THORLABS TPA101 User Manual
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THORLABS TPA101 User Manual

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TPA101
Beam Position Aligner
User Guide
Original Instructions

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Summary of Contents for THORLABS TPA101

  • Page 1 TPA101 Beam Position Aligner User Guide Original Instructions...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Contents Chapter 1 Safety .................... 4 1.1 Safety Information .................. 4 1.2 General Warnings .................. 4 Chapter 2 Overview and Setup ..............5 2.1 Introduction ..................... 5 2.2 T-Cube Controller Hub ................6 2.3 APT PC Software Overview ..............7 2.3.1 Introduction ......................
  • Page 3 Appendix B PID Tutorial ................64 Appendix C Preventive Maintenance ............65 Appendix D Specifications and Associated Parts ........66 Appendix E APTQuad Control Method Summary ........67 Appendix F Regulatory ................69 Appendix G Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts ..........71...

  • Page 4: Chapter 1 Safety

    Chapter 1 Safety 1.1 Safety Information For the continuing safety of the operators of this equipment, and the protection of the equipment itself, the operator should take note of the Warnings, Cautions and Notes throughout this handbook and, where visible, on the product itself. The following safety symbols may be used throughout the handbook and on the equipment itself.

  • Page 5: Chapter 2 Overview And Setup

    Chapter 2 Overview and Setup 2.1 Introduction The TPA101 beam position aligner T-Cube is designed to work with the Thorlabs PDP and PDQ series detector heads. As a member of the T-Cube family of controllers this unit benefits from a unified ActiveX software interface, USB connectivity, very compact footprint and compatibility with the T-Cube Hub System.

  • Page 6: T-Cube Controller Hub

    Important Note For convenience and consistency, all system descriptions and examples throughout this manual assume that the TPA101 is used with a pair of TPZ001 T-Cube Piezo Controllers. It is also possible to use the MDT693B or BPC303 controllers, or a 3rd party piezo amplifier, or even a non-piezo actuated positioning element, as long as they have suitable low voltage external control inputs and a manual adjustment facility.

  • Page 7: Apt Pc Software Overview

    2.3 APT PC Software Overview 2.3.1 Introduction As a member of the APT range of controllers, the TPA101 position aligner shares many of the associated software benefits. This includes USB connectivity (allowing multiple units to be used together on a single PC), fully featured Graphical User Interface (GUI) panels, and extensive software function libraries for custom application development.

  • Page 8: Aptuser Utility

    Chapter 2 2.3.2 APTUser Utility The APTUser application allows the user to interact with a number of APT hardware control units connected to the host PC. This program displays multiple graphical instrument panels to allow multiple APT units to be controlled simultaneously. All basic operating parameters can be altered and, similarly, all operations (such as switching between Monitor, Open Loop and Closed Loo modes) can be initiated.

  • Page 9: Apt Config Utility

    T-Cube Position Aligner 2.3.3 APT Config Utility There are many system parameters and configuration settings associated with the operation of the APT Server. Most can be directly accessed using the various graphical panels, however there are several system wide settings that can only be made 'off-line' before running the APT software.

  • Page 10: Apt Server (Activex Controls)

    With the APT system, ActiveX Controls are deployed to allow direct control over (and also reflect the status of) the range of electronic controller units, including the TPA101 position aligner. Software applications that use ActiveX Controls are often referred to as 'client applications'.

  • Page 11: Software Upgrades

    APT controllers. 2.3.5 Software Upgrades Thorlabs operate a policy of continuous product development and may issue software upgrades as necessary. Detailed instructions on installing upgrades are included on the APT Software...

  • Page 12: Chapter 3 Initial Installation

    If you experience any problems when installing software, contact Thorlabs on +44 (0)1353 654440 and ask for Technical Support. DO NOT CONNECT THE CONTROLLER TO YOUR PC YET 1) Insert the CD into your PC.

