Vest VTC2000 Series User manual

VTC2000 Series

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INTRODUCTION
The VTC2000 Series is a thermoelectric temperature controller with DC bipolar outputs. The VTC2000
Series features our patent pending technology that delivers temperature stability to within ±0.002°C
1
with high-power efficiency of 95%
2
. The VTC2000 Series has an input voltage range of 12 –36V, and it
delivers up to 16A @ 36V to control each Peltier module. With high efficiency, and with an ambient of
60°C less than, no additional controller heatsinks are required.
The VTC2000 Series supports both analogue and digital inputs for temperature sensing. There are 8
analogue inputs for NTC, PT100, PT1000, TMP61/63/64 temperature probes, and 16 digital sensors
(e.g., TMP117, TMP116, TMP1075, MAX30208) for inputs on the I2C bus. There are 4 configurable
GPIOs that can use as inputs or outputs for customer applications.
The VTC can operate in stand-alone mode or be remotely controlled with USB, using APIs or the
supplied VTC Utility Software. Configuration of the controller is done using the VTC Utility Software.
The auto-tuning feature of VTC enables user to easily determine the appropriate PID control
parameters for their application. Users familiar with PID loops, can fine-tune the PID control
parameters with the manual tuning feature. VTC2000 Series also supports thermal profile control,
making this controller ideal for applications that requires thermal cycling (e.g., PCR machines).
The VTC has built-in multiple levels of thermal protection. To protect the device, hot and cold limits
can be set independently via the VTC Utility Software. This safety feature ensures that your TEC will
not be driven beyond the specified limits. Additionally, VTC2000 Series continuously monitors the
temperature sensors and when a fault is detected, the controller will alert user, and automatically
turn off the power to your TEC. Lastly, for system protection thermal fuse are supported
Besides being a highly precise highly efficient TEC controller, the VTC is also highly flexible. It’s many
parameters are configurable using the supplied VTC Utility Software, making this a very powerful
controller.
Other models in the VTC2000 Series offer configuration in various number of channels.
1
±0.002°C 1 hour duration @ 25°C ambient temperature
2
95% efficacy @ 50% load

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VTC2000 Series Feature Set
TEC Controller
OEM Type Family of TEC Controller board
Performance
• Input Voltage Vin: 12 –36VDC (absolute max. rating 38VDC)
• Max Output Power: 576W per channel
• Max Output Power per board: 1,485W (6 channels), 576W (1 channel),
1152W (2 channels)
• Output Current Imax: ±16A per channel (absolute max. rating 22A)
• Output Voltage Vmax: ±Vin
• Temperature Stability: ±0.002ºC (1 hour duration @ 25ºC ambient temperature)
• Power Efficiency: 95% @ 50% load, 98% @ 100% load
Features
• Bipolar Output: Heat & Cool
• Analog Temperature Input: 8x pt100, pt1000, NTC, TMP61, TMP63, TMP64
• Digital Temperature Input: 16x I2C for IC sensor (e.g. TMP117, TMP116, TMP1075,
MAX30208)
• PID Control: Auto-tune, Manual-tune
• Operating Mode: Constant temperature, Constant Voltage / Current,
Temperature profile
• Communication: USB
• GPIO: 4x Configurable, 3.3V output, 3.3V to 5V input.
• Fan Control: 3x (fan Voltage = Vin, 4A max, speed control & detection)
Operating
Environment
• Operating: -40 to 60ºC at RH 0 to 85%.
• Storage: -40 to 85ºC at RH 0 to 85%.
• Regulatory: RoHS
Usability
• VTC Utility Software: Windows Software (Windows 10 and above)
•Middleware Library (Windows 10)
• Documentation: User Manual, API Specification
Others
• Dimensions W x H x D: 120mm x 90mm x 15mm
Safety Precaution
VTC2000 Series and TEC Module should be installed and configured by person with technical
background that has read and understood the user manual. Operating the VTC2000 Series before
reading this user manual can result in personal injury, or damage to the system.
The VTC2000 Series should be operated inside a chassis.
The VTC2000 Series maybe hot. Avoid direct contact with the power ICs weather it is powered off or
on.
All repairs must be done by an authorized repair service.

