polarizing key or equivalent to guarantee the cable will mate with the device in the correct position and orientation.
For oDynamo solutions that use the RS-232 interface, MagTek recommends enclosing all wires in a shielded earth-grounded jacket, and a maximum length for the combination RS-232/power cable of 6 feet. See Figure 2-5 for an example of this RS-232 / Power cable, part number 1000004111.
For oDynamo solutions that do not use RS-232 communication, oDynamo can be powered using a simple power cable using 22AWG wires. See Figure 2-6 for an example power cable, part number 1000003906.


Programmers should see section 8 Developing Host Software for cross-references to programming tools and documentation for communicating through the port and configuring the device.
The factory default communication settings for the RS-232 port are shown in Table 2-3. The host must begin communication with those settings, then can use that connection (or the USB port) to reconfigure the port and switch to the new settings. Programmers should see section 8 Developing Host Software for cross-references to programming tools and documentation for communicating through the port and configuring the device.
Table 2-3 - RS-232 Communication Settings Factory Defaults
Parameter
Specification
Transmission Protocol
Asynchronous
Communication Method
Half Duplex
Flow Control
None
Start bit
1 bit
Data Length
8 bits (Bit 7: MSB, Bit 0: LSB)
Parity
No Parity
Stop bit
1 bit
Transmission Speed (Baud rate)
9600 Baud
USB Device Port [J3]
The USB Device port J3 can be used to provide bidirectional communication with a USB-capable host. It is a USB 2.0 Type B receptacle designed to mate with a standard USB Type B connector found on the peripheral end of commercially available USB peripheral cables. Pinouts and a schematic excerpt are shown in Figure 2-7.

Figure 2-7 - Pinouts for oDynamo USB Device Port J3
Because the device relies exclusively on RS-232 and Power Port [J1] for power, it draws negligible current from the USB Device Port.
Programmers should see section 8 Developing Host Software for cross-references to programming tools and documentation for communicating through the port.
Ethernet Port [J4]
The Ethernet Port can be used to provide bidirectional communication with an Ethernet-capable host. It is an RJ45 receptacle designed to mate with a standard RJ45 connector found on commercially available Ethernet cables. Pinouts and a schematic excerpt are shown in Figure 2-7.

Figure 2-8 - Pinouts for oDynamo Ethernet Port J4
The RJ45 connector contains integrated magnetics, and supports standard 10/100 speeds. The green LED on the port provides Ethernet Link Status, and the amber LED shows Ethernet Activity.
MagTek recommends using CAT5 cables for the Ethernet connection: Connecting the device to an Ethernet switch or router requires a “straight” Ethernet cable; connecting the device directly to a host’s Ethernet port requires a crossover Ethernet cable.
Alternative Earth Grounding Port [J9]
The Alternative Earth Grounding port J9 can be used in solutions that need a connection for attaching external earth ground (see section 2.2 Grounding / ESD Protection). It is a 2-pin TE Connectivity 3-641126-2 header, compatible with a Pancon MAS-CON CE100F22-2-CB connector or equivalent. If the solution uses J9 , both pins should be connected directly to earth ground.
If the solution design calls for custom cables, use 22 AWG wire or thicker. The contact must have a minimum of 15µ" of selective gold plating over nickel.
Last updated

