Arroyo Instruments ComboPak 685 Series User manual

Page 2 · 685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction ...............................................................................................3
Safety Terms and Symbols .......................................................................4
Quick Start ................................................................................................6
Installation .................................................................................................7
Settings .....................................................................................................9
Connecting Your Device to the ComboPak ............................................15
Power and Cable Connections ...............................................................16
Grounding and Wiring Considerations ...................................................19
Installing the USB Drivers .......................................................................20
Arroyo Control.........................................................................................20
Saving and Restoring Configurations .....................................................20
Thermal Considerations ..........................................................................21
Using the Laser Driver.............................................................................23
Laser Control Modes...............................................................................23
Using the Laser Limits.............................................................................24
Analog Modulation ..................................................................................24
Compensating for Voltage Loss..............................................................25
Using the Temperature Controller ..........................................................29
TEC Control Modes.................................................................................29
Using the TEC Limits...............................................................................29
Selecting the Fixture ...............................................................................29
Working With Thermistors.......................................................................30
External Fan Control ...............................................................................31
Resistive Heaters and Heat/Cool Only Modes........................................32
Gain Control and the PID Loop...............................................................32
Using the AutoTune Function .................................................................33
Compensating for TEC Cable Resistance ..............................................35
Field Calibration (User Cal).....................................................................35
Specifications ..........................................................................................40
Mechanical Drawings..............................................................................42
Error Messages .......................................................................................43
Calibration, Maintenance and Service ....................................................48
EC Declaration of Conformity .................................................................50
UK Declaration of Conformity .................................................................51

685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual · Page 3
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the ComboPak from Arroyo Instruments. The
ComboPak combines the features of our LaserPak and TECPak into a single,
powerful instrument. The ComboPak represents years of experience in the field
of current and temperature control.
The ComboPak was designed for system integration applications, or simply
where a user interface, like that found on the 6300 Series ComboSource, is not
required or desired. With a range of power options, USB computer interface,
analog interface, and small footprint, the ComboPak will fit into almost any laser
control application.
ComboPak’s analog interface provides a way of both controlling and monitoring
the instrument, with analog laser modulation input, stable indicators, and on/off
control and status. This allows for control in applications that do not have a
computer interface.
The ComboPak offers all the features you would expect from a modern
precision laser controller, including:
•Laser driver:
o10ppm current stability
o100mA to 2A current ranges
oComprehensive laser protection circuitry, including hardware
voltage and current limits.
oExternal analog modulation
oPower mode control, both in photodiode current (AMC) or
computed photodiode power (APC) modes.
•Temperature Controller:
oAutoTune for automatic PID parameter calculation
o0.004°C temperature stability and 0.01°C set point resolution
oAutomatic shutdown of laser on temperature error
What’s in the Box
Along with the ComboPak itself, a CD with electronic copies of this manual, the
Computer Interfacing Manual, and USB drivers are included. For USA
customers, a power cord is included. For non-USA customers, a power cord is
not included, and an IEC-60320-C13 rated AC power cord must be provided.
Accessories
Arroyo Instruments also sells several accessories designed to work with the
ComboPak. These include:

Page 4 · 685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual
•1220B LaserSource Cable, 4A, 2m
This cable has DB-9 male/female connectors for interfacing to the
LaserMount or other connectorized fixtures, and shielded twisted pair
conductors for improved modulation performance. A pigtailed version
of this cable, with tinned ends for soldering into custom solutions, is
available as p/n 1221B.
•1260B TECSource Cable, 5A, 2m
This cable has DB-15 male/female connectors for interfacing to the
LaserMount or other connectorized fixtures, and supports up to 5A of
TE current and connections for the fan interface. A pigtailed version of
this cable, with tinned ends for soldering into custom solutions, is
available as p/n 1261B.
•Pak Series Rack Mount Kit, 3 or 5 units (p/n 1402B-RM)
For installing your ComboPak into a standard 19” rack. The kit accepts
either 3 units for a 2U installation, or 5 units for a 3U installation.
•1600-10K 10kΩ Thermistor
Accurate to ±0.2°C.
•1200-NULL RS-232 NULL Cable, 2m
•1201 USB Cable, 3m
Safety Terms and Symbols
The following safety-related terms are used in this manual:
•Warnings (noted by the WARNING heading) explain dangers that
could result in physical injury or death;
•Cautions (noted by the CAUTION heading) explain conditions that
could result in damage to the instrument, other equipment, or your
device.
•Notes (noted by the NOTES heading) are not safety-related, and are
intended simply to point out important information.
If, at any time, any of the following conditions exist, or are suspected of existing,
discontinue use of the unit until it can be inspected by qualified service
personnel:
•Visible damage to the unit, including damage or stress caused during
product shipment;
•Storage of the unit outside the standard storage temperature or
humidity rating, or prolonged storage under harsh conditions;
•Failure to operate properly.
If needed, contact your distributor or Arroyo Instruments for service or repair to
ensure the safety of the product is maintained.