  • Page 13: Mechanical Installation

    T-Cube Position Aligner 4) Once you are familiar with the installation procedure, click the ‘Install APT Software’ hyperlink displayed on the Welcome dialogue screen. 5) Follow the on-screen instructions - see the Installation Guide supplied for more information 3.2 Mechanical Installation 3.2.1 Environmental Conditions Warning Operation outside the following environmental limits may adversely affect...

  • Page 14: Removing The Baseplate

    Chapter 3 3.2.3 Removing the Baseplate The baseplate must be removed before the rubber feet (supplied) can be fitted, or the unit is connected to the USB controller hub. Detail A Detail B Baseplate attachment screws Baseplate removed and rubber feet fitted Fig.

  • Page 15: Electrical Installation

    This signal is proportional to the total amount of light hitting the detector. Note Thorlabs supply a variety of SMA to BNC and SMC to BNC adaptor and extension cables. Please see our catalog, or visit www.thorlabs.com for further details.

  • Page 16: Supply Voltage And Current Requirements

    DC power supply of the rating detailed in Section 3.3.2. 2) Switch on the Power Supply unit. Thorlabs offers a compact, two-way power supply unit (TPS002), allowing up to two position aligner or Piezo driver T-Cubes to be powered from a single mains outlet.

  • Page 17: Using The Usb Controller Hub

    Piezo Cubes (firmware version 2.0.X). The firmware version is displayed on power up. A clash can occur if a TSG001 Strain Gauge Cube and a TPA101 position aligner Cube are combined on the hub, and both attempt to drive voltage signals out via the Hub.

  • Page 18: Chapter 4 Getting Started - Basic Operation

    Throughout this section, the sensor described is a PDQ80A quad detector. However, the TPA101 unit is also compatible with other Thorlabs detectors, such as the PDQ30C IR detector head or the PDP90A Lateral Effect Detector.

  • Page 19: Detector Head Descriptions

    PDQ80A or PDQ30C sensor type is selected, the display shows the XDiff and YDiff values that the sensor outputs in Volts. The TPA101 always reads the voltages, but additionally for the PDP90A sensor, it is capable of calculating the exact X, Y position from these voltages.

  • Page 20: Pdq80A And Pdq30C Quadrant Detector Heads

    The two difference signals are voltage analogs of the light intensity difference sensed by the pairs of photodiode elements in the array. These three signals are sent in analog form to the TPA101 position aligner via its rear panel DETECTOR IN (6-pin HRS) connector.

  • Page 21: Use Of The Sum And Difference Signals For Alignment

    Second, the beam position is adjusted until the X-Axis (XDIFF) and Y-Axis (YDIFF) difference signals are at minimum. This procedure results in the beam being centered on the quad photodiode array. See Section 4.5.3. for a description of how this procedure is implemented using the TPA101 position aligner cube.

  • Page 22: Beam Size Considerations

    Chapter 4 4.2.4 Beam Size Considerations The light spot applied to the sensor must be smaller than the diameter of the sensor photodiode array, and the recommended beam diameters are as follows: PDQ80A - 1 to 3.9 mm, PDP90A - 0.2 to 7 mm, PDQ30C - <0.5 mm. A decrease in output signal strength is observed as the light spot crosses the separation boundary of the sensor arrays, usually referred to as ‘the gap’.

  • Page 23: Control Panel Buttons And Indicators

    T-Cube Position Aligner 4.3 Control Panel Buttons and Indicators apt - PSD auto aligner Target OPEN LOOP CLOSED LOOP MODE POWER Fig. 4.5 Panel Controls and Indicators MODE Button - selects between Monitor, Open Loop and Closed Loop modes - see Section 4.4.

