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| slice:qt [2022/07/20 22:39] – external edit 127.0.0.1 | slice:qt [2023/08/11 15:53] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 |
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| Click here for the [[https://github.com/Vescent/SLICE-QT-Firmware-Upgrade|Github page for SLICE-QTC firmware revisions]]\\ | Click here for the [[https://github.com/Vescent/SLICE-QT-Firmware-Upgrade|Github page for SLICE-QTC firmware revisions]]\\ |
| 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. |
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| =====Description===== | =====Description===== |
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| The SLICE-QTC is a high-precision temperature controller (see <imgref qt_prod_shot>). It will control up to four thermal plants with sub-millikelvin precision. | The SLICE-QTC is a high-precision temperature controller (see <imgref qt_prod_shot>). It will control up to four thermal plants with sub-millikelvin precision. |
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| <imgcaption qt_prod_shot|The SLICE-QTC>{{ slice:front-angle-acs-large.jpg?200|}}</imgcaption> | <imgcaption qt_prod_shot|The SLICE-QTC>{{ slice-qtc-overshoot-new-logo.png?200|}}</imgcaption> |
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| =====Purchase Includes===== | =====Purchase Includes===== |
| | Channels | 4 | | | Channels | 4 | |
| | Loop Filter | PID, adjustable corners and proportional Gain | | | Loop Filter | PID, adjustable corners and proportional Gain | |
| | Control Range | -10 to +120°C | | | Control Range | -20 to +120°C ((with properly designed plant)) | |
| | Compatible Transducer | TEC or resistive heater | | | Compatible Transducer | TEC or resistive heater | |
| | Compatible Sensor | NTC thermistor ((Nominal value 10 kΩ at room temperature. Precision at temperatures removed from room temperature can be improved by selecting a thermistor whose resistance is ~10 kΩ near the target temperature.)) | | | Compatible Sensor | NTC thermistor ((Nominal value 10 kΩ at room temperature. Precision at temperatures removed from room temperature can be improved by selecting a thermistor whose resistance is ~10 kΩ near the target temperature.)) | |
| | Temperature Stability | ±0.2 mK over 10 min((Plant-dependent; value specified for D2-100 laser)) | | | Temperature Stability | ±0.2 mK over 10 min((Plant-dependent; value specified for D2-100 laser)) | |
| | Precision | ~1 mK | | | Precision | ±0.2 mK | |
| | Control Capacity | 40 W total((User-distributable over four channels)) \\ 20 W max for a single channel | | | Control Capacity | 40 W total((User-distributable over four channels)) \\ 20 W max for a single channel | |
| | Current Capacity | 6 A per channel((Subject to 40 W overall maximum)) | | | Current Capacity | 6 A per channel((Subject to 40 W overall maximum)) | |
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| === Enabling Feedback === | === Enabling Feedback === |
| Touch the OFF button at the bottom of the column for the desired channel. The button will turn white and read ON to indicate the SLICE-QTC is actively controlling the temperature for that channel. In <imgref home_Tset1> and <imgref home_Tset2> CH 1 is active and CHs 2-4 are inactive. | Touch the OFF button at the bottom of the column for the desired channel. The button will turn white and read ON to indicate the SLICE-QTC is actively controlling the temperature for that channel. PID settings may still need to be input for the SLICE-QTC to servo plant temperature correctly. In <imgref home_Tset1> and <imgref home_Tset2> CH 1 is active and CHs 2-4 are inactive. |
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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 green background. As the system approaches lock, it will display ∆T on a yellow background. | As the system approaches lock, it will display ∆T on a yellow 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 green 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. 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 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.\\ |
| * 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. | * 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. |
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| === 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. | |
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| 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 === | |
| Touch the Settings button in the top right of the window. The sub-menu shown in <imgref CH_setting> will appear. | |
| <imgcaption CH_setting|Menu of settable parameters>{{ :slice:ch_settings_menu.png?200 |}}</imgcaption> | |
