9700 Series Pulse Generator User's Manual Quantum Composers, Inc PO Box 4248 Bozeman, MT 59772 Phone (406) 582-0227 Fax (406) 582-0237 www.quantumcomposers.
Table of Contents 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of Contents Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MODE - Pulse Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . External Trigger Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Single Shot Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Channel Menus . . . . . .
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1 INTRODUCTION This manual is designed to help you quickly and easily learn to use your Quantum Composers Model 9700 current pulse generator. The 9700 provides digitally controlled current pulses with currents from 0 - 25 Amps and pulsewidths from 100µs to 100ms. We also offer a long pulse version which holds up to 10A for 10µs - 500ms.
Custom Modifications The 9700 is microprocessor-controlled and employs a flexible and expandable user-interface. New features and operating modes often can be added without hardware modifications by merely modifying the software contained inside the 9700 - contact Quantum Composers for details. Safety Issues Normal use of test equipment exposes users to a certain amount of danger from electrical shock because testing must be performed where exposed voltage is present.
as the on-off switch, fuses, power transformer etc., any time the equipment is connected to an AC outlet, even if the equipment is turned off. 6. Never work alone. Someone should always be nearby to render aid if necessary. Training in CPR first aid is highly recommended.
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2 CONTROLS AND CONNECTORS This chapter explains the function of each control and connector on the 9700. Front Panel The front panel contains the most frequently used controls and connectors. Display The 9700 features a backlit liquid crystal display, which displays menu selections and settings. The left half of the display shows the current menu selection, while the right half shows the current setting of the item associated with that menu.
Left Button For numeric items, this button is used to select which digit in a numeric entry is selected for editing. For other items, or when the left most digit is already selected for numeric items, pressing and holding this button down displays a brief description of the current item. Right Button For numeric items, this button is used to select which digit in a numeric entry is selected for editing.
The charge level indicator illuminates when the capacitor bank is fully charged. The current monitor is an oscilloscope compatible reference voltage to monitor the current pulse, 1A = 100mV. External Trigger Trig In (BNC) -- external signal input to trigger the generation of pulses. Optoisolated input, 3-15V (>3mA). Pressing the RUN button in the external trigger mode arms the system and waits for an external trigger input.
GPIB Port (optional) The GPIB (IEEE 488) interface is available as an option with the 9700. AC Input A standard EIC instrument-type cord should be used. The 9700 is supplied with a power cord that fits the type of socket used in your country.
3 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS This chapter presents detailed instructions on the operation of the 9700. Overview The 9700 provides digitally controlled, single shot, current pulses. The current is provided by a 3700mF capacitor bank charged to approximately 44V. The ability of the instrument to maintain the requested current will be load dependent, limited by the voltage and the stored energy. Thus the output pulse is energy limited by the amount of energy stored on the capacitor bank (CV2/2 = 36.2 Joules).
Selecting Menu Items The menu items in the 9700 are arranged in a set. Pressing the key will toggle between sets of menus, while the key will toggle between menu items within the current set. Hold down the Left arrow key to receive a short description of the current menu item. Pressing and holding the Right arrow key will display the valid range for that item. Numeric Input Mode When the current item is numeric, the system enters the Numeric Input mode.
Single Shot Mode During Single Shot operation, one pulse is generated each time the Run key is pressed. The rate at which pulses are produced is totally dependent on how fast the Run key is pressed. The delay of each of the outputs is relative to To (the internal clock). Channel Menus This set of menus is used to set enable and set the current, delay, pulse width for each of the output channels.
n:Wid - Tn:Pulse Width Each of the two (2) channels has an independent pulse width setting which is set from the Tn:Wid menu, where n = 1, 2. Pulsewidths from 100µs to 100ms may be selected with a resolution of 200ns. *See custom features for Long Pulse option specifications. The pulse width is used to specify the duration of the output pulse. The setting of the output polarity (the Tn:Pol menu) for a particular channel determines whether the output is high for this duration or low. Store/Recall/Misc.
Shot Counter The 9700 includes a nine (9) digit shot counter. The maximum count displayed is 4,294,967,295 after which the count rolls over to zero. To manually reset the counter to zero, press the Left or Right arrow key. You will prompted to press the key to verify that you want to zero the counter. If you press any other key, the shot counter will not be reset. Fmark The character used as a decimal point can be set to either a "." (period) or a "," (comma).
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____________________________________________________________________ 4 Computer Interface The 9700 comes standard with an RS232 serial interface; a GPIB (IEEE-488) interface is available as an option. All menu settings can be set and retrieved over the computer interface using a simple command language. Serial (RS232) Pinout The serial port is located on the back of the 9700, and uses a 9-pin D-type connector with the following pinout (as viewed from the back of the 9700): 1. No connection 2.
Command Protocol All commands have the following syntax: $ <##>CR where P $ indicates a command follows. P is the command name. No spaces are allowed between the $ and the . The name is case sensitive. P <##> is an unsigned integer associated with the command. A space must be inserted between and <##>. P CR is a carriage return character (ASCII value 13). With echo enabled, all characters sent will be echoed back to the sender before the expected response is sent.
where name = a valid command name. This will return an integer followed by a space, carriage return, and a line feed character (ASCII 10). Example - the following command would retrieve the current Cycles setting: $MODE ? The pulse generator will return the following: Echo Enabled: MODE ? 100 Echo Disabled: 100 Communication Protocol Communication parameters are set at 9600 baud, 8 bits, parity = none, and 1 stop bit.
Command List The following table summarizes all the commands: 9700 Communication Commands Command Name Parameters Description MODE 0 = Single Shot mode Sets the pulse generator mode. 1 = External Trigger mode TRIG 0 = falling edge 1 = rising edge Sets the active edge of the Ext/Gate signal when used as an external trigger.
4 SPECIFICATIONS DELAYS P CHANNELS P CURRENT Two (2) independent outputs, with digitally controlled delay and pulsewidth. 0 to 25A (Bank voltage 44V minimum) P RESOLUTION 10mA P ACCURACY 50mA P DELAY 0 to 99.9999998s P 200ns RESOLUTION P PULSEWIDTH 100µs to 100ms P 200ns RESOLUTION P ACCURACY 100ns + .
OUTPUTS (T1,T2) P IMPEDANCE 1.405Ω P SLEW RATE > 2.5A/µs P OVERSHOOT < 100mA + 10% of pulse amplitude P AMPLITUDE 0-25A (loads 1 - 10 ohm) P PEAK CURRENT 25A per channel P DC CURRENT LIMIT 150mA (each channel) COMPUTER INTERFACE P RS232 9600 Baud. All instrument functions and settings may be controlled over the interface bus. GENERAL P STORAGE P WEIGHT Twelve (12) complete configurations may be stored and recalled from the front panel or the computer interface. 10 lbs.
5 MAINTENANCE Except for fuse replacement, the 9700 should require no maintenance. Replacing the Fuse A pair of fuses are mounted in the power entry module. To replace fuses, follow the instructions given below: 1. Unplug the 9700 from power source and remove power cord from the back panel. 2. Remove the fuse holder by pushing down on the center tab and pulling out. 3. Remove the faulty fuse and replace with one of a similar rating. 4. Reinstall the fuse holder. 5. Reattach the power cord.
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6 CUSTOM FEATURES Long Pulse Option Specifications -10µs - 100ms @ 10A for the duration of the width.
