9730 Series Pulse Generator Operating Manual Version 1.
1 Table of Contents 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................................. 1-2 2 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 2-5 TECHNICAL SUPPORT ......................................................................................................................... 2-5 WARRANTY..........................................................
QUICK START – INTERNAL SINGLE SHOT GENERATOR OPERATION .................................................... 9-23 Pulse Width, Delay ..................................................................................................................... 9-23 Amplitude................................................................................................................................... 9-23 Enable ........................................................................................................
SPECIAL COMMANDS ..................................................................................................................... 10-40 APPENDIX A - SPECIFICATIONS....................................................................................................................A-1 APPENDIX B - SAFETY SYMBOLS.................................................................................................................. B-1 SAFETY MARKING SYMBOLS ......................................................
2 Introduction This manual is designed to familiarize you with the Quantum Composers 9730 series pulse generator and is arranged so that you can easily find the information for which you are looking. Generally, each topic has its own section and no section assumes that you have read anything else in the manual. Technical Support For questions or comments about operating the 9730 our technical staff can be reached via one of the following methods: Phone: (406) 582-0227 Fax: (406) 582-0237 Online: www.
3 Safety Issues Normal use of equipment exposes users to a certain amount of danger from electrical shock because testing must be performed where exposed voltage is present. An electrical shock causing 10 milliamps of current to pass through the heart will stop most human heartbeats. Voltages as low as 35 V (DC or RMS AC) should also be considered dangerous and hazardous since they can produce a lethal current under certain conditions.
4 Product Overview The 9730 series combines industry leading QC digital delay methodologies along with high capacity charge banks to generate precisely timed adjustable amplitude current pulses. This ability to generate highly precise current pulses makes this unit ideal for applications that require a high level of accuracy and repeatability. Key Features Up to 4 individual outputs with fully individual programming and control. Up to 6A output per channel (Standard Instrument).
5 Pulse Generator Concepts and Operation System Timer Functions Burst Mode The System Timer functions as a non-retriggerable, multi-vibrator T0 pulse generator in ‘Burst’ mode. This means that once started the timer will produce pulses continuously at the specified rate until the highest channel burst count is reached. Before pulses can be generated, the timer must be armed and then receive a System Start pulse. Arming the counter is done by pressing the RUN/STOP key.
corner of the display shows a vertical arrow if the current menu contains additional pages. To select the next page, press the channel button again or select the same menu pressing the FUNC key and the channel/menu key again. Selecting Menu Items Within a menu, the blinking cursor indicates the current menu item for editing. The NEXT key will select a different adjustable menu item. Numeric Input Mode When the current item is numeric, the system enters the Numeric Input Mode.
o - => - + * / space Enabling System Output The RUN/STOP key is used to arm the system. With external trigger disabled, the key will arm and start pulse output. With external trigger enabled, the key will arm the pulse generator. Pulse output then starts after the first valid trigger input. With external trigger enabled, pressing the RUN/STOP key a second time disables the pulse generator.
6 Front Panel Overview 9730 Display Display Layout and Indicators A graphical display module displays parameters and status information. The status information is located in the upper-left corner of the display, between the two brackets. There are three enunciators: Vertical Arrow Blinking Circle Musical Note Indicates there are additional pages to the current Menu. Indicates the unit is actively generating pulses, or armed and waiting for an external trigger.
Numeric Keypad parameter. The NEXT key selects the next parameter in the currently displayed menu. Allows numbers and alphanumeric values to be entered. When entering alphanumeric values, pressing a key will display the first letter shown on the key. Repeated key presses will toggle through all the letters, both upper and lower case, shown on the keycap.
Channel Button Green LED back illuminating button text when the channel is enabled. Arm Switch (Keyed) The upper right hand corner of the front panel contains a safety Arm Switch which may be turned to the ‘STANDBY’ position while changing parameters to ensure no pulses are generated. This switch must be in the ‘ARM’ position in order to allow generation of pulses. NOTE: The Arm switch keys are included with the shipped accessories.
7 Rear Panel Overview Description of Rear Panel Area Channel Connections (Banana Jacks) Each channel has two sets of banana jacks for connecting to the device under test: OUTPUT MEASURE Red and Black current jacks (labeled ‘A’ between them) connect to the positive and negative drive terminals (respectively) of the device under test. Red and Black voltage sense jacks (labeled ‘V’ between them) connect to the positive and negative measurement terminals (respectively) of the device under test.
panel and out through the side panel openings. WARNING: DO NOT BLOCK COOLING FAN INPUTS OR OUTPUT(S).
