CONTINUUM

POWERLITE LABVIEW DRIVER

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1.Powerlite Sample Application......................................................................4
1.1RS232 Configuration..................................................................................................5
1.2Initial Update...........................................................................................................6
1.3Polling.....................................................................................................................6
1.4Value settings ..........................................................................................................6
1.5Mode settings by user................................................................................................7
1.6Command Monitoring................................................................................................7
Chapter 2.Powerlite LabView Drivers...........................................................................8
2.1Common..................................................................................................................9
2.1.1.CommonParser.....................................................................................................9
2.1.2.PortWriteAndRead.................................................................................................9
2.1.3.WriteSerial...........................................................................................................9
2.1.4.ReadSerial............................................................................................................8
2.1.5.ResponseDelay....................................................................................................10
2.2Serial....................................................................................................................10
2.2.1.Initialize Serial....................................................................................................11
2.2.2.Close Serial........................................................................................................11
2.3Password...............................................................................................................11
2.3.1.PasswordCommand..............................................................................................11
2.4Mode.....................................................................................................................11
2.4.1.ModeLEDs..........................................................................................................12
2.4.2.ModeParser.........................................................................................................12
2.4.3.ModeQuery.........................................................................................................13
2.4.4.ModeSetting.......................................................................................................13
2.5 Shutter...............................................................................................................13
2.5.1.ShutterLED.........................................................................................................14
2.5.2.ShutterParser......................................................................................................14
2.5.3.ShutterQuery......................................................................................................14
2.5.4.ShutterSetting ...................................................................................................15
2.6Oscillator...............................................................................................................15
2.6.1.OscFLDelay.........................................................................................................15
2.6.2.OscFrequency.....................................................................................................16
2.6.3.OscTemperature..................................................................................................17
2.6.4.OscVoltage.........................................................................................................17
2.7Amplifier................................................................................................................18
2.7.1.AmpFLDelay.......................................................................................................18
2.7.2.AmpHead1Temp..................................................................................................19
2.7.3.AmpHead2Temp..................................................................................................20
2.7.4.AmpVoltage........................................................................................................20

2.8QSWITCH...............................................................................................................21
2.8.1.QDelay...............................................................................................................21
2.8.2.QDivision............................................................................................................22
2.9Harmonic Generator................................................................................................23
2.9.1.1stHG................................................................................................................23
2.9.2.2ndHG...............................................................................................................23
2.10 Ramps................................................................................................................24
2.10.1.QRamp.............................................................................................................24
2.10.2.VRamp.............................................................................................................25
2.11SeederSyncDelay...................................................................................................26
2.11.1.SeederDelay.....................................................................................................26
2.11.2.SyncDelay........................................................................................................27
Chapter 3.Powerlite LabView Drivers in Application..................................................28
3.1Frequency setting....................................................................................................28
3.2Mode LEDs.............................................................................................................28
3.3Initial Update Commands.........................................................................................29

Chapter 1: Powerlite Sample Application

Powerlite Sample Application which accompanies the Powerlite LabView drivers, consists of some basic
functionalities required for operating the Powerlite laser. The Powerlite LabView Sample Application is
accessible via the standard function palette after it is installed successfully.
The standard function Palette is as shown below:

Figure 1.1 Powerlite Sample Application in the function palette

This sample application is capable with connecting to the Powerlite laser and also supports the basic operations
such as changing the mode, setting the parameter values and so forth.
The User Interface of the Powerlite Sample application is as shown below:

Figure 1.2 Powerlite Sample Application User Interface

1.1 RS232 Configuration

Prior to run the sample application; the RS232 communication settings should be properly configured via the
Serial Port Configuration Panel. This allows proper communication with the laser machines.
By default the following parameter values are set:
VISA Resource Name to COM1
Baud Rate to 19200
Data Bits to 8
Parity to None
Stop Bits to 1.0
Flow Control to None
The following figure shows the interface of the Serial Port Communication Panel:

Figure 1.3 Serial Port Configuration Panel

1.2 Initial Update

Once the application is started and the communication is established with the laser successfully, the application
will query for some important parameter values from the laser, such as Oscillator Voltage, Frequency etc.
This process is called as initial update. The values returned by the laser for these parameters will be populated
in appropriate panels of the application window.

1.3 Polling
Once the initial update is done, the application will start to poll for some parameter values.
These values change without any user interaction in a predefined interval throughout the life time of the
application ( Eg: Head Temperatures). The values returned by the laser for these parameters will be used to
update the corresponding field values in the application window.

1.4 Value Settings

Users are allowed to set values to the parameters of through the application window by simply entering them
and clicking on SET button.
This facility is provided with the Oscillator Panel, Amplifier Panel and QSwitch Panel.
Caution
The application doesn't prevent any values from going to the laser. For safety requirements, the user needs to
take care of the values that he sets via the application.

