DEI PCX-7500 User manual

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PCX-7500
Pulsed Current Source
Operation Manual
Directed Energy, Inc.
1609 Oakridge Dr., Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80525
[phone]
[email protected]
www.ixyscolorado.com

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Contents
Contents........................................................................................................................................................2
Safety............................................................................................................................................................4
SafeOperatingArea......................................................................................................................................5
Introduction................................................................................................................................................12
Description......................................................................................................................................12
FrontPanelFeatures.......................................................................................................................13
RearPanelFeatures........................................................................................................................14
AccessoriesIncluded.......................................................................................................................16
InterfacingtheLoadtotheOutputCable...................................................................................................17
QuickStartGuide........................................................................................................................................19
Safety..............................................................................................................................................19
Requirements..................................................................................................................................19
ControllingthePCX‐7500fromtheFrontPanel.............................................................................19
ControllingthePCX‐7500fromaComputer...................................................................................20
Operation....................................................................................................................................................21
Setup...............................................................................................................................................21
PowerUp.........................................................................................................................................21
HomeHelpScreen..........................................................................................................................22
SettingtheOutputCurrent.............................................................................................................22
SettingtheTriggerSource...............................................................................................................22
SettingtheFrequency.....................................................................................................................23
SettingthePulseWidth..................................................................................................................23
SettingsMenu.................................................................................................................................24
ViewingInformationaboutthePCX‐7500......................................................................................24
ViewingtheCommunicationSettings.............................................................................................24
SavingtheSettings..........................................................................................................................27

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RecallingtheSettings......................................................................................................................27
PowerDown....................................................................................................................................27
CommandSet..............................................................................................................................................28
WarrantyandService..................................................................................................................................33
Warranty.........................................................................................................................................33
FactoryServiceandSupport...........................................................................................................34
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Safety
•Always refer to the safe operating section of the manual for your model of the
PCX-7500 system.
•Do not open the cover of the PCX-7500. There are no user-serviceable parts
inside. Opening the cover exposes you to shock and voids the factory warranty.
•Do not install, handle, or remove the output cables or laser diode while the PCX-
7500 is operating. Allow at least 10 minutes after powering down before
handling the output cable or laser diode.
•Do not use this device in a manner not specified by the manufacturer.
•Allow sufficient space around this device for air circulation. Cooling air enters the
rear of the chassis and exits the front of the chassis.
•Do not use where liquids are present or in corrosive environments. Clean this
instrument by wiping with a dry or damp cloth.
WARNING
Risk of lethal electric shock. Do not open the cabinet of this device. Do not touch
the output or laser diode while it is operating. This device produces LETHAL
levels of electric current, both inside its cabinet and at its output.
DO NOT OPERATE THIS DEVICE UNLESS ANOTHER PERSON, CAPABLE OF
RENDERING FIRST AID OR RESUSCITATION, IS PRESENT.
SAFE AND PROPER OPERATION OF THIS DEVICE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
THE USER.
Directed Energy, Inc. (DEI) provides information on its products and associated
hazards, but it assumes no responsibility for the after-sale operation and safety
practices.

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Safe Operating Area
This section contains Safe Operating Area (SOA) graphs for all PCX-7500 models. In
each graph, the Safe Operating Area consists of the green and yellow shaded areas.
IMPORTANT: Do not operate the instrument outside of the Safe Operating Area!
Although the PCX-7500’s internal and external triggering system allow it to operate
outside the Safe Operating Area, such operation will result in permanent damage to the
PCX-7500, the laser diode, or both.
The green region represents operating parameters for which the instrument functions
safely and all pulse specifications are met. It is best to always operate in this region, but
operation in the yellow region does not cause damage to the instrument or laser.
The yellow region represents operating parameters for which the instrument functions
safely but pulse specifications may not be met. Operation in this area has not been
characterized by DEI, is not guaranteed by specification, and may vary slightly from
instrument to instrument. For example, rise and fall times may be slower and droop may
be greater than specified.
Here is an example of how to use the SOA graph to calculate maximum pulse width:
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Assumethelaserisratedat5V200W,thepulserisaPCX‐7500‐5,andthedesiredpulseis400
Aat500Hz.
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AccordingtothePCX‐7500‐5SOAgraph,at5Vthemaximumoutputpoweris100W.
Inthiscasetheinstrument(100W),notthediode(200W),isthelimitingfactor.Ifthediode
wasratedbelow100W,usethelaser’smaximumpowerandnottheSOAvalueinthenextstep.
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Findthemaximumdutycycle:
power=voltage*current*duty_cycle
duty_cycle=100W(SOAgraph)/[5V(laserforwardvoltage)*400A]=0.050
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Findtheperiod:
period=1/frequency=1/500Hz=0.002s
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Findthemaximumpulsewidth:
maximumpulsewidth*=period*duty_cycle=0.002s*0.050=100µs
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*Theabsolutemaximumpulsewidthshouldneverexceed5milliseconds,eveninsingleshot
operation.
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Aslongasthepulsewidthis100usorless,theinstrumentwillberunningintheSOA.
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Tocalculatethemaximumpulsewidthforasingle‐shotpulse(usingexternaltrigger),use1Hz
asthepulsefrequency.Remember,theoutputpulsewidthshouldneverexceed5milliseconds.

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