THORLABS PRO8 Series User manual

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Operation Manual
Thorlabs Instrumentation
Mainframe
PRO8000
PRO8000-4
PRO800
2012

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© 2012 Thorlabs
Version: 3.3
Date: 26.March 2012
©2012 Thorlabs

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© 2012 Thorlabs
Contents Page
1General Information 2
1.1 At a glance 3
1.2 Safety 3
1.3 Ordering codes and accessories 6
2Getting Started 7
2.1 Unpacking 7
2.2 Preparation 7
2.3 Operating elements on front panel 8
2.4 Operating elements on rear panel 11
2.5 First operation 12
3Operating the PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800 13
3.1 After power on 13
3.2 Main menu 14
3.3 The cursor 14
3.4 Selecting a module 15
3.5 Setup menu 16
4Communication with a PC 17
4.1 Hardware standard RS 232-C 17
4.1.1 Interface specification 19
4.1.2 Emulating the IEEE488 bus commands 19
4.1.3 Service request emulation 20
4.1.4 Operating commands 20
4.2 Hardware standard IEEE 488.1 21
4.2.1 IEEE 488.1 subsets of the PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800 21
4.2.2 Device address and string terminator 22
4.2.3 Starting the IEEE488 interface 23
4.2.4 IEEE488 bus commands 24
4.3 Software standard IEEE 488.2 26
4.3.1 Nomenclature 26
4.3.2 Program and response messages 26
4.3.3 Data format 27
4.3.4 Common commands and queries 29
4.3.5 Module specific commands and queries 33
4.4 Error messages 33
4.4.1 Error queue empty 34
4.4.2 100 ... 199 command error messages 34

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4.4.3 200 ... 299 execution error messages 35
4.4.4 300 ... 399 system error messages 35
4.4.5 400 ... 499 query error messages 38
4.5 Status reporting 39
4.5.1 Standard event status register (ESR) 39
4.5.2 Standard event status enable register (ESE) 43
4.5.3 Status byte register (STB) 43
4.5.4 Service request enable register (SRE) 44
4.5.5 Device Error Summary Register (DESR) 44
4.5.6 Device Error Summary Enable Register (DESE) 44
4.5.7 Device error condition register (DEC) 45
4.5.8 Device error event register (DEE) 45
4.5.9 Device error event enable register (EDE) 45
4.5.10 Block Function Condition Register (BFC) 45
4.5.11 Block Function Event Register (BFR) 45
4.5.12 Block Function Enable Register (BFE) 46
4.5.13 Service request by detecting SRQ 46
4.5.14 Service request by *STB? command 46
4.5.15 Hints for setting up control programs 47
4.6 System reset 48
4.6.1 Power on reset 48
4.6.2 Reset by device clear 49
4.6.3 Reset by the clear status command 49
4.6.4 Reset by the reset command 49
4.6.5 Reset by interface clear 49
4.7 The PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800 “ELCH” – macro functions 50
4.7.1 What is ELCH? 50
4.7.2 Basic settings 50
4.7.3 Individual settings for a measurement 50
4.7.4 Cascading several ELCH runs 52
4.7.5 Which values do you want to measure? 55
4.7.6 Setting the desired measurement mode 56
4.7.7 Reading the 'ELCH' status 57
4.7.8 Reading the measured values 57
4.7.9 Example of an ELCH measurement procedure 59
4.7.10 Possible ELCH Error sources 61
5Maintenance and repair 63
5.1 General care 63
5.2 Cleaning 63

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5.3 Line voltage 63
5.4 Exchanging the mains fuse 64
5.5 Repair 65
5.6 Installing and uninstalling modules 66
5.7 Troubleshooting 68
6Service 72
6.1 Line voltage setting 72
6.2 Internal Fuse Replacement 74
7Appendix 75
7.1 Warranty 75
7.2 Certifications and compliances 76
7.3 Technical data 78
7.4 Thorlabs “End of Life” policy (WEEE) 80
7.4.1 Waste treatment on your own responsibility 80
7.4.2 Ecological background 81
7.5 List of acronyms 82
7.6 List of figures 83
7.7 Copyright 84
7.8 Addresses 85

