Sensor resolution gives capacitive sensor feedback

27th October 2015
Posted By : Jordan Mulcare
Sensor resolution gives capacitive sensor feedback

Aerotech’s Ensemble QLe panel-mount nanopositioning piezo drive is designed for seamless use with the Ensemble family of drives and controllers. The QLe connects to any Ensemble controller network enabling coordinated motion between piezo stages and servo axes at much higher rates than other controller or drive products. It is suitable for applications ranging from demanding scientific research to advanced OEM machine systems.

Featuring a dual-core 456MHz, double-precision, floating-point DSP, the QLe drives provide extreme processing power over a wide variety of applications including point-to-point motion, linear and circular interpolation, multi-axis error correction and autofocusing. High-speed interrupts and data logging capabilities provide a real-time link to external systems. The QLe also offers high-speed position latching capability and multi-axis position synchronised output (PSO) for generation of pulses based on actual position feedback in applications ranging from laser firing to data acquisition system triggering.

Using the latest technology and high-resolution A/D and D/A converters, the QLe enables sub-nanometer positioning resolution at high bandwidths. Capacitive sensor feedback circuitry provides ultra-low noise performance over the full travel range with industry-leading thermal stability and exceptional long-term holding stability. Linearity is better than 0.01% over the full travel range in closed-loop mode.

In addition to the four optically-isolated digital inputs, two high-speed digital inputs and four optically-isolated digital outputs, the Ensemble QLe is equipped with analog inputs and outputs. For ultra-precise applications, the QLe offers an 18-bit analog input that can be programmatically configured to accept an external feedback sensor or position command. This analogue input also allows the high-voltage power amplifier to be controlled directly by an external low-level analogue input. Also, the QLe has one 20-bit analog output that can be programmatically configured for position or voltage monitoring at very high resolutions.

Ensemble software uses advanced PID servo loops with feedforward and multiple integrators coupled with eight programmable filters to supply the user with all necessary tools needed to optimise motion performance. Additional software options such as Aerotech’s Dynamic Controls Toolbox and Motion Designer packages make available a host of advanced, yet easy-to-use, tools that can improve tracking errors and provide faster step-and-settle times. These tools include Learning Control, Harmonic Cancellation, Command Shaping, and Cross-Axis Feedforward. Advanced tuning utilities minimize startup time by allowing easy optimisation of motion axes. Pre-coded LabVIEW VIs, AeroBasic programming functionality, MATLAB library, .NET tools for C#, VB.NET and C++/CLI or C make the Ensemble even easier to use.


You must be logged in to comment

Write a comment

No comments




Sign up to view our publications

Sign up

Sign up to view our downloads

Sign up

GISEC Global
23rd April 2024
United Arab Emirates Halls 2-8 - Dubai World Trade Centre
The Magnetics Show US
22nd May 2024
United States of America The Pasadena Convention Center
2024 World Battery & Energy Storage Industry Expo (WBE)
8th August 2024
China 1st and 2nd Floor, Area A, China Import and Export Fair Complex