TABLE OF FIGURES... II A - DISCUSSION...1 B MAIN CONFIGURATION...4

Transcription

1 Radiant Technologies, Inc. 2835D Pan American Freeway NE Albuquerque, NM Tel: Fax: Table of Contents TABLE OF FIGURES... II A - DISCUSSION...1 B MAIN CONFIGURATION...4 B.1 - Setup Dialog... 4 B.2 - Discussion... 5 B.3 - Controls B.4 - Branch Loop Adjustment B.5 - PID Adjustment B.6 - Controls C QUIKLOOK CONFIGURE...18 C.1 Configuration and Execution Dialog C.2 - Discussion C.3 Controls C.4 - PID Adjustment C.5 Controls D EXECUTION, ARCHIVE REGRAPH AND EXPORTING...31 D.1 - Execution D.2 Archive Regraphing D.3 Admin Info D.4 - Test Definition Graph D.5 - Exporting D.6 - Controls D.7 - Discussion E USER VARIABLES...46 I

2 F CHANGE AND VERSION RECORD...47 Table of Figures Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog for the MDC Hot Chuck Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog for the Signatone Hot Chuck Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog for the Eurotherm 2404 Controller. Address and PID Sub-Dialog Access Controls are Shown Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog for the Blue-M Controller Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog for the Oxford ITC503 Controller Figures B.4.1 and B Branch Loop Adjustment Configuration Dialogs Figure B Eurotherm PID Parameter Adjustment Dialog Figure B Eurotherm PID Parameter Adjustment Dialog in Autotune mode Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog for the MDC Hot Chuck Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog for the Signatone Hot Chuck Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog for the Eurotherm 2404 Controller. Address and PID Sub-Dialog Access Controls are Shown Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog for the Blue-M Controller Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog for the Oxford ITC503 Controller Figure C.4.1- Eurotherm PID Parameter Adjustment Dialog Figure C.4.2- Eurotherm PID Parameter Adjustment Dialog in Autotune mode Figure D Sequence of Displays During Temperature Setting and Stabilizing Figure D Open the Task in the DataSet Archive Figure D Original Configuration Dialog Recalled from a DataSet Archive Figure D Branch Loop Temperature Adjustment Configuration Review Figure D Admin Info Subdialog Figure D.4.1 GPIB Set Temperature Task Test Definition Graph Text Output Figure D Export Dialog Figure D Standard Windows File Browser Dialog II

3 Figure D Export Configuration Dialog - Printer Option Figure D Standard Windows Printer Configuration Dialog Figure D User GPIB Set Temperature Text Export Sample Figure D Sample GPIB Set Temperature Task Excel Export Output Figure D Sample GPIB Set Temperature Task Word Export Output III

4 Radiant Technologies, Inc. 2835D Pan American Freeway NE Albuquerque, NM Tel: Fax: A - Discussion The GPIB Set Temperature Task is a Hardware Task that communicates to an external thermal controller through the Precision GPIB connection. The Task can be used to set the controller to a specific temperature and/or to set the ramp rate of the instrument. Temperature is set in C with a precision of ±0.1 C. Ramp rate is given in C/min. with a precision of ±1.0 C/min. Temperature may be set for any of the following Thermal Controllers. Delta Sigma NT-1700 or NT-2000 Sun MDC Signatone Linkam Instec Eurotherm Delta 9015 Blue-M REX-Fx00 ESPEC MMR-K20 Quantum 6000 Lakeshore 340 Oxford ITC503 User-Defined Thermal hot chucks are normally serial RS-232 communications only. These include the Sun, MDC, Signatone and Linkam installations. The NT-1700 and NT-2000, among others, are also controlled by serial communications. In these cases, the Task requires that an RS-232-to-GPIB duplex converter such as the National Instruments GPIB-232CV-A be purchased and placed into the communication path between the Precision GPIB connector and the instrument serial connector. 1

5 Additional Thermal controllers may be added to this list provided a manual including the command set is provided to Radiant Technologies, Inc. In addition, the equipment must be loaned to RTI or a site visit arranged to verify final operation. The GPIB address of the instrument being controlled - either the Thermal Controller or the RS-232 convertor - must be unique and must match the address specified in the software. The Precision GPIB address defaults to 0 and cannot be reset within Vision. To change the address, the National Instruments Measurement & Automation program should be run. (Start->Programs->National Instruments->Measurement & Automation). The board should be reconfigured using the program if the address is to be reset. The Vision default address for the device being controlled is 5, but can be easily changed on the configuration dialog. For those instruments with an RS-232 convertor, see the convertor manual to ensure that the baud rate and handshaking configuration is in agreement with that required by the thermal instrument. At this time, only a small subset of the thermal controllers may have their ramp rate set. Other thermal controllers will be added over time. Among these is the Sigma Chamber. Sigma chamber does not actually allow the ramp rate to be set. Instead, a temperature can be set in a specific time. The set time is computed from the ramp rate by: Set Time (min.) = absolute( New Temperature ( C) - Current Temperature ( C) ) / Ramp Rate ( C/min.) Set time is given in integer minutes by rounding the results of the equation to the nearest minute. Since the Sigma ramp rate is not actually being set, the ramp rate operation must be accompanied by the set temperature operation. Note that when setting the temperature of any controller using the GPIB Set Temperature Task, the Task will initiate the temperature change, and then monitor that change, displaying the target temperature and the current temperature, along with elapsed time, on the status bar and in a progress dialog. The Task will continue until the Set Temperature differs from the Current Temperature by the value set in the tolerance control or less. At that point execution will pass to the next Task in the Test Definition. In the past, no attempt was made by the GPIB Set Temperature Task to ensure that stability was reached. To ensure stability, it was recommended that the Temperature Task be followed by a lengthy Delay Task. This may still be considered good practice. However, a recent modification to the Task offers an improved stability control. The user may opt to use a stability delay Timer. When the first instance of a detected temperature within the programmed tolerance of the programmed set temperature occurs, a user-programmed timer begins. Each time the detected temperature is outside the tolerance of the programmed set temperature, the timer is reset. Once a continuous string of readings within tolerance have occured for the period of the programmed timer, the thermal controller is considered to be at stability and the Task exits. 2

