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slice:qt [2019/02/13 01:27] – [Front-panel Inputs & Outputs] Michael Radunskyslice:qt [2019/04/02 15:46] – [Channel Settings] Michael Radunsky
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 Please read [[:limited_warranty|Limited Warranty]] and [[:warnings_cautions|General Warnings and Cautions]] prior to operating the SLICE-QT. Please read [[:limited_warranty|Limited Warranty]] and [[:warnings_cautions|General Warnings and Cautions]] prior to operating the SLICE-QT.
  
-[[slice:quick_start_qt|SLICE-QT Quick Start Guide]]\\ +Click here for the [[slice:quick_start_qt|SLICE-QT Quick Start Guide]].\\ 
-[[https://www.vescent.com/products/electronics/slice/slice-qt-four-channel-temperature-controller/|SLICE-QT web page]]\\+Click here for the [[slice:qt:API|SLICE-QT API]].\\ 
 +Click here for the [[https://www.vescent.com/products/electronics/slice/slice-qt-four-channel-temperature-controller/|SLICE-QT web page]].\\
 Please check back for added functionality.  Contact [[[email protected]|sales [at] vescent [dot] com]] for questions and corrections, or to request added functionality. Please check back for added functionality.  Contact [[[email protected]|sales [at] vescent [dot] com]] for questions and corrections, or to request added functionality.
 =====Description===== =====Description=====
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 You may purchase more cables separately from Vescent Photonics.  We do not recommend making cables, but if you do so, make sure the metal sleeve is well grounded to provide proper shielding to the signal cables. You may purchase more cables separately from Vescent Photonics.  We do not recommend making cables, but if you do so, make sure the metal sleeve is well grounded to provide proper shielding to the signal cables.
  
-==== General Concepts ====  +===== Operating the SLICE-QT ===== 
-=== Screen Navigation ===+==== Screen Navigation ====
 The touch screen interface and the Host GUI operate in a substantially similar way, except touch is substituted for a click in the touch screen interface. The touch screen interface and the Host GUI operate in a substantially similar way, except touch is substituted for a click in the touch screen interface.
  
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 In general, the status displayed in an editable field is the current status (not the result of touching the button).  Touch the field to select a new value/status.  For instance, in <imgref home_scr> all of the channels are in stand by.  Touching the OFF button to initiate servo control over a plant will change this button to read ON (<imgref home_Tset1>). In general, the status displayed in an editable field is the current status (not the result of touching the button).  Touch the field to select a new value/status.  For instance, in <imgref home_scr> all of the channels are in stand by.  Touching the OFF button to initiate servo control over a plant will change this button to read ON (<imgref home_Tset1>).
 <imgcaption home_scr|Home screen of SLICE-QT>{{ :slice:slice-qt_home_screen.jpg?400x254 |}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption home_scr|Home screen of SLICE-QT>{{ :slice:slice-qt_home_screen.jpg?400x254 |}}</imgcaption>
-=== Control Bar ===+==== Control Bar ====
 On the left edge of the screen is the Control Bar.  At any given time, these buttons will have the following effect. On the left edge of the screen is the Control Bar.  At any given time, these buttons will have the following effect.
  