2 General Information
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1 General Information
We aim to develop and produce the best solution for your application in the
field of optical measurement technique. To help us to come up to your
expectations and develop our products permanently we need your ideas and
suggestions. Therefore, please let us know about possible criticism or ideas.
We and our international partners are looking forward to hearing from you.
In the displays shown by the PRO8 you may find the name PROFILE.
PROFILE was the name of the manufacturer before it was acquired by Thorlabs
and renamed to Thorlabs.
Thorlabs
This part of the instruction manual contains specific information on how to operate
the modular PRO800 / PRO8000 / PRO8000-4 mainframe.
The description of the different modules is given in the individual module manuals.
Attention
This manual contains “WARNINGS” and “ATTENTION” label in this
form, to indicate dangers for persons or possible damage of equip-
ment.
Please read these advises carefully!
NOTE
This manual also contains “NOTES” and “HINTS” written in this form.

At a glance 3
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1.1 At a glance
The units of the PRO8 series are modular platforms for electro-optical test and
control applications.
The high channel count and the wide variety of plug in modules make complex
systems and solutions in a small footprint possible.
With the comfortable manual operation and the built in RS232 and IEEE488.2
interface the PRO8 series is the right choice for lab applications as well as for remote
controlled test systems.
1.2 Safety
Attention
All statements regarding safety of operation and technical data in this
operation manual will only apply when the unit is operated correctly.
Before applying power to your PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800 system, make sure that
the protective conductor of the 3 conductor mains power cord is correctly
connected to the protective earth contact of the socket outlet!
Improper grounding can cause electric shock with damage to your health or
even death!
Also make sure that your line voltage agrees with the voltage given on the
letterplate of the unit and that the right fuse has been inserted!
To avoid damage to the modules used or to the mainframe, modules may only
be installed or removed with the mainframe switched off.
All modules must be fixed with all screws provided for this purpose.
All connections to the load have to be made with shielded cables (unless
otherwise noted).
If a remote control interface is provided a control computer can be connected
to the PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800 prior to operation of both units!
This precision device is only dispatchable if duly packed into the complete
original packaging including the plastic form parts. If necessary, ask for a
replacement package.
The PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800 laser modules can deliver up to several 100mW of
(maybe) invisible laser radiation!
When operated incorrectly, this can cause severe eye and health damage!
Make sure you pay strict attention to the safety recommendations of the
appropriate laser safety class!
This laser safety class is marked on your PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800 plug-in
module!

4 General Information
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Attention
Mobile telephones, cellular phones or other radio transmitters are not to be
used within the range of three meters of this unit since the electromagnetic
field intensity may then exceed the maximum allowed disturbance values
according to EN 50 082-1.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when
the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user
will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
Mounting several PRO8000 (-4) in a rack, make sure to have 1 height-unit space
between the different housings to ensure proper ventilation (ventilation slots
are beneath the front panel!!)
To connect the unit to the mains, use only the supplied mains cord with safety mains
plug. The unit is grounded via the protective conductor of this cable. To avoid electric
shocks the plug of the mains cable must be inserted in a correctly grounded socket.
Interruption of the protective grounding could lead to health damage or even death
due to electric shock.
Please check prior to operation, if the line voltage, indicated on the rear panel agrees
with your local supply. If not please have a service technician change the line voltage
and the appropriate fuse. Attention
Changing the line voltage is a service operation and must be done only by
qualified service personnel! (see section 6, Service).
To guarantee safe operation of the PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800 do not obstruct the
ventilation slots beneath the front panel and the fan air outlets at the rear panel.

Safety 5
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Attention
The unit must not be operated in explosion endangered environments.
Do not open the unit during operation. Internal adjustments as well as replacement of
parts is only to be done by especially trained service personnel. Parts must not be
exchanged with the unit switched on. Dangerous voltages may also be present in the
unit when switched off and with power cord removed.
Proper discharge of power components is advised.

