Index: /firmware/FTU/FTU_top.vhd
===================================================================
--- /firmware/FTU/FTU_top.vhd	(revision 9927)
+++ /firmware/FTU/FTU_top.vhd	(revision 9928)
@@ -27,4 +27,5 @@
 library ftu_definitions;
 USE ftu_definitions.ftu_array_types.all;
+USE ftu_definitions.ftu_constants.all;
 
 ---- Uncomment the following library declaration if instantiating
@@ -174,15 +175,46 @@
   component FTU_spi_interface
     port(
-      clk_50MHz      : IN     std_logic;
-      config_start   : IN     std_logic;
-      dac_array      : IN     dac_array_type;
-      config_ready   : OUT    std_logic;
-      config_started : OUT    std_logic;
-      dac_cs         : OUT    std_logic;
-      mosi           : OUT    std_logic;
-      sclk           : OUT    std_logic
-    );
-  end component;
-
+      clk_50MHz      : IN  std_logic;
+      config_start   : IN  std_logic;
+      dac_array      : IN  dac_array_type;
+      config_ready   : OUT std_logic;
+      config_started : OUT std_logic;
+      dac_cs         : OUT std_logic;
+      mosi           : OUT std_logic;
+      sclk           : OUT std_logic
+    );
+  end component;
+
+  component FTU_rs485_control
+    port(
+      main_clk                : IN  std_logic;
+      brd_add                 : IN  std_logic_vector(5 downto 0);
+      rx_d                    : IN  std_logic;
+      rates_ready             : IN  std_logic; 
+      DACs_ready              : IN  std_logic; 
+      enables_ready           : IN  std_logic; 
+      prescaling_ready        : IN  std_logic;  
+      rate_array_rs485        : IN  rate_array_type;
+      overflow_array_rs485_in : IN  STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(7 downto 0);
+      dac_array_rs485_in      : IN  dac_array_type;
+      enable_array_rs485_in   : IN  enable_array_type;
+      prescaling_rs485_in     : IN  STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(7 downto 0);
+      rx_en                   : OUT std_logic;
+      tx_d                    : OUT std_logic;
+      tx_en                   : OUT std_logic;
+      new_DACs                : OUT std_logic;
+      new_enables             : OUT std_logic;
+      new_prescaling          : OUT std_logic;
+      read_rates              : OUT std_logic;
+      read_DACs               : OUT std_logic;
+      read_enables            : OUT std_logic;
+      read_prescaling         : OUT std_logic;
+      --rs485_error           : OUT std_logic;  -- to be discussed!
+      dac_array_rs485_out     : OUT dac_array_type;
+      enable_array_rs485_out  : OUT enable_array_type;
+      prescaling_rs485_out    : OUT STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(7 downto 0)
+    );
+  end component;
+    
   component FTU_dual_port_ram
     port(
@@ -362,4 +394,34 @@
     );
 
+  Inst_FTU_rs485_control : FTU_rs485_control
+    port map(
+      main_clk                => clk_50M_sig,
+      brd_add                 => brd_add,
+      rx_d                    => rx,
+      rates_ready             => '0',
+      DACs_ready              => '0',
+      enables_ready           => '0',
+      prescaling_ready        => '0',
+      rate_array_rs485        => (0,0,0,0,0),
+      overflow_array_rs485_in => "00000000",
+      dac_array_rs485_in      => DEFAULT_DAC,
+      enable_array_rs485_in   => DEFAULT_ENABLE,
+      prescaling_rs485_in     => conv_std_logic_vector(DEFAULT_PRESCALING,8),
+      rx_en                   => rx_en,
+      tx_d                    => tx,
+      tx_en                   => tx_en,
+      new_DACs                => open,
+      new_enables             => open,
+      new_prescaling          => open,
+      read_rates              => open,
+      read_DACs               => open,
+      read_enables            => open,
+      read_prescaling         => open,
+      --rs485_error           =>,  -- to be discussed!
+      dac_array_rs485_out     => open,
+      enable_array_rs485_out  => open,
+      prescaling_rs485_out    => open
+    );
+  
   Inst_FTU_dual_port_ram : FTU_dual_port_ram
     port map(
Index: /firmware/FTU/FTU_top_tb.vhd
===================================================================
--- /firmware/FTU/FTU_top_tb.vhd	(revision 9927)
+++ /firmware/FTU/FTU_top_tb.vhd	(revision 9928)
@@ -98,5 +98,5 @@
   signal trig_prim_p : STD_LOGIC := '0';
   signal trig_prim_n : STD_LOGIC := '0';
-  signal rx          : STD_LOGIC := '0';
+  signal rx          : STD_LOGIC := '1';
 
   --Outputs
@@ -123,5 +123,6 @@
   -- Clock period definitions
   constant ext_clk_period : TIME := 20 ns;
- 
+  constant baud_rate_period : TIME := 10 us;
+  
 begin
  
@@ -205,5 +206,7 @@
   stim_proc: process
   begin
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     -- FTU not yet initialized
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     wait for 10us;
     trigger_sig <= '1';
@@ -218,5 +221,7 @@
     wait for 5ns;
     trigger_sig <= '0';
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     -- now FTU is initialized
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     wait for 4us; 
     trigger_sig <= '1';
@@ -231,4 +236,392 @@
     wait for 5ns;
     trigger_sig <= '0';
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    -- test now RS485
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100us;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --start delimiter bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --start delimiter bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --start delimiter bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --start delimiter bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --start delimiter bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --start delimiter bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --start delimiter bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --start delimiter bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 1us;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTU address bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTU address bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTU address bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTU address bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTU address bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTU address bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTU address bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTU address bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 10ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTM address bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTM address bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTM address bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTM address bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTM address bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --FTM address bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --FTM address bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --FTM address bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --instruction bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --instruction bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --instruction bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --instruction bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --instruction bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --instruction bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --instruction bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --instruction bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 200us;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data1 bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data1 bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data1 bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data1 bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data1 bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data1 bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data1 bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data1 bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data2 bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data2 bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data2 bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data2 bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data2 bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data2 bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data2 bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data2 bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data3 bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data3 bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data3 bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data3 bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data3 bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data3 bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data3 bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data3 bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data4 bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data4 bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data4 bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data4 bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data4 bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data4 bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data4 bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data4 bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data5 bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data5 bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data5 bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data5 bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data5 bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data5 bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data5 bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data5 bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data6 bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data6 bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data6 bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data6 bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data6 bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data6 bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data6 bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data6 bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data7 bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data7 bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data7 bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data7 bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data7 bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data7 bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data7 bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data7 bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data8 bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data8 bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data8 bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data8 bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data8 bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data8 bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data8 bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data8 bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data9 bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data9 bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data9 bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data9 bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data9 bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data9 bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data9 bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data9 bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data10 bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data10 bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data10 bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data10 bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data10 bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data10 bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data10 bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data10 bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data11 bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data11 bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data11 bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data11 bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data11 bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data11 bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data11 bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --data11 bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    wait for 100ns;
+    rx <= '0'; --start bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --check sum bit 0
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --check sum bit 1
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --check sum bit 2
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --check sum bit 3
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --check sum bit 4
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --check sum bit 5
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --check sum bit 6
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '0'; --check sum bit 7
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    rx <= '1'; --stop bit
+    wait for baud_rate_period;
+    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    rx <= '1';
     wait;
     
Index: /firmware/FTU/ftu_definitions.vhd
===================================================================
--- /firmware/FTU/ftu_definitions.vhd	(revision 9927)
+++ /firmware/FTU/ftu_definitions.vhd	(revision 9928)
@@ -58,5 +58,5 @@
   constant INT_CLK_FREQUENCY : integer := 50000000;  -- 50MHz
   constant COUNTER_FREQUENCY : integer :=  1000000;  -- has to be smaller than INT_CLK_FREQUENCY
-  constant CNTR_FREQ_DIVIDER : integer :=   500000;
+  constant CNTR_FREQ_DIVIDER : integer :=   500000;  -- for simulation, should normally be 1 
     
   --32byte dual-port RAM, port A: 8byte, port B: 16byte
@@ -72,4 +72,10 @@
   constant NO_OF_DAC_NOT_USED : integer := 3;
   constant NO_OF_COUNTER      : integer := 5;
+
+  --communication with FTM
+  constant RS485_BAUD_RATE   : integer := 100000;  -- bits / sec in our case
+  constant RS485_BLOCK_WIDTH : integer := 128;     -- 16 byte protocol
+  constant RS485_START_DELIM : std_logic_vector(7 downto 0) := "01000000";  -- start delimiter
+  constant FTM_ADDRESS       : std_logic_vector(7 downto 0) := "11000000";  -- 192
   
 end ftu_constants;
Index: /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_control.vhd
===================================================================
--- /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_control.vhd	(revision 9928)
+++ /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_control.vhd	(revision 9928)
@@ -0,0 +1,878 @@
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- Company:        ETH Zurich, Institute for Particle Physics
+-- Engineer:       Q. Weitzel, P. Vogler
+-- 
+-- Create Date:    09/13/2010 
+-- Design Name: 
+-- Module Name:    FTU_rs485_control - Behavioral 
+-- Project Name: 
+-- Target Devices: 
+-- Tool versions: 
+-- Description:    top level entity of FTU RS485 module
+--
+-- Dependencies: 
+--
+-- Revision: 
+-- Revision 0.01 - File Created
+-- Additional Comments: 
+--
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+library IEEE;
+use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.ALL;
+use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_ARITH.ALL;
+use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_UNSIGNED.ALL;
+
+library ftu_definitions;
+USE ftu_definitions.ftu_array_types.all;
+USE ftu_definitions.ftu_constants.all;
+
+---- Uncomment the following library declaration if instantiating
+---- any Xilinx primitives in this code.
+--library UNISIM;
+--use UNISIM.VComponents.all;
+
+entity FTU_rs485_control is
+  port(
+    main_clk                : IN  std_logic;
+    brd_add                 : IN  std_logic_vector(5 downto 0);
+    rx_d                    : IN  std_logic;
+    rates_ready             : IN  std_logic;  -- rate_array_rs485 has now valid rates for sending
+    DACs_ready              : IN  std_logic;  -- dac_array_rs485_in is ok for sending
+    enables_ready           : IN  std_logic;  -- enable_array_rs485_in is ok for sending
+    prescaling_ready        : IN  std_logic;  -- prescaling byte is ok for sending
+    rate_array_rs485        : IN  rate_array_type;
+    overflow_array_rs485_in : IN  STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(7 downto 0);
+    dac_array_rs485_in      : IN  dac_array_type;
+    enable_array_rs485_in   : IN  enable_array_type;
+    prescaling_rs485_in     : IN  STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(7 downto 0);
+    rx_en                   : OUT std_logic;
+    tx_d                    : OUT std_logic;
+    tx_en                   : OUT std_logic;
+    new_DACs                : OUT std_logic;  -- new DACs arrived via RS485
+    new_enables             : OUT std_logic;  -- new enables arrived via RS485
+    new_prescaling          : OUT std_logic;  -- new prescaling arrived via RS485
+    read_rates              : OUT std_logic;  -- FTM wants to read rates
+    read_DACs               : OUT std_logic;  -- FTM wants to read DACs
+    read_enables            : OUT std_logic;  -- FTM wants to read enable pattern
+    read_prescaling         : OUT std_logic;  -- FTM wants to read prescaling value
+    --rs485_error           : OUT std_logic;  -- to be discussed!