6 Note that a temperature greater than or less than the current controller temperature may be set. For devices that do not have a cooling option or do not have cooling enabled, reducing the temperature will require ambient cooling and may be a very lengthy process. With the release of Version 4.1.x, a "User-Defined" thermal controller selection has been made available. When that selection is made, GPIB Set Temperature will look for a DLL file named THController.dll in the C:\Program Files\Radiant Technologies\Vision\System\TC path. If the file is found it is opened. THController must export several functions of specific function name and parameter list. The user may use any tools at his or her disposal to create the DLL. The exported functions in the DLL can be programmed to communicate to any thermal controller using any communications protocol. In this way, any thermal controller can be added to the list of available instruments. Radiant Technologies offers a thermal chamber programming toolkit that provides a template, under Visual Studio 6.0, for producing the THController.dll file. Documentation of the functions that must be exported by THController.dll is provided with the purchase of the toolkit. Note that a ramp rate set function is among the functions exported by the DLL. New to Vision 4.1.x (or later): The GPIB Set Temperature Task has been added to the QuikLook menu. Comments have been extended to 511 characters. Access to a user-programmed thermal chamber dll named THController.dll has been added. Added ESPEC, MMR-K20, Quantum 6000, Lakeshore 340 and Oxford ITC503 thermal controllers. Added a stability control feature. Added the Admin Info control and subdialog. Added a response to Test Definition Graphing. Added the Respond to Nesting Branch Reset control. Added Auto PID, Auto Gas, Auto Heater and Oxford ITC503 Sensor Selection controls for the ITC503 Thermal Controller. 3

7 B Main Configuration Task Name: GPIB Set Temperature Version: Last Update: 6 October 2010 In QuikLook Menu: Yes Folder: Hardware Subfolder: GPIB Subsubfolder: None Window Name: GPIB Set Temperature Change Record: Change and Version Record Known Bugs: None User Variables Added: Go to List B.1 - Setup Dialog Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog. 4

8 B.2 - Discussion The dialog configures the GPIB Set Temperature Task for execution. Here, the Thermal Controller GPIB address and manufacturer are specified. The adjustment to be performed - setting the temperature and/or setting the ramp rate - is checked, enabling the parameter for the selection. Temperature ( C) and/or ramp rate ( C/min.) are entered. The parameter may also be set to be adjusted if the Task is programmed in a Branch Loop as described below. Ramp rate adjustment is available for the Sigma CC-3 and C4, Eurotherm 2404, Linkam TMS94/95, Instec STC200, Quantum 6000 and Lakeshore 340 controllers. The Eurotherm option also allows the configuration of the control PID. It is the only controller with this option available. Newly added is a set of controls to help ensure that the temperature is stable before the Task exits. Use Stability Delay enables the feature and enables the Stability Delay (s) control. When selected, instead of exiting when the Task detects a temperature within the Tolerance ( C) of the Temperature ( C), a timer is started. Each time a temperature is detected outside the tolerance, the timer is restarted. If the timer reaches the value set in Stability Delay (s) without detecting a temperature outside of the tolerance, then the temperature is considered stable and the Task exits. MDC and Signatone hot chucks and Eurotherm and Blue-M controllers require additional serial addresses. For the MDC, these are characters in the range '0' to 'F'. The Signatone requires a integer from 0 to 99 and Blue-M from 1 to 99. Eurotherm addressing is in the range from 1 to 247. Note that the address specified in the Task configuration must match the configured address of the attached instrument. This address refers to an internallyprogrammed identifier that allows multiple instruments of the same model to be attached to the bus and individually accessed. This is not related to the GPIB address. 5

9 Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog for the MDC Hot Chuck. 6

10 Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog for the Signatone Hot Chuck. 7

11 Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog for the Eurotherm 2404 Controller. Address and PID Sub- Dialog Access Controls are Shown. 8

12 Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog for the Blue-M Controller. 9

13 Figure B GPIB Set Temperature Task Configuration Dialog for the Oxford ITC503 Controller. This Task was added to the QuikLook menu as of Version In QuikLook configura- 10

