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ModuLab User Guide

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1. Sample Coarechans Sampit Conrac ps ER S Figure 3 3 High impedance system 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 31 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 3 2 4 3 32 High Voltage High Impedance Materials Testing This provides a combination of high voltage using the MHV 100 module together with femto amp current resolution using the femto ammeter module This is very useful for tests where the sample has very high resistance This configuration may be required for example in nanotechnology or the measurement of very high resistance samples such as insulators A high voltage is required to drive the sample but the resulting current due to the high resistance of the sample is very low WARNING The current return to the femto ammeter can have a voltage of up to 100V if the sample is excited by a high voltage module Take care to use these modules so that they do not constitute an electrical safety hazard See the General Safety Precautions at the beginning of this manual To access this configuration and display the connection diagram select the following entries from the Hardware Requirements sub screen Section 5 3 2 Instrument configuration Mat HV Femto Ammeter Sample Conneciipns Sample Cannections D Sample Connections m KS d ke s Q Figure 3 4 High voltage high impedance system 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Mate
2. Materials Test system USER GUIDE 6 solortron analytical AMETEK 6 solortron analytical Solartron Analytical Ltd Unit B1 Armstrong Mall Farnborough Hampshire UK GU14 ONR Tel 44 0 1252 556 800 Fax 44 0 1252 556 899 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY The directives covered by this declaration C 4 73 23 EEC Low Voltage Equipment Directive amended by 93 68 EEC 89 336 EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive amended by 92 31 EEC amp 93 68 EEC Product s ModuLab MTS System Basis on which conformity is being declared The product s identified above comply with the requirements of the EU directives by meeting the following standards BS EN61326 1997 Electrical equipment for measurement control and laboratory use EMC requirements including amendments A1 1998 and A2 2001 BS EN61010 1 2001 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement control and laboratory use Accordingly the CE mark has been applied to this product Signed For and on behalf of Solartron Analytical Authority Business Element Manager Date February 2010 BSI CG REGISTERED IN ENGLAND No 2569386 REGISTERED OFFICE Lloyd Instruments Ltd PO Box 36 2 New Star Road Leicester LE4 9JQ Approved to BS EN ISO 9001 2000 FM 01709 GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS The equipment described in this manual has been designed in accordance with EN61010 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement control
3. Fitting Type Error 1e2 1e3 101 26 kOhm Positive 0 036719 Frequency Hz 10 029 nF Positive 0 001738 Fitting results eee Fitting results 92 202 pF Positive 0 1615 fH LALTISE API IS lA LINE LSS III AS E the circuit 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project REPORTS A report is a document describing an experiment which can be opened in a word processor for editing and printing The document may contain experiment settings and results including connection diagrams graphs tables and user comments The data displayed in a report is based on the graph files associated with the experiments These are generated when an experiment is run and the graphic and tabulated results are appropriately configured for display and the Save or Save Copy buttons are clicked in the Graph sub screen Alternatively graph files can be generated independently of an experiment and the data can be added Ce Data Graph and Graph File Sections 5 10 5 10 1 and 5 11 2 A report can be generated in a project experiment or general purpose folder and in each case there will be a report folder at the appropriate position in the navigation tree This may contain any number of RTF document files each with a specified filename referencing a list of graph files The list will default to all the graph files in the same structure as the report folder at the same level
4. e Ifthe Open Circuit measurement is greater than 2V Option 2 is evaluated and if the result is less than 5V the steps within the option are performed in this case a Constant Level Impedance step followed by an Open Circuit step e If neither of the conditions are met because the result is greater than 5V none of the steps in Options 1 or 2 are performed Finally at the end of the decision process regardless of the result the system proceeds to the next step in the experiment which is a Constant Level step at 10mV 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 21 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide The corresponding structure in ModuLab is as follows L Open circuit ECH 2 Decision E 1 Option E lt 2 Eem 1 Constant level E 2 Option Ech rs 1 Constant level Impedance og 2 Open circuit Figure 5 4 Navigation panel corresponding to decision process A decision may contain any number of options each with a set of conditions to be tested The options are performed from top to bottom first Option 1 then Option 2 and so on As soon as the conditions for an option are fulfilled the steps under that option are performed and then the system goes to the end of the decision process ignoring all further options The conditions to be tested within an option are specified in the Option Conditions sub screen Ce Decision Option Conditions Section 5 5 1 based on the Step Termin
5. Aenedieggegeeg Instrument Group Setup E E Equipment library Instrument Group name Group 1 Core Module Group 1 is visible on the network C TE Chassis 1 5 The FRA is visible on the network DECHE EEN Comments vy 8 Group 2 169 254 254 17 Core Module IPaddress 169 254 254 11 Ss Test Use default address F Instrument Web Page FRA Present 4 FRA IP address 169 2 25 Use default address F Instrument Web Page E System B Project The fields are as follows Instrument Group name A name for the instrument group This defaults to the Instrument Group but you should specify a unique name for each group for example Group 1 Group 2 etc Comments A free format text field in which you can type a description of the core module Core Module IP address The IP address of the core module The correct address corresponding to the core module has to be entered to enable the PC to communicate with it You can enter a four part number then click the Test button to implement it within the ModuLab software and perform a communication test Normally the default address should be used but an alternative address will be required if there is already a device on the network that uses the default address Ce Installation Guide for details of how to set up IP addresses on the system Use default address If this box is checked the default address 169 254 254 n appears in the Cor
6. Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 3 2 4 Connect the Hardware and Run the Experiment You can connect the ModuLab system to the sample at any stage while setting up the experiment from the software as soon as you have displayed the appropriate connection diagram by selecting the Experiment type and Instrument configuration in the Hardware Requirements sub screen Ce Set up the Experiment Section 3 2 2 and Hardware Requirements Section 5 3 2 The connection diagram 1s displayed on the Start Experiment screen so you can check the connections and then run the experiment as follows 1 Click on the experiment to display the Start Experiment screen E K My Project o e RS oo Experimen Experiment Hardware Requirements Select one or more Instrument Groups MAT FRA HV FA MRef 2A AuxV to runthis experiment MATIM Instrument Groups Available Instrument Group Capability Chassis Group Name Slot s MAT FRA HV FA MRef 2A Au Chassis 1 Group 1 ito7 MATIM MFRAIMHz MHV100 J J Notinuse Chassis 1 Group 2 8 MATIM Z Notinuse Status Datafile Comment Experiment 1 Measure 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 13 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 2 Make sure the Use box has become checked for the instrument group to be used in this experiment and all other boxes are cleared Any group could be used provided that it meets the Experiment Hardware Requirements indicated b
7. Contents vill ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 2 2 Set up the Evpenment 3 7 322 EU UP NE e EE 3 10 3 2 4 Connect the Hardware and Run the Evpenment 3 13 3 2 5 Display Graphs and RE e 3 19 3 2 6 Add an AC Step and repeat the Evpenment 3 21 3 3 HARDWARE AND CONNECTION CONFIGURATIONS 3 26 3 3 1 Example General Materials Testnng 3 27 3 3 2 Normal Experiment Tvpe 3 29 3 3 2 1 General Materials Teeimg 3 29 3 3 2 2 High Voltage Materials Testing 00nnnennnennnennnennnennnnennne 3 30 3 3 2 3 High Impedance Materials Testing ccceeeeeeeeeeee enters 3 31 3 3 2 4 High Voltage High Impedance Materials Testing 3 32 3 3 2 5 Low Voltage with Booster na nssennnenenennsenesenrnnennrensnennne 3 33 3 3 2 6 High Voltage with Booeter uk 3 34 3 3 3 Sample and Reference escien ininda narai ekiana 3 35 3 3 3 1 General Materials Testing with Reference Capacitance 3 37 3 3 3 2 High Voltage Testing with Reference Capacitance 3 38 3 3 3 3 High Impedance Testing with Reference Capacitance 3 39 3 3 3 4 High Voltage High Impedance Testing with Reference Eiere ne EN 3 40 SOFTWARE REFERENCE SYSTEM 0 ccccceseceeeeesecnseenseenesenseeneeeees 4 1 4l BT E el me EN 4 2 ATT General Seng EE 4 3 e EE 4 4 E E Ghapi Ee 4 4 BVA PROV nen EE 4 6 42 EQUIPMENT LIBRAR Y EE 4 7 4 2 1 Eg ipment SUMMALY gsssstors ionisasi nesei e aeee 4 7 EN E 4 9 4
8. o o a CR 2 Loop i Constant level Impedance ee 2 3 Decision oad 1 Option V lt 2 A 1 Constant level sl gt 2 Option V lt 5 n i Constant level Impedance 3 P MAT Test g 1 Linear sweep SR ay 2 Loop i l Bk 1 Iteration 1 1 Constant level Impedance 1 sx Si KI 2 Iteration 2 i Constant level Impedance 2 S E 3 Option IN lt 7 ER New Report a New Folder ol D New Experiment Be P Folder More Experiments The top level item is the project name in this case Example Project This contains a structure of items and may include general purpose folders in which additional structures may be created C Folders Section 2 1 2 1 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 7 ModuLab MTS Control Features 2 8 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide A project or folder can contain the following items Experiment This gives a summary of an experiment and the control features that enable you to run it Setup This describes how the experiment is to be performed including the sample and the modules to be used An experiment may contain loops and steps as follows e Loop This defines a set of measurements to be taken repeatedly and may contain any number of steps either directly within the loop or in additional nested loops e Step This defines an excitation signal to be applied to the sample which may belong to any of the following categories General Voltage Wav
9. 20V The core module is connected to the booster and the booster is connected to the sample The voltage measurement electrodes are connected to the high voltage module not the core module because high voltages are present in the sample This configuration may be required for example for testing high conductivity materials and superconductors To access this configuration and display the connection diagram select the following entries from the Hardware Requirements sub screen Section 5 3 2 Instrument configuration Mat HV 2A Sample Connections A gt Sample Connections AT Confibc tions N 4 ge G o d e G Figure 3 6 High voltage system with booster NOTE The booster requires 4 Terminal connections to be specified in the Instrument Experiment Setup Ce Section 5 3 4 Instrument Experiment Setup 3 94 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 3 3 3 Sample and Reference The sample and reference module MREF reduces cable capacitance effects that may occur during impedance steps by comparing the capacitance of the sample with known reference capacitors This optional module can be used in combination with other modules in the instrument group so that the circuit connections to the sample are modified as follows e The cables that would otherwise connect to the Hi and Lo electrodes on the sample are instead connected to
10. Special FRA weighting Further details of weighting are in the LEVM manual Ce LEVM Manual J Ross Macdonald and Solartron Group Ltd available on the Solartron website www solartronanalytical com downloads software levm_manual pdf Select All Points If this box is checked all the data points are used for fitting otherwise the data points defined by the cursors are used 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 12 4 5 Running the Equivalent Circuit Calculations Equivalent circuit calculations can only be performed if you have set up a circuit with the appropriate elements to match the characteristics of the sample and the data it is likely to produce The correct design of a circuit may therefore be a matter of trial and error until you find something that works An example circuit is provided to represent the Test Circuit in the dielectric reference module and it can be used to fit a pair of curves to the impedance and phase angle traces of a Bode plot To use this example you need a materials core module and a frequency response analyzer and you should have completed the Frequency Response Analyzer Test using the Getting Started project during the Installation Tests Ce Modul ab Installation Guide To use the example circuit proceed as follows 1 Open the Getting Started project and expand the Additional Tests item in the left hand navigation panel then
11. Ze Loop iteration If the step 1s within a loop this represents the iteration number 1 2 etc AS Step ID This represents the step number when this step is placed alongside other steps at the same level If the step is within a loop or a set of nested loops the Step ID will consist of a pair of numbers for each level of looping followed by the step number at the bottom level For example 1 2 3 4 5 means the second time round the first step which 1s a loop at the top level and the fourth time round the third step which 1s a loop at the next level and this step is fifth in the loop gek This represents a single character m case it is needed as a normal command line parameter 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 67 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 68 While running This represents the signal to be applied to the sample while the step is running The options are Open circuit Constant Voltage Ce Sections 5 8 4 3 and 5 8 4 4 Open Circuit Voltage This field has the appropriate title depending on the selection from the previous field and represents the signal level as follows Open circuit The field is greyed out because no signal 1s applied Voltage Specify a voltage signal in the appropriate units relative to an appropriate base value Ce Units Section 5 8 4 2 Ce Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 Wait for program to end If this box is checked the step con
12. 5 Software Reference Project The ModuLab user interface is divided into two main sections System and Project depending on the tab that has been selected at the bottom of the left hand navigation panel This Chapter describes the features available under the Project tab including projects experiments data graphs and reports Details of user preferences and equipment are available in the Software Reference for the features under the System tab Ce Software Reference System Chapter 4 5 1 PROJECTS A project defines all the features required to perform experiments including the collection of results and their presentation in the form of tabulated lists and graphs and the preparation of reports The project definition is contained in the structure of items in the navigation panel when the Project tab is selected Ce Structure of items in a project Section 2 1 2 Ce Items and sub items available for addition to a project using Add New from the File menu Section 2 4 1 The project does not contain any information about the system hardware but it has to reference a correct definition of the hardware from the Equipment library to enable the experiments to work For example an experiment can only reference the core module and other modules that are installed in the system and are present in the Equipment library CS System Section 2 1 1 Ce Equipment Library Section 4 2 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 1 Softw