+    dac_array_rs485_out     : OUT dac_array_type;
+    enable_array_rs485_out  : OUT enable_array_type;
+    prescaling_rs485_out    : OUT STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(7 downto 0)
+  );
+end FTU_rs485_control;
+
+architecture Behavioral of FTU_rs485_control is
+
+  signal tx_start_sig : std_logic := '0';
+  signal tx_data_sig  : std_logic_vector (7 DOWNTO 0) := (others => '0');
+  signal tx_busy_sig  : std_logic;  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_interface
+
+  signal rx_valid_sig : std_logic;  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_interface
+  signal rx_data_sig  : std_logic_vector (7 DOWNTO 0);  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_interface
+  signal rx_busy_sig  : std_logic;  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_interface
+
+  signal block_valid_sig : std_logic;  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_receiver
+  signal data_block_sig  : std_logic_vector(RS485_BLOCK_WIDTH - 1 downto 0);  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_receiver
+
+  signal int_new_DACs_sig        : std_logic;  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_interpreter
+  signal int_new_enables_sig     : std_logic;  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_interpreter
+  signal int_new_prescaling_sig  : std_logic;  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_interpreter
+  signal int_read_rates_sig      : std_logic;  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_interpreter
+  signal int_read_DACs_sig       : std_logic;  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_interpreter
+  signal int_read_enables_sig    : std_logic;  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_interpreter
+  signal int_read_prescaling_sig : std_logic;  -- initialized in FTU_rs485_interpreter
+
+  signal txcnt : integer range 0 to (RS485_BLOCK_WIDTH / 8) := 0;  -- count 16 1-byte frames 
+  
+  component FTU_rs485_receiver
+    port(
+      rec_clk   : in  std_logic;
+      --rx_busy   : in  std_logic;
+      rec_din   : in  std_logic_vector(7 downto 0);
+      rec_den   : in  std_logic;
+      rec_dout  : out std_logic_vector(RS485_BLOCK_WIDTH - 1 downto 0);
+      rec_valid : out std_logic
+    );
+  end component;
+
+  component FTU_rs485_interpreter
+    port(
+      clk                    : IN  std_logic;
+      data_block             : IN  std_logic_vector(RS485_BLOCK_WIDTH - 1 downto 0);
+      block_valid            : IN  std_logic;
+      brd_add                : IN  std_logic_vector(5 downto 0);
+      int_new_DACs           : OUT std_logic;
+      int_new_enables        : OUT std_logic;
+      int_new_prescaling     : OUT std_logic;
+      int_read_rates         : OUT std_logic;
+      int_read_DACs          : OUT std_logic;
+      int_read_enables       : OUT std_logic;
+      int_read_prescaling    : OUT std_logic;
+      dac_array_rs485_out    : OUT dac_array_type;
+      enable_array_rs485_out : OUT enable_array_type;
+      prescaling_rs485_out   : OUT STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(7 downto 0)
+    );
+  end component;
+
+  component FTU_rs485_interface
+    port(
+      clk      : IN  std_logic;
+      -- RS485
+      rx_d     : IN  std_logic;
+      rx_en    : OUT std_logic;
+      tx_d     : OUT std_logic;
+      tx_en    : OUT std_logic;
+      -- FPGA
+      rx_data  : OUT std_logic_vector (7 DOWNTO 0);
+      rx_busy  : OUT std_logic  := '0';
+      rx_valid : OUT std_logic  := '0';
+      tx_data  : IN  std_logic_vector (7 DOWNTO 0);
+      tx_busy  : OUT std_logic  := '0';
+      tx_start : IN  std_logic
+    );
+  end component;
+
+  type FTU_rs485_control_StateType is (RECEIVE,
+                                       READ_RATES_WAIT, READ_DAC_WAIT, READ_ENABLE_WAIT, READ_PRESCALING_WAIT,
+                                       SET_DAC_WAIT, SET_ENABLE_WAIT, SET_PRESCALING_WAIT,
+                                       READ_RATES_TRANSMIT, READ_DAC_TRANSMIT, READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT, READ_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT,
+                                       SET_DAC_TRANSMIT, SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT, SET_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT);
+  signal FTU_rs485_control_State : FTU_rs485_control_StateType;
+  
+begin
+  
+  Inst_FTU_rs485_receiver : FTU_rs485_receiver
+    port map(
+      rec_clk   => main_clk,
+      --rx_busy   =>,
+      rec_din   => rx_data_sig,
+      rec_den   => rx_valid_sig,
+      rec_dout  => data_block_sig,
+      rec_valid => block_valid_sig
+    );
+
+  Inst_FTU_rs485_interpreter : FTU_rs485_interpreter
+    port map(
+      clk                    => main_clk,
+      data_block             => data_block_sig,
+      block_valid            => block_valid_sig,
+      brd_add                => brd_add,
+      int_new_DACs           => int_new_DACs_sig,
+      int_new_enables        => int_new_enables_sig,
+      int_new_prescaling     => int_new_prescaling_sig,
+      int_read_rates         => int_read_rates_sig,
+      int_read_DACs          => int_read_DACs_sig,
+      int_read_enables       => int_read_enables_sig,
+      int_read_prescaling    => int_read_prescaling_sig,
+      dac_array_rs485_out    => dac_array_rs485_out,
+      enable_array_rs485_out => enable_array_rs485_out,
+      prescaling_rs485_out   => prescaling_rs485_out
+    );
+
+  Inst_FTU_rs485_interface : FTU_rs485_interface
+    port map(
+      clk      => main_clk,
+      -- RS485
+      rx_d     => rx_d,
+      rx_en    => rx_en,
+      tx_d     => tx_d,
+      tx_en    => tx_en,
+      -- FPGA
+      rx_data  => rx_data_sig,
+      rx_busy  => rx_busy_sig,
+      rx_valid => rx_valid_sig,
+      tx_data  => tx_data_sig,
+      tx_busy  => tx_busy_sig,
+      tx_start => tx_start_sig
+    );
+
+  --FTU RS485 control finite state machine
+
+  FTU_rs485_control_FSM: process (main_clk)
+  begin
+    if Rising_edge(main_clk) then
+      case FTU_rs485_control_State is
+        
+        when RECEIVE =>  -- default state, receiver on, no transmission          
+          tx_start_sig <= '0';
+          if (int_new_DACs_sig = '1') then
+            new_DACs        <= '1';
+            new_enables     <= '0';
+            new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            read_rates      <= '0';
+            read_DACs       <= '0';
+            read_enables    <= '0';
+            read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_WAIT;
+          elsif (int_new_DACs_sig = '0' and int_new_enables_sig = '1') then
+            new_DACs        <= '0';
+            new_enables     <= '1';
+            new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            read_rates      <= '0';
+            read_DACs       <= '0';
+            read_enables    <= '0';
+            read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_WAIT;
+          elsif (int_new_DACs_sig = '0' and int_new_enables_sig = '0' and int_new_prescaling_sig = '1') then
+            new_DACs        <= '0';
+            new_enables     <= '0';
+            new_prescaling  <= '1';
+            read_rates      <= '0';
+            read_DACs       <= '0';
+            read_enables    <= '0';
+            read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_PRESCALING_WAIT;