14 tion, Set Adjust Temp, Adjust Temp. in a Loop, Set Adjust Ramp, Adjust Ramp Rate in a Loop and Respond to Nesting Branch Reset are hidden. Export is disabled in QuikLook configuration. New to Vision 4.1.x: The GPIB Set Temperature Task has been added to the QuikLook menu. Comments have been extended to 511 characters. Access to a user-programmed thermal chamber dll named THController.dll has been added. Added a stability control feature. Added the Respond to Nesting Branch Reset control. Several thermal controllers have been added. Added controls as shown in Figure B.2.5 for the ITC503 Thermal Controller. B.3 - Controls Name Type Default Description Task Name Text GPIB This serves as a root identifier for this instance of the GPIB Set S.T.-# Temperature Task. The Task will be identified with this value in the Editor and the CTD. Executed Tasks will be displayed and stored with this name. GPIB Address Integer A unique address specifying the thermal controller to be set. MDC Address Signatone Address Eurotherm Address Blue-M Address Thermal Controller Type Set Temperature Character This must agree with the actual address set at the controller. 1 '1' to 'F'. A serial address value associated with the MDC hot chuck. This control is hidden if the Thermal Controller Type is not "MDC". Integer 0 0 to 99. A serial address value associated with the Signatone hot chuck. This control is hidden if the Thermal Controller Type is not "Signatone". This control doubles as Blue-M Address, with the label changing depending on the controller selection. Integer 1 1 to 247. A serial address value associated with the Eurotherm 2404 controller. This control is hidden if the Thermal Controller Type is not "Eurotherm". Integer 1 1 to 99. A serial address value associated with the Blue-M furnace controller. This control is hidden if the Thermal Controller Type is not "Blue-M". This control doubles as Signatone Address, with the label changing depending on the controller selection. List Box Check Box Delta 9010 Select the type of controller that is to be set. Selections in this control affect other controls. Set Ramp Rate is unchecked and disabled unless "a thermal controller is selected that allows ramp rate to be set. MDC Address, Signatone Address, Eurotherm Address and Blue-M Address are hidden unless "MDC", "Signatone", "Eurotherm" is "Blue-M" is selected. Checked Enables or disables the setting of the selected controller to the temperature specified in Temperature ( C). Disabling this control disables Temperature ( C), Adjust Temperature in a Branch Loop and Tolerance. This control should almost never be disabled. Only the 11

15 "Eurotherm" selection in Thermal Controller Type allows the ramp rate to be adjusted without setting a temperature. Temperature ( C) Real 30.0 Precision is ±0.1 C. This is the temperature to be set at the thermal controller. There is no limit on the value of this control, but the value should be set carefully to be within the limits of the hardware configuration. Blue-M and Eurotherm controllers have a precision of ±1.0 C. This control will be labeled Temperature ( K) for the Oxford ITC503 or Quantum 6000 selection in Thermal Controller Type. Set Adjust Temp Button Unpressed If the Task is programmed into a Branch Loop, clicking this button will open a subdialog that will allow the target Temperature to be adjusted from loop iteration-to-iteration. This control is disabled if Set Temperature is unchecked. This control is hidden in QuikLook configuration. Set Ramp Rate Ramp Rate ( C/min.) Check Box Unchecked Enables or disables the setting of the ramp rate of the selected controller. This control is disabled unless Thermal Controller Type is set to "Sigma" or "Eurotherm". Unchecking this control disables Ramp Rate ( C/min.) and Adjust Ramp Rate in a Branch Loop. Checking this control causes the ramp rate parameter in the Eurotherm controller to be set to the value in Ramp Rate ( C/min.). For the Sigma chamber, checking the control causes the temperature to be adjusted in an amount of time given by: Set Time (min.) = absolute( New Temperature ( C) - Current Temperature ( C) ) / Ramp Rate ( C/min.) Integer 10 The ramp rate in C/min. to which to set the selected controller. This control is disabled if Set Ramp Rate is unchecked and/or if Thermal Controller Type is not "Sigma" or "Eurotherm". Set Adjust Ramp Button Unpressed If the Task is programmed into a Branch Loop, clicking this button will open a subdialog that will allow the target Ramp Rate be adjusted from loop iteration-to-iteration. This control is disabled if Set Ramp Rate is unchecked and/or if Thermal Controller Type is not "Sigma" or "Eurotherm". This control is hidden in QuikLook configuration. Use Stability Delay Check Box Checked When checked Task does not stop when the current temperature is detected to be within the Tolerance C of the Temperature ( C) value. Instead a timer is started. When a temperature outside of the tolerance is detected, the timer is restarted. The timer is repeatedly restarted until the time specified in Stability Delay (s) has elapsed without detecting and out-of-range current temperature. When that occurs, the Task terminates Stability Delay (s) is enabled when this control is checked. Otherwise it is disabled. Stability Delay (s) Integer 10 This specifies a time, in seconds, during which the detected current temperature must be within the Tolerance C of the Temperature ( C) value, before the Task will terminate. This control is disabled unless Use Stability Delay is checked. Oxford ITC503 Sensor Selection List Box Sensor 1 This control allows the user to select one of three Oxford ITC503 sensors to use or the combination of the three sensors to average to determine the current temperature. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". Auto PID Check Checked When checked, the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller is instructed 12

