LabSmith HVS448 User manual

LabSmith HVS448 High Voltage Sequencer
User Guide
Version 1.5
For operation and control of LabSmith HVS448™ High Voltage Sequencer and
Sequence™ Driver Software

Thi manual © 2015 LabSmith. Sequence Software ©2002-2015 LabSmith, Inc.
No part of thi document may be reproduced or di tributed without the con ent of LabSmith.
LabSmith, HVS448 and Sequence are trademark of LabSmith, Inc.
Micro oft, Window NT, XP, 7 and 8 are regi tered trademark of Micro oft Corporation.
Adobe and Acrobat are regi tered trademark of Adobe, Inc.
LabVIEW i a trademark of National In trument , Inc.

3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 5
How You Will Use the H S448 5
Equipment List 5
Cautions and Warnings 6
Getting Help 6
About This Manual 6
CHAPTER 2. GETTING STARTED 7
Installing Sequence Software 7
Grounding the H S448 Channels 7
Master Interlock Input 8
Disable/Enable High oltage 8
High oltage Connections 8
Setting Up the H S448 Hardware for Operation 9
Using the Sequence Wizards to Create a Sequence File 9
Simple Sequence Wizard 9
Complex Sequence Wizard 11
Running a Sequence 12
CHAPTER 3. H S448 HARDWARE 13
Front Panel Controls 13
Front Panel LEDs 14
Locking the Front Panel Controls 14
Back Panel Connections 14
Digital Connection 14
Recalibrating the Channels 15
CHAPTER 4. SEQUENCE SOFTWARE O ER IEW 16
Field Upgradeable Firmware 16
Sequence Files 16
Online and Offline Operation 16
Sequence Software Environment 16
Monitor Settings 17
CHAPTER 5. HIGH OLTAGE POWER SUPPLY: MANUAL MODE 18
Channel Control Panels 18
Channel Statu 18
Channel Setting 18
Channel Output Limit 19
Error Reporting/Trip Setting 19
Manual Power Supply Control Panel 20
Overall Setting 20
Monitoring 20
Channel Setting 20
Error Flag 21
iew Channel Settings in the Left Pane 21
Using Trace Measurements to Record Data 21
CHAPTER 6. HIGH OLTAGE SEQUENCING: AUTOMATED MODE 22
Master and Channel Sequencers 22
Manual Changes During an Automated Sequence 22
Inter-Channel Communication 22
Step In truction 22
Orderly Step Flow 23
Step H: The Exit Step 23

4
Flag 23
Trigger 23
Sequence and Program Flow 24
Monitoring and Interacting with an Automated Sequence 25
Sequencer Control Panel 25
Channel Sequence Control Panel 26
The Programming Interface 27
Editing Sequences 28
View and Edit In truction in the Left Pane 28
View and Edit In truction in the Right Pane 28
Edit with the Programming Keypad 29
Error Checking and Parsing 30
CHAPTER 7. CHANNEL PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS 31
Nomenclature 31
Execution Controls 31
Inter-channel Signaling and Triggering 33
Channel Functions 35
Register Functions 36
Calculator Functions 37
Rever e Poli h Notation and the Numerical Stack 37
Integral Repre entation of Real Number 37
Conditional Te t 40
APPENDIX 1. MENUS AND TOOLBARS 42
Menu Functions 42
Toolbars 43
APPENDIX 2. H S448 SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE 44
APPENDIX 3. PROGRAMMING EXAMPLE 45
Setting up the Experiment 45
Writing the Sequence 45
Running the Sequence 47
APPENDIX 4. TROUBLESHOOTING – COMMON OPERATIONAL ERRORS 48