8 Menu Structure MODE Menu (FUNC + 1) Page0 o Line0 – empty o Line1 – Mode: Single Shot, Burst o Line2 – empty o Line3 – empty Setting System Mode Parameters Mode: Selects the T0 mode: Single Shot or Burst mode. Note: When Trigger is enabled while in Burst mode, burst mode is disabled and the unit will perform as in Single Shot mode. The display will show “Burst (Disabled)” on the Mode: line.
Channel Menu (A, B, C, or D) Page0 o Line0 – Channel: Enabled, Disabled o Line1 – Wid: o Line2 – Dly: o Line3 – decimal place indicator Page1 o Line0 – ‘Enable’ Enabled, Disabled o Line1 – empty o Line2 – Brst: o Line3 – Ampl: Setting Channel Output Parameters ‘Enable’ Wid: Dly: Brst: Ampl: Offs: Enables or disables the channel for pulsing. Sets the channel pulsewidth. Sets the channel delay until active edge. Sets the burst count for the channel.
Channel Test Menu (FUNC + A, B, C, or D) Page0 o Line0 – empty o Line1 – PreTest: Disabled o Line2 – empty o Line3 – empty Page0 – Alt o Line0 – empty o Line1 – PreTest: Enabled o Line2 – PreMeas: “measured resistance” o Line3 – empty Page1 – (Only available when PreTest is Enabled) o Line0 – empty o Line1 – PreMax: o Line2 – PreMin: o Line3 – IPreMax: Setting Channel Pre-Test Parameters PreTest: PreMeas: PreMax
PstTest: PstMeas: TstType: PstMax: PstMin: IPstMax: Enables or disables post resistance test and requirements for the channel. Displays the measured resistance from the last run post-test. Sets the type of test for determining pass/fail condition of the Post Test. The types are as follows: Standard – Indicates “Ground Fault” if PstMeas is less than PstMin and “Resistance Range Error” if above PstMax if PstMax is enabled.
TRIG Menu (TRIG) Page0 o Line0 – empty o Line1 – Mode: Disabled o Line2 – empty o Line3 – empty Page0 – Alt o Line0 – empty o Line1 – Mode: Enabled o Line2 – Level: o Line3 – Edge: Page1 o Line0 – empty o Line1 – Filter: Disabled o Line2 – empty o Line3 – Source: Front Input, Rear Input Page1 - Alt o Line0 – empty o Line1 – Filter: Enabled o Line2 – MinWid: o Line3 – Source: Front Input, Rear Input Setting Trigger Parameters
SYSTEM Menu (FUNC + 3) Page0 o Line0 – empty o Line1 – Front Sync: Disabled, T0, ChA, ChB, (ChC, ChD) o Line2 – Rear Sync: Disabled, T0, ChA, ChB, (ChC, ChD) o Line3 – empty Page1 o Line0 – empty o Line1 – Interface: RS232 o Line2 – Baud Rate: o Line3 – Echo: Page1 - Alt o Line0 – empty o Line1 – Interface: USB o Line2 – empty o Line3 – empty Page1 - Alt o Line0 – empty o Line1 – Interface: Ethernet o Line2 – empty o Line3 – empty Note: Ethernet Interface will o
Rear Sync: Sets the source of the rear panel sync output signal set to the front panel. Choices are Disabled, T0, ChA, and ChB for two channel instruments, with ChC and ChD added for four channel instruments. Interface: Selects through the installed interfaces and allows adjustments of appropriate parameters. Baud Rate: Sets the baud rate for the RS232 communications port. Echo: Enables or disables command echoing for the RS232 communications port.
9 Operating Instructions Quick Start – Internal Single Shot Generator Operation Although the 9730 has a powerful set of feature extensions that allow the user to cater it to many unique test setups, the following steps may be followed to quickly generate a single shot internally generated pulse. Starting from the default settings, which can be recalled by recalling configuration 0, the following parameters need to be set: Pulse Width, Delay Enter the Channel menus by pressing the appropriate channel key.
Quick Start – Single Shot External Trigger Operation To generate a single pulse for single external trigger event, based on the default configuration 0, the following parameters need to be set: Trig Enter the trigger menu by pressing the TRIG key. Change mode to ‘Enabled’. Level Press the NEXT key to select the trigger threshold voltage parameter. Adjust to approximately 50% of the trigger signal amplitude. Edge Press the NEXT key to select the Edge parameter.
Wait for Charge When the Safety Interlock is properly shorted the instrument will charge up the capacitor banks for each channel (regardless of whether the channel is enabled or not). When the channel ‘CHARGE READY’ LEDs become illuminated, proceed to the next step. ARM Key Switch Turn the Arm Key Switch to the ARM position. If the system ‘ARM’ LED or the desired channel ‘ARMED’ LEDs do not illuminate, the previous two steps need to be revisited.