-=== Home Button ===+==== Home Button ====
 <imgcaption home_butt|Home button>{{ :slice:slice-qt-home-button.gif?77x75 |}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption home_butt|Home button>{{ :slice:slice-qt-home-button.gif?77x75 |}}</imgcaption>
 Returns to [[slice:qt#Home Screen|Home screen]] (<imgref home_scr>). Returns to [[slice:qt#Home Screen|Home screen]] (<imgref home_scr>).
-=== Back Button ===+==== Back Button ====
 <imgcaption back_butt|Back button>{{ :slice:slice-qt-back-button.gif?77x75 |}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption back_butt|Back button>{{ :slice:slice-qt-back-button.gif?77x75 |}}</imgcaption>
 Returns to previous screen.  Changes will be lost if not accepted before using the Back button. Returns to previous screen.  Changes will be lost if not accepted before using the Back button.
-=== Lock Button ===+==== Lock Button ====
 <imgcaption lock_butt|Lock button (shown in unlocked mode)>{{ :slice:slice-qt-lock-button.gif?77x75 |}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption lock_butt|Lock button (shown in unlocked mode)>{{ :slice:slice-qt-lock-button.gif?77x75 |}}</imgcaption>
 Locks out further modification of parameters. Touch to lock or unlock parameter entry.  It is still possible to engage the temperature control loops when system is locked, but it is not possible to change the set point temperature or loop parameters, etc. Locks out further modification of parameters. Touch to lock or unlock parameter entry.  It is still possible to engage the temperature control loops when system is locked, but it is not possible to change the set point temperature or loop parameters, etc.
-=== I/O Button ===+==== I/O Button ====
 <imgcaption io_butt|I/O button>{{ :slice:slice-qt-i-o-button.gif?77x75 |}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption io_butt|I/O button>{{ :slice:slice-qt-i-o-button.gif?77x75 |}}</imgcaption>
 Enters the screen for programming the [[slice:qt#Front-panel Inputs & Outputs|front-panel I/O]]. Enters the screen for programming the [[slice:qt#Front-panel Inputs & Outputs|front-panel I/O]].
-=== System Settings Button ===+==== System Settings Button ====
 <imgcaption sys_butt|System settings button>{{ :slice:slice-qt-settings-button.gif?77x75 |}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption sys_butt|System settings button>{{ :slice:slice-qt-settings-button.gif?77x75 |}}</imgcaption>
 Enters screen for [[slice:qt#System Settings|system control settings]] (brightness, volume, etc.). Enters screen for [[slice:qt#System Settings|system control settings]] (brightness, volume, etc.).
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 When the system is locked (as defined by the user in the CH X > Settings > Limits screen) the Error window will display ∆T with a <color black/green>green</color> background.  As the system approaches lock, it will display ∆T on a <color black/yellow>yellow</color> background. When the system is locked (as defined by the user in the CH X > Settings > Limits screen) the Error window will display ∆T with a <color black/green>green</color> background.  As the system approaches lock, it will display ∆T on a <color black/yellow>yellow</color> background.
 ==== Channel Detail Screen ==== ==== Channel Detail Screen ====
-You can set how individual channels behave in the Channel Detail screen.  To enter a Channel Detail screen from the Home screen, touch the CH button for the appropriate channel (<imgref home_scr>). <imgref detail_scr> shows the CH 1 Detail screen.  From this screen, you can change T<sub>set</sub>, and initiate temperature control as from the Home screen.  You can also visually monitor the performance of the loop.  The graph in the lower right of the screen displays ∆T (T<sub>act</sub> - T<sub>set</sub>) on a rolling basis.  The yellow dashed lines indicate the user-defined "lock range. In <imgref detail_scr>, the lock range is set to ±3 mK.  If ∆T is outside of this range, the Error field will change from green to yellow.\\+You can set how individual channels behave in the Channel Detail screen.  To enter a Channel Detail screen from the Home screen, touch the CH button for the appropriate channel (<imgref home_scr>). <imgref detail_scr> shows the CH 1 Detail screen.  From this screen, you can change T<sub>set</sub>, and initiate temperature control as from the Home screen.  You can also visually monitor the performance of the loop.  When the lock is engaged, the graph in the lower right of the screen displays ∆T (T<sub>act</sub> - T<sub>set</sub>) on a rolling basis.  The yellow dashed lines indicate the user-defined "lock range" (see <imgref T_limits>).  In <imgref detail_scr>, the lock range is set to ±3 mK.  If ∆T is outside of this range, the Error field background will change from green to yellow.\\
  