5
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
The HVS448 High Voltage Sequencer provide eight coordinated channel of high voltage ourcing and en ing, with a powerful
equencing environment that let you quickly automate complex experiment . You can et each channel independently
(manually or automatically) to upply voltage, upply current, or float at high input re i tance, all while continuou ly monitoring
the voltage and current. The maximum upplied voltage, current, mea urement re olution and input re i tance depend on the
model (Table 1).
The included Sequence™ oftware let you automatically et the function and parameter of each channel. The et of
automation command , called a sequence, i con tructed from maller programs that control particular event . Each channel
run it own independent equence, and channel can al o communicate tate change to each other, and re pond to external
event . The etting and programming for a particular experiment can be tored a a sequence file on your computer.
Table 1. LabSmith H S448 High oltage Sequence Available Models.
Model Max Output
oltage
[+ ]
Max oltage
Differential
[ ]
Max Output
Current
[+mA]
Max Output
Current Per
Channel [+mA]
Current
Monitor
Resolution [nA]
oltage
Monitor
Resolution [m ]
6000D 3000 6000 3.2 2.4 300 100
6000D-LC 3000 6000 0.16 0.12 15 100
3000 3000 3000 6.0 4.8 300 100
3000-LC 3000 3000 0.3 0.24 15 100
3000D 1500 3000 6.0 4.8 500 50
3000D-LC 1500 3000 0.3 0.24 25 50
1500 1500 1500 12 10 500 50
1500-LC 1500 1500 0.6 0.50 25 50
800 800 800 25 20 1000 25
800-LC 800 800 1.3 1.0 50 25
400 400 400 50 40 2000 12
400-LC 400 400 2.5 2.0 100 12
200 200 200 100 80 4000 6
200-LC 200 200 5.0 4.0 200 6
How You Will Use the H S448
In manual mode, you can independently et and monitor the eight channel of the HVS448 u ing the Sequence™ oftware
interface or with other oftware uch a LabVIEW
®
.
In automated mode, you will enter a erie of program tep and tore the tep in a equence file. The program can then be
recalled and run u ing the HVS448 front panel, or with the Sequence™ oftware.
Equipment List
Your HVS448 package hould include the following item :
-The HVS448 equencer
-AC power cable
-Sequence™ oftware in tallation CD
-9-pin RS232 cable
-50-Ω Terminator
-HVS448 U er’ Manual.

6
You may have al o ordered and received the e recommended item :
-Set of 8 HVS High Voltage Cable
-Set of 8 microclip connector
-Platinum electrode
-RS232-to-USB adapter, to control the HVS448 from a computer without a RS232 port.
If any item are mi ing or damaged plea e contact LabSmith upport ([e-mail].)
Cautions and Warnings
LabSmith, Inc. believe that the HVS448 product information enclo ed i an accurate de cription of the typical characteri tic
and u e of the product, but it i your re pon ibility to thoroughly te t the product in your pecific application to determine it
performance, efficacy and afety in your condition of u e.
Standard lab afety rule hould alway be applied: keep the unit away from liquid and exce ive heat, leave pace around the
unit for heat di ipation, etc.
Under tand the characteri tic of the input and output of the HVS448 before connecting other equipment. Failure to do o
may re ult in damage to the HVS448 or to external device .
WARNING The HVS448 is a high oltage power supply and thus presents a serious risk of personal injury if not
used in accordance with design and/or use specifications, if it is used in applications for it is not
intended or designed, or if it is used by untrained or unqualified personnel. Before testing,
incorporating or using the HVS448, understand and adhere to all applicable instructions, protocol,
cautions and safety procedures.
Getting Help
Thi guide i your main ource for information on operating the HVS448 and Sequence oftware. Choo e Help>About Sequence,
then click the Open User Manual link to brow e thi manual electronically, in Adobe
®
Acrobat
®
PDF format.
The LabSmith web ite (www.labsmith.com) al o include helpful application note and other technical information to help
you u e the HVS448. If you are unable to find the information you need, plea e contact our technical upport team at (925) 292-
5161, or email u at [e-mail]. Be prepared to give the HVS448 erial number (located on the bottom of the unit),
oftware ver ion and firmware ver ion you are u ing. To determine the oftware ver ion number, elect Help>About Sequence.
To verify the firmware ver ion, go to Action>Get ersions. The firmware ver ion number will be di played in the tatu bar. The
unit mu t be Online for the firmware ver ion to be di played.
About This Manual
Several convention are u ed throughout thi manual to highlight important feature and concept :
Menu>Option Menu bar election are hown in bold text, with de cending option eparated by the “>” ymbol. For
example, Help > About Sequence indicate that you hould click the Help menu, then click About
Sequence.
Note Note indicate helpful tip or additional information.
CAUTION The e note will help you to avoid lo ing data or damaging hardware.
WARNING The e important note indicate ituation that could re ult in injury or eriou equipment damage. Read
and under tand all warning before operating the HVS448.
If you find any error or omi ion in thi manual plea e let u know at [e-mail].