6 General Information
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1.3 Ordering codes and accessories
Please refer to the actual catalog or the web for an actual list of available plug in
modules and accessories and for the complete ordering codes.
Ordering-code Short description
Mainframes
PRO800 Mainframe for up to 2 modules, up to 4A per slot
PRO8000 Mainframe for up to 8 modules, up to 2A per slot
PRO8000-4 Mainframe for up to 8 modules, up to 4A per slot
Modules for the PRO8 series:
LDC8xxx Laser diode controllers, 7 types, 100mA to 8A f.s.
MLC8xxx 8 channel Laser diode controllers, 8 types, 25mA to 200mA f.s.
TED8xxx Temperature controllers, 3 types, 2A to 8A f.s.
ITC8xxx Laser diode and temperature controllers, 3 types,
200mA to 1A f.s. laser current, 2A TE current
PDA8000 Photo diode current meter, 1 or 2 channel, 7 ranges,
10nA to 10mA f.s.
WDM8xxx Laser modules in the ITU grid, S, C and L- band
OSW8xxx Optical switches for the 1310 / 1550 nm range, 1x2 to 1x8, 2x2
Shielded cable:
CAB400 Cable to connect an LDC8xxx to a laser diode mount
CAB420-15 Cable to connect a TED8xxx to a laser diode mount
CAB430 Cable to connect an ITC8xxxDS15 to a laser diode mount

Unpacking 7
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2 Getting Started
2.1 Unpacking
Inspect the shipping container for damage.
If the shipping container seems to be damaged, keep it until you have inspected the
contents and you have inspected the PRO8xxx mechanically and electrically.
Verify that you have received the following items:
1 PRO800 or PRO8000 or PRO8000-4
1 power cord, connector according to ordering country
1 operation manual
1 CD with drivers and software
Inserted modules as ordered with the mainframe
Blind plates in the empty slots
2.2 Preparation
Prior to starting operating the PRO8xxx, check if the line voltage specified on the
letter plate agrees with your local supply and if the appropriate fuse is inserted. (To
change the line voltage see 6.1)
Connect the unit to the line with the provided mains cable. Turn the unit on by means
of the mains switch.
Via the 4mm banana jack of the chassis ground the external optical build-up can be
connected to ground potential, if required.

8 Getting Started
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2.3 Operating elements on front panel
LOCAL
ESC
CHANNEL
ON/OFF
Display
Mains switchKeyboard Softkeys
Tuning Knob
Modules / Module-Slots
Status Indicators
SEL
ERR
SEL
ERR
SEL
ERR
SEL
ERR
SEL
ERR
SEL
ERR
SEL
ERR
SEL
ERR
II
Figure 1 Front panel view of the PRO8000
Display
The alphanumeric vacuum-fluorescence display enables interactive communication
with the PRO800 / PRO8000 / PRO8000-4. Different menus allow a clearly
structured representation of the relevant values.
Mains switch
The mains switch is a key-operated power control switch (ON / STANDBY) to prevent
accidental or non-authorized use.
Modules
The PRO8000 and PRO8000-4 can house up to 8 plug-in modules, the PRO800 two
modules.
All in- or outputs are accessible directly at the front of the modules.

Operating elements on front panel 9
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Keypad
With the keypad (gray) and the soft keys (blue) modules can be selected, switched
on and off or settings changed. Numerical values are changed with the tuning knob.
Escape key interrupts the actual procedure
Channel key selects a module / a channel
ON/OFF key switches a module / a channel on or off
Three blue soft keys have different functions in the different menus. The
respective function is shown in the last line of the display
in form of a LOGO, for example: or , if a cursor may
be moved.
Remote control
LOCAL
LOCAL key switches to manual operation from remote control.
The LED lights if in local mode. If a remote controller has
given a “local lock-out” command [LLO], this key is dis-
abled for further operation until you switch off the unit or
give the command [GTL].
Status display on module front panel
SEL This LED is on when the module is selected for input.
ON This LED will light when the module is switched on.
ERR This LED will indicate if an error has occurred in the
module.

10 Getting Started
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Tuning knob
With the tuning knob numerical values can be changed. The respective value is
selected with the cursor ( ) moved by the blue soft keys. The cursor must point to
the left of the value to be changed.
Example: 1550.83
A clockwise turn on the tuning knob increases the value and an anti-clockwise turn
decreases it.