  • Page 24: Operating Modes

    Chapter 4 4.4 Operating Modes The MODE button on the top panel, is used to toggle between Monitor, Open Loop and Closed Loop modes. When operating in 'Monitor' mode (top panel OPEN and CLOSED LOOP LEDs not lit), the X axis (XDIFF) and Y axis (YDIFF) difference signals from the detector, are fed through to the rear panel SMA connectors for use in a monitoring application - see Fig.
  • Page 25 T-Cube Position Aligner PDQ80A Quad Detector XDIFF LV OUT XDIFF YDIFF LV OUT YDIFF OPEN LOOP MODE: The XDIFF and YDIFF signals are routed to the DSP. The DSP either sets the outputs to zero, or holds them at their last closed loop voltage (dependent on the setting of the 'Position Demand In Open Loop Mode' parameter in the Settings panel).
  • Page 26 Chapter 4 PDQ80A Proportional Quad coefficient Detector Subtract Multiply e (x) error Multiply XDIFF Summing Integral XPOS Stage coefficient setpoint Integrator YDIFF now (t) (same as e(x) dt XDIFF) Multiply Demand Sense Polarity Differential coefficient Differentiator de(x) Derivative Filter Multiply To rear Panel SUM O/P From Proportional Multiplier Notch Frequency...

  • Page 27: Basic Application Example

    4.5 Basic Application Example 4.5.1 Introduction It is likely that the TPA101 position aligner will be used as a closed loop controller in a potentially complicated opto-mechanical system. This section illustrates its deployment in a beam stabilization application, and describes the main steps required to build a working closed loop system.

  • Page 28: Basic Operation

    Chapter 4 Caution During item (6) ensure the power supply unit is isolated from the mains before connecting to the T-Cube units. Always power up the units by connecting their power supply to the mains. DO NOT connect the T-Cube units to a 'live' external power supply.
  • Page 29 T-Cube Position Aligner the demand sense is positive - see Fig. 4.10. If they move to the right, the demand sense is negative. Note The default settings for the Position Demand Sense is ‘Positive’, which is correct for the set up shown in Fig. 4.9. If the check described at item (5) shows a negative demand sense, then it will be necessary to connect a PC to change the Position Demand Sense parameter in the Settings panel - see Section 6.2.

  • Page 30: Signs Of Instability

    Chapter 4 8) Press the MODE button on the position aligner to select ‘Closed Loop’ mode, i.e. the CLOSED LOOP LED is lit. The position aligner unit now takes over the alignment, and controls the piezo units to drive the piezo mirror to direct the laser beam to the central position. The beam position within the sensor array is indicated by the target display on the top panel.

  • Page 31: Using The Target Display

    T-Cube Position Aligner 4.5.6 Using the Target Display The ‘target’ display shows the horizontal and vertical position of the laser beam within the detector sensor array. When used in conjunction with the display on the piezo cubes, it can also be used to show when the piezo actuators are near the ends of their travel and need re-centering.

  • Page 32: Ha0303T Rev A Feb

    Chapter 4 2) Adjust the OUTPUT pot on the piezo drivers until both displays read 37.5 V. 3) Adjust the manual actuators on the turning mirror as necessary to position the laser beam in the detector array. 4) Press the MODE button on the position aligner to select ‘Closed Loop’ mode. 5) The piezos drivers will position the piezo mirror such that the laser beam is held central within the detector array, i.e.

  • Page 33: Chapter 5 Pc Operation - Tutorial

    Chapter 5 PC Operation - Tutorial 5.1 Introduction Note Familiarize yourself with operation and set up of the basic system detailed in Chapter 4 before attempting operation from the GUI panel. The following brief tutorial guides the user through a typical series of actions and parameter adjustments performed using the GUI panel displayed by the APTUser utility.

  • Page 34: Building An Auto-Alignment System - Pc Operation

    Note There are only enough hub lines to facilitate comms between one TPA101 unit and a pair of TPZ001 units. If a second TPA101 unit is used with 2 TPZ001 units, then SMA to SMA connections are required. If no hub is available, then the SMA cables are required, regardless of what revision number piezo cubes are used.