Pressing the RUN/STOP button while the burst is in process will stop the output. After the burst has been completed, pressing the RUN/STOP button will generate another burst. To generate a burst of pulses: In the system MODE menu: Set to ‘Burst’ mode. In the system RATE menu: Set the desired period. In the system TRIG menu: o Set trigger mode to ‘Enabled’. o Set trigger level. o Set trigger edge. In the channel menu: o Set desired channels to ‘Enabled’.
Filter Width. When enabled, the filter width can be adjusted so that the unit will not accept any trigger pulse widths that are less than the set filter width. This allows for filtering out of errant or “runt” pulses that may be caused by noisy environments. Single Shot Mode (Trigger Enabled) The external trigger input triggers a single pulse for each enabled channel. External triggering is internally limited to 5 times the maximum set pulse width.
Verify the rear panel Safety Interlock. Turn Arm Switch to ‘ARM’ Position. Press the FUNC key and then the PRE key (‘.’ on the numeric keypad) to run the pre pulse resistance test. Refer to Testing Mode Error Conditions for more information on any resulting errors. Post Pulse Resistance Testing The 9730 allows the user to setup a post pulse resistance test that, when enabled, may be run at any time to verify the resistance of the connected load is greater than a user specified minimum.
Error - “Valid Pre-Test Required” – This message is displayed or returned through a channel error query when the instrument has attempted to trigger and one or more channels with pre pulse resistance testing enabled have not yet passed testing. o Simultaneous flashing of the ‘RESISTOR FAULT’ and ‘GROUND FAULT’ LEDs for any channel indicates the test has not yet been run (or re-run since the last pulsing attempt).
10 Programming the 9730 Personal Computer to Pulse Generator Communication The 9730 comes standard with a RS232 serial and USB interface. An Ethernet interface is available as an option. All menu settings can be set and retrieved over the computer interface using a simple command language. The command set is structured to be consistent with the Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI).
USB Interface Overview The USB interface is standard on the 9730. Before this type of communication can be used, the appropriate drivers must be installed on the personal computer. These drivers are included on the disc that was shipped with your unit. Please contact Quantum Composers or visit www.quantumcomposers.com for updated installation files and instructions. USB communication is achieved by using a mapped (virtual) COM port on your computer.
Ethernet Interface Overview The Ethernet interface used in the 9730 is a “Digi Connect ME” module supplied by Digi Connectware, Inc. There are several ways to successfully communicate with the pulse generator over Ethernet. The two most popular methods are raw TCP/IP (such as LabVIEW or programming with VISA libraries) and by mapping your computer’s COM port using the Digi Connectware’s “Realport Drivers”.
could use the behavior to know when to stop reading from the unit. However, if the “echo” parameter is enabled, there will be two sets of line terminators, one following the echoed command string, and the one following the pulse generator’s response. Note: The pulse generator will echo commands on the DB9 serial port only. The pulse generator responds to every communication string.
SCPI Parameter Types The following parameter types are used: o Accepts all commonly used decimal representation of numbers including optional signs, decimal points and scientific notation: 123, 123e2, -123, 1.23e2, .123, 1.23e-2, 1.2300E-01. o Represents a single binary condition that is either true or false. True is represented by a 1 or ON; false is represented by a 0 or OFF. Queries return 1 or 0. o Selects from a finite number of predefined strings.
Example 2: 20 ms pulsewidth, 100ms rate, 4 burst, internal trigger, burst mode operation. :PULSE0:MODE BURST sets system mode to burst :PULSE0:RATE 0.1 sets the system rate to 100 ms :PULSE0:TRIG:MODE DIS disables the external trigger :PULSE1:WIDT 0.020 sets pulsewidth to 20 ms :PULSE1:STATE ON enables channel A To start the pulses use either of the following commands: :PULSE0:STATE ON starts the pulses :INST:STATE ON alternate form to start pulses.
System Pulse Commands Keyword Command SubParameter Command Range :SPULse or PULSe[0] Notes Subsystem. Contains commands to control the output pulse generation. Commands without suffix refer to the currently selected logical instrument. See INSTrument subsystem. Enables / Disables the output for all channels. Command is the same as pressing the RUN/STOP button. :STATe 0/1 or OFF/ON :PERiod 1[us] – 200[s] Sets the T0 period in seconds. :MODe SINGle / BURSt DIS / T0 / CHA / CHB / etc.
Channel Commands Keyword Command SubParameter Command Range :PULSe :TEMPerature ? :STATe 0/1 or OFF/ON 5[us] – 100[s] 0 – 30[s] :WIDTh :DELay :BCOunter 2 - 250 :AMPLitude :IADO 0.02 – 6[A] 0 – 200[mA] (+/-) :PRETest :MODe :MAXres 0/1 or OFF/ON 0.5 - 5 :MINres 0.