-You can also set the various parameters for how the loop will behave. +  * Change the speed of the rolling display: touch the {{slice:graph_scale_x.gif}} button and select from 1 to 20 s/div.   
-<imgcaption detail_scr|Initial view of CH 1 Detail screen>{{ :slice:slice-qt_ch_1_tset_16.6.jpg?400x254 |}}</imgcaption>+  * Change the scale of the vertical axis: touch the {{slice:graph_scale_y.gif}} button and select from 1 mK/div to 10 K/div. 
 +  * Pause and restart the rolling screen: touch the {{slice:graph_pause.gif}} button. 
 +  * Turn on & off cursors on the graph: touch the {{slice:cursors.gif}} button.  It is possible to drag the cursors across the display of ∆T to measure an oscillation period.  This function will be helpful when tuning the loop parameters to your plant. 
 + 
 +=== Display of Transducer Current, Voltage, and Power === 
 +As shown in <imgref detail_scr>, the current being delivered to the transducer is displayed in the blue box on the right margin labeled Current [A].  If you touch the blue box, the box will rotate through displaying current through, voltage across, and power delivered to the transducer. 
 + 
 +From this screen, you can also set the various parameters for how the loop will behave. 
 +<imgcaption detail_scr|Initial view of CH 1 Detail screen>{{ :slice:slice-qt_ch_detail.jpg?400x245 |}}</imgcaption>
 === Setting Control Modes === === Setting Control Modes ===
 Touch the Settings button in the top right of the window.  The sub-menu shown in <imgref CH_setting> will appear. Touch the Settings button in the top right of the window.  The sub-menu shown in <imgref CH_setting> will appear.
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 === PID Filter and Slew Rate Adjustment === === PID Filter and Slew Rate Adjustment ===
 +== PID Settings ==
 <imgcaption PID|Screen for adjusting PID parameters for individual channel>{{ :slice:slice-qt_ch_1_pid_param_screen_set_p_gain.jpg?400x254 |}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption PID|Screen for adjusting PID parameters for individual channel>{{ :slice:slice-qt_ch_1_pid_param_screen_set_p_gain.jpg?400x254 |}}</imgcaption>
  
-To set the PID loop filter parameters from the Home screen, select CH X > Settings > PID Params and the screen in <imgref PID> will appear.  The parameters for the PID loop filter are set in this popup screen. These parameters control the closed-loop behavior of the feedback. Each of these parameters will need to be tuned specifically for your plant. There is an option to enable or disable each parameter in the loop filter.  There are a number of methods to tune a loop.  We recommend the Ziegler-Nichols method.((A usable discussion of the Ziegler-Nichols method can be found here: http://faculty.mercer.edu/jenkins_he/documents/TuningforPIDControllers.pdf)) +To set the PID loop filter parameters from the Home screen, select CH X > Settings > PID Params and the screen in <imgref PID> will appear.  The parameters for the PID loop filter are set in this popup screen. These parameters control the closed-loop behavior of the feedback. Each of these parameters will need to be tuned specifically for your plant. There is an option to enable or disable each parameter in the loop filter.  There are a number of methods to tune a loop.  We recommend the Ziegler-Nichols method.(([[https://staff.guilan.ac.ir/staff/users/chaibakhsh/fckeditor_repo/file/documents/Optimum%20Settings%20for%20Automatic%20Controllers%20(Ziegler%20and%20Nichols,%201942).pdf|Optimum Settings for Automatic Controllers, by J.G. Zieger and N. B. Nichols]] and\\ 
 +[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziegler%E2%80%93Nichols_method|Wikipedia]]))  [[Z-N|Instructions on using this method can be found here]].
  