Figure 1.4 Parameter Panels

1.5 Mode Settings

Users are allowed to change the mode of the application at its operation time. STOP, STANDBY, FLASH and
QSWITCH modes can be achieved by clicking on the corresponding button in the Main Control Panel.
Also the Shutter Status could be changed via the Shutter button which is available in the same panel.
Both Mode LEDs and Shutter LED will indicate the Mode status and Shutter status respectively.

Figure 1.5 Main Control Panel

1.6 Command Monitoring

The Command monitoring facility available in the application is used to monitor the commands that are sent to
the laser from the application. The display keeps on moving to show the last 11 commands sent to the laser.

Figure 1.6 Command Monitor

Chapter 2: Powerlite LabView Drivers

Powerlite LabView Drivers are special LabView controls to build the Powerlite LabView applications.
These drivers free the application developer from needing to know the Powerlite protocols used for the laser
communication. It also facilitates the common functionalities required by Powerlite LabView application.
Once the Powerlite LabView installed successfully; the Powerlite LabView Drivers will be shown in the standard
function palette as shown below:

Figure 2.1 Powerlite Drivers in the function palette

2.1 Common Functionalities

This section provides information of the drivers which are corresponding to common functionalities of the
Powerlite Sample Application.

2.1.1 Common Parser

Inputs a response string of the laser to any query, and outputs a command and a corresponding value extracted
from the response.

2.1.2 PortWriteAndRead
Inputs Visa Resource (In), Error (In) and command string to write to the port; and outputs Visa Resource (Out),
Error (Out) and response string of the laser read from the port.

The response delay is given between writing the command to the port and reading the response from the port is
500ms.

2.1.3 WriteSerial
Inputs Visa Resource, Error (In) and command string to write to the port and outputs Visa Resource(Out) and
Error (Out).

2.1.4 ReadSerial
Inputs Visa Resource, Error (In); and outputs Visa Resource(Out), Error (Out) and response string of the laser
read from the port.

2.1.5 ResponseDelay
Inputs Visa Resource, Error (In) and Response Delay value in milli seconds (ms) and outputs Visa
Resource(Out) and Error (Out).

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2.2 Serial
This provides information regarding drivers correspondence with the Serial Port communication.

2.2.1 Initialize Serial

Inputs Visa Resource, Baud rate, Data bits, Parity, Stop bits and Flow control and outputs Visa Resource (Out)
and Error (Out).

2.2.2 Close Serial

Inputs Visa Resource and Error (In).

2.3 Password
2.3.1 PasswordCommand
Outputs a command string of the application's password to the laser

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2.4 Mode
This provides information regarding driver correspondence with the mode related functionalities.

2.4.1 ModeLEDs
STOP-LED
Inputs the Mode string and outputs the boolean value corresponding to STOP mode.

STANDBY-LED
Inputs the Mode string and outputs the boolean value corresponding to STANDBY mode.

FLASH-LED
Inputs the Mode string and outputs the boolean value corresponding to FLASH mode.

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QSWITCH-LED
Inputs a Mode string and outputs the boolean value corresponding to QSWITCH mode.

2.4.2 ModeParser
Inputs a response string of the laser for Mode query and outputs the Mode.

2.4.3 ModeQuery
Outputs a command string for querying Laser Mode.

2.4.4 ModeSetting

STOPmodeSetting
Outputs a command string for setting STOP mode.

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STANDBYmodeSetting
Outputs the command string for setting STANDBY mode.

FLASHmodeSetting
Outputs the command string for setting FLASH mode.

QSWITCHmodeSetting
Outputs the command string for setting QSWITCH mode.

2.5 Shutter
2.5.1 Shutter LED
Inputs the Shutter status string and outputs the boolean value corresponding to Shutter status.

2.5.2 ShutterParser
Inputs the response string for Shutter status query and outputs the Shutter string.

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2.5.3 ShutterQuery
Outputs the command string for querying the Shutter status.

2.5.4 ShutterSetting
ShutterClose
Outputs the command string for closing the Shutter

ShutterSetting
Inputs the Shutter status boolean and outputs the command sting for changing the Shutter status

2.6 Oscillator
This has the drivers correspondence to the Oscillator parameters.

2.6.1 OscFLDelay
OscFLDelayQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Oscillator Flash Lamp Delay.

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OscFLDelaySetCommand
Inputs the Oscillator Flash Lamp Delay in micro seconds (s) and outputs the command string for setting that
value.

OscFLDelayParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for Oscillator Flash Lamp Delay query and outputs the value in micro
seconds (s).

2.6.2 OscFrequency

OscFrequencyQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Oscillator Frequency.

OscFrequencySetCommand
Inputs the Oscillator Frequency in Hertz (Hz) and outputs the command string for setting that value.

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OscFrequencyParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for Oscillator Frequency query and outputs the value in Hertz (Hz).

2.6.3 OscTemperature

OscTemperatureQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Oscillator Head Temperature.

OscTemperatureParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for Oscillator Head Temperature query and outputs the value in Celcius.