13. 8 smen i area The data structure in this example is as follows e At the top level there is the data file name that is specified when the experiment 1s run CS Start Experiment Section 5 2 2 e At the next level there is the core module identified by the name specified in the Instrument Group Setup Ce Instrument Group Setup Section 4 2 3 e At the next level there is the step identified by the step type NOTE When a project is closed and re opened the core module will not appear in the data structure if there is only one of them Also a loop will not appear if there is only one pass through the loop 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 10 1 y The sub screens in the data screen are described in the following sub sections d Ce Graph Section 5 10 1 a EH Axes Section 5 10 2 C Data Selection Section 5 10 3 Ce Trace Setup Section 5 10 4 Ce Advanced Options Section 5 10 5 Graph This sub screen in the data screen contains a set of buttons so that you can save print and export the currently displayed results Export table The buttons are as follows Save Save the data as a Graph File which appears in the navigation panel If this button is used more than once the Graph File is overwritten cs Graph File Section 5 11 2 An asterisk appears alongside the Save button if any changes have been made to the graph since it
14. Graph Setup Fitting results Real center 6167 2 a Imaginary center 17 37 92 a Diameter 6739 92 Ki Deviation 188 462 Low intercept 2798 0 High intercept 9536 Q Options Option Value a Mode Data selection Between Cursors pa ee Mode Fit Parameters Name Value Units Fittype Error Ce e Radius 3369 Free 302 O le Ima adi 3 Wmax 5 012 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 108 Software Reference Project 5 104 The fields are Method ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Defines the type of plot in this case Circle Run This button performs the calculation and displays the results as a simulated trace on the graph and a set of values in the Fitting Results box Fitting Results When the calculation is performed this box displays the circle definition as follows Real center Imaginary center Diameter Deviation Low intercept High intercept Depression angle co max Estimated Rs Estimated Rp Estimated C Options The center of the circle measured on the real X axis The center of the circle measured on the imaginary Y axis The diameter of the circle The maximum distance of a data point from the circle in terms of magnitude consisting of both real and imaginary components The low point where the circle intercepts the real X axis The high point where the circle intercepts the real X axis The angle between the real X a
15. Measurement Mode Sample only Technique Frequency sweep Amplitude rms Start Frequency End Frequency Repeat every Advanced Auto integration Integration Sweep type Points per decade Measure delay V Range I Range 5 28 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project The fields are Measurement Mode This field configures the step to use the Sample and Reference module according to the following options Sample only Measurements are taken from the sample without using the Sample and Reference module Sample amp Reference Measurements from the sample are compared with measurements from known reference capacitors which may be internal or supplied by the user This option should only be used when the Experiment Type in the Hardware Requirements is Sample amp Reference otherwise the following error message will appear when you try to run the experiment Sample amp Reference Measurement Mode can only be used in Sample amp Reference experiments Ce Hardware Requirements Section 5 3 2 Ce The choice between internal and user references is made in the Sample Setup Section 5 3 3 Technique The type of AC stimulus applied to the sample The options are Single frequency A single sinewave is applied to the sample at a fixed frequency Frequency sweep A single sinewave is swept from the start frequency to the end frequenc
16. The fields and buttons are Included Graphs This field contains the full pathnames of all the graph files to be included in the report The list defaults to all the graph files in the navigation tree alongside the report folder at the same level Files can be added to the list using the Add Graphs button see the list of buttons below or by dragging the graph items from the left hand navigation panel They can be removed from the list using the Remove Graphs button Report Filename This field contains the filename without the RTF extension for the document that is generated when the report is run The filename defaults to the report folder in the left hand navigation panel but you can change it There is no need to specify the extension as this will be added automatically The report can be run using the Generate Report button see the list of buttons below Add Graphs Click this button to add a graph to the list of Included Graphs A dialogue box will open so that you can browse the filing system and select any file with the GRAPH extension Remove Graphs Select a graph or any number of graphs from the list of Included Graphs then click this button to remove them from the list Generate Report Click this button to generate a report from the list of Included Graphs The report will appear in the lower window and an RTF file will be created in the report folder based on the specified Report Filename 21006013_AA
17. The icons will flash for a few seconds when they first appear then they will become steady There are two types of warning G A red error icon appears if a selection is made that will cause the system to function incorrectly An experiment will not run 1f there is an error For example in the Hardware Requirements sub screen if you select an Experiment type and Instrument configuration that requires some optional modules and then you select an Instrument Group to use that does not have the modules fitted a red error icon will appear alongside the module fields g An amber warning icon will appear if a selection is made that allows the system to function but possibly not at its optimum performance A warning will not prevent an experiment from running For example if Sample amp Reference is selected as the Experiment type in Hardware Requirements and the grounding 1s set to External an amber warning icon will appear alongside the Ground field Ce Section 3 3 3 Sample and Reference Experiment type Normal hi Instrument configuration Mat H 24 bad Instrument Group to use o Group 2in slot 8 of Chassis 1 Advanced Materials CoreModule MAT IMHz FRA option Not Fitted Femto Ammeter option Not Fitted Sample amp Ref option Not Fitted High Current option Not Fitted High Voltage option Not Fitted Bypass High Voltage Ground Ce Hardware Requirements Section 5 3 2 2 24 2100
18. designed as a Faraday cage with BNC connectors as shown in Figure 6 2 Figure 6 2 Dielectric reference module The Modul ab system is supplied with shielded BNC cables so that the shield connects to the body of the cage and the inner core goes through to the appropriate sample electrode 6 2 2 Tribo Electric Effects If there is mechanical vibration in the environment the inter connecting cables between the ModuLab system and the sample will generate small electric currents caused by the inner shielding braids and dielectrics rubbing together These induced currents are normally insignificant but will cause problems when measuring currents in the pico or femto amp range To mitigate these effects the sample and all the connecting cables should be secured to a rigid surface and the Faraday cage if used should be internally and externally secure 21006013 AA 04 02 10 6 3 Appendix 6 3 6 4 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide SAMPLE HOLDER The 12962A sample holder passes a current between two electrodes across a measured thickness of the sample for accurate testing of materials at room temperature It includes a micrometer for measuring sample thickness which can range from 0 2 to 25 4mm The impedance measurement range when using the sample holder with the Modul ab system is lt 1Q to gt 100TQ The sample holder shown in Figure 6 3 has two parallel electrodes as follows e The H electrode i
19. e There is a tabulated list of Experiment Hardware Requirements which specifies the modules that are required for the experiment A core module will always be required but additional modules may also be required as follows A high voltage module femto ammeter sample and reference module or booster 2A may be required depending on the Experiment type and Instrument configuration specified in the Hardware Requirements sub screen in the experiment setup screen Ce Hardware Requirements Section 5 3 2 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 7 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Auxiliary voltage channels will be required if they have been enabled in the Instrument Experiment Setup sub screen in the experiment setup screen NOTE Auxiliary channels are fitted as standard to Modul ab MTS but may be optional in other versions of ModuLab Ce Instrument Experiment Setup Section 5 3 4 AnFRA will be required if an impedance step has been defined under the experiment NOTE An FRA is always included in the connection diagram regardless of whether or not it is used in the experiment e There is a tabulated list of installed hardware matching the Equipment Summary with the groups identified under Instrument Groups Available and the module specifications under Instrument Group Capability Each row of the table represents one instrument group and the row will be coloured green if it matches or exceed
20. s Experiment 1 Constant g Group 1 4 8 9 g 4a Scan Setup ES voltage JA 1 Linear sweep DC Level 0 vy Absolute Z Impedance Setup Amplitude rms 10 Start Frequency End Frequency Start delay Advanced _ Time Domain Measurement Setup Step Termination Instrument Step Setup 2 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 Res Time s W Control Outputs CV Baseline zen Waveform d Graph Setup The sub screens in the central column of this display are the same as for the DC step except for the following e The Scan Setup sub screen has a single field to specify a Level for the constant DC voltage to be applied to the sample e There is an additional sub screen for Impedance Setup to specify what sort of alternating signal is to be superimposed on the DC voltage e The Time Domain Measurement Setup sub screen is limited to periodic measurements because there 1s no voltage change on which to base the measurement rate 4 Specify an appropriate Level in the Scan Setup sub screen If you like you can leave it at its default value of zero as follows 3 can Setup DC Level Ce Scan Setup for Constant Level Impedance Section 5 8 4 5 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 23 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 Fill in the Impedance Setup with appropriate values If you like you can leave it at its default values as follows 7Z Impedance
21. 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Appendix If you wish to improve the accuracy of your measurements you can use measurement normalisation Ce Section 6 3 6 Normalisation The sub sections below apply to the 12962A sample holder and the available accessories For information about other sample holders including those for high and low temperature applications using cryostats and furnaces please contact Solartron 6 3 1 sample Geometry The ModuLab MTS software requires knowledge of the geometry of the sample in terms of thickness and electrode area CS Section 5 3 3 Sample setup The thickness of the sample can be read from a micrometer digital display that is included as part of the sample holder The area of the sample is defined by the area of the central Lo electrode These dimensions are used by the ModuLab MTS software to calculate the permittivity of the material which is independent of the size of the sample using the formula e C d A where permittivity F m C capacitance F d thickness m A area m This allows results from materials of different sizes to be compared Results can be displayed using the ModuLab software as absolute or relative permittivity Relative permittivity of the material also known as the dielectric constant is calculated as Er amp En where relative permittivity Con permittivity of free space 8 85419E 12 F m 21006013 AA
22. 3 390 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 36 The following additional considerations apply to the Sample and Reference module Internal grounding should always be used because the internal reference capacitors cannot be externally grounded A user reference capacitor could be externally grounded but it would discharge and give no meaningful results If the Experiment type in the Hardware Requirements sub screen is set to Sample amp Reference and the Ground field 1s set to External an amber warning icon will appear Ce Section 5 3 2 Hardware Requirements 2 Terminal connections are always used with the Sample and Reference module because the reference channels Ref are associated with the sample channels Smp and there is no referencing for the voltage measurement channels VHi and VLo An error message will appear in the Start Experiment screen 1f 4 Terminal connections are specified in the Instrument Experiment Setup CS Section 5 2 2 Start Experiment Ce Section 5 3 4 Instrument Experiment Setup The 2A booster cannot be used with the Sample and Reference module because it requires 4 Terminal connections In the following sub sections the Sample and Reference module is used with various other modules and the connection diagrams Figures 3 7 to 3 10 show internal referencing although external referencing could also be used 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials
23. 34 8 1 2A 1 2 4 8 5 7 5 14 bypass high voltage module 5 14 chassis 1 1 1 3 2 4 2 6 2 12 2 21 4 7 4 9 8 1 chassis display sub screen 4 10 4 11 display panel 4 10 icon 2 19 item 4 9 multiple chasses 1 1 name 4 10 size l 1 slot 1 1 1 2 2 21 4 8 4 12 5 12 5 44 8 1 8 2 circle fitting 5 104 close ModuLab 2 15 2 25 close project 2 13 5 3 comment 2 9 3 2 4 10 4 12 5 2 5 8 5 10 5 27 5 124 5 128 5 129 8 2 communication between modules 1 1 PC and ModuLab 1 3 4 10 4 11 4 12 4 13 test 4 10 4 12 4 13 21006013_AA 04 02 10 complex plane plot 5 104 5 120 5 123 constant level impedance See impedance constant level step 5 35 5 47 DC 5 53 impedance 3 1 3 21 3 23 3 25 5 35 5 49 5 53 constant phase element 5 110 5 117 control outputs 5 28 5 44 core module See materials core module Corrware 5 79 5 134 CSV file 2 11 5 79 5 134 See also export data data separator 4 3 data data reduction 5 84 scaling 5 93 data results of experiments 2 8 3 15 5 9 5 77 5 81 5 120 5 124 DATA file extension 2 11 data selection 5 80 5 96 data set 5 82 5 83 5 86 data selection fitting 5 102 5 106 differential pulse 5 48 5 65 distributed element 5 110 5 117 earth See ground equipment library 2 5 2 12 2 16 4 7 5 17 equipment summary 4 7 equivalent circuit fitting 5 107 error icon 2 24 3 9 5 13 Ethernet 1 1 See also IP address hub 1 1 8 1 e
24. All Custom Ce Impedance Setup Harmonics Section 5 7 1 1 Measure delay A measurement delay can be used in swept sine analyses to allow the sample to stabilise after a frequency change before the next measurement begins The units range from us to days This field only exists when the Technique 1s Frequency Sweep or Multisine V Range This field sets the internal voltage range to be used by the FRA The options are Auto 3mV 30mV 300mV 3V I Range This field sets the internal range of the FRA when measuring voltages that represent a current in the core module The options are Auto 3mV 30mV 300mV 3V Impedance Setup Harmonics In the Impedance Setup a Harmonics field is available when the Technique is set to Multisine so that you can specify the harmonics to be added to the fundamental frequency Ce Impedance Setup Section 5 7 1 When you click on the Harmonics list box a dialogue box appears as follows 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Pseudotag E Custom 1 3 4 7 10 11 13 17 21 25 31 37 4452 64 DT 00 110 1230 170 210 250 310 3 70 440 520 640 75 0 900 1000 F Measure non stimulated hamonics There are three radio buttons and the selected option appears in the list box when the dialogue box is closed There is a text box below the radio buttons giving the list of harmonics associated with the selected option The fi
25. FRA Tests rtf R A a Location C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test Gel_ DI MAT Test 3 df MAT Test 2 Se H Mi MAT Test Created Do MAT Test 2 Ke MAT Test 3 Modified 25 01 2010 09 55 16 H e UG MAT Test EE Dpenfelde o Getting Started SARR MAT and FRA Tests rtf C MAT Test rtf eh P Additional Tests Ce The fields in this screen are described in Section 5 14 2 Click the Open button to open the report file in the default application on your computer that uses the RTF file extension Alternatively click the Open Folder button to open the Windows filing system folder where the file 1s located then use the standard Windows features to open the file in any application that uses RTF format 3 Use the features of the application to do whatever you want with the report for example editing and printing 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 131 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 9 13 3 5 132 Report Writer The Report Writer sub screen which appears when a report folder is selected from the navigation panel is as follows f Report Writer Included Graphs C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test MAT Test 2 graph C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test MAT Test 3 graph C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test MAT Test graph C My Data ModuLab Getting Started Additional Tests FRA Test FRA Test graph Report Filename MAT and FRA Tests
