Sacher Lasertechnik Pilot PC User manual

http://www.sacher-laser.com
Sacher Lasertechnik Group
Pilot PC Laser Driver
User Manual

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC Printed: Sep-10
Part Number:
Warranty
This Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
product is warranted against defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of three years from date of
shipment.
Duration and conditions of warranty for this product may be superceded
when the product is integrated into (becomes a part of)other Sacher
Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
products. During the warranty period, Sacher
Lasertechnik
Group
will, at its option, either repair or replace products
which prove to be defective.
The warranty period begins on the date of delivery or on the date of
installation if installed by Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
.
This warranty is in lieu of all other guarantees expressed or implied and
does not cover incidental or consequential loss.
Copyright 2008, Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
. All rights reserved.
Service
Information and advice about the performance or operation of Sacher
Lasertechnik
Group
products is available from our web site and our
applications engineers.
For quickest response ask for ‘Technical Support’ and have your model
and serial number available. Support is available by:
Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
Rudolf-Breitscheid-Str. 1-5
35037 Marburg, Germany
Tel: [phone] – 0, Fax: [phone] - 299
[email protected]
or
5765 Equador Way
Buena Park, CA 90620
USA
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone]

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC Printed: Sep-10
Part Number:
Content
General Information 2
General Description....................................................2
Block Diagram............................................................3
Environmental Setting Up Conditions........................6
Rear Side ON/OFF Keyswitch....................................6
Other Laser Safety Components.................................6
Getting Started ............................................................7
Interlock Port ............................................................12
PE Switch..................................................................13
Housing Description 14
Front Panel................................................................15
Rear Panel.................................................................16
Rear Panel Piezo Option...........................................17
Menus 18
Main Menu................................................................23
LD Current Menu......................................................23
Laser Setup................................................................25
IU-Scan Laser Setup .................................................26
LD-Power Menu .......................................................27
LD TEMP Menu .......................................................28
Temp Setup...............................................................29
Scan - Menu..............................................................30
Current Coupling Setup ............................................32
Diagnostic Menu.......................................................33
System Settings Menu...............................................33
System Info Menu.....................................................36
Driver Secure / Unsecure..........................................37
Specifications 38
Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 500.........................38
Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 3000.......................40
Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 4000.......................42
Piezo Driver Option..................................................44

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
Operation of Laser Diode Controller
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 1
Appendix 45
Connector Schematics...............................................45
Error Codes...............................................................52
Safety Symbols .........................................................53
Fuse Replacement and Voltage Selection.................54
Declaration of Conformity........................................55
Technical Support.....................................................56

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 2
General Information
General Description
The PilotPC Laser Driver is a highly precise controller for laser diodes.
The laser current or the optical output power and the temperature of the
connected laser diode can be precisely regulated.
In case of the piezo option also the piezo voltage could be controlled.
The laser driver is managed by a modern 16 Bit ucontroller with
internal flash memory. So it is possible to update the firmware of the
driver.
The main focus, when designing the driver, was, to give the customer a
low noise laser driver. The output power stage of the laser driver is not
designed in switchmode power supply technology.
This causes some more thermal power losses and makes a internal fan
necessary.
The PilotPC power stage is a further development of our previous
design which is working since more then 10 years in Sacher
Lasertechnik products. So we are sure to give you a high quality and
well approved instrument.
For automated control, a GPIB/IEEE-488.2 , a RS232 and a USB
interface allows remote programming and readout from personal
computers. All instrument functions accessible from the front panel are
also accessible through the interface bus, allowing control or testing of
the laser system. In addition, a LabVIEW® instrument driver is
available free upon request.
For quick and easy operation without confusing multilayer menus, the
front panel of the PilotPC is divided into two major sections, TEC and
LASER Control. The display section allows monitoring of control
parameters for TEC (Thermo electric cooler) and laser diode.
The PilotPC incorporates proven laser protection features, including
exclusive clamping current limits, output shorting circuits and slow-
start turn-on. In addition, power-line transients are suppressed with AC
line filters .

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 3
Block Diagram
Simplified Laser Current Control Block Diagram
As shown in the block diagram the laser current source is controlled by
the uController. Current control loop and power control loop is build in
hardware. Only the set values are given by special DAC units. The
uController also has several supervising functions like
- Diagnostic
- Monitoring
- Protection
Some supervising features are
- Wiring resistance measurement
- 16Bit LD Voltage measurement
- Softstart
- Laserpower calculation
14 Bit LOW Noise
DAC
12 Bit LOW Noise
DAC
LD Current
Control
LD Power
Control
Compliance
Voltage
Control
uController Unit
Limit Open Load
Detection Polarity Control
PD Amplifier
LD Current
Source
16 Bit High Speed
ADC
I/P-Mode