7
CHAPTER 2. GETTING STARTED
Installing Sequence Software
Sequence oftware run on any PC-compatible computer running Micro oft Window
®
XP, NT, 7 or 8. To in tall Sequence
oftware:
1. In ert the Sequence for Windows CD.
2. Double-click SETUP.EXE and follow the on- creen in truction .
To run the oftware, double-click the Sequence icon on your de ktop, or choo e LabSmith>Sequence>Sequence from the Start
menu.
Grounding the H S448 Channels
The cha i and the ground of all the channel are electrically connected to the ground pin of the HVS power connector. Only
connect the HVS to a properly grounded outlet. You have everal option for properly grounding the HVS:
-Connect a wire between the grounding pin of on the back of the HVS and other apparatu (e.g., micro cope , etc.) to
en ure that all equipment remain at afe voltage de pite experimental error or problem .
-Connect the HVS to ground u ing one channel or the grounding pin, then u e another channel to ground another
in trument. Thi method en ure that the HVS high-voltage ignal doe not cau e voltage acro another in trument.
-Attach the grounding pin to a grounding cable to ground all channel .
-If u ing LabSmith’ HVC cable , the HVS448 can be grounded by attaching any one of the grounding lead to a ground
ource.
WARNING Do not handle cable terminations or clips while they are connected to an energized circuit. The micro-
and nano-clips do not protect from high oltage. The clips are not designed to be handled when high
oltage is present. When using the clips, use the same safety precautions as you would with an
exposed electrode.
Cable end and clip hould be hou ed in an interlocked enclo ure to protect the u er from accidental expo ure to the high
voltage circuit (Figure 1).
High voltage cable and clip pre ent a eriou ri k of per onal injury if not u ed in accordance with de ign and/or u e
pecification , if they are u ed in application for product for which they are not intended or de igned, or if they are u ed by
untrained or unqualified per onnel. Before te ting, incorporating or u ing the cable with the HVS448, under tand and adhere
to all applicable in truction , protocol, caution and afety procedure .
Figure 1. Diagram of LabSmith H C High oltage Cables, Shown Grounded and in Interlocked Chamber for Safe Operation.
Note: Grounding any channel or the cha i ground all of the channel . U ing the grounding cable attached to the channel
you are applying voltage to may give you le noi e then grounding the cha i or a different channel. If noi e i a
concern, you hould u e a grounding wire at each channel to which you are applying high voltage.

8
Master Interlock Input
The Interlock input i the center terminal of a BNC connector located on the back panel of the HVS448. The interlock ignal i
TTL-compatible (0–5 V) and weakly pulled to 5 V via an ~20 kΩ internal re i tor. When the interlock ignal i in it high tate (>0.8
V), the high voltage connector are di connected from the power upply by relay , and the internal high voltage upply i turned
off. Becau e of the internal pull-up, a high tate can be maintained by leaving the ignal open.
High voltage i enabled by maintaining a TTL low ignal (<0.2 V) to the interlock. Thi can be accompli hed by connecting the
upplied 50-Ω terminator (Figure 2) to the interlock connection, connecting to an interlock witch to ground, or connecting to a
digital interlock ignal that i active low.
To te t if the interlock i ati fied (low): on the front panel click the Enable then All button . If the interlock i ati fied thi will
enable the high voltage and turn on a green light over the All button. If the light i red, the interlock i not ati fied.
Figure 2. 50-Ω BNC Terminator for Interlock
Disable/Enable High oltage
Di abling high voltage i a quick way to place the y tem in a “ afe” tate. The high voltage connector on the back panel will
float to the driving voltage when di abled, regardle of the equence or the tate of other channel . High voltage can be
enabled or di abled from the oftware or u ing front panel control . Thi etting i nonvolatile and i remembered on power-up .
Disable High oltage:
•From the front panel, pu h Disable, then All;
•or, from the oftware click the Disable High oltage toolbar button or , choo e Actions>Disable High oltage.
When the high voltage i di abled the LED over the ALL button will turn off, or will glow red if the Interlock i not ati fied.
Enable High oltage:
•From the front panel, pu h Enable, then All;
•or, from the oftware, click the Enable High oltage toolbar button or choo e Actions>Enable High oltage.
When the high voltage i enabled the LED over the ALL button will glow green if the interlock i ati fied or red if the Interlock i
not ati fied.
High oltage Connections
Each channel of the HVS448 include a ingle high voltage connector. Each channel can function a a voltage/current ource or
monitor, o thi connector act a either an input or output, depending on the function of the channel at any time.
The total y tem output (all channel con idered) will not exceed the maximum unit current ( ee Table 1). The y tem will
automatically hut down the high voltage upplie if thi current i exceeded. Each channel’ maximum and minimum voltage
and current can be limited in oftware to protect external device and equipment ( ee Channel Output Limits). Under no
condition will the voltage or current at the channel connection exceed the e oftware limit .
WARNING: DO NOT connect or disconnect cables from an enabled high oltage channel. Doing so could result in
personal injury and/or damage to the HVS448 or external equipment. You must disable the high
oltage connectors or turn off the HVS448 before plugging or remo ing equipment. Use the Disable
HV button on the toolbar or select Actions> Disable High Voltage from the dropdown menu tab.
WARNING: Do NOT connect a high oltage channel to a digital input or output. While the digital inputs and
outputs are protected to 115 VAC, connecting these different oltage le els could damage the HVS448
and/or any connected equipment.