26. Graph File Section 5 11 2 210060138_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features 2 1 2 1 2 2 e Report This is a document containing experiment settings and data including connection diagrams graphic displays tables and user comments Reports are generated within a report folder using the Report Writer Ce Reports Section 5 13 Graphs and report folders can be added at multiple levels within the project either directly under the project or under an experiment or folder Ce The complete list of items that can be added under other items using Add New 1n the File Menu is in Section 2 4 1 Folders ModuLab uses a system of files and folders based on the Windows directory structure to build projects The project itself 1s a folder directly under the ModuLab folder so that the pathname for the Example Project might be C My Data ModuLab Example Project The project may contain experiments which are also folders A folder representing a project or experiment has a specific meaning in ModuLab so that it is recognised from its contents and the appropriate item appears in the left hand navigation panel Underneath a project or experiment you can add sub folders for general purpose use with the default name Folder and they can be used as a location for other items including other experiments You can also add report folders to a project experiment or general purpose fol
27. Impedance Voltage Controlled Impedance The fields are as follows DC Level The constant level at which the sample 1s maintained relative to an appropriate base value Ce Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 NOTE A duration is not specified because it is defined by the Impedance Setup The scan terminates at the end of the sweep or at the end of the integration time in the case of a Single Frequency step Ce Impedance Setup Section 5 7 1 5 8 4 6 Linear Sweep In these step types the sample follows a waveform with a linear variation of voltage between two limits Voltage Linear Sweep l V Characterisation scan rate Start _ voltage time End voltage 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 53 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 54 The corresponding Scan Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup is as follows a A Scan Setup Start level T Scan rate 100 Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following step types use this sub screen Step Type Category Linear Sweep I V Characterisation Voltage Waveforms DC Linear Sweep Impedance Voltage Controlled Impedance The voltage levels are specified relative to an appropriate base value Ce Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 The fields are Start level The voltage level at which the scan begins End level The voltage level at which the scan ends Scan rate The constant rate of change of voltage between the star
28. Materials Test System User Guide A list of step categories will appear as follows General F Voltage Waveforms DC A Voltage Controlled Impedance AC C V_ Mott Schottky eo S ak 2 Expand the Voltage Controlled Impedance sub screen to display the list of step types in this category as follows General E A Voltage Waveforms DC f A Voltage Controlled Impedance AC C V Mott Schottky ER Constantlevel Same as the equivalent DC test above but with impedance measurement superimposed K Linear Sweep H Same as the equivalent DC test abovebut with impedance measurementperformed at regular intervals during the sweep yay Triangular Sweep Vv y Same as theequivalent DC test abovebut with impedance measurementperformed at regular intervals during the sweep s StaircaseLinearS r Same as the equivalent DC test above but withimpedance measurement performed on each tread of the staircase during the sweep Zz N Staircase Triangular S Same as the equivalent DC test above but withimpedance measurement performed on each tread of the staircase during the sweep 3 22 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 3 Select Constant Level The item called Step in the navigation panel will change to Constant Level Impedance and the display will be as follows EN My Project d Comments f 22 s Experiment 1 Voltage Bn Constant Level Rees
29. Method field select Equivalent Circuit to display a blank circuit display panel and the control buttons as follows Kr Fitting Options Method Equivalent circuit Simulates or Fits a Circuit to Impedance data Use 2 cursors to identify a region to fit Fitting results TS oA oor II at Circuit Title mef Gnd G oe Im d Value Unit Fitting Typ DE Element 5 Click the Load button to display a filing system dialogue box with a list of Fitting Models 5 120 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 6 Select the model file ModuLabTestCircuit bin and click the Open button to display the circuit as follows Run Options Print Help TR At ee eh fe EF Ee Modul ab Test Circuit s 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 121 5 122 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 7 Click on the complex plane plot to add the points A and B spanning the full length of the curve 8 Click the Run button the one above the circuit or the one at the top of the Fitting Options sub screen to display the fitting results as follows Method Equivalent circuit Simulates or Fits a Circuit to Impedance data Use 2 cursors to identify a region to fit Fitting results 101 3kOhm 10 03 nF 92 2 pF DQ Ab wo ef ee E E A ModuLab Test Circuit Ri ci 100000 Element Value Unit
30. ModuLab MTS Installation Guide or the Getting Started Guide When the installation is complete the user will be able to set up projects which define the experiments to be performed and the graphical and tabulated display of results To start the ModuLab software 1 On the PC run the ModuLab software by double clicking on the ModuLab icon on the Windows desktop Alternatively you can navigate to the ModuLab application from the Windows Start menu The path 1s Start All Programs Solartron Analytical Modul ab The ModuLab software opens briefly displaying a screen as follows aimee analytical AMETEK Copyright 2009 Solartron Analytical part of AMETEK Advanced Measurement Technology 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 1 ModuLab MTS Control Features ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide This is followed by the opening screen as follows TE Welcome to solartron Hlodulab d 4 Additional Tests Press F1 for o estan LINO ee eet NEE Sch To add a new Experiment to the Project tree on the left u Select the Project where the new item is to be created mee Then select File gt Add New gt Experiment Altematively use the Right Click menu on the Project SA d i Gi a i i A d S a a S Ki 2 3 S ka ZS A ge S AX A LEM Ml To add anew Step Fz OCP Cyclic Voltammetry Impedance etc to an Experiment in the Project Tree select t
31. ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 9 11 2 y Graph File A Graph file can be added to the Navigation panel under a project experiment or folder to display data that has been generated by experiments It has the same graphic display features as the data screen but has the following additional functionality e It can be manually added to the system and does not need to be generated from an experiment In this case it initially accesses no data and you have to browse through the filing system to find the data that you want to display e It can make the data accessible to reports Ce Data Section 5 10 Ce Reports Section 5 13 This feature enables you to create your own collections of data from different Modul ab experiments and store them in folders that are structured according to your requirements It 1s also the most convenient way of displaying data that has been exchanged between users of different ModuLab systems To add a Graph file independently of an experiment and then display some data proceed as follows 1 Right click on a project experiment or folder in the navigation panel to display the drop down menu 2 Click on Add New then Graph A screen appears similar to the data screen but the Data Selection sub screen will be empty as follows ii Data Selection Data Files Data file steps 3 Browse the filing system and select the appropriate data file then sele
32. Run the Modul ab software and select New Project from the File menu A dialogue box will appear as follows Comment 2 In the Name field type a project name for example My Project 3 If required type a description of your project in the Comment field for example some details of the experiments to be performed 4 Click the More button to display the expanded dialogue box as follows 1 Create a new project Name My Project Comment This project will contain an experiment to be performed on a real material sample not just a test unit Location C Mly Data ModuLab Browse Jl Create experiment too Less Create Project 5 Make sure the Create experiment too box is checked then click Create Project A structure of items will appear in the navigation panel depending on the tab that has been selected at the bottom of the panel e Ifthe System tab is selected the User Preferences and Equipment library will appear although they do not belong to the project The User Preferences are specific to the user of Windows and the Equipment library is defined during the system installation 3 2 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments e Ifthe Project tab is selected the project name and structure of items appears 6 Click on the System tab then click on User Preferences to display the Preferences as follows a User Preferences d e we General
33. Save in the File Menu Section 2 4 1 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 19 ModuLab MTS Control Features 2 20 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Save All Cut Copy Paste Undo Redo Save the whole project including all the experiments Ce This button is equivalent to Save All in the File Menu Section 2 4 1 Delete the currently selected item from the navigation tree and store it in the clipboard Ce This button is equivalent to Cut in the Edit Menu Section 2 4 2 Copy the currently selected item to the clipboard without deleting it from its current location Ce This button is equivalent to Copy in the Edit Menu Section 2 4 2 Paste an item that has been previously been copied to the clipboard using Cut or Copy The item will be pasted under the currently selected item which may be in a different project Ce This button is equivalent to Paste in the Edit Menu Section 2 4 2 Undo the latest change to the project Click repeatedly to work backwards and undo the latest history of changes If no changes have been made since the project was opened this menu item is greyed out Ce This button is equivalent to Undo in the Edit Menu Section 2 4 2 Redo the latest change after selecting Undo If Undo has not been used this button is greyed out Ce This button is equivalent to Redo in the Edit Menu Section 2 4 2 Show Status Grid Se Display the current status of the modules A display panel appe
34. Settings a g Equipment library x ki Messages YI t Graph Preferences Table Positions with Graphs DC Graphs Impedance graphs Default graphtypes General Graph 1 Graph 2 FS voltage Waveforms DC Graph 1 Graph 2 Impedance AC C V Mott Schottky Graph 1 Graph 2 Advanced 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 3 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 7 In the Graph Preferences sub screen click on the row for Voltage Waveforms DC to expand it and display the default graph types as follows Graph Preferences Table Positions with Graphs DC Graphs Impedance graphs Default graph types General Graph 1 Graph 2 EI Voltage Waveforms DC afi Graph 2 Constant Level Linear Sweep I V Characterisation Triangular Sweep I V Characterisation Sweep Pulse Differential Pulse Square Wave Staircase Linear Sweep Staircase Triangular Sweep Pulse Impedance AC C V Mott Schottky 1 8 Check that the default graph types for Linear Sweep I V Characterisation are I vs V for Graph 1 and None for Graph 2 If required click on the appropriate samples to display the list boxes of graph types and specify the correct options 9 Click on the Project tab at the bottom of the navigation panel to display the project name as follows op My Project l gt L i SR Experiment 1 10 Make sure the project structure is fully expanded If collapsed click on the symbol on the projec
35. Setup Measurement mode Sample only Technique Frequency sweep Amplitude rms Start Frequency End Frequency Start delay Advanced Ce Impedance Setup Section 5 7 1 6 Expand the Time Domain Measurement Setup sub screen and fill it in with appropriate values If you like you can leave it at its default values as follows k Measurement rate Samples per second Ce Time Domain Measurement Setup Section 5 7 2 7 Continue with the instructions for the DC experiment and you will find that in the tabulated list of hardware in the Start Experiment screen the FRA will appear in the list of Experiment Hardware Requirements as follows start Experiment Experiment Hardware Requirements Select one or more Instrument Groups MAT FRA HW EA Met to runthis experiment MATIM MFRAIMHz Instrument Groups Available Instrument Group Capability Chassis Group Name Gottes MAT FRA HV FA MRef 24 AuW Chassis 1 Group 1 1lto MATIM MFRAIMHz MHV100 f aff f Notinuse Status Chassis 1 pi ng Mam 2 Metinge In the Instrument Group Capability the row representing Group 2 has turned red indicating that it is unsuitable for use with this experiment The column representing the FRA has turned a darker shade of red indicating that this is the reason why the group cannot be used It does not have an FRA so it cannot carry out the impedance step 3 24 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials T
36. Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup is as follows Scan Setup P ET Duration Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following step type uses this sub screen Step Type Category 5 51 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 8 4 4 9 8 4 5 5 52 There is a single field as follows Duration The time period for the scan Constant Level DC Measurement In this step type the sample is maintained at a constant voltage for a specified time period The Scan Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup is as follows KM ocan Setup as Duration 10 Level Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following step type uses this sub screen Step Type Category Voltage Waveforms DC The fields are as follows Duration The time period for the scan Level The constant voltage at which the sample is maintained relative to an appropriate base value CS Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 Constant Level Impedance In this step type the sample is maintained at a constant DC voltage and a frequency is applied The Scan Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup is as follows a ocan Setup ae DC Level Absolute Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project The following step type uses this sub screen Step Type Category Constant Level
37. Severity The severity of the problem which may be Error The experiment will not run Instead a message box will appear when you click the Run button advising you to correct the problems found in this tabulated list of errors Warning The experiment will run but there is something in the configuration that doesn t make sense For example if the experiment uses the Sample and Reference module but all the impedance steps specify Sample only instead of Sample amp Reference a warning will appear in the tabulated list Description A description of the problem The message begins with an identification of where the problem occurs for example Experiment if it s in the Setup or the step number if it s in one of the steps Then it says what the problem is about For example if you have specified 2 Terminal connections for an experiment that uses a 2A booster it will say The 2 Terminal connection method is not allowed for this instrument configuration 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 9 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 3 1 5 10 EXPERIMENT SETUP When you select the Setup item under an experiment in the navigation panel the experiment setup screen appears as follows e Eh Example Project Z Comments E a s Experiment 1 i 7 seu Hardware Requirements B f Setup 1 Linear sweep penne One Instrument configuration Instrument Group to u
38. Technique Frequency sweep al Start Frequency End Frequency Start delay o Advanced The fields for entering the value and units have become greyed out because the step takes its amplitude from the loop NOTE AC scan value should only be specified for a step that is inside an AC amplitude scanning loop otherwise the experiment will not run 5 12 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 9 2 CG DC Bias Scanning Loop When a Joop is selected from the left hand navigation panel and Scan DC Impedance Bias Level 1s selected from the Loop Type sub screen the loop can be configured to perform one cycle for each entry in a list of DC bias voltage levels The specified bias is applied to each constant level DC or impedance step within the loop but only if DC scan value has been selected from the Scan Setup Ce Scan Setup for DC Bias Scanning Loop Section 5 9 2 1 Any step type can be included in the loop but only constant level DC or impedance steps can take DC bias levels from the loop The Loop Setup sub screen for this loop type is as follows Loop Setup Co Scan DC bias level between Repeat For each DC bias level sar s a gl O Step Gm Points decade fe aes Total Points The fields at the left of this sub screen are used to generate the list of AC amplitudes at the right which can then be directly edited in case