+          elsif (int_new_DACs_sig = '0' and int_new_enables_sig = '0' and int_new_prescaling_sig = '0' and
+                 int_read_rates_sig = '1') then
+            new_DACs        <= '0';
+            new_enables     <= '0';
+            new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            read_rates      <= '1';
+            read_DACs       <= '0';
+            read_enables    <= '0';
+            read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_WAIT;
+          elsif (int_new_DACs_sig = '0' and int_new_enables_sig = '0' and int_new_prescaling_sig = '0' and
+                 int_read_rates_sig = '0' and int_read_DACs_sig = '1') then
+            new_DACs        <= '0';
+            new_enables     <= '0';
+            new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            read_rates      <= '0';
+            read_DACs       <= '1';
+            read_enables    <= '0';
+            read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_WAIT;
+          elsif (int_new_DACs_sig = '0' and int_new_enables_sig = '0' and int_new_prescaling_sig = '0' and
+                 int_read_rates_sig = '0' and int_read_DACs_sig = '0' and int_read_enables_sig = '1') then
+            new_DACs        <= '0';
+            new_enables     <= '0';
+            new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            read_rates      <= '0';
+            read_DACs       <= '0';
+            read_enables    <= '1';
+            read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_WAIT;
+          elsif (int_new_DACs_sig = '0' and int_new_enables_sig = '0' and int_new_prescaling_sig = '0' and
+                 int_read_rates_sig = '0' and int_read_DACs_sig = '0' and int_read_enables_sig = '0' and int_read_prescaling_sig = '1') then
+            new_DACs        <= '0';
+            new_enables     <= '0';
+            new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            read_rates      <= '0';
+            read_DACs       <= '0';
+            read_enables    <= '0';
+            read_prescaling <= '1';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_PRESCALING_WAIT;
+          else
+            new_DACs        <= '0';
+            new_enables     <= '0';
+            new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            read_rates      <= '0';
+            read_DACs       <= '0';
+            read_enables    <= '0';
+            read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+          end if;
+
+        when SET_DAC_WAIT=>  -- wait until FTU control says "done" and then answer to FTM
+          if (DACs_ready = '1') then
+            new_DACs <= '0';            
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+          else
+            new_DACs <= '1';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_WAIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when SET_ENABLE_WAIT =>  -- wait until FTU control says "done" and then answer to FTM
+          if (enables_ready = '1') then
+            new_enables <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+          else
+            new_enables <= '1';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_WAIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when SET_PRESCALING_WAIT =>  -- wait until FTU control says "done" and then answer to FTM
+          if (prescaling_ready = '1') then
+            new_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+          else
+            new_prescaling <= '1';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_PRESCALING_WAIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when READ_RATES_WAIT =>  -- wait until FTU control says "done" and then answer to FTM
+          if (rates_ready = '1') then
+            read_rates <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+          else
+            read_rates <= '1';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_WAIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when READ_DAC_WAIT =>  -- wait until FTU control says "done" and then answer to FTM
+          if (DACs_ready = '1') then
+            read_DACs <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+          else
+            read_DACs <= '1';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_WAIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when READ_ENABLE_WAIT =>  -- wait until FTU control says "done" and then answer to FTM
+          if (enables_ready = '1') then
+            read_enables <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+          else
+            read_enables <= '1';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_WAIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when READ_PRESCALING_WAIT =>  -- wait until FTU control says "done" and then answer to FTM
+          if (prescaling_ready = '1') then
+            read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+          else
+            read_prescaling <= '1';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_PRESCALING_WAIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when SET_DAC_TRANSMIT =>
+          if tx_busy_sig = '0' then
+            if txcnt = 0 then           -- start delimiter
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= RS485_START_DELIM;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 1 then        -- FTM address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= FTM_ADDRESS;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 2 then        -- board address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00" & brd_add;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 3 then        -- mirrored command
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 4 then        -- data: DAC A low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(0),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 5 then        -- data: DAC A high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(0),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 6 then        -- data: DAC B low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(1),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 7 then        -- data: DAC B high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(1),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 8 then        -- data: DAC C low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(2),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 9 then        -- data: DAC C high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(2),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 10 then        -- data: DAC D low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(3),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 11 then        -- data: DAC D high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(3),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 12 then        -- data: DAC E low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(7),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 13 then        -- data: DAC E high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(7),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt < 15 then        -- data: not used
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 15 then        -- check sum
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";  -- NOT YET IMPLEMENTED!!!