 +== Slew Rate Limit ==
 For applications where the rate of change of the temperature of the plant needs to be controlled, it is possible to set an upper limit on the slew rate.  This can also be done through the PID Params screen.\\ For applications where the rate of change of the temperature of the plant needs to be controlled, it is possible to set an upper limit on the slew rate.  This can also be done through the PID Params screen.\\
  
 <WRAP center round box 60%><tabcaption set_param |Setting loop parameters> <WRAP center round box 60%><tabcaption set_param |Setting loop parameters>
-| **Setpoint**      |  ºC      | Sets the setpoint temperature of the plant.            |+| **Setpoint**      |  °C      | Sets the setpoint temperature of the plant.            |
 | **Proportional**  |  V/V     | Sets the proportional gain of the loop filter.         | | **Proportional**  |  V/V     | Sets the proportional gain of the loop filter.         |
 | **Integral**      |  sec     | Sets the integral time constant of the loop filter.    | | **Integral**      |  sec     | Sets the integral time constant of the loop filter.    |
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 === Maximum & Minimum Temperature, Lock Range === === Maximum & Minimum Temperature, Lock Range ===
 +== Set Maximum & Minimum Temperature ==
  
-The maximum and minimum allowable temperatures (T<sub>max</sub> and T<sub>min</sub>) can be set as well as the range of ∆T where the system is considered to be locked.  From a Channel Detail screen (<imgref detail_scr>), tap Settings > Limits and the screen in <imgref T_limits> will appear.  It is advised to set T<sub>min</sub> above the dew point temperature for your ambient conditions.  If the temperature of the plant exceeds the range set by T<sub>max</sub> and T<sub>min</sub>, the temperature will be displayed in a flashing <color black/red>red</color> field.+The maximum and minimum allowable temperatures (T<sub>max</sub> and T<sub>min</sub>) can be set as well as the range of ∆T where the system is considered to be locked.  From a Channel Detail screen (<imgref detail_scr>), tap Settings > Temp Limits and the screen in <imgref T_limits> will appear.  It is advised to set T<sub>min</sub> above the dew point temperature for your ambient conditions to avoid condensation on your plant surface.  If the temperature of the plant exceeds the range set by T<sub>max</sub> and T<sub>min</sub>, the temperature will be displayed in a flashing <color black/red>red</color> field.
  
 +== Set Lock Range ==
 In the view shown, the lock range has been defined to be ±3 mK.  If -3 mK ≤ ∆T ≤ +3 mK, ∆T will be displayed on a <color black/green> green</color> field.  If outside this range, ∆T will be displayed on a <color black/yellow>yellow</color> field.  The graph in the bottom right of the Channel Detail screen plots ∆T vs. time.  The dashed yellow lines on this plot represent the lock range limits as set in this screen. In the view shown, the lock range has been defined to be ±3 mK.  If -3 mK ≤ ∆T ≤ +3 mK, ∆T will be displayed on a <color black/green> green</color> field.  If outside this range, ∆T will be displayed on a <color black/yellow>yellow</color> field.  The graph in the bottom right of the Channel Detail screen plots ∆T vs. time.  The dashed yellow lines on this plot represent the lock range limits as set in this screen.
 <imgcaption T_limits|Screen for setting absolute extrema and lock range>{{ :slice:slice-qt_ch_1_limits_screen.jpg?400x254 |}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption T_limits|Screen for setting absolute extrema and lock range>{{ :slice:slice-qt_ch_1_limits_screen.jpg?400x254 |}}</imgcaption>
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 === Output Channels 1 & 2 === === Output Channels 1 & 2 ===
-Similarly, you can program the output signals for the Output Channels 1 and 2. For each channel, the actual (measured) temperature, the temperature error, or the current output can be chosen as the output signal. For instance, if you select <color magenta>Channel 1 Output</color> from <imgref io> you will be presented with <imgref out_prog>. You can choose any value from <tabref output> to be delivered to the <color magenta>Channel 1 Output</color> output on the front panel. Touch the Settings icon to the right of the channel selection to adjust the Gain and Offset for these output signals as in <imgref out_gain>.+Similarly, you can program the output signals for the Output Channels 1 and 2. For each channel, the actual (measured) temperature, the temperature error, or the current output can be chosen as the output signal. For instance, if you select <color magenta>Channel 1 Output</color> from <imgref io> you will be presented with <imgref out_prog>. You can choose any value from <tabref output> to be delivered to the <color magenta>Channel 1 Output</color> output on the front panel. Touch the Settings icon to the right of the channel selection to adjust the Gain and Offset for these output signals as in <imgref out_gain>.  When porting the Temperature of a given loop to an Output, setting the Gain equal to 0.1 V/°C and the offset to 0 V will give a convenient 2 V output at 20°C.
  