Display Commands Keyword Command SubParameter Command Range Notes Command to change the units’ display settings. :DISPlay :MODe 0/1 or OFF/ON :UPDate ? :BRIGhtness 1-8 Enables/Disables automatic display update. When on, front panel display is updated with serial command parameter changes. Setting to off decreases response time. Query only. Forces update of display. Use when “MODe” is off. Controls intensity of display. 1 is lowest intensity and 8 is full intensity.
System Commands Keyword Command SubCommand SubCommand Parameter Range Notes :SYSTem :STATe ? :BEEPer :STATe 0/1 or OFF/ON :VOLume 0-100 Query only. Returns ”1” if the system is armed and/or generating pulses or “0” if the system has been disarmed. Controls the audible beeper. Enables/disables the beeper. Sets the volume of the beeper. 0 is off and100 is maximum volume Controls the system communication parameters Controls the serial parameters.
IEEE 488.2 Common Commands Mnemonic Command Name Identification Query *IDN? *CAT? Command list Query *LBL Label Command/Query *RCL Recall Command *RST Reset Command *SAV Save Command *SER? Serial # Query *TRG Trigger Command Parameters Notes Queries the Pulse Generator Identification. The ID will be in the following format: model#,serial#,version# 0-12 1-12 ? Query: Returns an indented list of all SCPI commands.
Some customers have started using the 9730 device in high throughput production lines and have requested that this safety feature be removed. Quantum Composers has added a bypass feature to accommodate these customers under the condition that usage of this bypass function is an acceptance agreement by the user that they are knowingly and willingly bypassing a safety feature for the 9730 and accept any liability associated with bypassing such feature.
Appendix A - Specifications MIN TYP MAX UNIT I/O Configuration Output Modules Output Modes Control Modes 2 4 Single & Burst Internal Rate & External Trigger Internal Rate Generator Rate Resolution Accuracy Jitter 0.01 100,000 100 20 10 Hz ns ns ns(RMS) External Trigger Inputs Triggers Rate **** Insertion Delay Input Impedance Slope Trigger Level Trigger Level Resolution Trigger Filter Filter Range Filter Resolution 1.2 X Longest Pulse .
Output Amplitude Resolution Accuracy * Rise Time * Overshoot * Slew Rate * Compliance Voltage Burst Count 0.02 1 6 1 +/-0.5 3 3 0.15 19 2 +/-2 10 33 12 22 250 A mA % us % A/us V Bursts +/-2.5 1000 3.5 2 A/V V/V % kHz us mV Monitors Current Scale Voltage Scale Accuracy Bandwidth Propagation Delay Offset Resistance Measurement Range Resolution Accuracy .
Communications RS232 USB Ethernet 4800 115200 115200 Baud Serial Bridge Optional Size Rack Mount 19" x 10" 2U size rack mount Electrical AC Input Voltage 100 240 V AC Input Frequency 50 60 Hz AC Power 2Ch 320 W AC Power 4Ch 640 W * See data plots for more details. All Output data was taken with 50ft and 2ft of cable with 1 ohm of load resistance unless otherwise specified. ** Maximum pulse width is limited by current amplitude. 1A can go up to 100s and 6A is limited to 300ms.
Figure 1 Output Pulse (1A, 1Ohm, 2’ Cable) Legend: Yellow – Current Probe Measurement Blue – Voltage Monitor Measurement Red – Current Monitor Measurement Figure 2 Output Pulse Rising Edge (1A, 1Ohm, 2’ Cable) Yellow –.1V/A 6A @ .1 scale = 600mV Blue –.2V/V 1 Ohm @ 6A & .2 scale = 1.2V Red –.5V/A 6A @ .
A-5 Figure 12 Limited Pulse Width & Period Figure 11 Current Monitor Error Figure 10 Voltage Monitor Error Figure 9 Slew Rate Figure 8 Overshoot Figure 7 Rise Time Figure 6 Output Error Figure 5 Linearity
The output circuitry is designed to handle 30W of power and is firmware limited to prevent overdriving the output circuitry. Figure 12 shows the maximum settable pulse width and minimum settable period at max pulse width. The minimum period is set to 5 times the set pulse width until it reaches the longest settable period of 200s. Current Measurement for Resistance 3 1 ISO+24VDC A 2 3 1 A 2 3 15 Isolation Current Monitor .5V/A .
Appendix B - Safety Symbols Safety Marking Symbols Technical specifications including electrical ratings and weight are included within the manual. See the Table of Contents to locate the specifications and other product information.