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;              
+            else                        -- transmission finished
+              txcnt <= 0;
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+            end if;
+          else
+            tx_start_sig <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT =>
+          if tx_busy_sig = '0' then
+            if txcnt = 0 then           -- start delimiter
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= RS485_START_DELIM;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 1 then        -- FTM address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= FTM_ADDRESS;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 2 then        -- board address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00" & brd_add;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 3 then        -- mirrored command
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000011";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 4 then        -- data: enable pattern A7-0
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(0)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 5 then        -- data: enable pattern A8
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(0)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 6 then        -- data: enable pattern B7-0
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(1)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 7 then        -- data: enable pattern B8
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(1)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 8 then        -- data: enable pattern C7-0
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(2)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 9 then        -- data: enable pattern C8
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(2)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 10 then        -- data: enable pattern D7-0
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(3)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 11 then        -- data: enable pattern D8
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(3)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt < 15 then        -- data: not used
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 15 then        -- check sum
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";  -- NOT YET IMPLEMENTED!!!
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;        
+            else                        -- transmission finished
+              txcnt <= 0;
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+            end if;
+          else
+            tx_start_sig <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when SET_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT =>
+          if tx_busy_sig = '0' then
+            if txcnt = 0 then           -- start delimiter
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= RS485_START_DELIM;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 1 then        -- FTM address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= FTM_ADDRESS;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 2 then        -- board address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00" & brd_add;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 3 then        -- mirrored command
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000110";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 4 then        -- data: prescaling
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= prescaling_rs485_in;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt < 15 then        -- data: not used
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 15 then        -- check sum
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";  -- NOT YET IMPLEMENTED!!!
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            else                        -- transmission finished
+              txcnt <= 0;
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+            end if; 
+          else
+            tx_start_sig <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= SET_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when READ_RATES_TRANSMIT =>
+          if tx_busy_sig = '0' then
+            if txcnt = 0 then           -- start delimiter
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= RS485_START_DELIM;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 1 then        -- FTM address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= FTM_ADDRESS;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 2 then        -- board address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00" & brd_add;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 3 then        -- mirrored command
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000010";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 4 then        -- data: counter A low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(rate_array_rs485(0),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 5 then        -- data: counter A high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(rate_array_rs485(0),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 6 then        -- data: counter B low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(rate_array_rs485(1),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 7 then        -- data: counter B high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(rate_array_rs485(1),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 8 then        -- data: counter C low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(rate_array_rs485(2),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 9 then        -- data: counter C high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(rate_array_rs485(2),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 10 then        -- data: counter D low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(rate_array_rs485(3),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 11 then        -- data: counter D high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(rate_array_rs485(3),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 12 then        -- data: trigger counter low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(rate_array_rs485(4),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 13 then        -- data: trigger counter high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(rate_array_rs485(4),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 14 then        -- data: overflow register
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= overflow_array_rs485_in;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 15 then        -- check sum
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";  -- NOT YET IMPLEMENTED!!!
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+            else                        -- transmission finished
+              txcnt <= 0;
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+            end if;  
+          else
+            tx_start_sig <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_RATES_TRANSMIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when READ_DAC_TRANSMIT =>
+          if tx_busy_sig = '0' then
+            if txcnt = 0 then           -- start delimiter
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= RS485_START_DELIM;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 1 then        -- FTM address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= FTM_ADDRESS;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 2 then        -- board address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00" & brd_add;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 3 then        -- mirrored command
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000001";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 4 then        -- data: DAC A low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(0),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 5 then        -- data: DAC A high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(0),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 6 then        -- data: DAC B low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(1),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 7 then        -- data: DAC B high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(1),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 8 then        -- data: DAC C low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(2),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 9 then        -- data: DAC C high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(2),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 10 then        -- data: DAC D low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(3),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 11 then        -- data: DAC D high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(3),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 12 then        -- data: DAC E low
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(7),16)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 13 then        -- data: DAC E high
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= conv_std_logic_vector(dac_array_rs485_in(7),16)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt < 15 then        -- data: not used
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 15 then        -- check sum
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";  -- NOT YET IMPLEMENTED!!!
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;              
+            else                        -- transmission finished
+              txcnt <= 0;
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+            end if;  
+          else
+            tx_start_sig <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_DAC_TRANSMIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT =>
+          if tx_busy_sig = '0' then
+            if txcnt = 0 then           -- start delimiter
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= RS485_START_DELIM;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 1 then        -- FTM address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= FTM_ADDRESS;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 2 then        -- board address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00" & brd_add;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 3 then        -- mirrored command
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000100";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 4 then        -- data: enable pattern A7-0
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(0)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 5 then        -- data: enable pattern A8
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(0)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 6 then        -- data: enable pattern B7-0
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(1)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 7 then        -- data: enable pattern B8
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(1)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 8 then        -- data: enable pattern C7-0
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(2)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 9 then        -- data: enable pattern C8
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(2)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 10 then        -- data: enable pattern D7-0
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(3)(7 downto 0);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 11 then        -- data: enable pattern D8
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= enable_array_rs485_in(3)(15 downto 8);
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt < 15 then        -- data: not used
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 15 then        -- check sum
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";  -- NOT YET IMPLEMENTED!!!