9
Setting Up the H S448 Hardware for Operation
1. Ground your HVS448 u ing any of the method recommended above.
2. Connect the 50 Ω terminator into the ma ter interlock
3. Plug the power cable from the back of the HVS448 into a 90–250 VAC power outlet.
4. Connect the RS232 cable to the back of the HVS448 and to a free erial port on the PC.
Note: If connecting to a computer without a RS232 port, u e a RS232-USB adapter and attach to the computer’
USB port.
5. Pre the Power button on the front of the HVS448.
6. From your computer, run the Sequence oftware.
7. From within Sequence, elect iew>Options>Communications. The Serial Communication dialog box will open
(Figure 3).
8. Select the COM port to which the HVS448 i connected and click OK.
Figure 3. Serial Communications Dialog Box
Using the Sequence Wizards to Create a Sequence File
Sequence Wizard implify the proce of creating equence by letting you enter voltage and current directly for each tep of
the equence. A equence can contain up to 20 tep , with etting for up to 8 channel . The e etting , and all the programming
in truction nece ary to automatically et up each channel, are tored in a Sequence file with a . eq exten ion.
Simple Sequence Wizard
The Simple Sequence Wizard let you apply/mea ure DC current and voltage. To u e the Simple Sequence Wizard:
1. Open the Sequence oftware if it i not already opened.
2. Select Tools > Simple sequence wizard. The Wizard interface contain tab for each tep (Figure 4). When you launch a
wizard the etting for Step A will be di played. Click on any tep’ tab to view that tep’ etting .
3. In the Step Name field, enter a name which ea ily identifie the tep. The name mu t begin with a capital letter and
contain only letter , number , “.” or “_”.

10
Figure 4. Simple Sequence Wizard Window
4. Set the Switch step etting to pecify the condition at which the equence will move from the current tep to the next
tep in the equence:
a. Select Only manually to witch tep manually, u ing the Ma ter Controller ( ee Sequencer Control Panel).
b. Select After delay, enter a time period (in milli econd ), and elect the Next Step to which the equence hould
jump after that pecified time.
c. Select After trigger, choo e the condition that will trigger a tep change, then elect the Next Step to which the
equence hould jump when the trigger condition occur . The trigger condition can be a high or low TTL ignal
at any of the four input In1 – In4.
5. Enter the etting change for each channel during thi tep:
a. Select Unchanged to leave the channel in the ame tate a the previou equence tep.
b. Select Input to u e the channel a a voltmeter for an incoming ignal.
c. Select D.C. oltage, then pecify the voltage for the channel to maintain during thi tep. You can et the
voltage by entering the value in the box or by dragging the lider. If you are running in con tant current mode,
you do not need to pecify thi value.
6. Complete 1-4 for each of the tep in the equence.
7. Click Apply to end the program to the HVS448.
8. Choo e File>Save, then pecify a location and file name to which to ave the equence file. It will be aved a a “. eq”
file.
Note: Once a file name ha been pecified, click OK to ave the program and end it to the HVS448.

11
Complex Sequence Wizard
The Complex Sequence Wizard (Figure 5) provide the ame Name, Next Step and DC operation a de cribed in the Simple
wizard above. It al o give you the ability to apply a low frequency (1 kHz), ine, co ine, triangular or awtooth wave to the
applied voltage.
Figure 5. Complex Sequence Wizard
For AC operation , click the radio button labeled Waveform next to each channel to open the Waveform Generation dialog box
(Figure 6).
Figure 6. Complex Sequence Wizard: Waveform Generation dialog box
Choo e the Waveform hape you wi h to apply, then et:
-Offset (V), the DC off et (if any) applied to the waveform.
-Amplitude (V), the peak to peak voltage differential of the waveform.
Note: By default, generated waveform are bipolar (i.e., they o cillate between negative and po itive voltage ).
When a unipolar waveform i required (for example, a 0 to 5 V quare wave) the off et and amplitude control
together can be u ed to adju t the output accordingly.
-Period (m ), the duration of a ingle cycle of the waveform. The maximum frequency that can be applied i 1 kHZ.
-Phase Delay (m ), the delay after a equence tep tart until the waveform begin , and
-Number of voltage settings per cycle, the number of time per cycle that the voltage will be updated.