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1Table of Contents
1 Overview.........................................................................................................................................5
2 Hardware Setup ..............................................................................................................................5
2.1 Temperature Sensors (Analog and Digital).............................................................................7
2.2 Peltier Element........................................................................................................................9
2.3 Power Supply ........................................................................................................................10
2.4 Fan.........................................................................................................................................11
2.5 Final Assembly.......................................................................................................................12
3 VTC2000 Series Configuration and Setup .....................................................................................13
3.1 Configuration ........................................................................................................................13
3.1.1 Step 1: Connect to VTC Utility Software .......................................................................13
3.1.2 Step 2: System Configuration........................................................................................14
3.1.3 Step 3: Temperature Sensor Assignment .....................................................................16
3.1.4 Step 4: Fan Assignment.................................................................................................18
3.1.5 Step 5: TEC Setup..........................................................................................................19
3.1.6 Pre Check and Tuning of VTC2000 series......................................................................20
3.2 Operating VTC2000 Series ....................................................................................................22
3.2.1 Constant Voltage Control..............................................................................................23
3.2.2 Constant Current Control..............................................................................................24
3.2.3 Constant Temperature Control.....................................................................................25
3.2.4 Temperature Profile......................................................................................................26
3.2.5 An Example of Successful Configured and Functional VTC2000 Series ........................28
4 VTC Utility Software......................................................................................................................29
4.1 VTC Utility Software Layout ..................................................................................................29
4.2 Waveform .............................................................................................................................31
4.3 Operation..............................................................................................................................33
4.4 Temperature Profile..............................................................................................................34
4.5 Configuration ........................................................................................................................37
4.5.1 System Configuration....................................................................................................37
4.5.2 Analog Temperature Sensor .........................................................................................41
4.5.3 Digital Temperature Sensor ..........................................................................................44
4.5.4 Fan.................................................................................................................................48
4.5.5 TEC Setup ......................................................................................................................49
4.5.6 Auto Tuning...................................................................................................................51
4.6 Advanced...............................................................................................................................52
5 Appendix .......................................................................................................................................54

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5.1 Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................54
5.1.1 Check for Firmware Version..........................................................................................54
5.1.2 HW status......................................................................................................................55
5.1.3 TEC Setup ......................................................................................................................58
5.2 Other Electrical/GPIO Characteristics and Performance......................................................59
5.3 I/O Pin Assignment................................................................................................................62

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1Overview
This user manual explains the functionality of the VTC Utility Software and the VTC2000 Series.
When setting up the VTC2000 Series and VTC Utility Software for the first time, it is recommended
that you read and understand this user manual.
The VTC Utility Software allows the users to configure and control the VTC2000 Series according to
their own system requirements.
The VTC Utility Software and its related firmware can be downloaded in the following link:
After configuration, the VTC2000 Series can operate in a stand-alone mode where users can
command and control using the supplied API (Application Programming Interface).
2Hardware Setup
This is an overview of the cooling/heating system and the different configurations, as shown in
figures 1 and 2 below. The VTC is configured and can be modified/monitored through the VTC Utility
Software which is installed onto a PC. The VTC supports the following features:
1. 24x Temperature sensors (inclusive of both analogue and digital types)
2. 6x Peltier Element/ Thermal Module
3. 3x Fans
4. 1x Thermal Fuse connector that supports a thermal fuse or multiple thermal fuses in serial
5. Power Input
6. Micro USB connection to PC
Figure 1: Single channel connections on the VTC2000 Series

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Figure 2: 2 channel connections on VTC2000 Series
For more information on how to set-up multiple modules, please refer to the set-up guide.

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2.1 Temperature Sensors (Analog and Digital)
Analog temperature sensors can be connected to A1-4 and A5-8 connectors, while digital sensors
will be connected to the I2C connector, as shown below:
Figure 3: Location of the analog pins (A pins) and digital pins (I pins) for the temperature sensor
The tables below show the circuit pin assignments for analog temperature sensors
(J90 for A5-A8/J60 for A1-A4).
Figure 4: J90/J60

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The PCB connector used for the temperature sensor port is shown in Figure 6.
Figure 5: Connectors used
The required mating connectors for the temperature sensors are as follow.
A housing part from Molex is used, with product number of 5013300800.
A crimp part from Molex is used, with product number of501334 0000.
Figure 6: 5013300800 Figure 7: 501334 0000
For digital sensors, the pinout for the I2C_1 (J100) is as shown below.
Table 1: J100
Pin
Connection
1
I2C1_SCL
2
I2C1_SDA
3
UART1_TX
4
UART1_RX
5
GPIO_PE15
6
3.3V power output (maximum 50mA)
7
5V power output maximum (500mA)
8
Ground
The pinout for I2C_2 and I2C_3 (J2) would be as shown below.
Table 2: J2
Pin
Connection
1
I2C2_SCL
2
I2C2_SDA
3
I2C2_SCL
4
I2C3_SDA
5
GPIO_PB6
6
3.3V power output (maximum 50mA)
7
5V power output maximum (500mA)
8
Ground

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2.2 Peltier Element
The controller connects to the Peltier Element through Ch_1 though CH_6 as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 8: Channels outline for TEC
The VTC2000 Series has Molex 2002411212 connectors on the PCB for connections to the Peltier
modules. As such, a specific mating connector required to house the wires connecting to the Peltier
element would be from Molex, with a product code of 1722861102 VT.
Figure 9: 1722861102 VT