685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual · Page 5
Symbols
Power Off Power On
Caution, refer to manual Earth ground
Caution, risk of electric shock
General Warnings
CAUTION
There are no user-serviceable parts inside. All service
and repair work shall be done by Arroyo Instruments or
personnel authorized by Arroyo Instruments.
Modifications done by non-authorized personnel will
void the warranty. Please see the Service section later
in this manual for instructions on how to obtain service
for this instrument.
WARNING
To avoid electrical shock, ensure a 3-prong power cord
is used, and is plugged into a earth-grounded
receptacle. Failure to do so can result in severe injury or
death.
WARNING
Potentially lethal voltages exist within this instrument.
This instrument is intended for use by qualified
personnel who understand the shock and laser hazards
and are familiar with safety procedures required to avoid
injury. Read this manual completely before attempting
to use this product.

Page 6 · 685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual
Quick Start
The ComboPak was designed with ease of use in mind, and you will likely have
little need for this manual for most of the features the unit offers. This section will
show how you can quickly get the unit up and running.
Plug the AC cord into the unit and into the wall outlet. The ComboPak has a
universal AC input, so no voltage selection is required. Turn on the power switch
located next to the AC input, and the green power light will illuminate, indicating
the unit is on. Next, connect a USB cable between the instrument and your
computer to allow for control of the instrument.
Because the ComboPak has no user interface, you will need to use a software
program to adjust the parameters of the instrument. It is recommended you start
with ArroyoControl, the free software program included on the CD with your
instrument. After installing ArroyoControl, connect to the instrument and click
on the Settings button to configure the limits of the instrument per the
requirements of your laser and TEC:
•In the Laser tab:
oCurrent limit –set just above the maximum operating current
of your laser
oVoltage limit –set 0.5V above the maximum laser voltage
•In the TEC tab:
oITE current limit –set to the maximum TEC current
oTemperature low limit –5 degrees below the lowest operating
point
oTemperature high limit –5 degrees above the highest
operating point
oGain –start with 5 or 10, may need to be adjusted (see below)
oSensor coefficients –ensure they match your device. If using
an Arroyo Instruments mount with a thermistor sensor, the unit
is already preprogrammed for that sensor.
oFan –enable if your mount has a fan
Next, connect the cables between your LaserMount or other fixture and the
LASER and TEC OUTPUT connectors of the ComboPak. We recommend using
our cables as they have been designed to work well with the ComboPak, but if
using your own cables, ensure they have been properly wired according to the
pin-out of the ComboPak and your fixture.
Finally, change the set points to an appropriate current and temperature. You
will want to turn the TEC on first, allow it to stabilize, and then turn on the laser.
When turning on the laser for the first time, it is a good idea to start with a set

685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual · Page 7
point of zero and ramp up to the desired set point in steps. In this way, if the
laser is wired incorrectly, the safety circuits will trip earlier and minimize any
chance of damaging the laser. Once you have confirmed proper operation, the
set point can be left at the desired operating point, and the output turned on and
off.
If you notice the temperature is oscillating around the set point and not
stabilizing, you may need to adjust the Gain setting in the TEC tab of the
Settings dialog. You can use the AutoTune feature to automatically calculate the
best PID values, or select from a set of eight factory preset values that typically
cover most applications. If you use the factory gains, if the temperature is
quickly jumping up and down, the Gain will typically need to be reduced. If the
temperature is slowly moving up and down, try a higher Gain. You may need to
experiment with several gain settings to find the ideal value, and for even finer
control, you can set the Gain to PID and directly set the PID control values.
Continue reading for more detailed operating and installation instructions.
Installation
Installation of the ComboPak is very straightforward, as the quick start section
above illustrated. This section will provide additional details and considerations
for installing your ComboPak.
After unpacking the unit, make sure all packing materials have been removed
and nothing obscures the ventilation ports on the unit.
Powering Up the Unit
Connect the AC power cord to the unit. You must properly ground the unit by
plugging the supplied power cord into a three prong grounded outlet, or using a
three-to-two prong adapter and connecting the ground tab to earth ground.
Press the power switch, located adjacent to the AC input, into the on (|)
position. The Power LED will light, indicating the unit is operational and return to
the last known operating state.
CAUTION
Do not exceed 250VAC on the line input.
It is critical to maintain the proper voltage input into the
unit. If the actual voltage exceeds 250VAC, damage to
the unit may occur.

