1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Vescent Manuals
  4. Controller
  5. SLICE-OPL
  6. User manual

Vescent SLICE-OPL User Manual

Offset phase lock servo
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
User Manual
SLICE-OPL Offset Phase Lock Servo
Revision 01
14988 W. 6th Ave., Suite 700
Golden, CO 80401
www.vescent.com

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the SLICE-OPL and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for Vescent SLICE-OPL

Summary of Contents for Vescent SLICE-OPL

  • Page 1 User Manual SLICE-OPL Offset Phase Lock Servo Revision 01 14988 W. 6th Ave., Suite 700 Golden, CO 80401 www.vescent.com...
  • Page 2 SLICE-OPL User Manual Contents Vescent Technologies Inc. - Page ii - Revision 01...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Contents Contents 1 Introduction ..........................1 1.1 Symbol Definitions ..............................1 1.2 Safety ..................................2 2 Hardware ............................3 2.1 Package Contents ..............................3 2.2 Controls and Connections .............................4 2.2.1 Front Panel ..............................4 2.2.2 Rear Panel ..............................6 3 Graphical User Interface ........................9 3.1 Control Bar ................................9...
  • Page 4 SLICE-OPL User Manual Contents 6.2.5 Beat Note Input Commands ........................40 6.2.6 Reference Source Commands ........................41 6.2.7 External Input/Output/Trigger Commands....................43 6.2.8 Calibration Commands ..........................45 6.2.9 Advanced Commands ..........................47 7 Troubleshooting .......................... 48 A Specifications ..........................49 B Additional Resources ........................50 C Service &...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    This section has information for safely operating the SLICE-OPL. Please carefully read this section before using the SLICE-OPL. Section 2 introduces the user to the instrument and defines all hardware connections. Section 3 discusses the graphical user interface (GUI) for the SLICE-OPL.

  • Page 6: Safety

    Failure to observe this precaution can result in severe injury or death. Before replacing the fuse on the SLICE-OPL, turn off the power switch and disconnect the unit from mains power. Except the fuse, there are no field-serviceable parts inside the instrument. Maintenance performed by persons not authorized by Vescent will void the warranty.

  • Page 7: Hardware

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Hardware 2 Hardware This section discusses the hardware features and connections of the SLICE-OPL and the other items that are shipped with the unit. 2.1 Package Contents The SLICE-OPL is shipped in a package designed to provide excellent protection. The shipping box should be saved for future transportation or storage needs.

  • Page 8: Controls And Connections

    This section introduces all the hardware controls and connection ports on the SLICE-OPL. 2.2.1 Front Panel 1. Touchscreen The primary way to interact with the SLICE-OPL is via its front panel touchscreen. General instructions for touchscreen control are discussed in section 3. 2. Parameter Input Adjustment Knobs Two rotary knobs allow the user to quickly cycle through parameter list settings and enter numeric inputs.
  • Page 9 SLICE-OPL User Manual Hardware 4. Selectable Output Ports (BNC) Two BNC connectors on the front panel provide signal monitor outputs that are selectable on the I/O programming screen (see Section 3.3.2). The output voltage range of these channels is ±10 V and the maximum current output is 30 mA.

  • Page 10: Rear Panel

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Hardware 2.2.2 Rear Panel 1. Monitor Output (SMA) The monitor output port can be used to observe the DDS Reference Frequency, the DDS Output Frequency, the Phase Error and the Divided Beat Signal. Change the output by going to CH 1 Detail screen →...
  • Page 11 I/O programming screen. See Section 3.3.2. 9. Serial Port (USB-B) Use a standard USB-A to USB-B cable to connect the SLICE-OPL to a computer for remote operation and updating firmware. For further information see Section 6. 10. Power Switch While the Power port is connected to mains power toggle this switch to | to turn on the SLICE-OPL.
  • Page 12 SLICE-OPL User Manual Hardware • Remove the fuse cover • Replace the blown fuse with a 5mm x 20mm fuse rated to 250 V and 2A • Replace the fuse cover 12. Power Port Use the provided AC power cord to connect this port to a properly grounded mains receptacle.

  • Page 13: Graphical User Interface

    3.1 Control Bar On the left edge of the SLICE-OPL touchscreen is the Control Bar. The table below briefly explains the functionality of each Control Bar button. Symbol Button Name Function when tapped Returns to Home screen.