  • Page 35: Wiring And Software Settings For Revision 1 Piezo Drivers

    5.2.2 Wiring and Software Settings for Revision 1 Piezo Drivers The following procedure describes a typical set up, with the TPA101 position aligner being used with a pair of Rev 1 TPZ001 piezo driver cubes - see Fig. 5.2 for a general system schematic diagram.
  • Page 36 Wait while Windows installs the drivers for the new hardware. 10) Run the APTUser utility Start/All Programs/Thorlabs/APT/APT User. 11) Click the ‘Settings’ button on GUI panel of one of the Piezo Drivers. The Settings panel is displayed - see Fig. 5.3. Note To identify the piezo unit associated with a GUI panel, click the ‘Ident’...
  • Page 37 T-Cube Position Aligner 12) Make the following parameter settings, as shown in Fig. 5.3 Drive Input Source - Select Pot (+ SW). Loop Mode - Select Open Loop Output Voltage Range - For the ASM003 mirror shown in Fig. 5.2, set 75V, (for other piezo mirrors, set 75V, 100V or 150V whichever is applicable)..

  • Page 38: Using Revision 1 Piezo Drivers On The Tch002 Hub

    Chapter 5 20) It is advisable to click the ‘Persist Settings To Hardware’ box. These settings will then be loaded on each power up cycle. Fig. 5.4 position aligner Settings 21) Click ‘OK to save the settings. 5.2.3 Using Revision 1 Piezo Drivers On The TCH002 Hub The internal communication lines of the TCH002 hub cannot be used with Revision 1 T-Cube units.

  • Page 39: Wiring And Software Settings For Revision 2 Piezo Drivers - Hub Operation

    USB comms connections to all controller cubes. The following procedure describes a typical set up, with the TPA101 position aligner cube being used with a pair of Rev 2 TPZ001 piezo driver cubes on the TCH002 controller hub - see Fig.
  • Page 40 - see the Getting Started guide for more information. 10) Run the APTUser utility Start/All Programs/Thorlabs/APT/APT User. 11) Click the ‘Settings’ button on GUI of the Piezo Driver fitted in bay 1. The Settings panel is displayed.
  • Page 41 T-Cube Position Aligner 13) It is advisable to click the ‘Persist Settings To Hardware’ box. These settings will then be loaded on each power up cycle. Fig. 5.6 Piezo Driver Settings - Rev 2 Hardware 14) Click ‘OK to save the settings. 15) On the GUI panel, turn the ‘Output’...
  • Page 42 Chapter 5 20) Set the LV Signal Routing parameter to SMA + Hub, as shown in Fig. 5.7.. Fig. 5.7 TPA101 Settings Panel - Hub Operation 21) Set the X & Y Feedback Sense to Positive. 22) It is advisable to click the ‘Persist Settings To Hardware’ box. These settings will then be loaded on each power up cycle 23) Click ‘OK to save the settings.

  • Page 43: Revision 2 Piezo Driver Hub Mounting Options

    T-Cube Position Aligner 5.2.5 Revision 2 Piezo Driver Hub Mounting Options When the T-Cube position aligner and two piezo drivers are used together on the hub, signals can be routed via dedicated internal communication channels. These channels are selected via the GUI Settings panel. If Channel 2 is selected, the feedback signals run between adjacent pairs of T-Cube bays (i.e.
  • Page 44 Chapter 5 bay 3 bay 1 TPZ001 TPZ001 Hub Channel 2 Hub Channel 1 ✓ OPEN LOOP CLOSED LOOP MODE POWER bay 3 TPZ001 Hub Channel 1 ✓ OPEN LOOP CLOSED LOOP MODE POWER bay 2 TPZ001 Hub Channel 2 bay 4 TPZ001 Hub Channel 2...