39. The capacitance of the user reference Ref Conductance The conductance of the user reference measured in Siemens Ce These fields are only applicable when Sample amp Reference has been specified as the Experiment Type in the Hardware Requirements Section 5 3 2 and Sample amp User Ref has been specified as the Measurement Mode in the Impedance Setup Section 5 7 1 5 16 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 3 4 Instrument Experiment Setup specifies the instrument configuration for the experiment as a whole A more specific setup 1s available for steps within the experiment from the Instrument Step Setup bei The Instrument experiment setup sub screen in the experiment setup screen Ce Section 5 7 4 NOTE These setup screens are for the experiment and step There 1s also an Instrument Group Setup for the hardware defined in the Equipment library Ce Instrument Group Setup Section 4 2 3 Connections Default Voltage range Auto Current range m E Record range changes Enable Auxiliary Voltage Inputs DC Am BF The fields are Connections The number of connections to the sample The options are Default The connections are 2 Terminal or 4 Terminal depending on the Experiment Type and Instrument Group to Use specified in the Hardware Requirements Ce Hardware Requirements Section 5 3 2 2 Terminal Only the generator Gen and
40. When you click the Options button above the Equivalent Circuit toolbar the following dialogue box appears er SE Type of test Weighting Fitting 7 Unit 5 Simulation Data proportional 1 Subtraction I Data Modulus 1 Cale proportional Cale Modulus Special Data points selection W Select All Points The fields are Type of test This set of radio buttons specifies how the circuit with calculated values of the components is fitted to the data The options are Fitting Fit the circuit to the data and calculate a set of component values to produce simulated results Simulation Evaluate the circuit from a set of component values specified by the user which may be an approximate representation of a previous fit Subtraction Produce a simulated set of data then subtract it from the real data and plot the result 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 117 Software Reference Project 5 118 Weighting Unit Data proportional Data Modulus Calc proportional Calc Modulus Special ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide No weighting Uncertainty of the real and imaginary components of the data is proportional to their magnitudes Uncertainty of the real and imaginary components of the data is proportional to their modulus square root of sum of squares of real and imaginary components Same as Data proportional but based on model calculations Same as Data modulus but based on model calculations
41. Writer sub screen in the list of Included Graphs as follows RO D e L WS Eh Ek e bs 2 J E Getting Started S Kb mi MAT Test Included Graphs ei ki wad C My Data ModuLab Getting SGiartedMAT Test MAT Test 2 graph e 1 Linear sweep C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test MAT Test 3 graph C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test MAT Test graph H Report Writer h E MAT Test 3 i e 1 Linear sweep e amp MAT Test 2 e 1 Linear sweep od 5 MAT Test JA 1 Linear sweep Report Filename N f 1 MAT Test 3 lew Report 4 MAT Test 2 ModuLab report generation A report can be generated from one or more graph files Si Additional Tests To create a graph file e Select the data in the tree a ke Setup e Setup the graph as desired 1 Constant level Impedance Ei Click the Save copy button in the graph setup oi E FRA Test e 8 FRA Test 1 Constant level Impedance JA new report will automatically show all of the graph in the same folder as the report Other graphs can be added by dragging from the tree or using the Add graphs button When the graphs have been added to the report click the Generate report button ge 3 ii oh ST S eg Ee E HH Weer SE EE EE ee PREIE RL Sieg SEET EE EE EA Only the raph files for the MAT Test have been listed not the graph file for the FRA Test because it is in a different part of the structure The lower panel
42. added an item to the navigation panel it will say Undo Insert Node Redo Redo the latest change after selecting Undo If Undo has not been used this menu item is greyed out 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 15 ModuLab MTS Control Features ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 2 4 3 Cut Delete the currently selected item including the structure of sub items from the navigation tree and store it in the clipboard Copy Copy the currently selected item including the structure of sub items to the clipboard without deleting it from its current location Paste Paste an item including a structure of sub items that has been previously copied to the clipboard using Cut or Copy The item will be pasted under the currently selected item but only if the operation maintains a valid structure of items and sub items for example you can t paste an experiment under another experiment The item can be pasted to another project but you can t have two projects open at once You have to cut or copy the item from the current project then close the project and open a new one then paste the item Delete Delete the currently selected item without copying it to the clipboard The structure of sub items will also be deleted Rename Rename the currently selected item A text cursor will appear on the item You can also rename an item by selecting it pausing for an interval that is too long for a double click then selecting it
43. adds a new OR group containing a single IF test to which more AND tests can be added There can be a maximum of four OR groups The button disappears from a group when a new group is added and does not appear at all in the fourth group 5 40 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project The fields associated with the tests and results are IF AND Test A test is performed on the excitation signal to the sample giving a result that 1s true or false The test 1s set up using three fields as follows variable The variable to be tested is selected from a list box as follows Voltage V Current A Time s Charge C dV dt V s dI dt A s operator The operator to be used in the test is selected from the list box as follows gt lt value The numeric value to which the variable is compared The following buttons are available alongside the test A v Xx Click this button to move the test up to the previous OR group 1f there is one Click this button to move the test down to the next OR group 1f there is one This button toggles between active green and inactive grey and the test is only performed when the button is active When a numeric value is specified for the test and the cursor is moved to another field the button automatically becomes active When the numeric value is deleted and the cursor is moved to another field the bu
44. and laboratory use and has been supplied in a safe condition To avoid injury to an operator or service technician the safety precautions given below and throughout the manual must be strictly adhered to whenever the equipment is operated serviced or repaired For specific safety details please refer to the relevant sections within the manual The equipment is intended solely for electronic measurement and should be used for no other purpose Solartron accept no responsibility for accidents or damage resulting from any failure to comply with these precautions GROUNDING To minimise the hazard of electrical shock it is essential that the equipment be connected to a protective ground through the ac supply cable The continuity of the ground connection should be checked periodically AC SUPPLY VOLTAGE Never operate the equipment from a line voltage or frequency in excess of that specified Otherwise the insulation of internal components may break down and cause excessive leakage currents FUSES Before switching on the equipment check that the fuses accessible from the exterior of the equipment are of the correct rating The rating of the ac line fuse must be in accordance with the voltage of the ac supply Should any fuse continually blow do not insert a fuse of a higher rating Switch the equipment off clearly label it unserviceable and inform a service technician EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES You must NEVER OPERATE the equipment o
45. be tested using the Dielectric Reference Module or the ModuLab MTS 0 1 Q Test Unit for high power applications A variety of hardware configurations are described including expanded systems with multiple chasses e This User Guide describes how to set up your system to perform experiments using a number of standard connection configurations that will be suitable for most types of material samples You can set up your experiments from the ModuLab software so that the sample is subjected to excitation signals to produce a variety of responses in terms of waveforms which may be linear oscillating staircase etc The results can be displayed graphically during the experiment or the stored results can be displayed afterwards and exchanged with other users An online Help system is supplied with the ModuLab software so that you can quickly access information about the software features that you are using Be careful when lifting and carrying the Modul ab system as it is heavy and has no carrying handles It should normally be carried by two people gripping firmly under the footrests at the front and rear Ce General Safety Precautions at the beginning of this manual 21006013_AA 04 02 10 1 3 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 2 ModuLab MTS Control Features 2 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE USER INTERFACE The ModuLab MTS system is controlled by a PC running the ModuLab software which has been installed as described in the
46. chapter contains a glossary of terms including abbreviations that are commonly used in the manuals associated with the Modul ab system Term Analyzer Auxiliary Booster Channel Chassis Core Product Decision Experiment Experiment Type Femto Ammeter Folder FFT High Voltage Module 21006013_AA 04 02 10 Meaning The function that measures the frequency response of the test unit The analysis techniques used are single sine and Fast Fourier Transform Used in the context of the measurement of elements within a test unit i e through an auxiliary channel An internal module that can be used to stimulate the sample and take measurements at high power ratings The combination of inout and output connections required to measure a single test unit A mechanical structure containing s ots that is used to house modules The chassis also embodies a power supply and an Ethernet hub A module within the system that is able to make standalone measuremenis An item within the experiment structure that contains options to be evaluated so that steps can be carried out An action to be performed on a sample including a series of steps using a specific hardware configuration During each step a stimulation signal is applied to the sample and measurements are taken Results are accumulated and may be presented as graphs and reports In terms of the Windows filing system an experiment is a folder which
47. corrosion analysis The data will appear in Cview 1f installed Must be version 3 1c or later Export Table Export the data as a CSV file which appears in the navigation panel and display the results in the default application for this file type for example Excel The data is filtered so that a maximum of 2000 points are exported You can close the application and open it again from the File Information dialogue box Ce Filenames and Extensions Section 2 3 Zplot and Corrware are trademarks of Scribner Associates 5 78 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 10 2 Axes This sub screen in the data screen enables you to specify the axes on which the data is to be displayed By default they will be the same as the Graph Setup for the step in which the data was created gt Graph 1 Bode Z 3 eg Vun The fields follow the general layout of graphic displays Ce Layout of Graphic Displays Section 5 11 1 5 10 3 Data Selection This sub screen in the data screen enables you to select the data to be displayed The sub screen together with the left hand navigation panel and graph is as follows j op Example Project ER Impedance Test o Setup ga 1 Constant level Impedance i i ae CR 2 Loop a w Impedance Test l EI Group 1 D D 1 Constant level Impedance i 1e 06 ie Bm 2 Loop CRW 1 Iter
48. current and a set of measurements to be taken A variety of different step types are available divided into the following categories General Voltage Waveforms DC Voltage Controlled Impedance AC C V Mott Schottky Add a New Step When a new experiment is added to a project or folder it always contains a single step called 1 New Step This can be assigned a step type but you can add new steps to the experiment and each of them will be given a sequential number Ce Add New Experiment Section 5 2 1 cs Assign a Step Type Section 5 6 2 Steps can also be added under loops so that they are repeated according to the specified number of cycles To add a step under an experiment Setup or loop proceed as follows 1 Right click on the experiment Setup or loop to display the drop down menu and select Add New then Step An item appears under the experiment Setup or loop called n New Step The number n depends on the number of items that already exist at the same level which may be steps or loops and is incremented by 1 for each successive addition The new step will be highlighted in the Navigation Panel and the system ene S eo of Wee Gg as follows Ge Project Ex Experiment 1 Bn E M 1 Linear sweep b Ce Step Types Section 5 8 NOTE Itis also possible to add a step by selecting New Step from the drop down menu instead of Add New then Step However if a loop is selected the step wil
49. current return I are connected to the sample This configuration is always used for experiments that use the Sample and Reference moduile 4 Terminal The generator current return and two voltage measurement connectors Vhi and Vlo are connected to the sample This configuration is always used for experiments that use the 2A booster module 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 17 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 18 Voltage range The voltage range of the core module The options are Auto SUN 3 0V 300mV 30mV 3mV The default value is Auto displayed in a single list box If any other value is selected a second list box appears so that you can specify an upper value of the voltage range Each value represents a range so that a pair of values represents the limits of the ranges to be used For example if the first list box specifies 300mV and the second one specifies 8 0V the system will switch between three ranges as required 300mV 3 0V SON To maintain the core module on a fixed range both list boxes have to be the same Current range The current range of the core module The options are Auto 300mA 30mA 3mA 300A 30uA 3uA 300nA 30nA If any value other than Auto is selected a second list box appears so that you can specify an upper value of the current range A pair of values represents the limits of the ranges to be used same as for Voltage range The default value is A
50. experiment is running If you double click on a row in the status grid while an experiment is running the appropriate graph will appear and will display each new point as the measurements are taken The columns in the tabulated list are Instrument The instrument group which is used to take measurements Chassis The chassis and slot to which the materials core module is fitted Step The name of the step that is currently being run if an experiment is running on this module otherwise the status 1s Idle Time The top row displays the elapsed time for the step and the bottom row displays the time remaining 210060138_AA 04 02 10 2 21 ModuLab MTS Control Features ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 2 6 1 2 22 Measurements The top row displays the DC measurements for the step including voltage current and charge The bottom row displays the AC measurements if applicable including frequency impedance magnitude and phase Control The following control buttons are available wil Stop the experiment This button appears only when an experiment is running including open circuit measurements Ce Open Circuit Measurements Section 2 6 1 di Pause or resume the experiment When the experiment is resumed it continues taking measurements from the point within the step where it was paused This button appears only when an experiment is running excluding open circuit measurements rd Skip the current ste