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;    
+            else                        -- transmission finished
+              txcnt <= 0;
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+            end if;  
+          else
+            tx_start_sig <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_ENABLE_TRANSMIT;
+          end if;
+
+        when READ_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT =>
+          if tx_busy_sig = '0' then
+            if txcnt = 0 then           -- start delimiter
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= RS485_START_DELIM;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 1 then        -- FTM address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= FTM_ADDRESS;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 2 then        -- board address
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00" & brd_add;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 3 then        -- mirrored command
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000111";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 4 then        -- data: prescaling
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= prescaling_rs485_in;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 5 then        -- data: overflow register
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= overflow_array_rs485_in;
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt < 15 then        -- data: not used
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            elsif txcnt = 15 then        -- check sum
+              txcnt <= txcnt + 1;
+              tx_data_sig <= "00000000";  -- NOT YET IMPLEMENTED!!!
+              tx_start_sig <= '1';
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+            else                        -- transmission finished
+              txcnt <= 0;
+              FTU_rs485_control_State <= RECEIVE;
+            end if;  
+          else
+            tx_start_sig <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_control_State <= READ_PRESCALING_TRANSMIT;
+          end if;
+          
+      end case;
+    end if;
+  end process FTU_rs485_control_FSM;
+
+end Behavioral;
+
Index: /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_interface.vhd
===================================================================
--- /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_interface.vhd	(revision 9928)
+++ /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_interface.vhd	(revision 9928)
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+--
+-- VHDL Architecture FACT_FAD_lib.rs485_interface.beha
+--
+-- Created:
+--          by - Benjamin Krumm.UNKNOWN (EEPC8)
+--          at - 13:24:23 08.06.2010
+--
+-- using Mentor Graphics HDL Designer(TM) 2009.1 (Build 12)
+--
+--
+-- modified for FTU design by Q. Weitzel, 30 July 2010
+--
+
+LIBRARY ieee;
+USE ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
+USE ieee.std_logic_arith.all;
+
+library ftu_definitions;
+USE ftu_definitions.ftu_array_types.all;
+USE ftu_definitions.ftu_constants.all;
+
+ENTITY FTU_rs485_interface IS
+  GENERIC( 
+    CLOCK_FREQUENCY : integer := INT_CLK_FREQUENCY;
+    BAUD_RATE       : integer := RS485_BAUD_RATE
+  );
+  PORT( 
+    clk      : IN     std_logic;
+    -- RS485
+    rx_d     : IN     std_logic;
+    rx_en    : OUT    std_logic;
+    tx_d     : OUT    std_logic;
+    tx_en    : OUT    std_logic;
+    -- FPGA
+    rx_data  : OUT    std_logic_vector (7 DOWNTO 0);
+    rx_busy  : OUT    std_logic  := '0';
+    rx_valid : OUT    std_logic  := '0';
+    tx_data  : IN     std_logic_vector (7 DOWNTO 0);
+    tx_busy  : OUT    std_logic  := '0';
+    tx_start : IN     std_logic
+  );
+
+END FTU_rs485_interface;
+
+ARCHITECTURE beha OF FTU_rs485_interface IS
+  
+  signal flow_ctrl : std_logic := '0'; -- '0' -> RX enable, '1' -> TX enable
+
+  --transmit
+  signal tx_start_f : std_logic := '0';
+  signal tx_sr : std_logic_vector(10 downto 0) := (others => '1');  -- start bit, 8 data bits, 2 stop bits
+  signal tx_bitcnt : integer range 0 to 11 := 11;
+  signal tx_cnt : integer range 0 to ((CLOCK_FREQUENCY / BAUD_RATE) - 1);
+
+  --receive
+  signal rx_dsr : std_logic_vector(3 downto 0) := (others => '1');
+  signal rx_sr : std_logic_vector(7 downto 0) := (others => '0');
+  signal rx_bitcnt : integer range 0 to 11 := 11;
+  signal rx_cnt : integer range 0 to ((CLOCK_FREQUENCY / BAUD_RATE) - 1);
+  
+BEGIN
+
+  -- Senden
+  tx_data_proc: process(clk)
+  begin
+    if rising_edge(clk) then
+      tx_start_f <= tx_start;
+      if (tx_start = '1' or tx_bitcnt < 11) then
+        flow_ctrl <= '1';
+      else
+        flow_ctrl <= '0';
+      end if;
+      if (tx_start = '1' and tx_start_f = '0') then -- steigende Flanke, los gehts
+        tx_cnt <= 0;                                -- Zaehler initialisieren
+        tx_bitcnt <= 0;                      
+        tx_sr <= "11" & tx_data & '0';              -- 2 x Stopbit, 8 Datenbits, Startbit, rechts gehts los
+      else
+        if (tx_cnt < (CLOCK_FREQUENCY/BAUD_RATE) - 1) then
+          tx_cnt <= tx_cnt + 1;
+        else  -- naechstes Bit ausgeben  
+          if (tx_bitcnt < 11) then
+            tx_cnt <= 0;
+            tx_bitcnt <= tx_bitcnt + 1;
+            tx_sr <= '1' & tx_sr(tx_sr'left downto 1);
+          end if;
+        end if;
+      end if;
+  end if;
+  end process;
+
+  tx_en <= flow_ctrl;
+  tx_d <= tx_sr(0);  -- LSB first
+  tx_busy <= '1' when (tx_start = '1' or tx_bitcnt < 11) else '0';
+
+  -- Empfangen
+  rx_data_proc: process(clk) 
+  begin
+    if rising_edge(clk) then
+      rx_dsr <= rx_dsr(rx_dsr'left - 1 downto 0) & rx_d;
+      if (rx_bitcnt < 11) then    -- Empfang laeuft
+        if (rx_cnt < (CLOCK_FREQUENCY/BAUD_RATE) - 1) then 
+          rx_cnt <= rx_cnt + 1;
+        else
+          rx_cnt <= 0; 
+          rx_bitcnt <= rx_bitcnt + 1;