  • Page 45: Basic Operation

    X-axis piezo actuator. Turn the control knob on the piezo GUI to increase the piezo drive voltage. The spot in the main display of the TPA101 GUI should move along the X axis with very little Y axis movement. If the beam moves in the Y-axis, or diagonally, the piezo controller is connected to the wrong actuator.
  • Page 46 Chapter 5 Fig. 5.11 X-axis Position Demand Sense Check 6) Check that the piezo controller connected to the LV OUT YDIFF connector, is driving the Y-axis piezo actuator. Turn the control knob on the piezo controller to increase the piezo drive voltage. The laser beam should move along the Y axis with very little X axis movement.
  • Page 47 T-Cube Position Aligner Using the GUI Displays The small left hand display shows the detector XDiff, YDiff and Sum signal values in Volts. Also shown are the XOut and YOutvalues, which are applicable in ‘closed loop mode only. These values show the low voltage position demand signals applied to the piezos in order to keep the beam central in the detector.
  • Page 48 Chapter 5 When the unit is switched to closed loop mode, the spot moves towards the center of the display as the piezo units drive the piezo mirror to reposition the laser beam. Fig. 5.13 Repositioning the Laser Beam But the X Out and Y Out values are nearly ‘10’, which means that the piezos are near the limit of their travel.
  • Page 49 T-Cube Position Aligner 14) The piezos drivers will position the piezo mirror such that the laser beam is held central within the detector array, i.e. for a 75V piezo, the X Out and Y Out values show around 0V (37.5V piezo drive) and the spot is central within the display as shown below.

  • Page 50: Signs Of Instability

    Chapter 5 5.2.8 Signs Of Instability The Control loop PID settings allow the system response to be tuned to a particular application. Higher proportional and integral coefficients decrease the residual error in the system and also allow the system to respond more quickly to a disturbance (i.e. the system is able to dampen vibrations at a higher frequency range).

  • Page 51: Creating A Simulated Configuration Using Apt Config

    To create a simulated configuration proceed as follows: 1) Run the APT Config utility - Start/All Programs/Thorlabs/APT/APT Config. 2) Click the 'Simulator Configuration' tab. Fig. 5.15 APT Configuration Utility - Simulator Configuration Tab...
  • Page 52 4) In the 'Simulator' field, check the ‘Enable Simulator Mode’ box. The name of the most recently used configuration file is displayed in the 'Current Configuration' window. 5) In the ‘Control Unit’ field, select ‘Quad Controller (TPA101)’. HA0303T Rev A Feb 2014...

  • Page 53: Programmed Operation

    8 digits (as displayed in the ‘Load Configuration Details’ window), the first two digits are added automatically and identify the type of control unit. The prefixed digits relating to the TPA101 T-Cube position aligner are: 89xxxxxx - T-Cube Quad Controller 7) Click the 'Add' button.

  • Page 54: Chapter 6 Software Reference

    Fig. 6.1 position aligner Software GUI Note The serial number of the TPA101 position aligner associated with the GUI panel, the APT server version number, and the version number (in brackets) of the embedded software running on the unit, are displayed in the top right hand corner.
  • Page 55 T-Cube Position Aligner X,Y Display Mode - The detector head provides top-minus-bottom (Y-Axis alignment) and left-minus-right (X-Axis alignment) difference signals, together with a signal that is the sum of signals (total beam power) from all four sensors of the internal photodiode array.
  • Page 56 Chapter 6 Operating Mode - These three buttons are used to toggle between Monitor, Open Loop and Closed Loop modes. The LED in the button is lit when a particular mode is selected - see Section 4.4. for more details. When operating in 'Monitor' mode, the X axis (XDIFF) and Y axis (YDIFF) difference signals from the detector, are fed through to the rear panel SMA connectors for use in a monitoring application.

  • Page 57: Settings Window

    T-Cube Position Aligner 6.2 Settings Window When the 'Settings' button on the GUI panel is clicked, the 'Settings' panel is displayed. This panel allows data such as PID parameter values to be entered or set. The various parameters are described below. Fig.
  • Page 58 Chapter 6 Display Intensity - determines the brightness of the control panel display. Enter a value from 0 to 255. Control Loop - When operating in Closed Loop mode, the proportional, integral and differential (PID) constants can be used to fine tune the behaviour of the feedback loop to changes in the output voltage or position.
  • Page 59 T-Cube Position Aligner closed loop system. The notch filter is an adjustable electronic anti-resonance that can be used to counteract the natural resonance of the mechanical system. As the resonance frequency of actuators varies with load in addition to the minor variations from product to product, the notch filter is tuneable so that its characteristics can be adjusted to match those of the actuator.
  • Page 60 bandwidth of the notch (or the equivalent quality factor, often referred to as the Q- factor) can also be adjusted. In simple terms, the Q factor is the centre frequency/ bandwidth, and defines how wide the notch is, a higher Q factor defining a narrower ("higher quality") notch.
  • Page 61 T-Cube Position Aligner Output: Min and Max Limits (V) - These parameters are applicable only when operating in closed loop mode. The XOut and YOut values are the low voltage signals sent to the LV OUT/XDIFF and LV OUT/YDIFF connectors, which are then used by the piezo T- cubes to drive the piezo mirror in order to keep the beam central in the detector.

