Equipment overview: Theory of operation
2000966-542D Dash 3000/4000/5000 2-31
Real-time clock
The real-time clock incorporates an on-board quartz crystal. This feature 
simplifies the design and eliminates adjustments. The time of day on a 
standalone patient monitor is maintained to an accuracy of 15 seconds in 
24 hours to support 24 hour trend data. The RTC device is one of the 
devices on the I
2
C bus.
Audio subsystem
Audio tones are generated using a tone generator, an audio amplifier, 
and an 8, 2.5-in. speaker. The tone generator has built in D/A 
converters and a mixer to generate the dual frequency tones. 
Frequencies ranging from 150 Hz to 2800 Hz are produced.
Video subsystem
The microprocessor contains a video controller that supports real-time 
and non-real-time waveform drawing, menu drawing, and parameter 
display.
Display brightness is controlled by a 50 k digital potentiometer. The 
potentiometer is interfaced to the brightness control input of an inverter.
Analog outputs
Two analog output channels support ECG and BP. The pace pulse is 
generated on the main processor board and inserted into the analog out 
ECG signal. The digital-to-analog conversion for both ECG and blood 
pressure output signals are performed on the main processing board via 
a two channel 12-bit serial DAC. Cal data is stored on the processor/
power management PCB.
Defib Sync
The QRS complex of ECG data acquired from the DAS generates the 
marker-out signal. A software selectable pulse width and pulse 
amplitude is provided in the Boot Loader Menu.