  • Page 14: Button Types

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Graphical User Interface Navigation buttons and many toggle buttons will still be operable in the locked state. Tap the symbol to switch the Parameter Lock to the unlocked state. 3.2 Button Types The types of GUI buttons and their functionality are discussed here.

  • Page 15: Numeric Fields

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Graphical User Interface Tapping a choice selector will change its border of the button from blue to yellow. Rotary knob editing mode is active while the border is yellow. Rotate the R-knob until the button shows the desired value. Tap anywhere on the display to disable rotary knob editing mode and change the button border back to blue.
  • Page 16 SLICE-OPL User Manual Graphical User Interface Numeric Keypad Buttons Symbol Button Name Function when tapped Plus/Minus Changes sign of the value. Numeric Inputs tapped number as the next digit. Decimal Point Inputs decimal point as the next digit. Delete Deletes last digit in the numeric field.

  • Page 17: Screens

    3. Target Freq. [MHz]: When using the internal DDS for frequency reference, this numeric field sets the desired frequency for the beat signal. The SLICE-OPL applies a signal to the PLL servo output to drive Beat Freq. to this value.
  • Page 18 SLICE-OPL User Manual Graphical User Interface Solid Green - The Phase Error voltage lies within the PLL Settings Lock Range. Solid White - The Phase Error voltage is outside, but close to, the PLL Settings Lock Range. Try optimizing the Filter Settings to improve the lock.

  • Page 19: I/O Programming Screen

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Graphical User Interface 3.3.2 I/O Programming screen The Input/Output (I/O) button navigates the user to I/O Programming screen. Each of the input, output, and trigger ports can be programmed to deliver or receive signals by tapping its blue-outlined control box and selecting an option from the menu. Selecting Off will disable the port.

  • Page 20: System Settings Screen

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Graphical User Interface 3.3.3 System Settings screen The Systems Settings (gear) icon navigates the user to the System Settings screen. This screen displays information specific to the unit and has controls for general settings. 1. Unit Information: Includes the Serial Number (S/N) of the unit and the current SLICE (SC) and OPL firmware versions.

  • Page 21: Channel Detail Screen

    3. Target frequency control: When using the internal DDS for frequency reference, this numeric field sets the desired frequency for the beat signal. The SLICE-OPL applies a signal to the PLL servo output to drive Beat Freq. to this value.
  • Page 22 SLICE-OPL User Manual Graphical User Interface 6. Filter settings: Opens the PLL or AUX Settings window. The opened window depends on the state of the PLL/AUX toggle. See Section 3.4.3 and Section 3.4.4. 7. Invert toggle: Flips the sign of the error signal so the servo will drive the plant voltage in the correct direction for locking.
  • Page 23 If the servo loop successfully locks, then the servo will stay on. If not, then the servo will automatically disengage and the SLICE-OPL will return to Tap Lock mode. 14. Range adjust control: Sets the voltage range for the sweep.

  • Page 24: Settings Windows

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Graphical User Interface 3.4 Settings Windows Several of the controls on the Channel Detail screen open additional settings windows. Those windows and their controls are described here. For a visual representation of the relationship between these settings see the OPL Signal Architecture diagram in Section 5.

  • Page 25: Pll Settings Window

    BW Limit [MHz]: Low-pass filter bandwidth for the external reference signal. Filters high frequency noise. Valid values are 12, 40, 125, and 300 MHz. AUTO: Tap once to let the SLICE-OPL automatically determine the values for EXT Divider, DDS Ref, and BW Limit based on the detected reference frequency.

  • Page 26: Aux Settings Window

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Graphical User Interface Gain [dB]: Sets the proportional gain (�� ). Changing the gain does not alter the corner �� frequencies of the loop filter. PI Corner [Hz]: Sets the proportional-integral corner frequency (�� ). OFF disables the ����...

  • Page 27: Channel Settings Window

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Graphical User Interface 3.4.5 Channel Settings window Monitor Output: Chooses the signal to be output from the rear panel monitor port. The available options are PFD Error signal, Divided BN, DDS Ref Frequency, and DDS Output. AUX Servo: Engages or disengages the auxiliary loop.

  • Page 28: Getting Started

    4.2 Typical Setup: Offset Phase Locking A typical use of the SLICE-OPL is to phase lock two lasers to have a programmed frequency tuning between them. The SLICE-OPL takes a heterodyne beat signal from the two lasers, conditions it, and then phase locks the beat signal to a reference frequency, as shown in the figure below.

