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Altechna PowerXP User Manual

Compact motorized attenuator
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PowerXP
Compact Motorized
Attenuator
User Manual
2017 version L.3.00

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Summary of Contents for Altechna PowerXP

  • Page 1 PowerXP Compact Motorized Attenuator User Manual 2017 version L.3.00...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1. Introduction 1.1. PowerXP short description 1.2. General safety requirements 1.3. Symbols 1.4. Regulation 1.5. Operating and storage conditions 2. Operation Principle 3. Package contents 3.1. Optics (dis)assembling 4. PowerXP Software Description 4.1. Computer requirements 4.2. Software installation 4.3. Program first run 4.4.
  • Page 3 4.7.2. Controller buttons. Speed of attenuation 4.8. Red error signs in control window 4.9. Writing Soft ware for PowerXP 5. PowerXP Controller Hardware 5.1. Controller specifi cations 5.2. Controller usage 5.3. PowerXP connector pin out 6. Main dimensions 6.1. PowerXP...
  • Page 4 (including damages for loss of profits, loss of business, loss of use or data, interuption of busines and the like), even if Altechna has been advised of the possibility of such damages arising from any defect or error in this manual or product.
  • Page 5 This manual is directly connected to fi rmware version. Latest fi rmware, soft ware and manual versions can be downloaded from www.altechna.com. Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identifi cation or explanation and to the owner’s benefi t,...

  • Page 6: Introduction

    All applicable rules and regulations for safe operation of lasers must be known and applied while installing and operating PowerXP. The customer is solely responsible for laser safety while using PowerXP as a standalone device or integrated into system. The customer must consider protective measures.

  • Page 7: Symbols

    Electrical safety requirements must be complied while assembling and operating PowerXP. 1.3. Symbols Warning! Sections marked with this symbol explain dangerous situations that can result as personal injury or death. Always read the associated information carefully, before performing indicated procedure.

  • Page 8: Operating And Storage Conditions

    • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help Altechna is not responsible for any radio or television interference caused by modifications of this equipment or the substitution or attachment of connecting cables and equipment other than those specified by Altechna.
  • Page 9 • Operating temperature is 25 °C ± 10 °C • PowerXP must be protected from humidity, dust and corrosive vapors to avoid damaging optical components and electronics • Avoid strong static electricity and electromagnetic fi elds...

  • Page 10: Operation Principle

    Beam dump Rotating λ/2 waveplate s-pol p-pol Incident linearty Brewster type polarized laser beam thin film polarizer Figure 1. PowerXP operation principle. The intensity of the incident beam is varied by means of a λ/2 phase waveplate and a polarizer.

  • Page 11: Package Contents

    To remove the waveplate just untighten the retaining ring and take out the waveplate. For removing the polarizer holder please remove 3 steel screws and carefully pull it from the main PowerXP body. → Read further...
  • Page 12 λ/2 waveplate Figure 2. Disassembly of PowerXP. Adjustment microscrews circled in red. To remove the cover loosen two screws on each side of PowerXP (marked with yellow circle)

  • Page 13: Powerxp Software Description

    4. PowerXP Soft ware Description 4.1. Computer requirements • Free USB port. PowerXP is compatible with USB 1.1, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 Computer administrator rights (only for installation) • Windows XP sp3 (32-bit) • Windows Server 2003 sp2 (32-bit) •...

  • Page 14: Software Installation

    4.2. Software installation 1. Check for and download the latest “PowerXP” software installer package from http://www.altechna.com/product_details.php?id=1224&product _name=PowerXP+Compact+Motorized+Attenuator. 2. Run the downloaded “PowerXP-Setup.exe” installation file. In case the software is installed on an operating system that does not meet requirements, only USB drivers will be installed. Click “Yes” to continue.
  • Page 15 4. Click “Next”: 5. Select installation directory and click “Next” to begin installation: → Read further...
  • Page 16 6. “PowerXP” software requires “Microsoft.NET Framework 4 Client Profile” or higher version to be installed. Setup will offer to download it, choose “Yes” if active internet connection is available. Choose “No” to download it from www.microsoft.com/enus/ download/details.aspx?id=17113 and install it manually. One should choose “No” if newer version of Microsoft.
  • Page 17 9. Setup will fi nish by installing drivers. Click “Next” to continue: → Read further...
  • Page 18 10. Click “Finish” to end installation. The program cannot be opened if only drivers were installed (see step 2 for details). 11. “PowerXP” software icon will appear on “All Users” desktop and “All Users” start menu. 12. Connect PowerXP to it’s controller.

  • Page 19: Program First Run

    PowerXP “Selector” window”. Select PowerXP from a list and click “File → Connect Once connected to PowerXP, dialog will pop up informing that no calibration fi le is found for new attenuator: Figure 3. Dialog box, shown if PowerXP calibration fi le is not found.

  • Page 20: Powerxp "Selector" Window

    Functions of this window are described in the picture below. Figure 4. PowerXP “Selector“ window. It is displayed every time program is started. There is one device attached to PC in shown screenshot. Double click listed attenuator to open control window for it.
  • Page 21 • COM port Each PowerXP gets unique serial port name aft er fi rst enumeration with computer. This column shows USB serial port name assigned by Windows. COM port name is necessary to know for advanced users who want to use serial commands in their applications.