| === Adjusting the Graph === | === Adjusting the Graph === |
| To adjust the vertical range (∆T) of the graph, either touch the {{slice:graph_scale_y.gif}} button and select an option from the pop-up menu (<imgref y_axis>), or turn the right rotary knob. | To adjust the vertical range (∆T) of the graph, either touch the {{slice:graph_scale_y.gif}} button and select an option from the pop-up menu (<imgref y_axis>), or turn the right rotary knob. |
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| <imgcaption x_axis|Menu to adjust x-axis on temperature plot>{{ :slice:x_axis_adjust.png?400 |}}</imgcaption> | <imgcaption x_axis|Menu to adjust x-axis on temperature plot>{{ :slice:x_axis_adjust.png?400 |}}</imgcaption> |
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| | === 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. |
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| | 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> |
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| | === Setting Control Modes === |
| | 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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| | <imgcaption CH_setting|Menu of settable parameters>{{ :slice:ch_settings_menu.png?200 |}}</imgcaption> |
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| ==== Channel Settings ==== | ==== Channel Settings ==== |
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| === Transducer and Thermistor === | === Transducer and Thermistor === |
| To set the properties of the transducer (TEC or heater) and thermistor for an individual channel from the Home screen, touch CH X > Settings > Plant. The menu in <imgref plant> will appear. Select TEC/Bipolar (as seen) or by touching TEC/Bipolar, select Heater/Unipolar. | To set the properties of the transducer (TEC or heater) and thermistor for an individual channel from the Home screen, touch CH X > Settings > Plant. The menu in <imgref plant> will appear. Select TEC/Bipolar (as seen) or select Heater/Unipolar by touching the TEC/Bipolar button to toggle between the two. |
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| From this screen, it is also possible to set the polarity of the TEC. Touch Polarity Positive/Polarity Negative to toggle between the two states. The polarity is already set correctly to NEGATIVE for use with NTC thermistors. | From this screen, it is also possible to set the polarity of the TEC. Touch Polarity Positive/Polarity Negative to toggle between the two states. The polarity is already set correctly to NEGATIVE for use with NTC thermistors. |
| This can be done either from the home screen or the single channel summary menu. Gain, polarity, and setpoint can also be adjusted from the I/O menu by pressing the "gear" icon next to the A or B input where the slow servo is enabled. | This can be done either from the home screen or the single channel summary menu. Gain, polarity, and setpoint can also be adjusted from the I/O menu by pressing the "gear" icon next to the A or B input where the slow servo is enabled. |
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| == Feedforward == | |
| This mode allows a feedforward signal to be summed into the output of the PID loop filter. The feedforward signal current is related to the input voltage Vin by: Feedforward Current [A] = Gain[A/V] x Vin + Offset[A]. Touch the Settings icon to the right of the channel selection to adjust the Gain and Offset. | |
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| <WRAP center round box 60%><tabcaption input |Front-panel input signals> | <WRAP center round box 60%><tabcaption input |Front-panel input signals> |
| === Trigger In === | === Trigger In === |
| The Trigger Input on the back panel of the SLICE-QTC can be used to turn any of the four temperature control channels on or off. The trigger can be configured from the I/O menu, under "Trigger In". Select the "Channels" field and choose which channels you want to be affected by the trigger. Applying 5V to Trigger Input will enable the servo for all selected channels, and applying 0V will disable them. | The Trigger Input on the back panel of the SLICE-QTC can be used to turn any of the four temperature control channels on or off. The trigger can be configured from the I/O menu, under "Trigger In". Select the "Channels" field and choose which channels you want to be affected by the trigger. Applying 5V to Trigger Input will enable the servo for all selected channels, and applying 0V will disable them. |
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| | As of 2 August 2023 with up-to-date firmware, it is possible to invert the SLICE-QTC response to a trigger input. For instance, the SLICE-QTC can be programmed to either turn on or turn off a given channel when the input is trigger goes from low to high or vice versa.touch I/O > Trigger In and <imgref trigger_in> will be displayed. |
