Oxford Instruments Mercury iTC - User Manual

Mercury iTC cryogenic environment controller
Issue 01 / November 2011 / Original Instructions
www.oxford-instruments.com
Oxford Instruments
NanoScience
Handbook
©2011. Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Limited. All rights reserved.

Oxford Instruments Mercury iTC Specifications

General

Control Type	PID
Magnetic Field Range	Not applicable
Field Homogeneity	Not applicable
Communication Interface	Ethernet, USB
Cooling Method	Closed-cycle refrigerator

Summary

Preface

Use of this Manual

Provides guidance on how to effectively use the manual for operating the Mercury iTC unit.

Customer Support

Information on contacting Oxford Instruments NanoScience for technical assistance and support.

Health and Safety Information

Details all health and safety considerations, including warnings and precautions for the Mercury iTC.

Intended Users

Specifies the required training and qualifications for operating the Mercury iTC safely and effectively.

Statement of Intended Use

Defines the Mercury iTC's intended purpose, operational limits, and user responsibilities.

Typographical Conventions

Explains the various typographical conventions used for clarity and ease of understanding within the manual.

Disclaimers and Copyright

Outlines liability limitations, warranty information, and copyright terms for the manual's content.

Revision History and Glossary Reference

Details the revision history of the handbook and refers to the glossary for terms.

Certification Compliance Statements

Lists the standards and certifications that the Mercury iTC cryogenic environment controller complies with.

Health and Safety

Warnings and Cautions

Details critical safety precautions, warnings, and cautions for operating and servicing the Mercury iTC.

Cooling and Solid Waste Cautions

Provides cautions regarding equipment cooling and guidelines for disposing of solid waste like batteries.

Overview of the iTC

System Description

Provides a block diagram and overview of the iTC's main components, including interfaces and daughter boards.

User Interface Overview

Introduces the iTC's graphical user interface (GUI), including front panel controls and touch-screen operation.

Touch Screen and Navigation

Explains how to interact with the touch screen, including initiating actions, using drop-down menus, and scrolling.

Keypads and Buttons

Details the use of soft keypads for data entry and the function of various buttons on the interface.

Common Screen Features

Describes common features appearing on multiple GUI pages, such as Home and Apply buttons.

Home Page and Panel Configuration

Describes the Home page layout, channel summary panels, and initial configuration of panels.

Sensor and Device Configuration

Guides on configuring sensor details, device pairing, and calibration for various sensor types.

Plotting and Control Loops

Explains how to configure plots for data visualization and set up control loops for heaters and gas flow.

Settings Tabs Overview

Details various settings tabs including General, Display, Card, RS232, Ethernet, ISOBUS, GPIB, Clock, Calibration, and Firmware updates.

Functional Description

Main Components Overview

Describes the main physical components of the iTC unit, including the enclosure, user interface, and motherboard.

iTC Connections and Interfaces

Details the various connections available on the iTC, including power, sensor inputs, outputs, and communication interfaces.

Communication Interfaces

Explains the RS232, ISOBUS, USB, and Ethernet interfaces for remote communication and control.

Daughter Board Installation

Lists the different types of daughter boards available and provides guidance on their installation and slot positioning.

Temperature Measurement Principles

Explains the principles of temperature measurement and describes various types of temperature sensors supported by the iTC.

Circuit Descriptions

Provides detailed circuit descriptions for temperature measurement, heater circuits, and their calibration procedures.

Getting Started

Initial Checks and Mounting

Guides on checking the electrical supply voltage and mounting the equipment safely, including ventilation requirements.

Connecting Power and Interfaces

Provides step-by-step instructions for connecting electrical power and various data interfaces like Ethernet, RS232, ISOBUS, and GPIB.

First-Time Power Up and Configuration

Guides on powering up the unit for the first time, setting the date and time, and configuring sensor inputs.

Heater and Gas Flow Configuration

Details the process of configuring heaters, gas valves, and their respective control loops, including manual and automatic modes.

Testing Inputs and Outputs

Provides procedures for testing temperature sensor inputs and heater outputs to ensure proper functionality.

Basic Operating Instructions

LCD Display Configuration

Instructions on configuring the LCD display, including brightness and auto-dim options.

