INTRODUCTION This manual is designed to help you quickly and easily learn to use your Quantum Composers Model 9314E pulse generator. Rather than the usual array of knobs and switches, the 9314E uses a menu-driven user interface with "on-line" help -- once you learn the basics of operating your 9314E, you may never need to refer to this manual again.
Custom Modifications The 9314E is microprocessor-controlled and, employs a flexible and expandable userinterface. New features and operating modes often can be added, without hardware modifications, by merely modifying the software contained inside the 9314E. Most modifications can be made for a very modest charge -- contact Quantum Composers for details.
1 CONTROLS AND CONNECTORS This chapter explains the function of each control and connector on the 9314E. Front Panel The front panel contains the most frequently used controls and connectors. Display The 9314E features a backlit liquid crystal display, on which menu selections and settings are shown. The left half of the display shows the current menu selection, while the right half shows the current setting of the item associated with that menu.
Left Button For numeric items, this button is used to select which digit in a numeric entry is selected for editing. For other items or when the left most digit is already selected for numeric items, pressing and holding this button down displays a brief description of the current item. Right Button For numeric items, this button is used to select which digit in a numeric entry is selected for editing.
T3 Channel 3 output -- same specifications as Channel 1. T4 Output Channel 4 output -- same specifications as Channel 1. Ext/Gate External Trigger or Gate signal input -- used as either an external signal to trigger the generation of pulses or as a gate signal to enable and disable the outputs. Back Panel Output Voltage Adjustment The maximum output voltage of all output channels is adjusted by turning the potentiometer labeled VOUT.
Line Voltage Selection This switch is used to select the voltage level used in your country -- make sure it is on the proper setting or the 9314E could be damaged.
1 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS This chapter presents detailed instructions on the operation of the 9314E. Overview The 9314E uses a single -line LCD to display menu selections. The front panel keys are used to "navigate" through sets of menus to set various options and control the pulse generator. Some keys are only active at certain times or have different behavior depending on what state the menus are in -- once understood, the menus can be quickly and easily manipulated.
Main Menu The Main Menu consists of a set of menus selections used to set the operating mode, time period and frequency of the 9314E. MODE - Pulse Modes There are five (5) different Pulse modes available. Continuous Mode While in Continuous mode, the 9314E will generate pulses at the rate set by the internal To Period as set in the ToPer menu. The Ext/Gate input may be used as a gate or interlock by setting the GATE menu to Low or High.
Duty Cycle The Duty Cycle mode is similar to Continuous mode in that a continuous stream of pulses is output. The exception is the outputs are only active for a set number of seconds (DC:On menu), then disabled for another set time period (DC:Off menu) before being re-enabled. The number of cycles is set in the CYCLES menu, after which all output cease. Setting the number of cycles to zero results in continuous cycling, until the Stop Key is pressed.
ToPer - To Period Except when in External Trigger or Single Shot mode, all pulse outputs are based on an internal timer called To. This menu is used to select the rate at which To runs by selecting the time period in microseconds between timer pulses. When in Continuous, Burst or Duty Cycle mode, pulses are output at the rate determined by To. The frequency of pulse outputs in these modes can be found by taking the reciprocal of the To Period setting.
Note: If you overwrite a particular location, its previous contents are destroyed. A configuration is stored by using the Up and Down arrow keys to select the memory location number. Press the Left or Right arrow key, at which time you will prompted to press the key to verify that you want to overwrite the existing stored configuration. If you press any other key, the configuration will not be saved. RECALL Configuration Recalls a previously stored configuration from the specified memory location.
5 4 9 1 14 3 8 2 7 1 6
1 COMPUTER INTERFACE The 9314E comes standard with an RS232 serial interface; a GPIB (IEEE-488) interface is available as an option. All menu settings can be set and retrieved over the computer interface using a simple command language. Serial (RS232) Pinout The serial port is located on the back of the 9314E, and uses a 9-pin D-type connector with the following pinout (as viewed from the back of the 9314E): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Command Protocol All commands have the following syntax: $ <##>CR where P $ indicates a command follows. P is the command name. No spaces are allowed between the $ and the . The name is case sensitive. P <##> is an unsigned, integer associated with the command. A space must be inserted between and <##>. P CR is a carriage return character (ASCII value 13). With echo enabled, all characters sent will be echoed back to the sender.
This will return an integer followed by a space, carriage return and a line feed character (ASCII 10). Example - the following command would retrieve the current Cycles setting: $CYCLES ? The pulse generator will return the following: Echo Enabled: CYCLES ? 100 Echo Disabled: 100 Communication Protocol Communication parameters are set at 9600 baud, 8 bits, parity = none, and 1 stop bit.
Command List The following table summarizes all the commands. Note: The name of the commands are identical to how they appear on the display of the 9314E, with channel parameters preceded by a T.
9314E Communication Commands Command Name Parameters Description MODE 0 = Continuous mode 1 = Burst mode 2 = Duty Cycle mode 3 = Single Shot mode 4 = External Trigger mode 0 = off 1 = active low 2 = active high 1000 - 999999998 1 - 10000 Sec 1 - 10000 Sec 0 = falling edge 1 = rising edge 0 - 10000 cycles 1 - 30000 pulses -999999998 - +999999998 0-8 ( 0=To, 1=1a, 2=1b, etc.) -999999998 - +999999998 0-8 ( 0=To, 1=1a, 2=1b, etc.
9314E Communication Commands Command Name Parameters Description T3:Pol 0 = Off 1 = Negative (active low) 2 = Positive (active high) -999999998 - +999999998 0-8 ( 0=To, 1=1a, 2=1b, etc.) -999999998 - +999999998 0-8 ( 0=To, 1=1a, 2=1b, etc.) 0 = Off 1 = Negative (active low) 2 = Positive (active high) 1 - 1000 0 = Disable 1 = Enable 0 - 12 1 - 12 0 = Reset to zero Sets the polarity of the output for Channel 3.
1 SPECIFICATIONS DELAYS P CHANNELS Eight (8) independent outputs, with digitally controlled delay and pulsewidth. P DELAY 0 to 99.9999998 sec P PULSEWIDTH 400 ns to 99.9999998 sec P RESOLUTION 200 ns P ACCURACY 20 ns + .0001 x delay P TIMEBASE 5 MHz, 25 PPM crystal oscillator P RMS JITTER 10 ns + .
P SLEW RATE > .2 V/ns P OVERSHOOT < 100 mV + 10% of pulse amplitude P AMPLITUDE load manually adjusted, 1-10V into 50Ω load P PEAK CURRENT 400 mA per channel P AVERAGE CURRENT 200 mA average (total for all channels) 2-20V into high impedance all outputs at same level COMPUTER INTERFACE P RS232 trolled over the interface bus. 9600 Baud.
1 MAINTENANCE Except for fuse replacement, the 9314E should require no maintenance. Replacing the Fuse A pair of fuses are mounted in the power entry module. To replace fuses, follow the instructions given below: 1. Unplug the 9314E from power source and remove power cord from the back panel. 2. Remove the fuse holder by pushing down on the center tab and pulling out. 3. Remove the faulty fuses and replace with one of a similar rating, (5 x 20 mm, .125 Amp). 4. Reinstall the fuse holder. 5.
1 CUSTOM FEATURES None.