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 4
Simplified Temperature Control Block Diagram
The main temperature control blocks are build in software.
This has some advantages for the user.
- free programmable PID Setup
- free programmable current limit
Also some diagnostic features are implemented to protect the laser
diode
- Open load detection of TEC
- Bad heat sink detection
- temp watch window supervising
- Open/ short circuit detection in sensor lines
12 Bit DAC
uController Unit
AD590 Current to Voltage Transmitter
TEC
Current
Source
16 Bit High Speed
ADC
PID Controller
Open Load
Detection
Limit
TEC Current
Control
NTC Signal Amplification
Sensor Control
Diagnostics

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 5
Piezo Control Block Diagram
The piezo driver is an option for the PilotPC useful for many TDLS. It
can be equipped with the original configuration or upgraded at a later
point of time.
When the piezo driver is installed the PilotPC will automatically detect
the board and activate the additional menus which are available under
the “Scan” Button.
The main piezo features are
- build in DDS function generator
- High resolution offset adjust
- continuous frequency and amplitude adjust
High Resolution
DAC
Function
Generator
Piezo
Amplifier
Piezo Enable
FG Enable
Diagnostic
Waveform Select
+
Offset Control
Freq. Adjust
Amplitude
External Modulation Input
u
C
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
r

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 6
Environmental Setting Up Conditions
The Laser Driver should placed in horizontal condition.
The user must take care that the Key Switch is not blocked (could easily
reached by the user)
The user must take care that the fan output on the rear side is not
blocked.
Rear Side ON/OFF Keyswitch
The key switch disconnects the main power supply from the driver.
The switch acts as security feature to prevent user for dangerous laser
light.
The key switch also acts as an general ON/OFF switch witch should be
used (opened) when the driver is not used.
The laserdiode current source should be shut down before the key
switch is opened. Otherwise load dump pulses could damage the
laserdiode
The key is only removable in “OFF” position.
Other Laser Safety Components
Acoustical warning
Before laser emission starts, an acoustical warning will happen.
A beep sound will come every second. The warning time is adjustable
by user . The minimum ON-delay is 2 seconds.
Laser Emission indicator lamp
A red LED indicator lamp on the front panel in the Laser ON/OFF
button will blink while the acoustical warning time is running and
will be switched ON when the laser is on.
When the PilotPC is switched ON a lamp test switch ON every
indicator lamp on the front panel.
Interlock Port
The interlock port acts as a security feature.
If the interlock loop is opened the laser current source will be disabled.
For a more detailed description see chapter interlock port.
Laser Emision indicator lamp

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 7
Getting Started
The laser system consists of an electronic controller unit – the PilotPC –
and an external laser head. This configuration allows flexible use of the
laser system possible since the laser head can be positioned freely in an
optical setup.
Laser and controller are connected by two cables, which allows the
controller to be include in a rack.
This modular design enables you to switch wavelengths simply by
changing the laser head (heads are available separately).
Pilot
Laser
heat sink
piezo input
MOD input
User
interface
Laser
output

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 8
Laser Diode Configurations
The laser diode is connected over the “LASER CONNECTOR” on the
rear panel of the driver. To get the full performance and safety please
only connect a special laser head from Sacher Lasertechnik.
These laser heads incorporate several features.
- Short circuit relay for the laser diode
- Input filter network for current transient protection
- Interlock loop
- bias-T option for high frequency modulation
- separate calibrated photodiode for const power mode (only for high
power TIGER systems)
For maximum flexibility and laser safety the driver supports 4 different
laser diode configurations which are shown in the following schematics.
Configuration 1 (common cathode)
Constant Current/Power
Controller
Safety
Relay Control
Interlock
Control
1 = Interlock
2 = Photodiode Cathode
3 = Ground for Laser Diode
4 = Photodiode Anode
5 = GND for Interlock
6 = Safety Relay Plus
7 = Laser Diode Minus
8 = Laser Diode Plus
9 = Safety Relay Minus
S = Shielding
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
S
Laser Diode Controller
Laser Diode

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 9
Configuration 2
Configuration 3
Constant Current/Power
Controller
Safety
Relay Control
Interlock
Control
1 = Interlock
2 = Photodiode Cathode
3 = Ground for Laser Diode
4 = Photodiode Anode
5 = GND for Interlock
6 = Safety Relay Plus
7 = Laser Diode Minus
8 = Laser Diode Plus
9 = Safety Relay Minus
S = Shielding
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
S
Laser Diode Controller
Laser Diode
Constant Current/Power
Controller
Safety
Relay Control
Interlock
Control
1 = Interlock
2 = Photodiode Cathode
3 = Ground for Laser Diode
4 = Photodiode Anode
5 = GND for Interlock
6 = Safety Relay Plus
7 = Laser Diode Minus
8 = Laser Diode Plus
9 = Safety Relay Minus
S = Shielding
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
S
Laser Diode Controller
Laser Diode