  • Page 22: Calibration

    The purpose of calibration is to fix angular offset between the λ/2 waveplate and the rotator hardware zero position. Calibration window is opened automatically on first use of PowerXP, or can be found in menu “Options → Calibration…” in “PowerXP control” window.
  • Page 23 Calibration procedure: 1. Homing. Click “Home” button in section “Step 1” and wait till motor stops. This will drive the waveplate holder to hardware limit switch (zero position). Step 1 must be performed every time the device is turned on or aft er extensive period of usage to eliminate any accumulated position error.

  • Page 24: Powerxp "Control" Window

    PowerXP “Control” window is used to change laser power after PowerXP attenuator. Main components of this window are described below. • PowerXP name and serial number is shown on each attenuator control window caption. Serial number is unique for each PowerXP controller and cannot be changed as it is used to identify hardware at low level.
  • Page 25 • Enter required value (%) fi eld is used to manually enter percentage of PowerXP transmission. Decimal point symbol is “.” (dot), two decimal places can be used. Valid range is 0.00 % .. 100.00 %. • Absolute required power fi eld is available if “Use absolute power measurement units”...
  • Page 26 • Preset buttons can be used to quickly set discreet values of output power if absolute value was predefined in calibration stage. Left click on any of them and appropriate value will appear in (4) or (5) text boxes. Figure 7. “Edit Preset Buttons at Preferences” window. Currently preset values are 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% of transmission, because checkbox is unchecked.
  • Page 27 Figure 8. PowerXP “Control” window. Currently laser power is set to 375 mW or 75 % of full calibrated range. Measurement units are available because absolute minimal and maximal power values are set in program preferences during calibration process.
  • Page 28 • Close This Window Disconnects from PowerXP and closes active “Control” window. “Options” menu description: • Calibration Opens PowerXP calibration window. See chapter “Calibration” on page 22 for details. • Preferences Opens program configuration window. See chapter “Program preferences description” on page page 30 for details.
  • Page 29 Figure 9. “Rename Device” window. “Help” menu description: • User Manual Opens user manual. • About Shows soft ware version and contact information. Please include soft ware version and controller serial number when contacting manufacturer.

  • Page 30: Program Preferences

    4.7. Program preferences Preferences window can be accessed by “Options → Preferences” menu item in PowerXP control window. Figure 10. Program preferences window. Can be found under menu “Options → Preferences”. 4.7.1. GUI input method options • Set power on ”Enter” key press and preset button click. If checked, the power value will change by clicking “Enter”...

  • Page 31: Controller Buttons. Speed Of Attenuation

    • Set power in realtime when sliding trackbar. If checked, the power value will change while sliding the trackbar. 4.7.2. Controller buttons. Speed of attenuation Start rotate with low speed In this section rotation speed of attenuator could be easily changed by using a slider “…”...

  • Page 32: Red Error Signs In Control Window

    (see in calibration). Preset button values are recalculated automatically with respect to min and max measured power. 4.8. Red error signs in control window Red error signs are dislplayed in control window: Figure 11. PowerXP “Control” window with error signs (Home Alarm, Crc).

  • Page 33: Writing Soft Ware For Powerxp

    4.9. Writing Soft ware for PowerXP You can write your own soft ware for PowerXP. For this purpose a development kit is included for each PowerXP. This kit consists of: libraries for x32 and x64 architectures and header fi le; visual studio c example project with precompiled executables;...

  • Page 34: Powerxp Controller Hardware

    5. PowerXP Controller Hardware 5.1. Controller specifications PowerXP controller is bipolar stepper motor driver with specifications listed in Table 1 below. Table 1. Controller specifications Max output voltage +12 V Max output current Current regulation type Pulse Width Modulation Microstepping capability...

  • Page 35: Controller Usage

    5.2. Controller usage Operation with buttons • (-) – while holding turns the waveplate to a minimum attenuation • (+) – while holding turns the waveplate to a maximum attenuation • HOME – holding both (-/+) buttons for 5sec. moves attenuator to home position →...
  • Page 36 · If blinking slowly (1 blink in 1 sec.) – need homing · If blinking fast (3 blinks in 1 sec.) – the waveplate is rotating · If iluminating continiously – PowerXP is homed, the movement is stopped • (Min) – the PowerXP is at it‘s minimum attenuation...

  • Page 37: Powerxp Connector Pin Out

    5.3. PowerXP connector pin out Figure 12. PowerXP VGA connector pin out. MOTOR WIRES: 1. B\ Blue 2. B A Black 3. A\ Green Shaft 4. A Black A\ Green OPTICAL SENSOR WIRES: 5. +5V Yellow 6. GND/Shiel 7. Signal/OUT White...

  • Page 38: Main Dimensions

    6. Main dimensions 6.1. PowerXP 2 Holes 2 Holes 14,5 14,5 14,5 Ø14 Ø9 2 Holes 2 Holes Figure 14. Main dimensions and mounting options of PowerXP.

  • Page 39: Powerxp Controller

    6.2. PowerXP Controller Figure 15. Main dimensions and mounting options of PowerXP Controller.
  • Page 40 Tel. +370 5 272 5738 Fax +370 5 272 3704 sales@altechna.com Mokslininku st. 6A Vilnius, Lithuania www.altechna.com...

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