 <imgcaption out_prog|Programming the output on Channel 1 Output>{{ :slice:slice-qt_program_output.jpg?400x254 |}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption out_prog|Programming the output on Channel 1 Output>{{ :slice:slice-qt_program_output.jpg?400x254 |}}</imgcaption>
  
 <imgcaption out_gain|Adjusting the Gain & Offset of Channel 2 Output>{{ slice:slice-qt_i_o_gain_adjust.jpg?400x254 |}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption out_gain|Adjusting the Gain & Offset of Channel 2 Output>{{ slice:slice-qt_i_o_gain_adjust.jpg?400x254 |}}</imgcaption>
 +
 +When the SLICE-QT is programmed to deliver data to an output port, the data that is being delivered will be indicated on the Channel Detail screen as seen in <imgref 4out> The numeral 1 in the magenta circle in the upper right-hand corner of the <color black/green>green</color> Error [mK] display field indicates that the error in temperature for CH 4 is being delivered to the front-panel I/O port ch 1.
 +
 +<imgcaption 4out|CH 4 ∆T data is being delivered to front-panel I/O channel 1>{{ slice:slice-qt_ch4_deltat_out_ch_1.jpg?400x234 |}}</imgcaption>
  
 <WRAP center round box 60%><tabcaption output |Front-panel ouput signals> <WRAP center round box 60%><tabcaption output |Front-panel ouput signals>
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 === Trigger In === === Trigger In ===
-Currently, there are no input triggers allowed.  +Currently, there are no input triggers allowed for the SLICE-QT.  
 ==== System Settings ==== ==== System Settings ====
 Touching the System Settings button on the Control Bar (<imgref sys_butt>) will open the System Settings screen as seen in <imgref settings>. Touching the System Settings button on the Control Bar (<imgref sys_butt>) will open the System Settings screen as seen in <imgref settings>.
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 === Firmware Version === === Firmware Version ===
-Current firmware versions are reported here.+Current firmware versions are reported here.   
 + 
 +<WRAP center round box 60%><tabcaption firmware_rev |Most recent firmware versions> 
 +| Firmware | Version Level | Release Date | 
 +| System Controller| 1.22| 1 March 2019| 
 +| QT| 1.36| 1 March 2019| 
 +</tabcaption></WRAP> 
 +From time to time, Vescent will upgrade the firmware for controlling the SLICE-QT.  The procedure to upgrade the firmware is given [[slice:qt:firmware|here]].
  
 === Host GUI === === Host GUI ===
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 From time to time, Vescent will upgrade the firmware for controlling the SLICE-QT.  The procedure to upgrade the firmware is given [[slice:qt:firmware|here]]. From time to time, Vescent will upgrade the firmware for controlling the SLICE-QT.  The procedure to upgrade the firmware is given [[slice:qt:firmware|here]].
 ===== Serial API ===== ===== Serial API =====
-It is possible to control the SLICE-QT through serial commands.  More information coming soon.  Please contact [[[email protected]|sales [at] vescent [dot] com]] for information.+It is possible to control the SLICE-QT through serial commands.  Click here to access the [[slice:qt:API|SLICE-QT API]]. 
 + 
 +More information coming soon.  Please contact [[[email protected]|sales [at] vescent [dot] com]] for information.
  
 ===== Maintenance ===== ===== Maintenance =====
slice/qt.txt · Last modified: 2023/08/11 15:53 by 127.0.0.1