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 10
Configuration 4 (common anode)
For proper and safety operation you have to select the right laser setup
settings in the LASER SETUP menu.
The following list gives you the correct polarity setting.
Configuration Polarity
Configuration 1 (common cathode) Positive
Configuration 2 Negative
Configuration 3 Positive
Configuration 4 (common anode) Negative
Constant Current/Power
Controller
Safety
Relay Control
Interlock
Control
1 = Interlock
2 = Photodiode Cathode
3 = Ground for Laser Diode
4 = Photodiode Anode
5 = GND for Interlock
6 = Safety Relay Plus
7 = Laser Diode Minus
8 = Laser Diode Plus
9 = Safety Relay Minus
S = Shielding
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
S
Laser Diode Controller
Laser Diode

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 11
TEC / Temperature Sensor Configurations
TEC and temperature sensor are connected over the “TEC
CONNECTOR” on the rear panel.
The laser driver supports two different types of sensor.
- AD590 (temperature Transducer)
- 10K NTC (Thermistor)
The sensor could be selected in the “Temp Setup Menu”
For best operation of the temperature controller the right PID Settings
must be found. This could be done by testing or calculating the TEC
and laser head behavior.
For testing and qualifying the heating / cooling process the laserdriver
provides test functions where the user easily could calculate process
response time and amplification.
The temperature controller is internal realized as a PID controller, so
the user has to setup 3 parameters.
TEC Configuration
Temperature
Controller
1 = n.c.
2 = Temperature Sensor AD590 Plus
3 = Temperature Sensor AD590 Minus
4 = n.c.
5 = n.c.
6 = GND
7 = TEC Element GND
8 = TEC Element Output
9 = NTC Sensor Plus
S = Shielding
2
7
9
1
S
TEC Controller
TEC Module Voltage
Reference
Set Point
3
8
4
5
6
AD590 Temp.
Transducer
NTC

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 12
Interlock Port
The interlock port is one of several safety features.
The port acts as input port for a safety contact and as an indicator port
which could drive a LED.
The port is internally hardwired to the laser power supply so that an
open interlock loop will directly cause a shut down of the laser.
Possible Interlock Configurations
Safety Swich
Optical coupled Output

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 13
PE Switch
The PE switch is used to improve the noise behavior of the laserdiode
current source. In some cases, especially when external measurement
equipment is connected to the laserhead or the laserdriver, line
frequency noise comes up.
Sometimes it helps to open the PE Switch.
Switch Pos.
S Electronic Ground of the Laserdiodedriver
are connected to PE (Protective Earth) with high
resistance
PE Electronic Ground of the Laserdiodedriver
are connected to PE (Protective Earth) with low
resistance
PilotPC
Laserdiode
Current Source
PE Switch
IEC Line Connector

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 14
Housing Description

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 15
Front Panel
This section shows the front-panel elements.
The front panel consists of a blue graphic display and a foil keypad-
List of Front panel Elements
Element Description
Line Button To switch the driver ON/OFF
Graphic Display
Incremental jog
Menu Button
Laser ON/OFF Button
with Laser Warning Indicator
To switch the laser ON/OFF
I-Mode Button Constant current mode
P-Mode Button Constant power mode
SCAN Button Sets Scan Options
I-Tec Button To switch the TEC (Thermo Electric
Coolser ON OFF)
T-Set Button Sets the laser diode temperature
T-Watch Button Switch the T-Watch Mode ON /OFF
(Laser is only working when
Temperature is within a given limit)
Inkremental Jog
Dial + Button
LINE
Laser
On/Off
I
MODE
P
MODE
SCAN
I
TEC
T
SET
T
WATCH
GRAPHIC
DISPLAY
MENU

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 16
Rear Panel
This section shows the rear panel elements.
On this side you find all connectors.
List of Rear Panel elements
Element Description
1 RS232 Interface Connector
2 GBIB Interface Connector
3 PE Switch
4 Safety Interlock Connector
5 Key Switch
6 USB Interface Connector
7 Piezo Input/Output Connector
8 Laser Connector
9 TEC Connector
A Current/Power Signal Modulation Input
B Current/Power Signal Monitor Output
2
3
4
1
5
9
6
7
8
A
B

Sacher Lasertechnik
Group
User Manual Laser Diode Controller PilotPC 17
Rear Panel Piezo Option
This section shows the rear panel elements.
On this side you find all connectors.
List of Rear Panel elements
Element Description
1 RS232 Interface Connector
2 GBIB Interface Connector
3 PE Switch
4 Safety Interlock Connector
5 Key Switch
6 USB Interface Connector
7 Piezo Input/Output Connector
8 Laser Connector
9 TEC Connector
A Current/Power Signal Monitor Output
B Frequency Gen.-Output Signal “External Mode”
C Piezo Modulation Input
D Piezo Sync Signal Output
2
3
4
1
5
9
6
7
8
A
B
C
D