Operating elements on rear panel 11
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2.4 Operating elements on rear panel
Figure 2 Operating elements on rear panel
At the rear panel of the PRO8000 / PRO8000-4 / PRO800 you will find:
socket for mains cord with fuse
trigger input and output
connector for IEEE488.2 interface
connector for RS232C interface
2pin DIP switch (for service only! Both switches must be in the “right” position for
operation.)
fan air outlet(s)
grounding connector
label denoting the set voltage range and the appropriate fuses. The voltage range
is indicated by a screw in the corresponding position e.g. for the PRO8000, 230V
setting:
This screw only depicts the voltage setting. For changing the voltage range see
section 6.1 “Line voltage setting”
LINE 50Hz 430V
A
SERIAL No.:
100V±10%
3.3
A
3.8
A
FUSE
FUSE ONLY W ITH SPECIFIED TY PE AND RATING. THIS INSTRU MENT MUST BE GROU NDED.
CAUTION: DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE P ARTS INSIDE . REPLACE
115V±10%
230V±10%
TRIG IN TRIG OUT
INTERFACE
DOWNLOAD
INTERFACE
1.7
A
MAINFRAME
IEEE 488
RS 232
A
5T
A
5T
T2.5
A
FuseType IEC60127-2/V (5 x 20 mm)

12 Getting Started
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NOTE
The DIP-Switch is for service purpose only!
Do not change their settings!
For operation both switches must be in the right position!
2.5 First operation
Turn the unit on by means of the mains switch.
Via the 4mm banana jack of the chassis ground the external optical build-up can be
connected to ground potential, if required.
Some seconds after switching on the unit, the display must light up. The system boot
process may take around 15 sec, if the firmware version is 4.64 and higher. If no
display is shown after this time, please check line voltage and line fuse.
The PRO8xxx mainframe is ready to use immediately after turning on.
The rated accuracy of the plug in modules is reached, however, after a warming-up
time. For the individual warming up time of the modules please refer to the manuals
of the modules inserted.

After power on 13
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3 Operating the PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800
3.1 After power on
After turning on your PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800 the main processor executes a self
test program for a few seconds.
You see the following screen:
THORLABS PRO8000
Power on Self test
SW Revision 4.64
Interface 1.31
It shows the actual software revision number and the actual interface revision
number.
After a few seconds the program enters the main menu screen.

14 Operating the PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800
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3.2 Main menu
(examples with WDM modules)
channel no. cursor wavelength status
CH1 1549.31 off
CH2 1550.92 off
CH3 1552.52 off
CHANGE
soft keys
The first three lines show the contents of the respective menu. In this example "main
menu" the wavelengths of the inserted WDM modules of the channels CH1 to CH3
are displayed.
The fourth line describes the functions of the three soft keys (here up (), down ()
and CHANGE).
3.3 The cursor
The cursor of the PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800 can be placed at different positions in the
display. It can point to values to the left ( ) or to the right ( )
The cursor can be moved up with the soft key () or down with the soft key ().
With the cursor leaving the upper or lower edge of the display you can scroll through
the whole content of the corresponding screen.
With the cursor in the third line, the next line will appear from below when pressing
().Vice versa by pressing the key ().

Selecting a module 15
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Example in the main menu with 8 lines for the channels:
channels 1 and 2
CH3 1549.31 off
CH4 1550.92 off
CH5 1552.52 off
channels 6 to 8
3.4 Selecting a module
A module is selected for further input by placing the cursor beside the respective
channel number.
CH4
Pressing will lead to the channel menu of the selected module.
Please refer to the operation manual of the individual module.

16 Operating the PRO8000 (-4) / PRO800
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3.5 Setup menu
From main screen you can enter the set-up screen by pressing .
PRO8000 SETUP
Beeper : on
Interface:IEEE488
IEEE Adr : 10
Baudrate : 19200
OSR local 1024
CHANGE
The first line marked and hitting “CHANGE” toggles the beeper for occurring errors
and input confirmation on and off.
In the second line you can select between IEEE488 Interface or terminal mode via
RS232 Interface.
In the third line the IEEE-address is set, default value is 10.
The appropriate baud rate for the RS 232-interface is chosen in line 4 (default 19200
Baud).
OSR local allows to select the averaging rate for displayed values, i.e. how many
measured values are averaged to reduce noise. The higher the value, the longer it
takes to actualize the measured values on the screen. This item does not affect the
remotely transferred measurement values. (‘Normal’ value =16).
. Brings you back to main menu.