12
Running a Sequence
To run the aved equence:
1. Select the equence file (File>Open) if it i not already elected.
2. Click the Online/Offline toolbar button to toggle the oftware online ( ee Online and Offline Operation).
3. Click the Enable toolbar button to enable voltage ( ee Disable/Enable High V).
4. Send the etting to the HVS448.
a. If the HVS448 i brought online after the program i written and aved, you will ee the H S is Online dialog
box (Figure 7). Check the Send the current sequence program to the H S448 now box.
b. If the HVS448 wa online prior to programming choo e Actions>Program All.
5. In the left pane click Sequence to open the Sequencer Control Panel.
6. Pre A at the bottom of the Sequencer Control Panel to run Step A, etc. If you elected timed event or trigger , then
the automated equence you created will take over. If not, and you elected “manual” to witch between tep in the
Sequence Wizard, click the icon in the left pane. The Manual Sequence Monitor and Control (Figure
8) will open in the right pane.
7. Switch between Step A-H manually by u ing the cur or to elect a tep and left clicking on the mou e.
Figure 7. H S448 is Online Dialog Box
Figure 8. Manual Sequence Monitor and Control window

13
CHAPTER 3. H S448 HARDWARE
Mo t control of the HVS448 equencer occur through the Sequence oftware environment. The HVS front panel (Figure 9) al o
include everal important function that let you u e the unit without a computer.
Figure 9. H S448 Front Panel (3000 model shown)
Front Panel Controls
The Power button and Power LED are located in the upper left corner of the front panel. During power up the LED will fla h green
and red while the y tem run it initial diagno tic .
While the programming of the HVS448 mu t be done on a computer, once a equence file ha been ent to the HVS448, it can be
operated u ing the front panel button . The front panel button typically work in pair , by either of two method :
1. Select a channel or tep (A–H) and then elect a function to perform on that channel/ tep. When you elect the
channel/ tep, it LED will remain lit until you elect a function. Pu h the channel/ tep button again to de elect it.
2. Select a function, then elect the channel( ) to apply that function to. The function button will remain lit after you elect a
channel, indicating that you can elect additional channel . Pu h the function button again to de elect it. Selecting a
different function will al o de elect the fir t function.
The front panel control are a follow :
A–H Select individual channel or equence Step , A–H.
All Select all channel / tep , o you can apply a function to all of them at once.
Enable/Disable Enable/di able the channel ( ee Disable/Enable High V)
Trigger Force the trigger of a channel. The trigger only affect an Await Trigger function in that channel’ equence.
( ee Inter-Channel Communication).
Pu h Trigger, then ALL, to trigger the Ma ter equencer, which ha authority over individual channel
equencer .
Pause Pau e the current equence. All channel will remain frozen in their la t tate. Pre the button again to
re ume the equence. You do not need to elect a channel or tep before pu hing Pau e.
Run Jump to the elected Step, A–H, in the equence.
Stop Stop the equence if one i running and et all high voltage channel to be input (i.e., they neither ource
nor ink current). You do not need to elect a channel or tep before pu hing Stop.