16 Box to automatically adjust its temperature rates using the internally configured PID values. When unchecked, the PID values are set manually using the value in P as the proportional band, I as the integral term and D as the differential term. P, I and D are disabled when this control is checked. Otherwise they are enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". P Integer 5 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller PID is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the proportional band. This control is disabled if Auto PID is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". I Integer 10 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller PID is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the integral band. This control is disabled if Auto PID is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". D Integer 10 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller PID is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the differential band. This control is disabled if Auto PID is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is Auto Gas % Gas to Apply Auto Heater Check Box "Oxford ITC503". Checked When checked, the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller is instructed to automatically adjust its gas flow. When unchecked, the gas flow is set manually using the value in % Gas to Apply. % Gas to Apply is disabled when this control is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". Integer 50 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller gas flow is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the percentage that the value is opened This control is disabled if Auto Gas is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". Check Box Checked When checked, the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller is instructed to automatically adjust its heater voltage range and percent max voltage applied. When unchecked, the heater is set manually using the value in Heater Volt Limit and % Volts Limit to Apply. Heater Volt Limit and % Volts Limit to Apply are disabled when this control is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". Heater Volt Limit Integer 5 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller heater is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the maximum voltage that may be applied This control is disabled if Auto Heater is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". % Volts Limit to Apply Integer 50 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller heater is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the percentage of the maximum voltage that is to be applied This control is disabled if Auto Heater is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". Tolerance C Real to 0.9 in C. The comparative difference between the thermal controller set temperature and the actual current thermal controller 13

17 Respond to Nesting Branch Reset Check Box temperature used to control the termination of the Task. If the difference is greater than this value the Task will continue sampling the thermal controller current temperature. If the difference is less that or equal to this value the Task will terminate. This control is disabled if Set Temperature is not checked. A tolerance of 0.0 C is permitted but not recommended. For Thermal Controller Type selections of "Eurotherm" or "Blue-M", the tolerance ranges 0.0 to 9.0 C with 1.0 C precision. This control will be labeled Temperature ( K) for the "Oxford ITC503" or "Quantum 6000" selection in Thermal Controller Type. Checked Checking this control causes the target temperature and/or ramp rate to return to their initial value, if programmed to adjust in a Branch Loop, if the "Nesting Branch Task: Reset" Boolean User Variable is set to true. Subsequent Task iterations will again adjust the value per the Branch Loop adjustment configuration. See the main Vision help pages Tutorial section VIII for more details regarding the configuration and use of Nested Branch Looping. Comments Text 511 Characters Maximum. A free-form user field to describe the Task, its configuration and its use in the Test Definition. Export Button Unpressed This button is normally disabled. It is enabled when the dialog appears as the result of an Archive Regraph. Operating this button during Archive Regraph will open the Export dialog and allow the user to select and configure the exporting of the Task configuration data to a file or the printer. Help OK Cancel Button Unpressed Read this Help page. Button Unpressed Accept the configured User Variable Snapshot Task values Button Unpressed Do not add the User Variable Snapshot Task to the list in the Editor. B.4 - Branch Loop Adjustment If the GPIB Set Temperature Task is programmed into a Branch Loop, the set temperature and/or ramp rate parameters can be set to be adjusted from loop iteration-to-iteration. In this case, the first iteration will execute the value specified in the control (Set Temperature or Set Ramp Rate) as normal. Subsequent Branch Loop iterations will determine the value to set by either incrementing or scaling the previous value by a constant term. Care must be taken that the combination of the initial value, the constant scale or increment term and the total possible number of loop iterations do not exceed the capabilities of the configuration of the thermal instrument. Increments can be negative and scale terms fractional so that the parameter will be reduced from iteration-to-iteration. Clicking Set Adjust Temp and/or Set Adjust Ramp will open a dialog in which the adjustment can be configured as shown in Figures B.4.1 and B

18 Figures B.4.1 and B Branch Loop Adjustment Configuration Dialogs. B.5 - PID Adjustment The Eurotherm 2404 controller, if selected, allows the PID (Proportional-Integral- Differential) parameters of the controller to be adjusted. These parameters are coefficients into the controller functions that examine target temperature, current temperature, set ramp rate, measured ramp rate, power applied to the heating coils, etc. to control the rise (fall) to temperature to minimize overshoot and accelerate stability. These parameters are normally tuned for the instrument under control and should not be adjusted by anyone who does not have complete understanding of PID operations. With "Eurotherm" selected in Thermal Controller Type the Set Control PID button appears. Clicking the button will produce the dialog of Figure B.5.1. Here the PID parameters may be set or Autotune selected. With Autotune checked, the parameters are adjusted by the controller, so the parameter controls are hidden as in Figure B.5.2. Note that the adjustments performed apply only to PID 1. Figure B Eurotherm PID Parameter Adjustment Dialog. 15