Page 8 · 685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual
Ventilation
The ComboPak has vent holes on the front, back, and sides of the unit. While
unlikely, you must not block these vent holes or overheating may occur, causing
damage to the unit. The only exception is you may block the vent holes on one
side of the unit (such as when using the 1402B-RM), but not both.
Rack Mounting
Rack mounting kits (p/n 1402B-RM) for standard 19” racks are available for the
ComboPak. The kit accepts either 3 units for a 2U installation, or 5 units for a 3U
installation.
The 1402B-RM can also be used with LaserPak and TECPak instruments in a
mixed use configuration.
Warm-up and Environmental Considerations
In order to achieve the highest level of accuracy, the ComboPak should be
powered on for at least one hour prior to taking measurements. In addition,
ensure that the unit is not operating outside the operational temperature range
or humidity conditions.
CAUTION
Do not operate the unit above +40°C ambient, and
ensure the instrument is properly ventilated, or the unit
may overheat and possible damage to the unit may
occur.
WARNING
Ensure that any screw used to secure the ComboPak to
the 1402B-RM rack mount tray or any other surface does
not exceed the maximum penetration depth specified in
the mechanical drawings section later in this manual.

685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual · Page 9
Settings
All parameters of the ComboPak can be accessed and changed over the
computer interface.
Most parameters can be changed using a standard command, as defined in the
Computer Interfacing Manual or through the Settings dialog within Arroyo
Control. Below is a list of the most common settings and the corresponding
computer command to change it.
Details on how to communicate with the ComboPak using your own program
can be found in the Computer Interfacing Manual which is included on the CD
that accompanied this product.
Menu
Description
Factory
Default
Computer
Command
Basic Laser Settings
Mode
As described in the Laser Control
Modes section below, the unit
offers five control modes: Io (ACC),
Io HiBW (ACC), Im (AMC), Po
(APC), and Vf (AVC). Change this
setting to select a new mode.
Io (ACC)
LAS:MODE
Io limit
This setting controls the maximum
amount of forward current that can
be delivered to the laser diode. This
limit is implemented in hardware for
immediate response. For more
information about limits, see Using
the Laser Limits below.
Maximum
LAS:LIM:LDI
Im limit
This setting controls the maximum
amount of monitor photodiode
current the unit will allow. This limit
is implemented in software. For
more information about limits, see
Using the Laser Limits below.
Maximum
LAS:LIM:MDI
Po limit
This setting controls the maximum
amount of monitor photodiode
power the unit will allow. This limit
is implemented in software. For
more information about limits, see
Using the Laser Limits below.
Maximum
LAS:LIM:MDP

Page 10 · 685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual
Menu
Description
Factory
Default
Computer
Command
Vf limit
This setting controls the maximum
amount of forward voltage that can
be delivered to the laser diode. This
limit is implemented in hardware for
immediate response. For more
information about limits, Using the
Laser Limits and Software Limits
below.
Maximum
LAS:LIM:LDV
Cable R
The cable resistance, in ohms. This
setting can be used to compensate
for voltage losses in the cable due
to cable and connector resistances.
Cable R is ignored in Vf (AVC)
Mode. For more information about
this feature, see Compensating for
Voltage Loss below.
0.0000 Ω
LAS:CABLER
PD Resp
This factor is used by the unit to
convert from monitor photodiode
current into optical power. The
value is in terms of microamps per
milliwatt (μA/mW), such that power
= photodiode current divided by
the factor.
0.00μA/mW
LAS:CALPD
Tol Time
Tolerance time is the amount of
time, in seconds, that the measured
value (current, voltage, etc.) must
be within the set point +/- the
tolerance for the unit to be
considered in tolerance. In Io
modes, the tolerance is defined by
Tol Io. For Im/Po modes, the
tolerance is fixed at 50uA. For Vf
mode, the tolerance is fixed at
50mV.
5 seconds
LAS:TOL
Tol Io
Tolerance current is a band (in mA)
around the set point. When the
actual current is within this band for
longer than the Tol Time setting,
then the unit is considered to be in
tolerance.
10.0mA
LAS:TOL
On Delay
The delay, from the time the output
is turned on with the LAS:OUTPUT
command or the analog interface to
when the output is actually
energized.
3000ms
ONDELAY