+          if (rx_bitcnt < 9) then
+            rx_sr <= rx_dsr(rx_dsr'left - 1) & rx_sr(rx_sr'left downto 1); -- rechts schieben, weil LSB first
+          else 
+            rx_valid <= '1';
+          end if;
+        end if;
+      else
+        if (rx_dsr(3 downto 2) = "10") then   -- warten auf Start bit
+          rx_valid <= '0';
+          rx_cnt <= ((CLOCK_FREQUENCY / BAUD_RATE) - 1) / 2;
+          rx_bitcnt <= 0;
+        end if;
+      end if;
+    end if;
+  end process;
+  
+  rx_en <= flow_ctrl;
+  rx_data <= rx_sr;
+  rx_busy <= '1' when (rx_bitcnt < 11) else '0';
+
+END ARCHITECTURE beha;
Index: /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_interpreter.vhd
===================================================================
--- /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_interpreter.vhd	(revision 9928)
+++ /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_interpreter.vhd	(revision 9928)
@@ -0,0 +1,199 @@
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+-- Company:        ETH Zurich, Institute for Particle Physics
+-- Engineer:       Q. Weitzel, P. Vogler
+-- 
+-- Create Date:    09/13/2010 
+-- Design Name: 
+-- Module Name:    FTU_rs485_interpreter - Behavioral 
+-- Project Name: 
+-- Target Devices: 
+-- Tool versions: 
+-- Description:    command interpreter of FTU RS485 module
+--
+-- Dependencies: 
+--
+-- Revision: 
+-- Revision 0.01 - File Created
+-- Additional Comments: 
+--
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+library IEEE;
+use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.ALL;
+use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_ARITH.ALL;
+use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_UNSIGNED.ALL;
+
+library ftu_definitions;
+USE ftu_definitions.ftu_array_types.all;
+USE ftu_definitions.ftu_constants.all;
+
+---- Uncomment the following library declaration if instantiating
+---- any Xilinx primitives in this code.
+--library UNISIM;
+--use UNISIM.VComponents.all;
+
+entity FTU_rs485_interpreter is
+  port(
+    clk                    : IN  std_logic;
+    data_block             : IN  std_logic_vector(RS485_BLOCK_WIDTH - 1 downto 0);
+    block_valid            : IN  std_logic;
+    brd_add                : IN  std_logic_vector(5 downto 0);
+    int_new_DACs           : OUT std_logic := '0';
+    int_new_enables        : OUT std_logic := '0';
+    int_new_prescaling     : OUT std_logic := '0';
+    int_read_rates         : OUT std_logic := '0';
+    int_read_DACs          : OUT std_logic := '0';
+    int_read_enables       : OUT std_logic := '0';
+    int_read_prescaling    : OUT std_logic := '0';
+    dac_array_rs485_out    : OUT dac_array_type;
+    enable_array_rs485_out : OUT enable_array_type;
+    prescaling_rs485_out   : OUT STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(7 downto 0)
+  );
+end FTU_rs485_interpreter;
+
+architecture Behavioral of FTU_rs485_interpreter is
+
+  signal block_valid_sr : std_logic_vector(3 downto 0) := (others => '0');
+
+  signal dac_array_rs485_out_sig    : dac_array_type    := DEFAULT_DAC;
+  signal enable_array_rs485_out_sig : enable_array_type := DEFAULT_ENABLE;
+  signal prescaling_rs485_out_sig   : STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(7 downto 0) := conv_std_logic_vector(DEFAULT_PRESCALING,8);
+  
+  type FTU_rs485_interpreter_StateType is (WAIT_FOR_DATA, CHECK_HEADER, DECODE);
+  signal FTU_rs485_interpreter_State : FTU_rs485_interpreter_StateType;
+  
+begin
+
+  FTU_rs485_interpreter_FSM: process (clk)
+  begin
+    if Rising_edge(clk) then
+      case FTU_rs485_interpreter_State is
+        
+        when WAIT_FOR_DATA => -- default state, waiting for valid 16-byte block 
+          block_valid_sr <= block_valid_sr(2 downto 0) & block_valid;
+          int_new_DACs        <= '0';
+          int_new_enables     <= '0';
+          int_new_prescaling  <= '0';
+          int_read_rates      <= '0';
+          int_read_DACs       <= '0'; 
+          int_read_enables    <= '0';  
+          int_read_prescaling <= '0';
+          if (block_valid_sr(3 downto 2) = "01") then  -- rising edge of valid signal
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= CHECK_HEADER;
+          else
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= WAIT_FOR_DATA;
+          end if;
+
+        when CHECK_HEADER => -- check start delimiter and addresses
+          int_new_DACs        <= '0';
+          int_new_enables     <= '0';
+          int_new_prescaling  <= '0';
+          int_read_rates      <= '0';
+          int_read_DACs       <= '0'; 
+          int_read_enables    <= '0';  
+          int_read_prescaling <= '0';
+          if (data_block(7 downto 0) = RS485_START_DELIM) and
+             (data_block(15 downto 8) = ("00" & brd_add)) and  
+             (data_block(23 downto 16) = FTM_ADDRESS) then
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= DECODE;
+           else
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= WAIT_FOR_DATA;
+          end if;
+
+        when DECODE => -- decode instruction
+          if(data_block(31 downto 24) = "00000000") then
+            int_new_DACs        <= '1';
+            int_new_enables     <= '0';
+            int_new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            int_read_rates      <= '0';
+            int_read_DACs       <= '0'; 
+            int_read_enables    <= '0';  
+            int_read_prescaling <= '0';
+            dac_array_rs485_out_sig <= (conv_integer(unsigned(data_block(47 downto 32))),
+                                        conv_integer(unsigned(data_block(63 downto 48))),
+                                        conv_integer(unsigned(data_block(79 downto 64))),
+                                        conv_integer(unsigned(data_block(95 downto 80))),
+                                        0,0,0,