2.6.4 OscVoltage
OscVolQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Oscillator Voltage.

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OscVolSetCommand
Inputs the Oscillator Voltage in Volts (V) and outputs the command string for setting that value.

OscVoltageParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for Oscillator Voltage query and outputs the value in Volts(V).

2.7 Amplifier
This has the drivers corresponding to the Amplifier parameters.

2.7.1 AmpFLDelay

AmpFLDelayQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Amplifier Flash Lamp Delay.

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AmpFLDelaySetCommand
Inputs the Amplifier Flash Lamp Delay in micro seconds (s) and outputs the command string for setting that
value.

AmpFLDelayParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for Amplifier Flash Lamp Delay query and outputs the value in micro
seconds (s).

2.7.2 AmpHeadTemp

AmpHead1TempQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Amplifier Head 1 Temperature.

AmpHead1TempParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for Amplifier Head 1 Temperature query and outputs the value in Celsius.

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2.7.3 AmpHead2Temp

AmpHead2TempQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Amplifier Head 2 Temperature.

AmpHead2TempParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for Amplifier Head 2 Temperature query and outputs the value in Celsius.

2.7.4 AmpVoltage

AmpVolQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Amplifier Voltage.

AmpVolSetCommand
Inputs the Amplifier Voltage in Volts (V) and outputs the command string for setting that value.

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AmpVoltageParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for Amplifier Voltage query and outputs the value in Volts(V).

2.8 QSwitch
This has the drivers corresponding to the Q switch parameters.

2.8.1 QDelay

QDQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Qdelay.

QDSetCommand
Inputs the QDelay in micro seconds (s) and outputs the command string for setting that value.

QDParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for QDelay query and outputs the value in micro seconds (s).

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2.8.2 Qdivision

QDivisionQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Qdivision.

QDivisionSetCommand
Inputs the QDivision value and outputs the command string for setting that value.

QDivisionParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for QDivision query and outputs the value.

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2.9 Harmonic Generator

This has the drivers which are corresponding to move the crystal positions of the Harmonic Generator.

2.9.1 IstHG

HG1StepSetCommand
Inputs the steps value and the direction (RIGHT or LEFT) and outputs the command string for setting that.

2ndHG

2.9.2 2ndHG
HG2StepSetCommand
Inputs the steps value and the direction (RIGHT or LEFT) and outputs the command string for setting that.

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2.10 Ramps
This has the drivers corresponding to the Ramping parameters.

2.10.1 QRamp

QRampQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying QRamp.

QRampSetCommand
Inputs the QRamp value and outputs the command string for setting that value.

QRampParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for QRamp query and outputs the value.

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2.10.2 VRamp

VRampQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying VRamp.

VRampSetCommand
Inputs the VRamp Shot Count and VRamp Voltage in Volts (V) and outputs the command string for setting that
value.

VRampParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for VRamp query and outputs the VRamp Shot Count and VRamp Voltage
in Volts (V).

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2.11 Seedersyncdelay
This has the drivers corresponding to the Seeder and Sync Delay parameters.

2.11.1 SeederDelay

SeederDelayQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Seeder Delay.

SeederDelaySetCommand
Inputs the Seeder Delay in nano seconds (ns) and outputs the command string for setting that value.

SeederDelayParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for Seeder Delay query and outputs the value in nano seconds (ns).

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2.11.2 SyncDelay

SyncDelayQueryCommand
Outputs the command string for querying Sync Delay.

SyncDelaySetCommand
Inputs the Sync Delay in nano seconds (ns) and outputs the command string for setting that value.

SyncDelayParser
Inputs the response string of the laser for Sync Delay query and outputs the value in nano seconds (ns).

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Chapter 3: Powerlite LabView Drivers in Application

This section gives some examples to describe as to how the Powerlite LabView Drivers could be integrated in
the Powerlite LabView Applications as its fundamental building blocks.

3.1 Frequency Setting

When the user sets the Frequency via the application, the command required to set the frequency in the laser is
enqueued to the command queue which holds the commands to be written to the port.
The following piece taken from the Sample Application's block diagram shows that the 'FreqSetCommand.vi' is
used to construct the command required for this by having the frequency value set by the user.

Figure 3.1 Frequency Setting

3.2 Mode LEDs

When the application reads the Mode response sent by the laser, it has to update the Mode LEDs accordingly.
The following piece taken from the sample application's block diagram, shows that the <MODE>-LED.vi's are
used to update the Mode LEDs of the application.

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Figure 3.2 Mode Setting

3.2 Initial Update Commands

When the application starts up, it has to send some commands to the laser to query some parameter values
such as Voltage, Frequency etc in order to update the User Interface. These commands are taken from the
InitalUpdateCommands.vi which is a sub module and enqueued to the commands queue.

Figure 3.3 Enqueued Initial Update Commands

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The following figure of the InitalUpdateCommands.vi sub module's block diagram shows that many fundamental
building blocks are used to build this sub module.

Figure 3.4 Initial Update Commands Sub Module

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