685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual · Page 11
Menu
Description
Factory
Default
Computer
Command
Basic TEC Settings
Mode
This set the operating mode (T
Mode, R Mode, or Ite Mode) of the
temperature controller.
T Mode
TEC:MODE
Mount
Specify the mount connected to the
ComboPak. If using a LaserMount,
select the appropriate model.
Otherwise, select User.
User
TEC:MOUNT
I Lim
I Lim sets the current limit of the
temperature controller. The limit
should be set to a value that is
suitable for your Peltier device.
3A
TEC:LIM:ITE
Gain
Gain controls the response of the
temperature controller. A higher
gain value will cause the controller
to respond more quickly to the
difference between the set point
and the actual temperature, while a
lower value will cause it to respond
more slowly. Select PID for direct
access to the PID parameters. Read
more on setting gain below.
30
TEC:GAIN
PID P
The proportional term of the PID
loop. Will only be available if Gain
is set to PID.
1
TEC:P
PID I
The integral term of the PID loop.
Will only be available if Gain is set
to PID.
0.01
TEC:I
PID D
The derivative term of the PID loop.
Will only be available if Gain is set
to PID.
0
TEC:D
T-Low Lim
T-Low Lim is the lower temperature
limit. If operating in T Mode and the
actual temperature drops below this
value, the output will be turned off.
Temperature limits not monitored in
R Mode or Ite Mode. Limit
monitoring can also be disabled in
software (see TEC:ENAB:OUTOFF
command).
-99°C
TEC:LIM:TLO

Page 12 · 685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual
Menu
Description
Factory
Default
Computer
Command
T-High Lim
T-High Lim is the upper
temperature limit. If operating in T
Mode and the actual temperature
rises above this value, the output
will be turned off. Temperature
limits not monitored in R Mode or
Ite Mode. Limit monitoring can also
be disabled in software (see
TEC:ENAB:OUTOFF command).
125°C
TEC:LIM:THI
R-Low Lim
R-Low Lim is the sensor low limit. If
operating in R Mode and the actual
sensor measurement drops below
this value, the output will be turned
off. R limits are not monitored in Ite
Mode. Limit monitoring can also be
disabled in software (see
TEC:ENAB:OUTOFF command).
0.01kΩ
TEC:LIM:RLO
R-High Lim
R-High Lim is the sensor high limit.
If operating in R Mode and the
actual sensor measurement
exceeds this value, the output will
be turned off. R limits are not
monitored in Ite Mode. Limit
monitoring can also be disabled in
software (see TEC:ENAB:OUTOFF
command).
45kΩ
TEC:LIM:RHI
Tol Time
Tolerance time is the amount of
time, in seconds, that the actual
temperature must be within the set
point temperature +/- the Tol Temp
value for the unit to be considered
in tolerance.
5 seconds
TEC:TOL
Tol Temp
Tolerance temperature is a
temperature band (in °C) around
the set point temperature. When the
actual temperature is within this
band for longer than the Tol Time
setting, then the unit is considered
to be in tolerance.
0.1°C
TEC:TOL
H/C Mode
This selects the heating and/or
cooling mode of the ComboPak.
See the Resistive Heaters and
Heat/Cool Only Modes, below, for
more information.
Heat/Cool
TEC:HEATCO
OL