19 Figure B Eurotherm PID Parameter Adjustment Dialog in Autotune mode. B.6 - Controls Name Type Default Description Control PID Check Box Unchecked Enable or disable PID adjustment. If checked Autotune is enabled. If Autotune is unchecked, checking this control enables Pb, Ti, Lcb, Hcb, Td and Rel. C. Otherwise these controls are Autotune Check Box Checked disabled. If the PID is to be controlled, selecting Autotune will cause the Eurotherm 2404 controller to self-adjust the PID parameters. BE SURE TO REVIEW THE OPERATING MANUAL FOR THE PROPER PROCEDURE. With this control enabled, Pb, Ti, Lcb, Hcb, Td and Rel. C are hidden. Otherwise, they are shown. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. Pb Integer 5 Proportional Band. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. Ti Integer 300 Integral Time. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. Lcb Integer 0 Low Cutback. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. Hcb Integer 0 High Cutback. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. Td Integer 600 Derivative Time. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if 16

20 Control is unchecked. Rel. C Integer 100 Relative Cool Gain. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. OK Button Unpressed Accept the PID adjustment configuration. Cancel Button Unpressed Close the dialog. Make no changes to previous PID settings. 17

21 C QuikLook Configure Task Name: GPIB Set Temperature Version: Last Update: 6 October 2010 In QuikLook Menu: Yes Folder: Hardware Subfolder: GPIB Subsubfolder: None Window Name: GPIB Set Temperature Change Record: Change and Version Record Known Bugs: None User Variables Added: Go to List C.1 Configuration and Execution Dialog Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog. 18

22 C.2 - Discussion The dialog configures the GPIB Set Temperature Task for QuikLook execution. Here, the Thermal Controller GPIB address and manufacturer are specified. The adjustment to be performed - setting the temperature and/or setting the ramp rate - is checked, enabling the parameter for the selection. Temperature ( C) and/or ramp rate ( C/min.) are entered. Ramp rate adjustment is available for the Sigma CC-3 and C4, Eurotherm 2404, Linkam TMS94/95, Instec STC200, Quantum 6000 and Lakeshore 340 controllers. The Eurotherm option also allows the configuration of the control PID. It is the only controller with this option available. Newly added is a set of controls to help ensure that the temperature is stable before the Task exits. Use Stability Delay enables the feature and enables the Stability Delay (s) control. When selected, instead of exiting when the Task detects a temperature within the Tolerance ( C) of the Temperature ( C), a timer is started. Each time a temperature is detected outside the tolerance, the timer is restarted. If the timer reaches the value set in Stability Delay (s) without detecting a temperature outside of the tolerance, then the temperature is considered stable and the Task exits. MDC and Signatone hot chucks and Eurotherm and Blue-M controllers require additional serial addresses. For the MDC, these are characters in the range '0' to 'F'. The Signatone requires a integer from 0 to 99 and Blue-M from 1 to 99. Eurotherm addressing is in the range from 1 to 247. Note that the address specified in the Task configuration must match the configured address of the attached instrument. This address refers to an internallyprogrammed identifier that allows multiple instruments of the same model to be attached to the bus and individually accessed. This is not related to the GPIB address. 19

23 Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog for the MDC Hot Chuck. 20

24 Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog for the Signatone Hot Chuck. 21

25 Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog for the Eurotherm 2404 Controller. Address and PID Sub-Dialog Access Controls are Shown. 22

26 Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog for the Blue-M Controller. 23

27 Figure C GPIB Set Temperature Task QuikLook Configuration Dialog for the Oxford ITC503 Controller. 24

28 This Task was added to the QuikLook menu as of Version In QuikLook configuration, Set Adjust Temp, Adjust Temp. in a Loop, Set Adjust Ramp, Adjust Ramp Rate in a Loop and Respond to Nesting Branch Reset are hidden. Export is disabled in QuikLook configuration. New to Vision 4.1.x: The GPIB Set Temperature Task has been added to the QuikLook menu. Comments have been extended to 511 characters. Access to a user-programmed thermal chamber dll named THController.dll has been added. Added a stability control feature. Several thermal controllers have been added. Added controls as shown in Figure C.2.5 for the ITC503 Thermal Controller C.3 Controls Name Type Default Description Task Name Text GPIB This serves as a root identifier for this instance of the GPIB Set S.T.-# Temperature Task. The Task will be identified with this value in the Editor and the CTD. Executed Tasks will be displayed and stored with this name. GPIB Address Integer A unique address specifying the thermal controller to be set. MDC Address Signatone Address Eurotherm Address Blue-M Address Thermal Controller Type Set Temperature Character This must agree with the actual address set at the controller. 1 '1' to 'F'. A serial address value associated with the MDC hot chuck. This control is hidden if the Thermal Controller Type is not "MDC". Integer 0 0 to 99. A serial address value associated with the Signatone hot chuck. This control is hidden if the Thermal Controller Type is not "Signatone". This control doubles as Blue-M Address, with the label changing depending on the controller selection. Integer 1 1 to 247. A serial address value associated with the Eurotherm 2404 controller. This control is hidden if the Thermal Controller Type is not "Eurotherm". Integer 1 1 to 99. A serial address value associated with the Blue-M furnace controller. This control is hidden if the Thermal Controller Type is not "Blue-M". This control doubles as Signatone Address, with the label changing depending on the controller selection. List Box Check Box Delta 9010 Select the type of controller that is to be set. Selections in this control affect other controls. Set Ramp Rate is unchecked and disabled unless "a thermal controller is selected that allows ramp rate to be set. MDC Address, Signatone Address, Eurotherm Address and Blue-M Address are hidden unless "MDC", "Signatone", "Eurotherm" is "Blue-M" is selected. Checked Enables or disables the setting of the selected controller to the temperature specified in Temperature ( C). Disabling this control disables Temperature ( C), Adjust Temperature in a Branch Loop and Tolerance. This control should almost never be disabled. Only the 25