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| | <imgcaption trigger_in|Programming the rear-panel trigger out>{{ slice:slice-qtc_input_trigger.png?400x254 |}}</imgcaption> |
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| Auto tune cannot be run for a channel which is under trigger control. Attempting to run an auto tune on a channel with a trigger input enabled will bring up a dialogue: "External input not compatible with auto tune. Turn external input off and continue?". Pressing OK will disable the trigger for that channel and begin the auto tune. Pressing "Cancel" will dismiss the dialogue, leaving the trigger enabled, and the auto tune will cancel. Additionally, a trigger cannot be enabled on a channel with an active auto tune being run. | Auto tune cannot be run for a channel which is under trigger control. Attempting to run an auto tune on a channel with a trigger input enabled will bring up a dialogue: "External input not compatible with auto tune. Turn external input off and continue?". Pressing OK will disable the trigger for that channel and begin the auto tune. Pressing "Cancel" will dismiss the dialogue, leaving the trigger enabled, and the auto tune will cancel. Additionally, a trigger cannot be enabled on a channel with an active auto tune being run. |
| <imgcaption AT_start|Auto tune menu showing a tune ready to start>{{ :slice:autotune_start.png?400 |}}</imgcaption> | <imgcaption AT_start|Auto tune menu showing a tune ready to start>{{ :slice:autotune_start.png?400 |}}</imgcaption> |
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| Note that there is also an "Auto Tune" option under the "Settings" menu, however this will display the results of the most recent completed auto tune and cannot be used to start an auto tune. Once the auto tune starts, it will progress through several stages, and the user will be updated on its progress through a loading bar. | Note that there is also an "Auto Tune" option under the "Settings" menu. However, this will display the results of the most recent completed auto tune and cannot be used to start an auto tune. Once the auto tune starts, it will progress through several stages, and the user will be updated on its progress through a loading bar. |
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| <imgcaption AT_loading|An auto tune underway, showing the loading bar>{{ :slice:autotune_loading.png?400 |}}</imgcaption> | <imgcaption AT_loading|An auto tune underway, showing the loading bar>{{ :slice:autotune_loading.png?400 |}}</imgcaption> |
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| Once the bar reaches 100%, the user is given the option to accept, review, or reject the results. | Once the bar reaches 100%, the user is given the option to accept, review, or cancel the results. |
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| <imgcaption AT_complete|A completed auto tune with the Accept/Review menu displayed>{{ :slice:autotune_accept_menu.png?400 |}}</imgcaption> | <imgcaption AT_complete|A completed auto tune with the Accept/Review menu displayed>{{ :slice:autotune_accept_menu.png?400 |}}</imgcaption> |
| <imgcaption AT_review|The review menu for a completed auto tune>{{ :slice:autotune_review.png?400 |}}</imgcaption> | <imgcaption AT_review|The review menu for a completed auto tune>{{ :slice:autotune_review.png?400 |}}</imgcaption> |
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| Rejecting the result will exit the auto tune without setting the PID parameters on the temperature channel. However, if the results are rejected, they can still be seen in the "Settings" --> "Auto Tune" menu. | Canceling the result will exit the auto tune without setting the PID parameters on the temperature channel. If the results are canceled , they can still be seen in the "Settings" --> "Auto Tune" menu. |
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| <WRAP center round box 60%><tabcaption firmware_rev |Most recent firmware versions as of July 2022> | <WRAP center round box 60%><tabcaption firmware_rev |Most recent firmware versions as of July 2022> |
| | Firmware | Version Level | Release Date | | | Firmware | Version Level | Release Date | |
| | System Controller | 1.177 | March 2020 | | | System Controller | 2.22 | TBD | |
| | QTC | 1.52 | July 2020 | | | QTC | 2.51 | TBD | |
| </tabcaption></WRAP> | </tabcaption></WRAP> |
| From time to time, Vescent will upgrade the firmware for controlling the SLICE-QTC. 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-QTC. The procedure to upgrade the firmware is given [[slice:qt:firmware|here]]. |