685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual · Page 13
Menu
Description
Factory
Default
Computer
Command
Ext Fan
This selects the voltage for the
auxiliary fan power supply. See the
External Fan Control section below
for more information.
Off
TEC:FAN
Ext Fan Pwr
When Ext Fan is set to Custom, this
sets the specific fan voltage from
4.0 to 12.0 volts. See the External
Fan Control section below for more
information.
12.0
TEC:FAN
Ext Fan
Mode
Controls when the fan operates.
See the External Fan Control section
below for more information.
Auto
TEC:FAN
Ext Fan Off
When Ext Fan Mode is set to
Delay, this setting defines the
number of minutes to delay turning
off the fan after the TEC output has
been turned off. See the External
Fan Control section below for more
information.
5 minutes
TEC:FAN
Cable R
The resistance of the cable and
connectors, in ohms. This setting
allows for accurate voltage
measurement at the TEC by
removing the voltage loss of the
cable.
0.0080Ω
TEC:CABLER
T Rate
Selects a desired temperature ramp
rate in degrees Celsius per minute.
Set to 0.0°C/min to disable rate
limiting.
0.0°C/min
TEC:TRATE
TEC Sensor Settings
Thermistor
coefficients
Thermistor coefficients in the
Steinhart-Hart equation.
A= 1.12924E-03
B= 2.34108E-04
C= 0.87755E-07
TEC:CONST
Communications Settings
Err While
Rmt
To turn off the display of errors
while in remote mode, set this value
to “No”. To display errors while in
remote mode, set this value to
“Yes”.
Yes
REMERR

Page 14 · 685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual
Menu
Description
Factory
Default
Computer
Command
Terminal
Mode
Terminal mode simply echoes any
characters received over the serial
or USB interfaces.
No
TERMINAL
Msg Term
This controls the output message
termination, and can be set to
CR/LF, CR, LF, or None.
CR/LF
TERM

685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual · Page 15
Connecting Your Device to the ComboPak
A laser diode is very sensitive to electro-static discharge (ESD), over-voltage,
and over-current conditions. When connecting a laser to the ComboPak, make
sure proper ESD procedures are taken. In addition, it is critical that the proper
current limit and voltage limit be set for the laser diode. Exceeding the laser
diode’s rated current or voltage can damage or destroy the laser diode, and the
ComboPak’s hardware protection features can only protect the laser diode if
these limits are properly set.
The laser anode and cathode outputs are electrically isolated from ground, as
are the photodiode inputs.
A cable is required for both the TEC and Laser outputs. Arroyo Instruments
carries cables specifically designed for these applications, both with a DB
connector on the device end or with a bare wire pigtail for terminating the
connection into a custom mount or device:
Function
DB to DB p/n
DB to Pigtail p/n
Laser
1220B
1221B
TEC
1260B
1261B
CAUTION
The interlock connections must be kept isolated from all
other connections and from earth ground. Failure to do
so may damage the instrument.
NOTE
Connections to the ComboPak and the laser diode
fixture must be secure. Tighten any screws on the DB-9
connectors, and make sure all connections are in good
condition. Poor or intermittent connections can damage
or destroy the laser diode.
NOTE
Connections to the ComboPak and the fixture must be
secure. Tighten any screws on the DB connectors, and
make sure all connections are in good condition.

Page 16 · 685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual
See the manual of your laser (and fixture) for additional safety and operational
information.
Power and Cable Connections
ComboPak TEC (Left) and Laser (Right) Connectors
Laser Output Connector
The Laser Output connector is a female DB-9, and has the following pin-out:
DB-9 Pin
Description
1
Interlock+
2
Interlock –
3
Earth Ground
4
Laser Cathode Voltage Sense
5
Laser Cathode
6
Photodiode (PD) Cathode
7
Photodiode (PD) Anode
8
Laser Anode Voltage Sense
9
Laser Anode
Shell
Earth Ground
Laser Output Connector (DB-9 Female)
Arroyo Instruments has followed industry conventions for laser DB-9
connections, and is compatible with pin-outs from other vendors, such as ILX
and Newport. However, care should still be taken when interfacing the
ComboPak to other vendors’ products, and if you have any questions, please
contact your distributor or the factory.

685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual · Page 17
TEC Output Connector
The TEC Output connection is a female DB-15, and has the following pin-out:
DB-15 Pin
Description
1, 2, & 9
TE (+)
3, 4, & 10
TE (–)
5 & 6
Earth Ground
7
Sensor+
8
Sensor –
11
Fan+
12
Fan –
13 thru 15
Reserved (no connect)
Shell
Earth Ground
TEC Output Connector (DB-15 Female)
ComboPak IPC and Control Connectors, LEDs
Input Power Connector (IPC)
The Input Power Connector (IPC) accept a IEC-60320-C13 power cord, the
same type of power cord used with most computers.