14
Front Panel LEDs
The front panel LED provide information on the tate of the channel or the unit. The channel indicator were modified in ver ion
1.153 of the Sequence
TM
oftware to improve HVS448 performance. Table 1 below how the tandard LED etting . During the
execution of a equence, the ma ter equencer can be programmed to override any channel or the ALL LED etting (however thi
may adver ely affect the unit performance). Thi would be u ed, for example, to indicate the execution tatu ( ee LED).
Table 2 Front Panel LED Settings
LED
Status
Sequence v1.152 and previous
Channel A-H
Sequence v1.153 and later
Channel A-H
All ersions of Sequence
Channel ALL
Green channel i inking current (current
i flowing into the channel)
channel i inking or
ourcing high voltage i enabled
Red channel i ourcing current (current
i flowing out of the channel)
error ha occurred ( uch a
overvoltage or
overcurrent)
high voltage i di abled, for example
becau e of an open interlock or over-
current
Off channel i an input (not inking or
ourcing current) channel i an input or off high voltage ha been manually di abled
Yellow N/A N/A HVS448 i witching the high voltage on
or off or changing the voltage range
Locking the Front Panel Controls
The front panel control can be locked to prevent u er from adju ting equence or triggering a program. To lock the front
panel, choo e Actions> Lock Front Panel from the Sequence oftware. When the panel i locked, the LED next to the power
button glow a teady red and all button are dark.
The front panel can be unlocked by choo ing Actions>Unlock Front Panel. Thi i the default condition. When the panel i
unlocked, the power LED glow green and the front panel button are illuminated.
The Lock function are nonvolatile: the panel will remain locked or unlocked even if power i removed and re tored. The panel
can only be unlocked from within the Sequence oftware.
Back Panel Connections
The back panel of the HVS448 hou e the following connection
Power input Plug the power cable from the back of the HVS448 into a 90–250 VAC power outlet
RS232 socket A RS232 cable i u ed to connect the HVS448 to a RS232 port on the ho t PC. Alternatively, a
USB-to- erial adapter can be u ed with the RS232 cable to connect to a USB port on the PC.
Grounding pin U ed to ground HVS448 unit ( ee Grounding the HVS448 Channels)
Channels [H A-H H] High Voltage input channel ( ee High Voltage Connections)
Digital Inputs [in1-in4] Digital Input ( ee Digital Connections)
Digital Outputs [outA – outD] Digital Output ( ee Digital Connections)
Digital Connection
Four digital input and four digital output (BNC connector , TTL-level, (0–0.2 V: low; 2.4–5.5 V: high) allow communication with
external equipment.
The input be connected to interlock witche , en or or the output of other channel . Input are pulled high through a 20 KΩ
re i tor; therefore, when open the TTL input read high, when hort-circuit it to read low. Thi allow pa ive te ting of input
trigger . If a TTL voltage i applied, the input can be forced high or low.
Output might be connected to limit witche , indicator light , monitoring equipment, alarm , or to the input of other channel .

15
Recalibrating the Channels
To en ure the highe t accuracy and performance, the HVS448 hould occa ionally be recalibrated in normal u e and mu t be
recalibrated following a firmware upgrade, which overwrite all the internal calibration data. For operation of low current
where current accuracy i critical, recalibration hould be performed before each experiment. For the e operation , the HVS448
hould be powered up and left on for a minimum of 30 minute prior to recalibration.
1. Turn off the HVS448 and di connect everything from the high voltage output .
2. Enable the high voltage connection by connecting the upplied 50-Ω terminator to the Interlock Input on the back panel.
3. Connect the HVS448 to your computer and turn on the unit.
Note: For be t re ult , leave the unit on at lea t 30 minute before calibration.
4. Run the Sequence oftware.
5. In Sequence, enter Online mode by clicking the toolbar button.
6. Click the toolbar button to enable high voltage. The “All” indicator on the HVS448 front panel LED hould glow green
after a few econd .
7. In Sequence, choo e Actions>Calibration>Recalibrate. A the y tem recalibrate you will hear a relay clicking in ide the
HVS448, and the front panel LED will fla h red and green.
8. When all the ta k are done, choo e Actions>Calibration>Save. The y tem i now recalibrated and i ready for u e.
WARNING: While the HVS is recalibrating the high oltage channels are supplying up to the maximum oltage to
the high oltage connectors. Ensure e erything is disconnected from the high oltage connectors
(except for the interlock terminator) on the back panel before performing a recalibration.
Note: If after performing a calibration you wi h to return to the previou ly aved calibration choo e Actions>Calibration>
Restore Calibration.