29 "Eurotherm" selection in Thermal Controller Type allows the ramp rate to be adjusted without setting a temperature. Temperature ( C) Real 30.0 Precision is ±0.1 C. This is the temperature to be set at the thermal controller. There is no limit on the value of this control, but the value should be set carefully to be within the limits of the hardware configuration. Blue-M and Eurotherm controllers have a precision of ±1.0 C. This control will be labeled Temperature ( K) for the Oxford ITC503 or Quantum 6000 selection in Thermal Controller Type. Set Ramp Rate Ramp Rate ( C/min.) Use Stability Delay Check Box Unchecked Enables or disables the setting of the ramp rate of the selected controller. This control is disabled unless Thermal Controller Type is set to "Sigma" or "Eurotherm". Unchecking this control disables Ramp Rate ( C/min.) and Adjust Ramp Rate in a Branch Loop. Checking this control causes the ramp rate parameter in the Eurotherm controller to be set to the value in Ramp Rate ( C/min.). For the Sigma chamber, checking the control causes the temperature to be adjusted in an amount of time given by: Set Time (min.) = absolute( New Temperature ( C) - Current Temperature ( C) ) / Ramp Rate ( C/min.) Integer 10 The ramp rate in C/min. to which to set the selected controller. This control is disabled if Set Ramp Rate is unchecked and/or if Thermal Controller Type is not "Sigma" or "Eurotherm". Check Box Checked When checked Task does not stop when the current temperature is detected to be within the Tolerance C of the Temperature ( C) value. Instead a timer is started. When a temperature outside of the tolerance is detected, the timer is restarted. The timer is repeatedly restarted until the time specified in Stability Delay (s) has elapsed without detecting and out-of-range current temperature. When that occurs, the Task terminates Stability Delay (s) is enabled when this control is checked. Otherwise it is disabled. Stability Delay (s) Integer 10 This specifies a time, in seconds, during which the detected current temperature must be within the Tolerance C of the Temperature ( C) value, before the Task will terminate. This control is disabled unless Use Stability Delay is checked. Oxford ITC503 Sensor Selection Auto PID List Box Check Box Sensor 1 This control allows the user to select one of three Oxford ITC503 sensors to use or the combination of the three sensors to average to determine the current temperature. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". Checked When checked, the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller is instructed to automatically adjust its temperature rates using the internally configured PID values. When unchecked, the PID values are set manually using the value in P as the proportional band, I as the integral term and D as the differential term. P, I and D are disabled when this control is checked. Otherwise they are enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". P Integer 5 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller PID is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the proportional band. This control is disabled if Auto PID is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". 26

30 I Integer 10 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller PID is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the integral band. This control is disabled if Auto PID is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". D Integer 10 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller PID is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the differential band. This control is disabled if Auto PID is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". Auto Gas % Gas to Apply Auto Heater Check Box Checked When checked, the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller is instructed to automatically adjust its gas flow. When unchecked, the gas flow is set manually using the value in % Gas to Apply. % Gas to Apply is disabled when this control is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". Integer 50 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller gas flow is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the percentage that the value is opened This control is disabled if Auto Gas is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". Check Box Checked When checked, the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller is instructed to automatically adjust its heater voltage range and percent max voltage applied. When unchecked, the heater is set manually using the value in Heater Volt Limit and % Volts Limit to Apply. Heater Volt Limit and % Volts Limit to Apply are disabled when this control is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". Heater Volt Limit Integer 5 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller heater is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the maximum voltage that may be applied This control is disabled if Auto Heater is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". % Volts Limit to Apply Integer 50 When the Oxford ITC503 thermal controller heater is to be operated in manual mode, this value is to be used to set the percentage of the maximum voltage that is to be applied This control is disabled if Auto Heater is checked. Otherwise it is enabled. This control is hidden unless Thermal Controller Type is "Oxford ITC503". Tolerance C Real to 0.9 in C. The comparative difference between the thermal controller set temperature and the actual current thermal controller temperature used to control the termination of the Task. If the difference is greater than this value the Task will continue sampling the thermal controller current temperature. If the difference is less that or equal to this value the Task will terminate. This control is disabled if Set Temperature is not checked. A tolerance of 0.0 C is permitted but not recommended. For Thermal Controller Type selections of "Eurotherm" or "Blue-M", the tolerance ranges 0.0 to 9.0 C with 1.0 C precision. This control will be labeled Temperature ( K) for the "Oxford ITC503" or "Quantum 6000" selection in Thermal Controller Type. Comments Text 511 Characters Maximum. A free-form user field to describe the Task, its configuration and its use in the Test Definition. 27