51. for Measurement mode Periodic Cycle selection These check boxes only appear for cyclic steps such as triangular sweep and they are used to select the cycles in which measurements are to be taken Ce Cycle selection for Measurement mode Periodic 210060138_AA 04 02 10 0 39 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 7 3 Step Termination This sub screen in the Step Setup screen specifies the conditions under which the step is terminated using a variety of tests that involve limiting values The em default sub screen contains a single test as follows Multiple tests can be performed using the AND OR buttons so that successive IF AND tests can be placed within OR groups as follows iF Voltage Vi ell gt AND Voltage Vv e AND Voltage Vv e AND Voltage Vv KE 2S ba ini ial Lai e IF Woltage D i AND oltage v e AND Voltage Vi e AND voltage D Te Tt ea amp PRERE E 4 Kal Loop exit ap to next step There can be a maximum of four IF AND tests within an OR group and a maximum of four OR groups The tests and groups are added using the following buttons AND This button adds a new AND test to the current OR group up to a maximum of four tests including the initial IF test The button disappears when there are four tests in the group OR This button
52. is recognised by ModuLab because of its contents A category of experiments in which a number of hardware configurations are available for a range of similar applications An optional module that can be included in an instrument group to provide low current measurements of high impedance samples A location in the Windows filing system containing data that is meaningful to Modul ab A folder can be recognised by ModuLab as a project experiment or report folder depending on its contents A folder may also be added within a project structure as a location for any data that is useful to the project including sub folders that represent experiments and report folders Fast Fourier Transform An optional module that can be included in an instrument group together with a materials core module to provide high voltage stimulus to a sample and take measurements 8 1 Glossary of Terms Impedance Instrument Group Loop Loop Type Module Noise Option Project Report Report Folder Step Type 8 2 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide The relationship between voltage and current in AC systems the AC equivalent of DC resistance A combination of modules that work together to stimulate a sample and take measurements The group contains a materials core module and a number of optional modules as required A control feature within an experiment that enables other controls to accumulate data on a
53. lt Yi aa et ee Neer SN Y2 Graph 2 X 10 15 20 25 Li Ki Yi Time s Y2 Poo Table Data Selection Trace Setup Advanced Options Instrument Chassis Chassis 1 Group 1 Slot 2 EI Module information Sa Serena Te TENS PTE as eo ers Ye eet ot Daa Charge Density Voltage gt D 3 D ZS Experiment n Data Time E vs Ref V Time s E vs Ref V Charge Density IO SE sall 2 DEENEN Experiment 1 Li 00 00 0 Eessen aseene Experiment 1 Li 00 00 03 000 0 5019 sasengl a 0 5019 Experiment 1 Li 00 00 04 000 ul aaen ad ae Experiment 1 00 00 05 000 Bal 1 022e08 s 0 9023 S Exveriment 1 1i 00 00 06 000 1102 1226e 08 6 moj Experiment 1 Li 00 00 07 000 1302 143e 08 JI opgi Control Measurements 2 038e 06 mA Time 5700 mV WEE This display contains two graphs and a tabulated list of results with columns that include the data displayed in the graphs There are various ways of processing the results of experiments including manipulation of graphs import and export of data between experiments and exchange of data between users of different systems Ce Data Section 5 10 and Graphs Section 5 11 3 20 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 2 6 210060138_AA 04 02 10 Add an AC Step and repeat the Experiment Ce Step Types Secti
54. open the FRA Test experiment folder then the FRA Test data folder and click on Constant Level Impedance This will display the data in the default format for the step normally a Bode plot of impedance magnitude and phase angle against frequency 2 If any other format is displayed change the Graph field in the Axes sub screen to Bode Z 0 to display the data as follows AP Modulab MTS iiaii E E ke Bei EI Show statusna tun Getting Started gt Additional Tests gt FRA Test gt FRA Test gt 1 Constant level Impedance OE g Getting Started L 1e 08 100 GI MAT Test 3 16 Additional Tests Print Export all e 90 FRA Test e 3 80 G Ei Setup rz Save copy Print preview Exporttable 1e 07 B E FRA Test 70 1 1 Constant level Impedance 60 l d e HV Module Test eg fate e WL Ka Femto Ammeter Test ek oo MRef Test al Ev Ze Booster Module Test 100000 Fi Data Selection b 10000 10 Trace Setu y 1e0 lel 1e2 1e3 1e4 ep w Advanced Options E System Bp Project See 3 Click the Fitting tab at the top left of the central column of sub screens to display the Fitting Options as follows S Die ez 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 119 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Ta Fitting Options Graph Setup Method No fitting algorithm selected Fitting results 4 In the
55. specific values are required The fields are Voltages are Voltages are This field applies to all the voltage fields in this sub screen so that they can be defined relative to an appropriate base value Ce Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 but special considerations apply to the following vs Previous This refers to the last step before the Joop not the previous step within the loop vs Open circuit This refers to the most recent open circuit step even if it is within the loop Scan DC bias level between If this radio button is selected the interval between two DC bias voltages is divided into a series of values The fields under this button are Start The DC bias to be applied on the first cycle round the loop 21006013_AA 04 02 10 O 14 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide End The DC bias to be applied on the last cycle round the loop Step The change of DC bias between successive cycles until the End value is reached If this radio button 1s selected the Points decade and Total Points fields will be greyed out but will display appropriate values If a value is specified in this field the Total Points field will be recalculated giving the points required between the Start and End values Points decade The number of values to be applied at logarithmic intervals during each decade of DC bias change If this radio button is selected the Step and Total Points fi
56. testing The fields are New IP address The new IP address to be used for the chassis display 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference System New Subnet Mask The subnet mask associated with the new IP address for the chassis display New Gateway address The gateway address associated with the new IP address for the chassis display Change This button implements the address within the ModuLab hardware and software according to the values in the three fields New IP address New Subnet Mask and New Gateway address If communication 1s successful it displays a test message on the chassis display A message will also appear on the PC to the right of the button The new address will appear in the Display IP address field in the Chassis Display sub screen 21006013_AA 04 02 10 4 11 Software Reference System ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 4 2 3 4 12 Instrument Group Setup Any number of instrument groups can be fitted to a chassis according to the number of available slots and the optional modules within each group The instrument groups appear in the left hand navigation panel under the chassis and each of them displays an Instrument Group Setup screen as follows Ga SE 5P ModuLab MTS x et Ou i zzz Show Status Grid Run Stop All System S BD Equipment library gt Chassis 1 gt 2 Group 1 169 254 254 11 ZK er Preference e
57. then Report However if a general purpose folder under the experiment 1s selected the report folder will be added directly under the experiment outside of the folder Ce Add New in the File menu Section 2 4 1 and New Report in the Experiment menu Section 2 4 4 5 13 1 Add Data to Report When a new report folder is added to the data structure in a project the Report Writer will automatically contain all the graph files within the same part of the structure at the same level The example in the previous section showed how to create a report that would include three graph files from the MAT Test but the graph file for the FRA Test was missed out because it was in a different part of the structure To continue this example and add the FRA Test to the list of Included Graphs proceed as follows Click the Add Graphs button in the Report Writer sub screen to display a filing system dialogue box listing the data files and graph files associated with the MAT Test Navigate upwards one level and open the Additional Tests folder then the FRA Test experiment then the FRA Test graph file The file will appear in the Report Writer in the list of Included Graphs Alternatively drag and drop the graph file from the left hand navigation panel to the list of Included Graphs but make sure you hold down the mouse button because if you click and release the Graph Setup screen will appear 5 128 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materi
58. to positive Log Logarithm to the base 10 Ln Logarithm to the base e Square root 1 Square root Reciprocal Power Scale the axis according to the power specified in the field alongside the radio button for example 2 Squared 3 Cubed 0 5 Square root 1 Reciprocal 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Channels Channels This group of fields represents the channels to be displayed as separate traces on the graph each with its own legend A check box is available for each channel and any number of them can be checked as long as at least one of them is checked This group appears for all axes except those representing the following variables Current density Time The fields within the group depend on the variable represented by the axis as follows Main If this box 1s checked the graph displays the measurement taken from the main channel Vhi Vlo This field appears in the Channels group for all axis variables that display the group Aux A Aux B Aux C Aux D If any of these boxes are checked the graph displays the measurements taken by the appropriate auxiliary channel Measurements will only be available if they have been enabled from the Instrument Experiment Setup by checking the appropriate boxes under Enable Auxiliary Voltage Inputs Ce Instrument Experiment Setup Section 5 3 4 These fields appear in the Channels group for axes representing th
59. to provide examples for use with real experiments Instead we will see how to create your own experiment starting with a new project AN EXAMPLE EXPERIMENT In this example an experiment is performed on a real material sample not a test unit The sample is subjected to a DC Linear Sweep using a materials core module without any optional modules although you can specify additional modules and use the appropriate configuration as required The results are displayed as graphs and tables The experiment is then repeated using a core module and a frequency response analyzer with the same DC Linear Sweep followed by a Constant Level Impedance step and the results are again displayed as graphs and tables In the following sub sections we will see how to do the following Ce Create a New Project including an Experiment Section 3 2 1 CS Set up the Experiment Section 3 2 2 cS Set up the Step Section 3 2 3 Ce Connect the Hardware and Run the Experiment Section 3 2 4 Ce Display Graphs and Tables Section 3 2 5 Ce Add an AC Step and repeat the Experiment Section 3 2 6 21006013_AA 04 02 10 3 1 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 2 1 Create a New Project including an Experiment When a new project is created it contains a single experiment and step by default although you can add new items as appropriate To create a new project with an experiment and step proceed as follows 1
60. was last saved by editing the associated sub screens Axes Data Selection Trace Setup and Graph Options The asterisk disappears next time the Save button is used Save Copy Save the data as a Graph File which appears in the navigation panel This button is the same as the Save button but in the Graph File which has the same set of buttons it has a different functionality Print Open a print dialogue box and print the displayed graph If there are two graphs they will be printed on separate pages 210060138_AA 04 02 10 O 17 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Print Preview Display a preview of the graphs before printing Export All Export the data as an appropriate file type depending on your selection from the list box at the right of the button The options are Text Export the data as a CSV file which appears in the navigation panel and display the results in the default application for this file type for example Excel The complete data set is exported regardless of the displayed table This is the default option and is used if you click the button without selecting anything from the list box Zplot Export the data to Zplot a software package for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy The data will appear in Zview if installed Must be version 3 1c or later Corrware Export the data to Corrware a software package for electrochemical data acquisition for
61. will become empty including the features that normally appear under the System tab If changes to the project have been made the Close Project dialogue box will appear so that you can save the changes then the project will close Ce Opening and Closing Projects Section 5 1 2 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 13 ModuLab MTS Control Features ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Recent Projects Display a list of recently opened projects as follows Eile Edit View Experiment Window Help l Sire zzz Show Status Grid Z New Froject ae S Add New d em Open Project Ctrl O Close Project Recent Projects 2 CM Data ModuLab Example Project Add Shortcut C My Data ModuLab Getting Started Clear List Cirl When a project is selected from the list it will open in the navigation panel and any currently open project will be closed If changes to the currently open project have been made the Close Project dialogue box will appear so that you can save the changes then the project will close Ce Opening and Closing Projects Section 5 1 2 If Clear List is selected all projects will be removed from the list so that next time it appears it will display List Empty Add Shortcut Add a shortcut folder at the bottom of the tree in the navigation panel for accessing files anywhere on the filing system This is initially a blank shortcut which has no destination and when selected it will display a blan
62. you like you can perform an open circuit measurement to see how the sample will perform without applying an excitation signal from the generator otherwise go to Step 7 To perform an open circuit measurement click the OC Measure button to display the Status Grid as follows Instrument Chassis Step Measurements Contral Chassis 1 Group 1 Slot 2 1 Measuring OCV An Open Circuit step appears in the Status Grid and the results in the Measurements column will be updated as the measurements are taken 6 Click the red control button at the right of the Status Grid to stop the Open Circuit experiment The status will change to Idle and the measurements will stop animating The Status Grid will be as follows Instrument Chassis Measurements Chassis 1 Group 1 Slot 2 The red control button has disappeared and an OC button has appeared This is the same as the OC Measure button in the Start Experiment screen and re starts the Open Circuit measurements 7 Click the Run button to run the experiment and a Data File item will appear in the navigation panel under the experiment and will automatically be expanded to show the sub items 8 While the experiment is running click the Data File item to display a graph which is updated as each new measurement is taken This graph gives an overview of the data for the experiment in terms of voltage against time as follows E My Project EZ Experiment 1 ER GE SR Ex
63. 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 14 FILE INFORMATION The files that are used by ModuLab are stored in the directory structure that appears in the filing system browser window when a project is opened Ce Introduction to the User Interface Section 2 1 and Open Project from the File menu Section 2 4 1 ModuLab interprets the files within this directory structure particularly those with the INFO and DATA extensions to build the structure of items in the left hand navigation panel and display the screens in the right hand window The item names in the navigation panel are based on the filenames but do not display the extensions If a file exists within the structure that is not used by ModuLab or has been created by Modul ab for use with other applications it will appear in the navigation panel with the file extension This will include the following e CSV files containing tabulated lists of results These can be created using Export Table or Export All from the Graph sub screen and can be opened from spreadsheet applications Ce Graph Section 5 10 1 e RTF files containing reports These can be created using the Report Writer Ce Reports Section 5 13 and Report Writer Section 5 13 3 e Z files for use with Zplot for displaying exported data e COR files for use with Corrware for displaying exported data Ce Data can be exported to Zplot and Corrware from the Expo