Page 18 · 685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual
Control I/O Connector
The Control I/O connection is a male DB-15, and has the following pin-out:
DB-15 Pin
Description
1
Laser On/Off Control Input
2
Laser On/Off Status Output
3
Laser Stable Output
5
Modulation (+)
6
Modulation (–)
7
+5V Auxiliary Supply
8
Ground
9
TEC On/Off Control Input
10
TEC On/Off Status Output
11
TEC Stable Output
Control I/O Connector (DB-15 Male)
The +5V auxiliary supply is provided for external low-power electronics. Current
draw on this supply should not exceed 100mA. The Ground pin provides the
ground reference for the logic inputs as well as the auxiliary power supply. The
modulation input provides a separate negative/ground reference (pin 6) which
should only be used with the modulation signal. The control interface is
described in detail in the Using the Control Interface section below.
Modulation Input
The modulation input is made on pins 5 (+) and 6 (–) of the Control I/O
connector, and accepts a 0-10V input signal for analog set point control of the
driver. The modulation input is not optically isolated from the control circuit, and
care should be taken to prevent ground loops.
USB Connector
The USB connector is a standard Type B female connector, and can be plugged
into any USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port. For more information on using the USB
interface, see the Computer Interfacing Manual which is included on the CD
that accompanied this product.

685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual · Page 19
Grounding and Wiring Considerations
The ComboPak electrically isolates the control circuitry from Earth Ground,
allowing the laser anode or laser cathode to be connected to earth ground and
still allow proper operation.
However, care needs to be taken when connecting the ComboPak to your
module, especially when using the Control I/O Interface, to prevent damage to
the ComboPak or to your laser module.
Always follow these rules when connecting to the ComboPak:
1. Never have more than one earth ground connection to any Laser, TEC,
or Control I/O pin.
2. Never connect any Control I/O pin to any Laser or TEC output pin.
3. Never connect TE+ or TE–to anything but the TEC module.
4. Never connect Sensor+ or Sensor–to anything but the thermistor
sensor.
5. Never connect Fan+ or Fan–to anything but the fan.
The most common potential wiring issue is the first item, where the laser has the
anode or cathode connected to earth ground and one of the signals on the
Control I/O is also earth grounded (such as the modulation source or the digital
I/O pins). This causes a ground path through the laser module that, at a
minimum, can disrupt proper operation of the ComboPak, or, at worst, damage
your laser. In situations like this, you must break one of the ground paths, either
by isolating the laser module from earth ground, or by breaking the ground path
on the instrument connected to the Control I/O interface.
The second item typically happens along with the first item, where the ground
for the Control I/O signals is earth ground and the laser is also earth grounded.
CAUTION
Excluding the AC and USB ground connection, making
more than one earth ground connection to any signal or
control pin may cause damage to the instrument or your
device.
CAUTION
Never connect the Control ground (pin 8) to the laser or
TEC output pins, or damage to the instrument or your
device may result.

Page 20 · 685 Series ComboPak User’s Manual
However, the broader rule is that you can never connect any pins on the Control
I/O interface to any pins on the Laser or TEC pins.
The last three requirements are typically not a problem, as these signals are
almost always isolated signals from the laser or mount.
Installing the USB Drivers
Using the ComboPak via USB is just as simple as using a serial port. In fact,
once you have installed the USB drivers, the instrument will appear as a virtual
serial port that you can use just like a normal serial port.
To install the drivers, simply plug in the instrument to your computer. When the
Add New Hardware wizard appears, insert the CD you received with the
ComboPak and follow the on-screen instructions. In many cases, the CD may
not even be required, as your computer may download the drivers automatically
using the Windows Update service.
Once the drivers are installed, to determine the COM port number, go to Control
Panel and select System. Once the System Properties dialog appears, choose
the Hardware tab then click on the Device Manager button. When the Device
Manager appears, click on the plus sign to the left of Ports. The port identified
as a USB Serial Port is the ComboPak. In the event you have multiple Arroyo
Instruments products plugged in simultaneously, you will need to experiment to
see which instrument was assigned to which port.
Arroyo Control
While most of the settings of the ComboPak can be changed over the computer
interface using your own program (see the Computer Interfacing Manual for
more detail), in many cases you simply want to operate the instrument from the
PC like any other bench-top instrument.
As mentioned earlier in this manual, Arroyo Control is a free software
application that gives you full operating control of the ComboPak, allowing you
to change limits, settings, and set points, as well as monitor the operation of the
instrument. You can install Arroyo Control from the CD or download it from our
web site (go to the Software section).
Saving and Restoring Configurations
Using the *SAV and *RCL commands, the ComboPak allows you to save up to
four configurations. Each configuration will store all of the instrument settings