+                                        conv_integer(unsigned(data_block(111 downto 96)))
+                                        );
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= WAIT_FOR_DATA;
+          elsif (data_block(31 downto 24) = "00000001") then
+            int_new_DACs        <= '0';
+            int_new_enables     <= '0';
+            int_new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            int_read_rates      <= '0';
+            int_read_DACs       <= '1'; 
+            int_read_enables    <= '0';  
+            int_read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= WAIT_FOR_DATA;
+          elsif (data_block(31 downto 24) = "00000010") then
+            int_new_DACs        <= '0';
+            int_new_enables     <= '0';
+            int_new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            int_read_rates      <= '1';
+            int_read_DACs       <= '0'; 
+            int_read_enables    <= '0';  
+            int_read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= WAIT_FOR_DATA;
+          elsif (data_block(31 downto 24) = "00000011") then
+            int_new_DACs        <= '0';
+            int_new_enables     <= '1';
+            int_new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            int_read_rates      <= '0';
+            int_read_DACs       <= '0'; 
+            int_read_enables    <= '0';  
+            int_read_prescaling <= '0';
+            enable_array_rs485_out_sig <= (data_block(47 downto 32),
+                                           data_block(63 downto 48),
+                                           data_block(79 downto 64),
+                                           data_block(95 downto 80)
+                                           );
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= WAIT_FOR_DATA;
+          elsif (data_block(31 downto 24) = "00000100") then
+            int_new_DACs        <= '0';
+            int_new_enables     <= '0';
+            int_new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            int_read_rates      <= '0';
+            int_read_DACs       <= '0'; 
+            int_read_enables    <= '1';  
+            int_read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= WAIT_FOR_DATA;
+          elsif (data_block(31 downto 24) = "00000110") then
+            int_new_DACs        <= '0';
+            int_new_enables     <= '0';
+            int_new_prescaling  <= '1';
+            int_read_rates      <= '0';
+            int_read_DACs       <= '0'; 
+            int_read_enables    <= '0';  
+            int_read_prescaling <= '0';
+            prescaling_rs485_out_sig <= data_block(39 downto 32);
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= WAIT_FOR_DATA;
+          elsif (data_block(31 downto 24) = "00000111") then
+            int_new_DACs        <= '0';
+            int_new_enables     <= '0';
+            int_new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            int_read_rates      <= '0';
+            int_read_DACs       <= '0'; 
+            int_read_enables    <= '0';  
+            int_read_prescaling <= '1';
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= WAIT_FOR_DATA;
+          else
+            int_new_DACs        <= '0';
+            int_new_enables     <= '0';
+            int_new_prescaling  <= '0';
+            int_read_rates      <= '0';
+            int_read_DACs       <= '0'; 
+            int_read_enables    <= '0';  
+            int_read_prescaling <= '0';
+            FTU_rs485_interpreter_State <= WAIT_FOR_DATA;
+          end if;
+          
+      end case;
+    end if;
+  end process FTU_rs485_interpreter_FSM;
+
+  dac_array_rs485_out <= dac_array_rs485_out_sig;
+  enable_array_rs485_out <= enable_array_rs485_out_sig;
+  prescaling_rs485_out <= prescaling_rs485_out_sig;
+  
+end Behavioral;
Index: /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_receiver.vhd
===================================================================
--- /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_receiver.vhd	(revision 9928)
+++ /firmware/FTU/rs485/FTU_rs485_receiver.vhd	(revision 9928)
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+--
+-- VHDL Architecture FACT_FAD_lib.rs485_receiver.beha
+--
+-- Created:
+--          by - Benjamin Krumm.UNKNOWN (EEPC8)
+--          at - 12:16:57 11.06.2010
+--
+-- using Mentor Graphics HDL Designer(TM) 2009.2 (Build 10)
+--
+--
+-- modified for FTU design by Q. Weitzel, 13 September 2010
+--
+
+LIBRARY ieee;
+USE ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
+USE ieee.std_logic_arith.all;
+
+library ftu_definitions;
+USE ftu_definitions.ftu_constants.all;
+
+ENTITY FTU_rs485_receiver IS
+  generic(
+    RX_BYTES  : integer := RS485_BLOCK_WIDTH / 8; -- no. of bytes to receive
+    RX_WIDTH  : integer := RS485_BLOCK_WIDTH
+  );
+  port(
+    rec_clk   : in  std_logic;
+    --rx_busy   : in  std_logic;
+    rec_din   : in  std_logic_vector(7 downto 0);
+    rec_den   : in  std_logic;
+    rec_dout  : out std_logic_vector(RX_WIDTH - 1 downto 0) := (others => '0');
+    rec_valid : out std_logic := '0'
+  );
+END ENTITY FTU_rs485_receiver;
+
+ARCHITECTURE beha OF FTU_rs485_receiver IS
+  
+  signal rxcnt : integer range 0 to RX_BYTES := 0;
+  signal rxsr : std_logic_vector(3 downto 0) := (others => '0');
+  
+BEGIN
+  
+  rx_data_proc: process (rec_clk)
+  begin
+    if rising_edge(rec_clk) then
+      rxsr <= rxsr(2 downto 0) & rec_den;
+      if (rxsr(3 downto 2) = "01") then -- identify rising edge
+        rec_dout((rxcnt*rec_din'length + rec_din'length - 1) downto (rxcnt*rec_din'length)) <= rec_din;
+        rxcnt <= rxcnt + 1;
+        if (rxcnt < RX_BYTES - 1) then
+          rec_valid <= '0';
+        else
+          rxcnt <= 0;
+          rec_valid <= '1';
+        end if;
+      end if;
+    end if;  
+  end process rx_data_proc;
+   
+END ARCHITECTURE beha;