31 Export Help OK Cancel Button Unpressed This button is normally disabled. It is enabled when the dialog appears as the result of an Archive Regraph. Operating this button during Archive Regraph will open the Export dialog and allow the user to select and configure the exporting of the Task configuration data to a file or the printer. Button Unpressed Read this Help page. Button Unpressed Accept the configured User Variable Snapshot Task values Button Unpressed Do not add the User Variable Snapshot Task to the list in the Editor. C.4 - PID Adjustment The Eurotherm 2404 controller, if selected, allows the PID (Proportional-Integral- Differential) parameters of the controller to be adjusted. These parameters are coefficients into the controller functions that examine target temperature, current temperature, set ramp rate, measured ramp rate, power applied to the heating coils, etc. to control the rise (fall) to temperature to minimize overshoot and accelerate stability. These parameters are normally tuned for the instrument under control and should not be adjusted by anyone who does not have complete understanding of PID operations. With "Eurotherm" selected in Thermal Controller Type the Set Control PID button appears. Clicking the button will produce the dialog of Figure C.4.1. Here the PID parameters may be set or Autotune selected. With Autotune checked, the parameters are adjusted by the controller, so the parameter controls are hidden as in Figure C.4.2. Note that the adjustments performed apply only to PID 1. Figure C.4.1- Eurotherm PID Parameter Adjustment Dialog. 28

32 Figure C.4.2- Eurotherm PID Parameter Adjustment Dialog in Autotune mode. C.5 Controls Name Type Default Description Control PID Check Box Unchecked Enable or disable PID adjustment. If checked Autotune is enabled. If Autotune is unchecked, checking this control enables Pb, Ti, Lcb, Hcb, Td and Rel. C. Otherwise these controls are Autotune Check Box Checked disabled. If the PID is to be controlled, selecting Autotune will cause the Eurotherm 2404 controller to self-adjust the PID parameters. BE SURE TO REVIEW THE OPERATING MANUAL FOR THE PROPER PROCEDURE. With this control enabled, Pb, Ti, Lcb, Hcb, Td and Rel. C are hidden. Otherwise, they are shown. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. Pb Integer 5 Proportional Band. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. Ti Integer 300 Integral Time. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. Lcb Integer 0 Low Cutback. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. Hcb Integer 0 High Cutback. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. Td Integer 600 Derivative Time. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if 29

33 Control is unchecked. Rel. C Integer 100 Relative Cool Gain. Please see the controller documentation and/or general PID literature for a more detailed description. This control is hidden of Autotune is enabled. This control is disabled if Control is unchecked. OK Button Unpressed Accept the PID adjustment configuration. Cancel Button Unpressed Close the dialog. Make no changes to previous PID settings. 30

34 D Execution, Archive Regraph and Exporting D.1 - Execution When setting the Ramp Rate, the execution of GPIB Set Temperature is almost immediate and unremarkable from the Vision program display. However, when setting Temperature, the Test Definition remains within the execution of the GPIB Set Temperature Task until the target temperature is reached. If enabled, the Task will continue execution until the current temperature is measured within the tolerance of the target temperature for the measured stability period. During Task execution, the sequence of displays of Figure D.1.1 represent a typical series. 31

35 Figure D Sequence of Displays During Temperature Setting and Stabilizing. In the top-most image of Figure D.1.1, the temperature is being adjusted towards 50 C, 32

36 but has not yet reached the set temperature. In the second image, the temperature had been detected within the tolerance (±0.3 C) of the set temperature. However, the thermal gradiant overshot the temperature and continued to 50.7 C. The fact that the Task had entered the stability period is indicated by the "Time at Stability:" display. However, since the temperature is out of tolerance, the time at stability is reset to 0 seconds. In the third image, the temperature has returned to 50.2 C - within the tolerance of the target temperature of 50.0 C - and has remained within tolerance for 59 seconds. When the "Time at Stability:" reaches the set stability period (100 s, in this example), the temperature is considered stable and the Task terminates. Note that the execution is not distinguished between QuikLook and DataSet operations. D.2 Archive Regraphing Once the GPIB Set Temperature Task has executed within a Test Definition it is stored to the DataSet Archive. It can then be recalled to allow its configuration to be reviewed. To recall, open the DataSet and the Archive. Open the desired Executed Test Definition (ETD) and the "Experiment Data" folder. Double-click on the desired GPIB Set Temperature Task. 33

37 Figure D Open the Task in the DataSet Archive. The original configuration dialog will open. The dialog is presented so that the executed configuration can be reviewed. Most controls are disabled, since they are presented for review only. Set Adjust Temp and Set Adjust Ramp are both enabled so that the subdialogs may be opened for review. Help is available. Export is enabled as discussed below. Admin Info opens the subdialog as discussed in the next section OK or Cancel will close the dialog. For Eurotherm operations, Set Control PID is enabled to access the subdialog for review. 34

38 Figure D Original Configuration Dialog Recalled from a DataSet Archive. 35

39 Figure D Branch Loop Temperature Adjustment Configuration Review. D.3 Admin Info The Admin Info button shown in Figure D.2.1 has been added to all Tasks as of Version 4.2.x. The button opens one of two subdialogs. Program Tasks, such as the GPIB Set Temperature Task present the dialog of Figure C.3.1. Here, the Vision Version and compilation date along with the Task configuration and execution date and time are presented. This information is of minor value to the user. However, Measurement Tasks also present Tester Type, Tester Serial Number and Driver Version. This information can be useful to RTI in helping the customer troubleshoot problems with Vision and/or the tester. Note that the exporting of this information has also been added to the export target applications as described below. Figure D Admin Info Subdialog. 36

