PC1

A The PC1 controller was principally designed with a 10kohm NTC thermistor in mind. However so long as not too much current is drawn from the voltage reference it is possible to use NTC thermistors with values down to ~2.2kohm @ 25oC.

Q. Over what temperature range can I control?

A The PC1 is a simple setpoint controller and as such does not measure temperature directly. It simply tries to make the voltage measured by the temperature sensor equal to its set-point voltage. Hence so long as the controller itself is kept within its operational temperature window then a huge temperature control range is possible, thermodynamics permitting.

Q. What makes the PC1/PC2 temperature performance so good?

A The excellent temperature performance of the PC1/PC2 controllers is due to a number of technical reasons primarily a good on board referencing scheme, excellent component layout and the use of high specification chopper stabilised amplifiers within the control loop.

Q. Can I operate this board in P,PI and PID modes?

A Yes, please note however it is much easier to set up the control loop electronics for P and PI control. For bulk orders AOS will work in close collaboration with the customer in order to ensure that the control loop is optimised.

Q. What are the power supply requirement of the PC1 board?

A This depends upon the maximum current drawn and the maximum voltage generated across by TEC element.

Q. Can I protect the TEC element from over voltage and damaging current levels?

A Yes, the maximum positive current and negative current levels and the maximum applied TEC voltage can be controlled via three on board potentiometers.

Q. Can I monitor the TEC current generated across the TEC element?

A Yes, a monitor voltage provided on the board can be used to evaluate the TEC current. Alternatively a differential amplifier may be employed to measure the TEC current directly (use the TEC sense resistor).

Q. What are the pin connections for the PC1 board?

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PC2 (USB)

Q. What temperature sensors can I use with the PC2 series controllers?

A The PC2 series controllers offer a wide range of temperature sensor possibilities. The controller can interface with a virtually all NTC thermistors (standard settings for 10k and 2k2ohm types), PT1000 and PT100 PRD, the AD59x family of sensors and LM335 series voltage sensors.

Q. Why would I want to use one sensor rather than another?

A Thermistors offer the highest sensitivity of any temperature sensor type available although they have limited accuracy. PRD sensors are much more accurate however the sensitivity is much reduced. AD95x series sensors act as current sources and are hence reasonable good at providing robust temperature measurements over long cable runs.

Q. What form of circuitry protection is available from the PC2 series controllers?

A The PC2 controller has reverse and over voltage supply protection circuitry, run-away temperature detection (open and shorted sensor detection) and shutdown circuitry. It addition the usual maximum positive and negative current levels and voltage level controls are included. It is virtually impossible to destroy the control circuitry or the TEC element itself.

Q. What form factor does the controller come in?

A The controller board is based on a standard Euocard (100 x 160mm) and has comes in three package options a) OEM, b)Standalone and c) Rack mounted.

Q. Can I control the PC2 board using a PC?

A Yes, but more than that. The PC2-USB option is an integrated controller packaged design to be controlled through a standard USB1.1 interface. This control option interfaces with the cards SPI interface and allows a number of cards (8) to be addressed using a single USB interface card. The USB interface card is interrogated using a set of LabVIEW Vis (provided). Alternatively the user may wish to interface directly with the SPI interface.

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