  • Page 62: Appendix A Connector Pinout Details

    Connector Pinout Details A.1 Power Connector Thorlabs recommends that the position aligner cube is operated with Thorlabs power supply TPS002, as it was specifically designed for use with this product. However, to enable customers to use the cube in installations where a ±15V and 5V power is already available, the piezo cube can be operated with a different external power supply, such as a bench or lab supply.
  • Page 63 A.2 DETECTOR IN Connector The DETECTOR IN connector on the rear panel is a HIROSE HR10A-7R-6S connector, which mates with the connector on the sensor cable. Fig. A.2 shows the pin configuration as viewed by looking at the rear panel of the cube..

  • Page 64: Appendix Bpid Tutorial

    Appendix B PID Tutorial The TPA101 implements a PID control loop for closed loop control. A PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller is a widely used feedback mechanism that is relatively easy to tune. The reason why tuning is required in most cases is because individual setups can be very different.

  • Page 65: Appendix C Preventive Maintenance

    The equipment contains no user serviceable parts. There is a risk of electrical shock if the equipment is operated with the covers removed. Only personnel authorized by Thorlabs Ltd. and trained in the maintenance of this equipment should remove its covers or attempt any repairs or adjustments.

  • Page 66: Appendix D Specifications And Associated Parts

    TCH002 SMA Male to SMA Male Cable 12” CA2912 SMA to BNC Converter Cable 12” CA2812 SMA Female to BNC Male Converter T4289 SMA Male to BNC Female Converter T4290 Other cables and lengths are also available, please see www.thorlabs.com.

  • Page 67: Appendix E Aptquad Control Method Summary

    Appendix E APTQuad Control Method Summary The ActiveX functionality for the position aligner T-Cube is accessed via the APTQuad Control Object, and provides the functionality required for a client application to control a number of T-Cube position aligner units. To specify the particular controller being addressed, every unit is factory programmed with a unique 8-digit serial number.
  • Page 68 Appendix E LLGetStatusBits Gets the controller status bits encoded in 32 bit integer. LLSetGetDigOPs Sets or Gets the user digital output bits encoded in 32 bit integer. LoadParamSet Loads stored settings for specific controller. ReadPositionDemands Returns the present values for the XPos and YPos position demand signals (-10 V to +10V) ReadSumDiffSignals Reads the present values for the SUM, XDIFF and...

  • Page 69: Appendix F Regulatory

    Appendix F Regulatory F.1 Declarations Of Conformity F.1.1 For Customers in Europe This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the EC Directives 89/336/EEC ‘EMC Directive’. Compliance was demonstrated by conformance to the following specifications which have been listed in the Official Journal of the European Communities: EN61326: 1997 F.1.2 For Customers In The USA This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A...
  • Page 70 • left over parts of units disassembled by the user (PCB's, housings etc.). If you wish to return a unit for waste recovery, please contact Thorlabs or your nearest dealer for further information. F.2.2 Waste treatment on your own responsibility If you do not return an "end of life"...

  • Page 71: Appendix G Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

    T-Cube Position Aligner 6.3 CE Certificate...
  • Page 72 Fax: +86 (0)21-32513480 email: sales.uk@thorlabs.com www.thorlabs.com Support: techsupport.uk@thorlabs.com email: chinasales@thorlabs.com France Brazil Thorlabs SAS Thorlabs Vendas de Fotônicos Ltda. 109, rue des Côtes Rua Riachuelo, 171 78600 Maisons-Laffitte São Carlos, SP 13560-110 France Brazil Tel: +33 (0) 970 444 844...

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