16
CHAPTER 4. SEQUENCE SOFTWARE O ER IEW
Sequence™ oftware let you et the HVS448’ high voltage function . The ourcing and en ing function can be et manually via
control panel for each channel. The Sequence programming environment let you create equence that automatically control
and change the voltage etting . Sequence wizard help implify the proce of defining equence .
Field Upgradeable Firmware
The HVS448 firmware i field upgradeable. To upgrade the firmware:
1. Download the late t ver ion of Sequence from www.labsmith.com or from a link ent to you by LabSmith.
2. Turn off the HVS448 and di connect everything from the high voltage output .
3. Connect the HVS448 to your computer and turn on the unit.
4. Run the Sequence oftware.
5. Enter Online mode by clicking the toolbar button.
6. Choo e Actions>Update Firmware>Update All. Click OK to continue.
7. The firmware update proce take everal minute . Do not di connect the power or the erial cable during the update.
8. When all the ta k are done, the y tem i automatically recalibrated to complete the y tem upgrade.
9. To verify the firmware ver ion, go to Action>Get ersions. The firmware ver ion number will be di played in the tatu
bar. The unit mu t be Online for the firmware ver ion to be di played.
Sequence Files
A Sequence file maintain the la t manual etting for each channel, a well a all of the programming for a ingle automated
equence. Sequence file have a . eq exten ion.
To open a Sequence file, choo e File>Open, then locate the file on your hard drive. You can al o choo e from recently opened
file at the bottom of the File menu.
When you turn on the HVS448, all of the high voltage channel act a “Input ;” that i , they float to the driving voltage (if no
external ource i upplied, then they will indicate near 0 V). When you open a Sequence file, the channel remain input . Click
the Update All button at the bottom of Sequence’ right pane to et all of the channel to the la t elected etting .
Online and Offline Operation
Sequence function in either Online or Offline mode . When Online, Sequence communicate with the HVS448, allowing control
and monitoring from a PC. When Offline, Sequence doe not communicate with the HVS448, but it doe record your etting and
programming which can later be tored in the HVS448.
By default, on tartup, Sequence i Offline. Click the toolbar button to witch between Offline and Online mode . The
mode i reported in the tatu bar at the bottom of Sequence’ main window. When Sequence i in tructed to go Online, it
automatically program the HVS448 with the manual power upply etting .
You can al o put the HVS448 Online by going to iew>Option>Communications. When the correct erial port i elected the
HVS448 will automatically toggle to Online mode.
Sequence Software Environment
Figure 10 how the Sequence main window.
Thi tandard Window interface include menu and toolbar to acce virtually all function . The e option will be di cu ed
throughout the body of the text. A complete li t of menu and toolbar option i al o available in Appendix 1.
The left pane let you navigate through the manual control for each high voltage channel, a well a through the variou part of
an automated equence. You can collap e or expand level to acce the etting you need while hiding extraneou function . To
expand a level, click the “+” button to the left of that item; to collap e a level, click the “–” button.
Click on an item in the left pane to view related etting in the right pane:
-High oltage Power Supply/Monitor open the Power Supply Control Panel, an overview of the channel ’ manual etting
-Channel A–H open the manual etting for a particular channel

17
-Sequencer open the Sequencer Control Panel, an overview of the current equence’ etting
-Sequencer A–H open the equence for an individual channel
-Step A–H how a tep within a equence
-Programmable Trigger Logic let you define the logic of the ignal ent to the digital input.
Figure 10. Sequence Main Window, showing navigation in the left pane and channel settings on the right
Monitor Settings
Monitoring channel mea urement and tatu will help you interpret the tate of the HVS channel . Choo e
iew>Options>Monitoring to control how voltage, current and equence tatu will be monitored (Figure 11):
Figure 11. Monitor Settings
-Measurement interval i the frequency with which mea urement value are updated in milli econd . The mea urement
interval mu t be an integer in the range of 1 to 1000000000.The new mea urement interval will be applied the next time
Sequence tart . To apply the new mea urement interval immediately, elect the new interval, click OK, et the oftware to
monitor None ( ee Manual Power Supply Control Panel) then re elect the channel to monitor.
-Sampling period i the default period over which mea urement are integrated in the HVS. The default period i 25.6 m ;
you can al o elect a horter ampling time from the drop-down li t.
Note: During high peed mea urement the added proce ing required for monitoring mea urement may add jitter to
your timing. U e monitoring thoughtfully if you are performing high- peed or timing en itive experiment .

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CHAPTER 5. HIGH OLTAGE POWER SUPPLY: MANUAL MODE
At it heart, the HVS448 i a a multi-channel high voltage power upply. In “manual” mode, you et power upply etting for
each channel through the Sequence oftware, or through other driver oftware uch a LabVIEW™.
Channel Control Panels
Click on a channel in the left pane of the Sequence window to view it control panel (Figure 12).
Figure 12. Channel A’s High oltage Control Panel
Note: If the channel are not vi ible in the left pane, double-click High oltage Power Supply/Monitor to expand that
ection and reveal the eight channel , A–H. Then, click on a channel to di play it etting .
Channel Statu
Monitoring provide feedback on the channel’ tatu and mea ure it pre ent voltage and current value . Click Once to
monitor and report the voltage and current. Select the Monitor check box monitor tatu and value continuou ly.
Note: The default monitor etting i governed by the Monitor Setting dialog. To et the default, choo e
iew>Options>Monitoring ( ee Monitor Settings).
A channel can monitor either it internally-generated voltage or current, or the voltage/current of an external, connected ignal.
When the channel’ etting i Input, the external value will be read. When the channel etting i oltage Output or Current
Output, the internal value will be mea ured.
Channel Setting
A mentioned earlier, any channel can:
Function a a high voltage voltmeter with
200 M-Ω input impedance
Select Input to u e a channel a a voltmeter for an incoming ignal. The
Target alue box will di appear. Click Apply to record the change.
upply voltage while monitoring current Select oltage Output, then enter the target voltage to et the channel to
upply a regulated voltage.
upply current while monitoring voltage Select Current Output, then enter a target current to regulate an output
current.
After electing the channel function click Apply to initiate the new function.