  • Page 29: Typical Operation: Offset Phase Lock

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Getting Started NOTE: The above configuration fixes the frequency difference between the two lasers, but it does not dictate the absolute frequency of either laser. For absolute frequency locking, first lock the leader laser to a spectroscopy module (e.g. D2-210) before combining the beams.
  • Page 30 SLICE-OPL User Manual Getting Started • Tap the Sweep button and select Tune. o Tune the Bias and Range so the blue error line crosses zero on the Phase Error graph, as demonstrated above. ▪ Start with a large Range and search for the crossing by tuning Bias.

  • Page 31: Detailed Operations

    When using the internal DDS, the SLICE-OPL helps the user by calculating ideal values for these dividers when the target frequency is set. The output of the phase detection subsystem is a phase...
  • Page 32 SLICE-OPL User Manual Detailed Operations SLICE-OPL Signal Architecture Vescent Technologies Inc. - Page 28 - Revision 01...

  • Page 33: Filter Transfer Function

    SLICE-OPL will calculate and update values for the input frequency range, DDS frequency, and dividers N1, N2, and M2. The SLICE-OPL assumes the beat frequency is close to the target frequency. If the two values are quite different, the Beat Freq. display may show an inaccurate value after the parameters update.

  • Page 34: Auxiliary Servo

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Detailed Operations *�� : Proportional-integral corner frequency. This is the frequency beyond which ���� proportional gain dominates over integral gain. Turning this corner frequency OFF removes the integral filter, leaving only proportional gain at low frequencies. *��...
  • Page 35 SLICE-OPL User Manual Detailed Operations To access other auxiliary servo settings, toggle the PLL/AUX button to AUX. The displays with relevant information will have 'AUX' labels. The Filter Settings button now opens the AUX Settings window (Section 3.4.4) where the user can set the auxiliary setpoint and integral gain for this secondary feedback loop.

  • Page 36: Remote Operation

    SLICE-OPL. 6.1 Setting up a Remote Connection Start by connecting the SLICE-OPL to a computer with a USB-A to USB-B cable. Plug the USB-B connector into the USB port on the SLICE-OPL and the USB-A connector to a free port on the computer.

  • Page 37: General Operation Commands

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation 6.2.1 General Operation Commands Command Return Type/ Description/ String # Arguments Details *IDN? String Returns a string describing the device. (none) Returns: [Manufacturer],[Model],[Serial Number],[System Controller FW Ver],[Personality Card FW Ver] *RST String Reboot the SLICE-OPL.

  • Page 38: Pll Servo Filter Commands

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation 6.2.2 PLL Servo Filter Commands Command Return Type/ Description/ String # Arguments Details PLLINVT? Status Query if the error signal is inverted (gain sign switch). (none) PLLINVT Status Sets if the error signal is inverted (gain sign switch).
  • Page 39 SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation PLLBIAS Float Set servo offset (in volts). Argument 1 (Float): PLL Servo DC Bias - Accepted values are limited by the range set via the PLLMAX and PLLMIN settings. PLLMAX? Float Query PLL servo output voltage upper limit.

  • Page 40: Aux Servo Commands

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation 6.2.3 Aux Servo Commands Command Return Type/ Description/ String # Arguments Details AUXEN? Status Query if Aux Servo loop is enabled or disabled. (none) AUXEN Status Enable or disable Aux Servo loop. Argument 1 (Status): AUX Servo Enabled/Disabled - "1"...
  • Page 41 SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation AUXMAX Float Set Aux Servo output voltage upper limit. Argument 1 (Float): AUX Servo Output Upper Limit - Accepted Values are between -12 V and 12 V. - Cannot set AUXMAX lower than AUXMIN. Note that the range created by AUXMAX and AUXMIN is a wider range than the achievable AUX Servo Output (+/-10 V).

  • Page 42: Sweep Commands

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation 6.2.4 Sweep Commands Command Return Type/ Description/ String # Arguments Details RAMP? Status Query sweep enabled or disabled. (none) RAMP Status Enable or disable sweep. Argument 1 (Status): Sweep Enable - "1" or "ON": Turn on the Sweep - "0"...
  • Page 43 SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation RAMPADC UINT8 Set phase error graph gain mode. Argument 1 (UINT8): Select gain mode. 128 = Normal (1x) gain mode 64 = High (8x) gain mode This is the same as manually tapping the 1x/8x button on the Channel Detail screen.