Changing Setpoints

Guides on changing heater and gas-flow setpoints via the user interface.

Using the Sweep Function

Details on programming, loading, starting, and stopping temperature sweep profiles for automated operation.

Using the Plot Function

Explains how to configure plots to display data over time and how to remove traces from the plot.

Configuring External Interfaces

Provides instructions for configuring external interfaces like Ethernet, RS232, GPIB, and USB for remote control.

Reconfiguring and Changing Control Parameters

Guides on clearing panel configurations, reconfiguring sensors/heaters, and changing control-loop parameters like PID values.

Remote Operation

Instrument Addresses and Communication Protocols

Explains instrument addressing for GPIB/ISOBUS and the communication protocols used for RS232 and GPIB interfaces.

GPIB Interface Operations

Details on switching between interfaces, sending commands, accepting responses, and managing status bytes via the GPIB interface.

Writing Reliable GPIB Programs

Discusses features to include in GPIB control programs for maximum reliability, focusing on timeouts.

Preventive Maintenance

Six-Monthly Maintenance Tasks

Outlines recommended maintenance tasks to be performed every six months, including cleaning and calibration.

Unscheduled Maintenance

Notes on unscheduled maintenance, specifically the replacement of the lithium coin-cell by trained personnel.

Troubleshooting

Fault-Finding Features

Introduces the alarm logs as a feature for fault-finding, explaining how to access and use them.

Troubleshooting Information Table

Provides a table with common symptoms, possible causes, and recommended actions for troubleshooting the iTC.

Command Reference Guide

SCPI Command Structure and Conventions

Explains the nomenclature, protocol conventions, command structure, verbs, and nouns used in SCPI commands.

Addressing Devices and Loops

Details the structure for addressing temperature sensors, heater controllers, level meter sensors, auxiliary boards, and control loops via commands.

Invalid Responses

Lists possible responses from the iTC when an invalid command is sent, along with the reasons for these responses.

Technical Specifications

Physical and Power Specifications

Lists the physical specifications (dimensions, weight) and electrical power supply requirements for the iTC unit.

Sensor Input and Heater Output Specs

Details the specifications for sensor inputs, including types, ranges, and resolution, and heater output capabilities.

Interface and Environmental Specs

Provides specifications for PC interfaces, electrical isolation, and environmental operating conditions.

Theory of Control Loops

General Control Loop Information

Explains the general principles of control loops used in the iTC, including PID control for heaters and algorithms for gas valves.

PID Table Operation and Gas Flow Control

Details PID table operations, entering PID parameters, and the theory behind gas-flow control mechanisms.

Temperature Sensor Daughter Board

Overview and Installation

Describes the temperature sensor board, its accepted sensor types, and provides installation instructions.

Sensor and Board Configuration

Guides on connecting the temperature sensor and configuring the temperature sensor board via the GUI.

Heater Daughter Board

Overview and Installation

Describes the heater daughter board, its association with temperature sensors, and provides installation instructions.

Heater and Control Loop Configuration

Guides on connecting the heater and configuring the heater board and its associated control loop.

Auxiliary I;O Daughter Board

Board Functions and Gas Flow Control

Details the functions of the auxiliary I/O board, including stepper motor drive and gas-flow control using a needle-valve.

Installation and Connection

Provides installation instructions for the auxiliary I/O board and details on connecting to the auxiliary port.

Level-Meter Daughter Board

Board Description and Operation Principles

Describes the level-meter board, its principles of operation with helium and nitrogen probes.

Board Installation and Sensor Configuration

Guides on installing the level-meter board and configuring it for liquid helium or nitrogen sensors.

GPIB Daughter Board

Board Description and Installation

Describes the GPIB daughter board, its compliance with IEEE-488.1, and provides installation instructions.

Connecting to GPIB Bus

Details on connecting the GPIB board to the GPIB bus using a standard GPIB cable.

Glossary

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Provides a comprehensive list of acronyms and abbreviations used throughout the manual for reference.

Technical Support

Worldwide Contact Information

Lists contact information for Oxford Instruments technical support and sales offices across the United Kingdom, Europe, Americas, China, Japan, and Rest of the World.