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Channel Output Limit
To protect external equipment, you can et hard limit for the current and voltage on each channel. Enter lower and upper
Output limit for voltage and/or current.
The e limit are particularly u eful in automated mode, to en ure that the output voltage/current tay within bound regardle
of in truction from the equence. If an out-of-bound condition occur , the channel will trip (i.e., will float to the controlling
voltage) or clip (i.e., will be forced within the limit value ), depending on the channel’ trip-handling etting ( ee Error
Reporting/Trip Settings) below.
Note: The HVS448 ha an overall maximum output current (value depend on the model, ee Table 1). If the total of the
current etting acro all channel exceed thi maximum, the overload circuit will trip, and the output will
temporarily become input (i.e., they float to the driving voltage).
Holdoff value i the duration that the channel mu t tay beyond the voltage/current limit for the trip etting to take effect.
Error Reporting/Trip Setting
The HVS448 channel continuou ly check the validity of their etting . In re pon e to invalid condition , the channel can trip,
clip, or ignore different type of error . Each channel can have different etting . If Monitoring i turned on for a channel, any
problem on that channel will cau e a me age to appear in the Errors field.
Click the Trip Setting button to choo e the error re pon e for a channel. The Becomes an Input on dialog box will be di played
( ee Figure 13).
Figure 13. Channel Error Handling Dialog Box
Table 3 de cribe error me age that may be ob erved while u ing the Sequence oftware.
Table 3. Error Descriptions
Error Meaning If box is checked If box is not
checked
Error Message
Numerical
Exception
Overflow/underflow in a
mathematical calculation (e.g., quare
root of a negative number attempted)
Channel become an
input (i.e., float to
driving voltage)
Error i
ignored
“A numerical exception
occurred.”
Current at limit The current exceed the channel
limit
Channel become an
input
Clip to current
limit
“The current exceeded
the limit .”
Voltage at limit The voltage exceed the channel
limit
Channel become an
Input
Clip to voltage
limit
“The voltage exceeded
the limit .”
Mi matched
unit in
calculation
A mathematical operation wa
attempted on number with
incompatible unit (e.g., voltage
added to time)
Channel become an
input
Error i
ignored
“Calculation were
performed on number
having incon i tent
unit .”
Output etting
beyond limit
The output of the power upply i
exceeded
Channel become an
input
Clip to current
or voltage
limit
“The upply wa
in tructed to regulate
beyond it pre cribed
limit .”

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Two other fault condition are monitored. You don’t have the ability to change the e behavior :
Fault Meaning If box is checked If box is not checked Error Message
Temperature
limit exceeded
The en or in the HVS
indicate exce ive heat
Channel become
an input
Channel become an input
(cannot ignore thi fault)
“The upply exceeded
it afe operating
temperature.”
Interlock open
(low)
The interlock input i et
to High.
Channel become
an input
Channel become an input
(cannot ignore thi fault)
Manual Power Supply Control Panel
We have ju t een that the etting for each channel can be et manually u ing the individual channel control panel . An
overview of all channel can al o be viewed. Click on High oltage Power Supply/Monitor in the left pane to open the Manual
High- oltage Power Supply Controls dialog box.
Figure 14. Manual High oltage Power Supply Control Panel
Overall Setting
At the top of the control panel, et the Output oltage Range to a value that make en e for your current experiment. The
voltage and current lider for each channel will adju t to reflect your choice.
Update All ynchronize the data from all channel , read the calibration data, update all channel etting , and update the
monitored value once for all channel . Thi function al o appear on the Sequencer Control Panel.
Reset All make all channel input , clear all error flag , and top a equence if one i running.
Monitoring
Select the Monitor? check box next to each channel to di play that channel’ real time Voltage and Current value . You can al o
click All to monitor all channel , or None to turn off all monitoring.
Channel Setting
You have the following control for each channel:
-Click the Input button to u e the channel a a voltmeter for an incoming ignal. If monitoring i elected, the voltage and
current boxe will how the value of the external ignal.
-Click and drag the left slider to et a target voltage for the channel to regulate. A you move the lider, the target
voltage will be di played. You can al o enter the target value in the Voltage box. You will not be able to move the lider
beyond the oltage Limits for the channel (a et in the Channel Control Panels).