40 D.4 - Test Definition Graph Figure D.4.1 shows an example of the GPIB Set Temperature Task text output to a Test Definition Graph in "Standard" text mode. Test Definition Graphing is available by rightclicking in the Editor or DataSet Tab window. Information about the configuration of the Tasks that make up the Test Definition is presented graphically. See the discussion in the main Vision help pages under Tutorial IX or the Main Manual Section XIII. Figure D.4.1 GPIB Set Temperature Task Test Definition Graph Text Output. D.5 - Exporting In order to allow data to be exported from the Task when the Task is recalled from the DataSet Archive, an Export button appears on the recalled configuration dialog. This button is normally disabled, but it is enabled in Archive Regraph as in Figure D.2.2, above. Clicking the button produces the new dialog that appears below. Figure D.5.1 shows the Export configuration dialog in which the "Export Text" option is selected and the browser button enable. Figure D.5.2 shows the browser dialog that opens when the Browse for File Name button is clicked. 37

41 Figure D Export Dialog. 38

42 Figure D Standard Windows File Browser Dialog. D.6 - Controls Name Type Default Description Select List "Print" Select between the "Print", "Export Text", "Export Word" and "Export Option Box Excel" options. This control enables the Browse for File Name button Line Spacing Left Margin Tab Spacing Browse for File for all selections except the "Print" option. Integer 100 This control appears when Select Option is set to "Print". Otherwise it is hidden. Increasing or decreasing this value will increase or decrease the vertical spacing of lines on the printed page. Experimentation will fix the value for any given printer. Integer 100 This control appears when Select Option is set to "Print". Otherwise it is hidden. Increasing or decreasing this value will increase or decrease the left start point of text on the printed page. Experimentation will fix the value for any given printer. Integer 200 This control appears when Select Option is set to "Print". Otherwise it is hidden. Increasing or decreasing this value will increase or decrease the horizontal spacing of tabbed sections of text on the printed page. Experimentation will fix the value for any given printer. Button Unpressed This control is enabled for all export options except "Print". For the remaining options, this control must be selected. The browser dialog 39

43 Name File Name will appear where a path and file name must be specified for the export output. Text This control is always disabled and cannot be used to specify the file name or path for Text, Word or Excel export. Once the browser is used to select a path and file name, those will be displayed in this control for review. Note that a path and file name MUST be specified for the "Text" export option and may be specified for "Excel" or "Word". Help Button Unpressed Open this help document for review. OK Button Unpressed Accept the configured export and close the dialog. Exporting will occur when the main data regraph dialog is closed. Cancel Button Unpressed Close the export dialog. Do not export. D.7 - Discussion Data can be exported to one of four targets: Printer - Pre-formatted text is sent to the printer when the configuration dialog is closed. Before printing a printer setup dialog will appear (Figure D.7.2), allowing printer options to be adjusted. (The appearance of the dialog will vary from user to user.) With the release of Version 4.1.x, printer text can be formatted from within Vision by adjusting the Line Spacing, Left Margin and Tab Spacing integer values (Figure D.7.1). Experimentation will show the proper settings for all exporting to the attached printer. These controls are hidden unless the printer is specified as the target. 40

44 Figure D Export Configuration Dialog - Printer Option. 41

45 Figure D Standard Windows Printer Configuration Dialog. Text File - Selecting this option enables the Browse for File Name button. Clicking this button will open a standard browser dialog in which a file name and path must be selected. If the file already exists, the output will be appended to existing text. An output file name must be specified for this export. Figure D.7.3 shows a sample of the GPIB Set Temperature Task text export. The information shown in the Admin Info subdialog of Figure D.3.1 has been added to the Text Export output. 42

46 Figure D User GPIB Set Temperature Text Export Sample. Excel - Selecting this option enables the Browse for File Name button. Clicking this button will open a standard browser dialog in which a file name and path may be selected. Specifying a file name is optional. However, if specified, a unique file name/file path must be created or an overwrite situation will occur. Data are not appended to existing files. When the configuration dialog is closed, the Excel program will be started and a spread sheet created. When Excel is closed, the data will be written to the specified file name, or the user will be prompted to save if the file is not specified. Office/Excel 2000 or later must be loaded for this option. Office/Excel is not provided with the tester or Vision software. Figure D.7.4 shows a sample of the GPIB Set Temperature Task Excel export. The information shown in the Admin Info subdialog of Figure D.3.1 has been added to the Excel Export output. 43

47 Figure D Sample GPIB Set Temperature Task Excel Export Output. Word - Selecting this option enables the Browse for File Name button. Clicking this button will open a standard browser dialog in which a file name and path may be selected. Specifying a file name is optional. The Word program will be opened and written when the regraph dialogs have been closed. If a new file name is specified, the document will be saved immediately. If no file name is specified, the user will be prompted to save the documents when closed. Office/Word 2000 or later must be loaded for this option. Office/Word is not provided with the tester or Vision software. The information shown in the Admin Info subdialog of Figure D.3.1 has been added to the Word Export output. 44