  • Page 44: Beat Note Input Commands

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation 6.2.5 Beat Note Input Commands Command Return Type/ Description/ String # Arguments Details BNMAX? Float Query the max beat note frequency currently set. Returns in units of MHz. Sets beat note path: 12GHz, 3GHz, or 1GHz.

  • Page 45: Reference Source Commands

    - "1" or "ON": The DDS will be used as reference source for the Phase-Frequency Discriminator. - "0" or "OFF": The input to the "Ref In" SMA on the back of the SLICE-OPL will be used as the reference source for the Phase-Frequency Discriminator. DDSINT? Status Query if using internal reference for DDS.
  • Page 46 SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation M1DIV UINT8 Sets the divider between the reference oscillator and the phase/freq discriminator (PFD). Argument 1 (UINT8): M1 Divider Value - Accepted Values: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 M2DIV? UINT16 Query the phase/freq discriminator (PFD) reference divider.

  • Page 47: External Input/Output/Trigger Commands

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation 6.2.7 External Input/Output/Trigger Commands Command Return Type/ Description/ String # Arguments Details MUXO? UINT8 Read Back Panel Monitor Mux Setting. See MUXO for details. (none) MUXO UINT8 Set Back Panel Monitor Mux. Argument 1 (UINT8): Back Panel Monitor Mux Setting...
  • Page 48 SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation FPAINEN Status Set Front Panel A Mod In Enable / disable. Argument 1 (Status): Front Panel A Mod In Enable - "1" or "ON": The signal connected to the Front Panel Input A BNC will be added to the "PLL Out" back-panel SMA signal - "0"...

  • Page 49: Calibration Commands

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation 6.2.8 Calibration Commands Command Return Type/ Description/ String # Arguments Details _SELFCAL Status Start / Query Status of Self Calibration Argument 1 (UINT8): SelfCal Command Function 1 = Start Self-Calibration 0 = Query Status of Self Calibration...
  • Page 50 SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation _CALAX? INT16 Query aux offset calibration value in raw DAC units. (none) _CALAX INT16 Factory Set. Sets aux op amp offset trim setting in raw DAC units. Argument 1 (INT16): Aux op amp offset trim setting (Raw...

  • Page 51: Advanced Commands

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Remote Operation 6.2.9 Advanced Commands Command Return Type/ Description/ String # Arguments Details NOCP Status Disable CP output (engage Servo Integrator Hold). (none) HOLD? Status Query Integrator Hold status. (none) HOLD Status Engage/Disengage Integrator Hold. Argument 1 (Status): Integrator Hold Enable - "1"...

  • Page 52: Troubleshooting

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Troubleshooting 7 Troubleshooting The following table describes typical issues that may be encountered while using the SLICE-OPL and recommended actions to solve the problems. Problem Recommended Actions Numeric field does not increase when Value likely exceeds a software or user-defined right rotary knob is turned clockwise limit.

  • Page 53: A Specifications

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Specifications A Specifications Parameter Value Units Number of Channels Input/Output Impedance Ω Output Voltage Range ±10 Front Panel Input Voltage Limit ±10 Beat Signal Min. Beat Signal Power Max. Beat Signal Power Min. Offset Frequency Max. Offset Frequency Reference Frequency Min.

  • Page 54: B Additional Resources

    SLICE-OPL User Manual Additional Resources B Additional Resources QR Code Details Vescent Home https://vescent.com/ Additional resources are available at vescent.com SLICE-OPL Product Page https://vescent.com/us/slice-opl-offset-phase-lock-servo.html Check here for more information about the SLICE-OPL. Vescent Technologies Inc. - Page 50 - Revision 01...

  • Page 55: C Service & Maintenance

    Authorization (RMA) from customer service. Never send any unit back to Vescent without a completed Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA). 3. Return the unit, postage prepaid, to Vescent. Do not forget to return a hard copy of the completed RMA form with the unit and write the RMA number on the shipping label.

  • Page 56: D Warranty

    “Warranty Period” during which this warranty applies varies with Product type as follows: a. For standard Vescent lasers in which a counter is incorporated (i.e. lasers with counters for which Vescent has published a datasheet and which have not been obsoleted by the time of order placement): one (1) year after the date of original shipment or 3,000 hours of use, whichever occurs first;...
  • Page 57 SLICE-OPL User Manual Warranty e. For Products that are discontinued, Vescent’s liability shall terminate at the end of the applicable Warranty Period or one (1) year from the date of discontinuity, whichever occurs first. f. Except for the warranty stated herein and to the extent permitted by applicable law...

Table of Contents