64. 04 02 10 6 5 Appendix 6 3 2 6 6 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Electrode Assemblies and Guard Ring The solid or liquid material sample is measured between the Hi electrode adjustable from the micrometer and the fixed Lo electrode assembly which includes a guard ring separated from the electrode by a layer of insulation Figures 6 4 and 6 5 The purpose of the guard ring 1s to reduce the effect of stray field lines at the edge of the sample that would otherwise lead to measurement errors It ensures that the electric field lines are parallel throughout the part of the sample that contributes to the impedance measurement Hi Electrode Guard Ring Lo Electrode Figure 6 4 Solid sample and electrodes The guard ring is connected to ground on the sample holder while the Lo electrode is virtually the same ground potential because the current to voltage converter in the ModuLab system core module and femto ammeter is a virtual earth device There is no potential difference between the Lo electrode and the guard ring and therefore the field lines at the edge of the Lo electrode are maintained parallel to each other The impedance of the sample is calculated from the voltage drop across the sample and the current flowing through the central part alone of the sample where the field lines are parallel The current flowing through the edge of the sample and the air surrounding the sample is
65. 06013_AA 04 02 10 0 63 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 8 4 12 Differential Pulse 5 64 In this step type the sample follows a waveform with a voltage that varies according to a step function but a pulse is added at the entry to each step Voltage Differential Pulse End voltage NN 0 EE EE time Pulse Start Amplitude voltage Base ll WW OOOO o voltage eas Deepen Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse 1 2 3 4 5 n 1 n The corresponding Scan Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup is as follows Fd Za can Setup Start level End level Step Pulse amplitude Pulse period Pulse width Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following step type uses this sub screen Category Voltage Waveforms DC Voltages in this sub screen are specified relative to an appropriate base value C Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project The fields are Start level The voltage that precedes the first pulse before any steps have been added End level The terminating voltage so that the scan ends after a pulse has occurred beginning with a voltage that exceeds this value Step The change in voltage at the entry to each successive pulse relative to the previous pulse Pulse amplitude The voltage of each pulse as it rises above the lev
66. 06013_AA 04 02 10 5 87 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 88 le 0 vs Ampl Bode ed 0 Bode er Tan Bode er er Complex er Bode MI 9 Bode MI Tan 0 Bode MI Mi Complex M Bode Mrt 0 Bode OM Tan 0 Bode Mr Mr Complex Mr If anything other than None is selected a drop down box appears alongside the Graph 1 or Graph 2 list box and the display is expanded with the X Y1 Y2 fields as follows Graph 1 vs Vo e E dvs V Ll x Voltage V Leh Le Y Current Densp LelAeng el Le Y2 Mone Graph 1 Graph 2 details The drop down box alongside the Graph or Graph 2 list box displays the graph configuration details as follows W Show graph title Experiment 1 dl Show legend HS Isotropic axes The fields are Show Graph Title If this box is checked the title specified in the text box will appear above the graph Show Legend If this box 1s checked a legend will appear under the graph representing each trace Isotropic Axes If this box 1s checked the axes are scaled so that the measurement units occupy an equal length on the X Y1 and Y2 axes 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project X Y1 Y2 These represent the horizontal axis X the vertical axis Y1 and a second vertical axis Y2 which may be used in some graphs x Voltage Le IM L
67. 2 3 Instrument Group Getup 4 12 SOFTWARE REFERENCE PROJECT cccesscsnsecessecnssensseenseeneeeees 5 1 51 EE 5 1 5 1 1 Create New PO CCE E 5 2 5 1 2 Opening and Closing Projects EE 5 3 E E NES CR 5 5 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Contents 5 2 1 Add New Evperment A 5 5 O22 Slant Exe nine EE 5 7 5 3 EXPERIMENT SE UIP EE 5 10 5S3 Wr EE 5 10 5 3 2 Hardware Heourements 5 11 S39 EE 5 15 5 3 4 Instrument Experiment Geiup 5 17 5 9 9 IEXDSMIMENE lu centysuctutsscveseeaianatraecuevucneslvantusatseameneideesidensiinarsienezaee 5 19 D4 el E 9 19 S4 T CONG a LOOD EE 5 19 5 E EOOD OC DEE 5 20 m9 DECISION ae INS 5 21 5 5 1 Decision Option Conditions cccccecccccsseeceeeseeeeeeceeeeeeeseeeeeeesaeaeeees 5 23 E ak E 9 24 6 6 1 Add ai NEW Step seston getest 5 24 5 02 ASSIGN a Siep Eeer Ee 5 25 BE E i ER E 9 26 5 41 IMpedance SEIU EE 5 28 5 7 1 1 Impedance Setup Harmonics snoannnnoennnnnennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnne 5 32 5 7 2 Time Domain Measurement Getp 5 34 O21 Ce TEMNA OM EE 5 40 5 7 4 Instrument Step Getunp aiai eT ti 5 42 570 E Ee e Et sonken eur eat cece rea Ue ta arte a aces 5 43 5 76 Grapho EI See ee 5 44 LS EAR ER eg ace Ren a E 9 45 501 Genera EE 5 45 5 8 2 Voltage Waveforms UC 5 46 5 8 3 Voltage Controlled Impedance AC CV Mott Schottky 000nn 5 47 Sys fe en EE 5 49 5 8 4 1 Relative Valss scsin susan s
68. 3 6 6 3 6 1 6 3 6 2 Normalisation For optimum accuracy when using liquid or solid sample holders you should make use of the normalisation technique This will reduce the errors due to fringing connections etc There are two possible methods of normalisation matched cell geometry and matched cell capacitance Both have advantages Matched capacitance gives best cancellation of instrumentation errors whereas matching the cell geometry optimises the cancellation of fringing effects Select the one that gives you the best results Method 1 Matched Geometry 1 Take measurements on the sample in the usual way making a note of the micrometer setting Ce Sections 6 3 4 and 6 3 5 2 Remove the sample clean the electrodes if necessary and reset the micrometer to the setting noted above This will create an air gap cell with the same dimensions as the cell used for the sample 3 Measure the impedance of this air gap cell at the same frequencies as before and use this data as the normalisation data Method 2 Matched Capacitance 1 Take measurements on the sample in the usual way and note the capacitance of the sample C Sections 6 3 4 and 6 3 5 2 Remove the sample and clean the electrodes if necessary Calculate the air gap d in m required to create an air gap cell with the same capacitance as the sample using the equation d Ag0 C where A is the area of the cell m C is the required capacitance
69. 4 2 5 3 2 4 1 4 2 4 7 table 3 19 4 4 5 91 export 5 79 technical support 2 18 9 4 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide test unit 1 3 3 1 3 14 3 26 3 28 5 120 time domain measurement setup 3 12 3 23 3 24 5 28 5 35 5 36 5 37 5 38 5 40 toolbar 2 19 trace setup 5 82 trace selected for fitting 5 99 triangular sweep 5 48 5 56 impedance 5 49 Staircase 5 48 5 59 staircase impedance 5 49 tribo electric effects 6 3 user preferences See preferences V IR calculator 2 18 voltage waveforms DC 2 8 5 25 5 47 5 48 Warburg element 5 110 5 117 warning icon 2 24 website Solartron 7 2 working electrode area 5 15 Zplot 5 79 5 134 21006013_AA 04 02 10 6 solortron analytical part of AMETEK Advanced Measurement Technology Solartron Analytical Solartron Analytical AMETEK Advanced Measurement Technology AMETEK Advanced Measurement Technology Inc Unit B1 Armstrong Mall 801 South Illinois Avenue Southwood Business Park Oak Ridge Farnborough TN 37831 Hampshire USA GU14 ONR Tel 1 865 425 1360 United Kingdom Fax 1 865 425 1334 Tel 44 0 1252 556 800 E mail solartron info ametek com Fax 44 0 1252 556 899 E mail solartron info ametek com www solartronanalytical com For details of worldwide distributors and representatives please visit the website or contact the Farnborough UK office Solartron pursues a policy of continuous development and product impro
70. 4 4 7 5 7 5 14 8 1 bypass 5 14 model 4 8 5 14 hub See Ethernet impedance 3 21 3 27 5 31 5 35 5 99 5 107 5 111 5 116 5 117 8 2 9 2 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide constant level 3 1 3 21 3 23 3 25 5 35 5 49 5 53 5 77 harmonics 5 33 high 1 1 1 2 3 31 3 32 imaginary 5 105 5 106 logarithmic 5 93 magnitude 2 22 3 25 5 92 5 120 plot 5 88 5 102 setup 3 23 3 24 5 28 5 29 step 4 5 5 8 See also step AC voltage control 2 8 3 22 3 26 5 25 5 48 INFO file 2 11 installation 1 3 instrument configuration 2 24 3 8 3 13 3 26 5 7 5 12 5 13 5 14 5 17 experiment setup 5 8 5 17 5 28 5 43 5 94 step setup 5 28 5 43 instrument group 1 1 2 6 2 12 2 21 2 23 3 5 3 26 4 7 5 8 capability 4 8 5 8 custom 3 9 5 8 icon 2 19 item 3 16 3 18 4 7 name 4 8 4 12 setup 2 6 4 7 4 8 4 12 5 77 status 2 23 4 9 to use for experiment 3 8 3 14 5 8 5 12 IP address chassis display 4 10 FRA 4 13 gateway address 4 11 materials core module 4 12 4 13 subnet mask 4 11 isotropic axes 5 89 legend 5 84 5 89 5 94 lifting and carrying 1 3 line fitting 5 101 linear sweep 3 11 3 16 3 18 5 47 5 54 impedance 5 49 staircase 5 48 5 58 staircase impedance 5 49 LO 3 9 3 26 5 14 loop 2 8 2 12 5 5 5 20 5 70 5 71 5 74 new 5 20 setup 5 21 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide material sample See sam
71. 6013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features 2 8 CLOSING MODULAB The ModuLab application can be closed using either of the following methods e Using Exit from the File menu e Using the control button at the top right corner of the main application window e In either case the project will be closed and the Close Project dialogue box will appear asking you to save changes to the project Ce Opening and Closing Projects Section 5 1 2 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 25 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 Setting Up and Runninc Experiments OVERVIEW This chapter describes how to set up and run experiments with the ModuLab connected to a number of different types of sample according to a set of pre defined hardware and connection configurations that are specified in the ModuLab software Before you can perform any of these experiments it will be necessary to install the system and complete the installation tests as described in the Getting Started Guide and Installation Guide and the experiments that you are able to perform will depend on the modules that are installed A number of ready made experiments are available with the ModuLab software for use with the ModuLab Test Unit or the ModuLab 0 1 ohm Unit for high power applications and these are described in the Installation Guide However because of the wide variety of material samples it is impractical
72. 7 ne 7 File Information Name New Report rtt Location C My Data ModuLab Example Project MAT Testi 2 a setup ER MAT Test db MAT Test Size 543 Bytes a New Report Created 14 01 2010 11 31 12 Geet Modified 14 01 2010 11 31 12 el is New Folder H P Folder More Experiments Open Open Folder j La A IER EE ER ra a a oa TRA SERA VEER at Rest Ce Section 5 14 for details of this dialogue box and Section 5 13 2 for an example of how it might be used to open a report file in a word processing application 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 11 ModuLab MTS Control Features ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 2 4 2 4 1 2 12 MENU BAR File Menu Add New Add a new item under the currently selected item in the navigation panel A sub menu of available additions will appear otherwise this menu item is greyed out The available items according to the current selections are as follows Selected Navigation Selected Item Items available for Panel Tab addition chassis instrument group Project project folder experiment graph report folder folder experiment graph report SCH step appears automatically loop under experiment decision loop Step loop decision option step loop decision A folder that has been added for general purpose use not representing a project experiment or report A report folder not the report files that it may contain Ce New Ex
73. 8_AA 04 02 10 X1 Contents ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Figure 1 1 Example Of instrument group 1 2 Figure 3 1 General Materials testing cccccccccsecccsseeccsesecssesessueeessueeesseeessneseeas 3 27 Figure 3 2 High voltage System csccccsesccsesecseuscseuscsenscseuscseuscseuscseustseuecaeuesacuess 3 30 Figure 3 3 High impedance system 3 31 Figure 3 4 High voltage high impedance zkvstem 3 32 Figure 3 5 Low voltage system with Dooster 2 ccccccccseeeeeneeeeeeeeneneeenenenessaeeenen 3 33 Figure 3 6 High voltage system With Dooster 3 34 Figure 3 7 General materials testing with internal referencing cc1ccccseeeeseees 3 37 Figure 3 8 High voltage system with internal referencing 2 cccsseeereseeereneeeees 3 38 Figure 3 9 High impedance system with internal referencing csccccseecseeenees 3 39 Figure 3 10 High voltage high impedance system with internal referencing 3 40 Figure 5 1 Sample and reference module with internal reierence 5 16 Figure 5 2 Sample and reference module with user reierence 5 16 Figure 5 3 Schematic diagram Of decision process sccccsesccsesccseeessnsessnsesanees 5 21 Figure 5 4 Navigation panel corresponding to decision process 1 cc1csecseees 5 22 Figure 6 1 Waveform generation and measurermen f 6 1 Figure 6 2 Dielectric reference module AA 6 3 Figure 6 3 Sample holder with standard 20mm fixed elechode 6 4 Figure 6 4 Solid sample
74. Add New then Experiment This has a different functionality than New Experiment because it adds the item directly under the currently selected item Ce Add New in the File menu Section 2 4 1 and New Experiment in the Experiment menu Section 2 4 4 5 2 2 Start Experiment When an experiment is selected from the navigation panel the Start Experiment screen appears as follows K WAN ER KEE Rail tia th test eh ear eee ee EES Mise REES So fo Aer fe ah alle a at aa alt eh ta fll enh et ble EREM gt LG E i J RABY E r E t i E E D PMAL BAIO Al DAU li DORI l E E ESAE E E t D a IS ex mo xX pe FONNEN Si GK S eed C J Example Project ebe B m experiment 1 Experiment Hardware Requirements ei Setup Select one or more Instrument Groups FRA HV FA MRef 2A to runthis experiment e 1 Linear sweep Instrument Groups Available Instrument Group Capability Chassis Group Name Slot s MAT FRA HV FA MRef Group 1 ito7 MATIM MFRAIMHz MHVi00 f Di Di ZZ Notinuse Group 2 8 MATIM ZZ Notinuse Status Datafile Comment MAT Test IA un E for GI Q Gave e z anw mre pas Gma x TH system y Tod This is the top level screen for the experiment which enables the experiment to be run but first it has to be correctly configured from the lower level screens This screen displays the connection diagram defined in the Hardware Requirements and there are two tabulated lists of equipment as follows
75. C to communicate with it You can enter a four part number then click the Test button to implement it within the ModuLab software and perform a communication test Normally the default address should be used but an alternative address will be required if there is already a device on the network that uses the default address Ce Installation Guide for details of how to set up IP addresses on the system Use default address If this box is checked the default address 169 254 254 n appears in the FRA IP address field where n is the slot number plus 9 and the field becomes greyed out Test This button implements the specified FRA IP address within the ModuLab software and if communication is successful it displays a test message on the chassis display A message will also appear on the PC to the right of the button Instrument Web Page This hyperlink communicates with the FRA and displays information about it as a web page This includes the IP address of the card in case it needs to be changed CAUTION Ifyou change the address of the FRA hardware you will need to make a note of the new address in case it is needed within the Modul ab software The address remains on the card when it is moved from one chassis to another and if the address is lost you will no longer be able to communicate with the FRA and will have to return it to Solartron for testing 21006013_AA 04 02 10 4 13 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide
76. Characterisation Appliesa voltagetothe samplethat is sweptsmoothly from onevoltage to anotherusing aspecified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and current aretaken during thistest Way Triangular Sweep l V Characterisation Applies avoltagetothe samplethat is swept smoothly from onevoltage to another and then back tothe startvoltage using aspecified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and current are taken during thistest Staircase LinearS Applies avoltage tothe samplethatis swept from one voltageto anotherusing avoltage staircasewith aspecified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and currentare taken during thistest Staircase Triangular A Applies a voltageto the samplethatis swept fromone voltage to another then back to thestart voltage using a voltage staircasewith a specified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and current aretaken durinathis test Pulse II Applies a series of voltage pulses tothe sample of defined level pulse width and repeat duration over a specfied time period Measurements of voltageand currentare taken during thistest Sweep Pulse Applies a series of voltage pulses tothe sample of defined pulsewidth and repeat duration The pulse level smoothly sweeps fromone voltageto another Measurements of voltageand currentare taken during this test OI Differential Pulse Applies a series of voltage pulses tothe sample of defined level pulse width and repeatduration superimposed on staircase voltage sweep wit
77. Error Intercept 0 008626 Free 01471 e a e l o The fields are Method Defines the type of plot in this case Line The text box below gives instructions about how to use the cursors to identify the region where the plot is to be fitted Run This button performs the calculation and displays the results as a simulated trace on the graph and a set of values in the Fitting Results box 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Fitting Results When the calculation is performed this box displays the line definition as follows X intercept Y intercept Gradient Fit error Y intercept 1 Estimated C Options The point where the plot crosses the X axis Y 0 The point where the plot crosses the Y axis X 0 The constant c in the Model equation y mxtc The gradient m in the Model equation y mxtc The error introduced by the scattering of data points around the line calculated from the Chi test A value of zero indicates a perfect fit The value of Y on an impedance plot where the X axis represents frequency at the point where X 1 27 Hz angular frequency 1 rad sec This result only appears for impedance plots Estimated capacitance calculated as C 1 Y intercept w 1 The following options are available 21006013_AA 04 02 10 Model The model used for the line definition Only one model is available for this Met
78. F Co is the permittivity of free space 8 85419E 12 F m 3 Set the micrometer to the calculated air gap measure the impedance of this air gap cell at the same frequencies as those used for the sample measurements and use this data for normalisation 21006013 AA 04 02 10 6 9 Appendix 6 4 6 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide CRYOSTAT The 129610A Cryostat system is available for testing materials in the following temperature ranges e From 78 K to 600 K using liquid nitrogen e From 5 K to 600 K using liquid helium The sample is located in a sample space surrounded by a cooling capillary and a heating coil The temperature is controlled by the flow of cryogen through the capillary and the power supplied to the heater so that they work against each other to achieve the required control while minimising the loss of cryogen The heater is turned off to achieve the lowest temperature and the cryogen is turned off when temperatures above ambient are required This model of the cryostat system shown in Figure 6 7 is a special design produced by Janis Research Company in collaboration with Solartron to meet specific requirements of temperature range control and to place the sample in a static thermal exchange gas for example dry helium to provide repeatable tests on materials that could otherwise be affected by contact with cryogen vapor in flowing vapor type systems The cryostat may be used for th
79. If the measurement rate cannot be calculated from the Scan rate and Amount of change it has to be calculated from other values in an expanded Time Domain Measurement Setup screen for voltage or current as follows di Time Domain Measurement Setup Integration period on Is per sample WS Maximum rate 0 05 s per sample Minimum rate o s per sample Amount of change 5 Cycle selection All x First hi Measurement mode I change Integration period 0 05 s per sample WR Maximum rate 0 05 s per sample Minimum rate 10 s per sample Amount of change 0 005 mi e Cycle selection me X First jLast VJEvery fio In this case the Maximum rate is the rate at which the system takes measurements for internal use but if multiple measurements occur at similar values they will not be reported until a significant change occurs defined by the Amount of change In this case the Integration period should not exceed the Maximum rate The fields for the Measurement mode options V change and I change are as follows 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 3 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Integration period The integration period for noise reduction purposes The value 1s limited to the calculated measurement rate or the specified Maximum rate as follows e Ifthe Scan Setup and Measurement mode are suitable for calculation of a measurement rate from the Scan rate and A
80. L ng Connection Diagram Si 1 Constant level Impedance Wore Wor e d FRA Test 1 Constant level Impedance Femto Ammeter Test MRef Test Booster Module Test Scroll down and review the report and you will find that it contains the results of the three MAT Tests followed by the FRA test The report will remain on display only temporarily until you click another item in the navigation panel To redisplay the report you need to click on the appropriate RTF file under the Getting Started report folder There are currently two of them as a consequence of choosing a new name for the report to include the FRA test as follows e Getting Started MAT and FRA Tests rtf MAT Test rtf 4 If you want to redisplay the contents of the one of these reports proceed as described in the next section 5 13 2 Open Report A report can be opened using any Windows application that supports the RTF file format for example word processing programs then you can view and process the report using the features of the program such as editing and printing 5 130 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project To open a report proceed as follows 1 In the left hand navigation panel expand the report folder and click on the RTF file The File Information screen will appear as follows EN setting starter File Information S coor i MAT Test fs j pam Name MAT and
81. NA GEN Input Vhi Voltage Sample Measurement e S H Vio Voltage lt representing current O measurement LO Val L b sSW1 Figure 6 1 Waveform generation and measurement An input is applied to the amplifier A1 such that the output is the required waveform This passes through a 50Q resistance for cable matching and is applied to the sample as the generated voltage GEN The resulting potential difference across the sample Vhi Vlo is passed through amplifier A2 to the voltage measurement circuit The output current I is passed through the amplifier A3 which produces a voltage for measurement purposes proportional to the current 21006013_AA 04 02 10 6 1 Appendix 6 2 6 2 1 6 2 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ENVIRONMENTAL INTERFERENCE AT LOW CURRENT Low current measurements in the femto amp range can be affected by electrical interference from the environment such as electric lighting office equipment and cables Mechanical vibrations can also have an effect if they generate electrical interference within the cables that are used for measurement purposes These effects are likely to be important in experiments that use the femto ammeter under conditions of low current and high impedance Ce High Impedance Section 3 3 2 3 Ce High Voltage High Impedance Section 3 3 2 4 To mitigate these effects every effort should be made t
82. NGE OF SUPPORT PROVIDED Solartron Analytical provides you with full support to enable you to use the ModuLab system to your best advantage The support includes e A full set of user guides available in printed form on CD and on line from the Solartron Analytical website e On line Help from the ModuLab user interface comprising e The ModuLab Help Text From the Help menu select Contents or Index e Answers to a list of Frequently Asked Questions covering all aspects of ModuLab use From the Help menu select FAQ e An on line version of the User Guide for the ModuLab User Interface Right click on the project in the left hand navigation panel and select Explorer then open the Documents folder under the ModuLab folder e Acheck for new versions of the ModuLab software From the Help menu select Check for updates e Technical support including locations of support centres for worldwide servicing of equipment From the Help menu select Technical Support e Access to the Solartron Analytical website which contains a wealth of information and guidance on the use of Solartron Analytical precision instrumentation for your particular application c Solartron Analytical Website Section 7 2 21006013_AA 04 02 10 7 1 ModuLab MTS Support ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 7 2 VISITING THE SOLATRON ANALYTICAL WEBSITE To visit the Solartron Analytical website click on m the appropriate button in the ModuLab too
83. REF tae High Current option MBST 2A High Voltage option MHV 100 Bypass High Voltage Ground This screen contains a set of list boxes so you can configure the experiment to use the appropriate hardware Ce Hardware Requirements Section 5 3 2 NOTE _ If there is only one instrument group the Instrument configuration list box will not display the slot numbers and chassis number so the field will be reduced to Group 1 4 Select the appropriate entries from the Experiment type and Instrument configuration list boxes and the corresponding connection diagram and description will appear 5 The Instrument Group to use field defaults to the first group that meets the requirements of the experiment in the tabulated list in the Start Experiment screen Select the appropriate group if this is not the one you want to use Ce Start Experiment Section 3 2 1 Step 11 3 8 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments The remaining fields representing the core module and optional modules will be greyed out because they represent the installed hardware in the group They become available if the Custom option is selected for the Instrument Group to use This option enables projects to be transported between different ModuLab systems regardless of the installed hardware but an experiment cannot be run until a specific instrument group has been selected The Instrument Gro
84. Reference Project The drop down box on the details field varies according to the quantity represented by the axis but for Voltage it 1s as follows Auto Cat Dis va W Minimum o l W Maximum g l W Major tick Minor tick 95 I W Maxis crosses at F Logarithmic axis scale F Invert axis Data scaling Channels Linear Main Absolute E Aux A Log Aux B GN Ln E Aux C E Square root Aux D 9 1 Square root 6 Reciprocal Power 100 The default values for some of these fields depend on the graph type For example on a Bode plot where the Graph field is Bode Z 8 the Logarithmic axis scale box will be checked for the impedance magnitude and frequency axes but unchecked for the phase angle axis In this display the fields are as follows Auto In this group of fields a check box is followed by one or more text or numeric fields The boxes are normally checked indicating that the fields are automatically given appropriate values according to the displayed data but if the fields are changed the boxes automatically become unchecked The fields are Label The axis label which defaults to the variable and units represented by the axis Minimum The minimum value of the variable to be displayed on the axis Maximum The maximum value of the variable to be displayed on the axis 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 91 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User G
85. S ee d i Ko J p ules D ao Ta D 5 wd A Ke a Doneen SS Ge See rea EE We SE E BE 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 3 ModuLab MTS Control Features ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 Click on the items in the project structure to display their details in the right hand window For example if you click the Setup item under MAT Test the experiment setup details will appear as follows Eh Getting Started d K a MAT Test a MAT Test ch i Additional Tests 4 Comments Hardware Requirements Experiment type Installation Test Instrument configuration Instrument Group to use Group 1in slots 1 to 7 of Chassis 1 X Advanced Ground Internal Sample Setup Click to enlarge g Instrument Experiment Setup Voltage 8V to 8V Ate Current 0 1A to 0 1A Experiment Limits AC amplitude 5 657V rms The User Interface can be described generally as follows Underneath the title bar there is the menu bar and toolbar and then there are two windows e The left hand navigation panel contains a tree structure of items that can be expanded and collapsed by clicking their associated and symbols At the bottom of this window there are two tabs e System This tab displays a tree structure of items that are used to define the user preferences and the equipment including the chassis and materials core modules together with their associated optional modules and external units e Projec
86. Sample and Reference module has been added to High Voltage High Impedance Materials Testing Section 3 3 2 4 Ce The alternative connection diagram for external referencing is available by selecting User Reference in the Sample and Ref field in the Sample Setup Section 5 3 3 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 4 Software Reference System The ModuLab user interface is divided into two main sections System and Project depending on the tab that has been selected at the bottom of the left hand navigation panel This Chapter describes the features available under the System tab which are Ce User Preferences Section 4 1 Ce Equipment Library Section 4 2 Details of experiments results and reports are available in the Software Reference for the features under the Project tab Ce Software Reference Project Chapter 5 21006013_AA 04 02 10 4 1 Software Reference System ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 4 1 USER PREFERENCES The User Preferences screen displays general information about the ModuLab system and software This screen 1s available from the User Preferences item in the left hand navigation panel with the System tab selected When all the sub screens are expanded it appears as follows 3 Bib j Wis Ye eth e SSeS pen SA we General Settings ra ca Equipment library Temperature units Corrosion units CSV separator cha
87. T Sweep Pulse There is a series of pulses of varying voltage so that each pulse differs from the previous one by a specified step Ce Section 5 8 4 11 m Differential Pulse There is a scan of voltage between limits according to a step function but a pulse is added to each step Ce Section 5 8 4 12 Mo Square Wave There is a scan of voltage between limits according to a step function but a square wave is superimposed on each step Ce Section 5 8 4 13 n Any combination of the above tests may be used to create arbitrary waveforms that include sweeps steps constant levels and pulses 5 8 3 Voltage Controlled Impedance AC C V Mott Schottky Voltage Controlled Impedance is applied to an experiment by adding an alternating voltage to a sample that is already stimulated with DC Voltage Waveforms and applying a range of frequencies An FRA is required to supply the alternating voltage and the frequency range is defined in the Impedance Setup sub screen Ce Impedance Setup Section 5 7 1 The step types in this category which appear when adding a step are shown in the following sub screen 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 47 Software Reference Project 5 48 Constantlevel Same as the equivalent DC test above but with impedance measurement superimposed Linear Sweep Same as theequivalent DE test abovebut with impedance measurementperformed at regular intervals during the sweep Triangular Sweep 1 Same
88. Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 3 3 3 1 General Materials Testing with Reference Capacitance This configuration is used for general purpose impedance tests on a wide range of materials where compensation is required for cable capacitance A Sample and Reference module is used with a materials core module and an FRA To access this configuration and display the connection diagram select the following entries from the Hardware Requirements sub screen Section 5 3 2 Experiment Type Sample amp Reference Instrument configuration Mat only A connection diagram will appear as shown in Figure 3 7 Comms d Error NC Measure Hi Commections Auxiliary Lo Connections Figure 3 7 General materials testing with internal referencing Ce In this configuration the Sample and Reference module has been added to General Materials Testing Section 3 3 1 Ce The alternative connection diagram for external referencing is available by selecting User Reference in the Sample and Ref field in the Sample Setup Section 5 3 3 210060138_AA 04 02 10 3 37 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 3 3 2 3 38 High Voltage Testing with Reference Capacitance This configuration is used for impedance testing of materials that require high stimulus voltage in circumstances where compensation is required for cable capacitance A Sample and Referenc
89. Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Join Elements All elements must be joined up using wires otherwise the calculations cannot be performed and the elements cannot be given values Elements are joined as follows 1 Click the Wire button on the toolbar then click the nodes on the adjacent elements If the drawing space is clicked between nodes it will create a corner When the elements are joined the nodes will disappear leaving a continuous line between the elements However a node will remain visible if the end point of a wire is joined to the middle of another wire away from its end points In this case to achieve a closed up joint the node has to be held over the wire so that the N label changes to W then you can click the node and it will change back to N and the joint will be closed 2 To check that all the joints are closed click the Selection button on the toolbar and attempt to move the elements If the elements are joined the wires will move with the elements creating corners as required but will not open up any gaps If any gaps open up you will need to select the wire button and close them Rotate Element All elements that contribute to impedance everything except Title Ref Gnd and wires can be rotated so that they are horizontal or vertical but only if they are on their own not connected to anything 1 Click the Selection IN button on the toolbar then right click the element to disp
90. To add an experiment to a project or folder proceed as follows 1 Run the Modul ab software and open the appropriate project 2 Right click on the project to display the drop down list box and select New Experiment New Experiment New Step New Report Cut Ctrl X Copy Ctrl C Paste Ctrl V Delete Rename F Undo Rename Node Ctr Z Redo Cirl Y Recreate Experiment Explorer 21006013_AA 04 02 10 D 0 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide The new experiment will appear in the navigation panel and the Start Experiment screen will appear CS Start Experiment Section 5 2 2 The experiment in its expanded state will show its own Setup item as follows A T 3 Click once on the new experiment to select it then click again then type an appropriate name for example My Experiment so the navigation panel becomes as follows EN Example Project E S My Experiment E Experiment 1 l GEN Setup l s e 1 Linear sweep 4 Set up the experiment Ce Sections 3 2 2 and 5 3 including the sub Sections 5 Under the Setup item there is a single step called 1 New Step Assign a step type Ce Section 5 6 2 5 6 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project NOTE It is also possible to add an experiment to a folder within the project by right clicking on the folder then selecting
91. Voltage Waveforms DC Staircase Triangular Sweep Impedance Voltage Controlled Impedance Voltages in this sub screen are specified relative to an appropriate base value Ce Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 The fields are Start level The voltage level at which the scan begins If this is different from the first vertex level the first cycle will be incomplete The start level is only used if the box is checked otherwise the cycle starts at the first vertex level Ist vertex level The voltage level at which the scan rate is reversed at the start and end points of each complete cycle 2nd vertex level The voltage level at which the scan rate 1s reversed at the mid point of each complete cycle If a start level has been specified the scan will start during the first half of a cycle where it is approaching the 2nd vertex level The fields will be reversed so that the 2nd vertex level field comes before the Ist vertex level field 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 59 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 9 8 4 10 5 60 Base End level The voltage level at which the scan ends during the last cycle If this is different from the first vertex level the last cycle will be incomplete The end level is only used if the box is checked otherwise the cycle ends at the first vertex level Scan rate The constant rate of change of voltage as it rises and falls between the two vertice
92. a list of styles continuous dotted dashed etc Width The line width used for the trace The list box displays a list of numeric values from 1 to 5 Symbol The symbol used for each data point on the trace The list box displays a list of symbols circles squares etc 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Size The size of the selected symbol The list box displays a list of odd numbers from 1 to 15 Legend The legend for the axis The text field defaults to the selected units but you can change it 5 10 5 Advanced Options This sub screen in the data screen enables you to specify options for data reduction to speed up the drawing of graphs that would otherwise involve a large number of measurement points Advanced Options ab Data reduction Aske e The fields are as follows Measurement types This list box specifies the type of measurement to which filtering is applied The options are Auto The system automatically selects All Measurements or Impedance Only depending on which one is most appropriate This is the default option All measurements Apply data filtering to all measurements Impedance only Discard all DC measurements and apply data filtering to the impedance measurements only Data reduction This list box specifies the type of data filtering to be applied The options are None Display all data points without filtering Thi
93. abel on the second trace and click the Run button again and the function will be fitted to the second trace The following example shows a result produced from a Linear Sweep plotted as V I vs Time with a straight line fitted between two points on the voltage trace 5 98 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 0 002 0 004 0 006 Le aY 0 008 0 01 0 012 0 014 0 5 1 LA 2 dech 3 a 4 Time Voltage Current Density The line definition in terms of the X and Y intercepts gradient and fit error appear in the Fitting Results box as follows T Fitting Options Simulates or Fits a Line plot Use 2 cursors bo identify a region to Fit Fitting results A intercept 25 67 intercept 0 9209 Gradient 0 03587 Fik error 9 615e 06 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 99 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 12 1 5 100 Line The Line method in the Fitting Options screen fits a straight line through the data 8 Wi A G RR we Se Deg a Rag Ba Rg So Roy ee Ang ee Rg ne Rg eg Rg ges d i Ze Fitting Options Simulates or Fits a Line plot Use 2 cursors to identify a region to fit Graph Setup Fitting results A intercept 3 806 A intercept 0 008826 Gradient 0 002319 Fit error d 277e 07 Options Option Value Parameters Name Value Units Fit type
94. again View Menu Project Select the project in the navigation panel Equipment Select the Equipment library in the navigation panel Options Select the User Preferences in the navigation panel Tree Size Small Tree Size Medium Tree Size Large Tree Size Huge Specify the size of the icons m the navigation panel 210060138_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features 2 4 4 2 4 5 Experiment Menu Show Status Grid Display the current status of the modules A display panel appears which is updated with measurements when an experiment 1s running and provides access to Start Stop and Pause Continue etc This is a toggle feature so that it shows or hides the status grid Ce Status Grid Section 2 6 Stop All Stop all experiments from running Run Display the Start Experiment screen associated with an experiment structure when an item within the structure is selected If the Start Experiment screen 1s already on display the experiment will run same as pressing the Run button within the screen New Experiment Add a new experiment to the project together with Setup and step items The experiment will be added directly under the project regardless of the item that has been selected in the project structure Ce Add New from the File menu Section 2 4 1 to add an experiment as a sub item within a folder New Step Add a new step to an experiment The step will be adde
95. ailed configuration of the axis CS Axis Details Section 5 11 1 1 Table This list box appears at the bottom of the Axes sub screen but not the Graph Setup sub screen as follows Tabulated data may be displayed alongside the graphs at the appropriate positions The options from the list box are as follows None Do not display tabulated data Auto Display tabulated data at the default positions specified in the Graph Preferences sub screen in the User Preferences Ce Graph Preferences Section 4 1 3 Right Display tabulated data to the right of the graphs Bottom Display tabulated data below the graphs Refresh This button appears at the bottom of the Axes sub screen but not the Graph Setup sub screen and refreshes the graphs and tables according to any changes that have been made D An amber warning icon appears alongside the button when changes have been made to the screen and the graphs need to be refreshed Axis Details The Graph Setup and Axes sub screens contain a set of fields representing the graph type and the X Y1 and Y2 axes as follows Graphi Tue V l X Voltage al V Kl e Y CurrentDensity e Ner iall a Y2 Alone A ue Ce Layout of Graphic Displays Section 5 11 1 Each axis field with an entry other than None has two additional fields one for the units and the other for additional details about the axis 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software
96. ake sure all liquid is removed from the liquid sample electrode Zero the micrometer same as for the solid sample electrode Figure 6 6 Liquid Ce Section 6 3 4 steps 3 to 5 sample holder Turn the micrometer and adjust the position of the upper electrode so that it is slightly greater than the required sample thickness Place the sample liquid into the lower dish electrode so that it almost reaches the upper electrode Move the upper electrode carefully towards the lower electrode until the required sample thickness is displayed The upper electrode is slightly smaller than the dish of the lower electrode assembly so that excess liquid can escape around the side of the upper electrode Make sure a small amount of liquid rises up as this will ensure that the upper electrode is fully in contact with the liquid and there are no air spaces However do not go past the required thickness otherwise too much liquid will rise up and it will distort the results because it is not in contact with the front face of the upper electrode Set up the experiment in ModuLab MTS and enter the sample thickness and electrode area in the Sample Setup The area is based on the diameter of the fixed Lo electrode without the insulation and guard rail Ce Section 5 3 3 Sample setup Run the experiment and take measurements using the ModuLab MTS software 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Appendix 6
97. alent Circuit Fitting Options 000nn00nnnenannnnnnannnnne 5 117 5 12 4 5 Running the Equivalent Circuit Calculations 5 119 REPORT EE 9 123 9 O lt tAOG Data 10 REDOM EE 5 128 el oe IDC Bl ten OOM EE 5 130 STS ROPOT VV INCH tere ee 5 132 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Contents 514 FIEEINFORMA TION eege ERIR 5 133 5 1AT OM rege e EE 5 135 Oe FRE INDIA EE 6 1 6 1 WAVEFORM GENERATION AND MEASUREMENT 00 6 1 6 2 ENVIRONMENTAL INTERFERENCE AT LOW CURRENT 6 2 62 1 Faraday GAG EE 6 2 6022 MDO Electric EM CCIS eee ia laalatenesadatesec ont tensctaseantal scott 6 3 63 SAMPLE FOLD EE EE 6 4 631 Sample GeGmMery EE 6 5 6 3 2 Electrode Assemblies and Guard Ring sssessssseneenserrrssrrrrssrrrrssrrree 6 6 6 3 3 Changing The Fixed Electrode Assembly cccsecceceeeeeeeeeeeesseeees 6 7 6 3 4 Measuring Solid Samples rnanan a ects 6 7 6 3 5 Measuring Liquid Sample S ein deed ee codes borat kea eia EE 6 8 0 3 6 Normals ATOM srezana nah etc eke Beta de rada shales cds cae 6 9 6 3 6 1 Method 1 Matched Geomeimy 6 9 6 3 6 2 Method 2 Matched Capachtance nnn 6 9 OA GAY OSTA lM RE 6 10 7 MODULAB MTS SUPPORT ccccceseeeneeeeeeneeeneeenseenseeneenseeneseneenseoneeens 7 1 Li RANGE OFSUPPORT PROVIDED eege eege 7 1 7 2 VISITING THE SOLATRON ANA vTIGALWERBGIIE 7 2 8 GLOSSARY OF TEE 8 1 9 NDE EE 9 1 21006013
98. als Test System User Guide Software Reference Project The Report Writer sub screen after addition of the FRA Test will be as follows D Report Writer Included Graphs C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test MAT Test 2 graph C My Data Modulab setting coaches deta Test MAT Test 3 graph CH d i Ih Report Filename MAT Test 2 Change the Report Filename field to something more suitable for example MAT and FRA Tests Click the Generate Report button to the right of the Report Filename field to create an RTF file with the specified name in the report folder and display the contents of the report in the lower panel as follows 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 129 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide uf Sean SSIS EE KARAOKE S d e d B B Getting Started aad MAT Test e ki C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test MAT Test 2 qraph JA 1 Uneer sweep C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test MAT Test Gei graph e 8 MAT Test 3 JA 1 Linear sweep d 8 MAT Test 2 A 1 Linear sweep e Kb MAT Test JA 1 Linear sweep Report Fi ilename M l A MAT Test 3 AT and FRA Tests MAT and FRA Tests created 25 January 2010 a Getting Started n 8 i SH Experiment Comment MAT Test MAT and FRA Tests rtf MAT Test rtf A a Additional Tests Experiment Steps Linear sweep Start at 0 Volts end at 6 Volts at 0 2 Volts Second a E FRA Test el
99. and electrodes ccscccccsssecccseeececseneeecsanseecsanssessanasess 6 6 Figure 6 5 Liquid sample and electrodes ccsssccsnsescnsnesensnerenenerenevesansvesananees 6 7 FIQUIC 6 6 Lig id sample ele EE 6 8 PIQGUIC G27 CIV OSTA E 6 10 xil 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 1 1 SYSTEM OVERVIEW The ModuLab MTS Materials Test System is a highly versatile test system for measuring the characteristics of materials A number of modules are combined into a single chassis avoiding the need for stacking and wiring separate units The modules are arranged in groups known as instrument groups each with a materials core module to enable DC measurements to be taken Other modules in the group may provide AC functionality or the measurement of high voltages high impedances or high power applications Each instrument group in a chassis may perform a separate experiment so there can be multiple experiments running simultaneously The modules in each group communicate with each other through the chassis backplane and some of them are connected to an Ethernet hub also mounted in the chassis so that the system can be connected to an external PC running the ModuLab software for control and monitoring purposes The modules are mounted in slots in the chassis and can be removed and replaced as described in the Installation Guide so that you can design and modify the system according to your requ
100. and the tree structure 1s expanded the navigation eae m y User Preferences all a W Equipment library ER Chassis 1 Ki 2 Group 1 169 254 254 11 vo SQ 8 Group 2 169 254 254 17 The structure is as follows e User Preferences This enables you to give general information about the whole system including units messages graphics and country specific features Ce User Preferences Section 4 1 e Equipment library This item displays a summary of the equipment and there is a Structure of sub items as follows 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 5 ModuLab MTS Control Features ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 2 6 e At the first level there is the chassis or multiple chasses in an expanded system e At the second level under the chassis there are the instrument groups each with a materials core module and optional modules as required Some of the optional modules are specified in the Instrument Group Setup while others are detected automatically by the system Ce Instrument Group Setup Section 4 2 3 Ce Equipment library Section 4 2 210060138_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features 2 1 2 Project When the Project tab is selected and the tree structure 1s expanded the navigation panel is as follows using a different project in this case instead of Getting Started with a wider EE of panes a MAT Test a k setup JA 1 Linear sweep
101. aph types General Graph 1 Voltage Waveforms DC Graph 1 Impedance AC C V Mott Schottky Graphi The fields are in groups as follows Table Positions with Graphs This group of fields defines the default position of tabulated data if required alongside the graphs when the results of an experiment are produced The fields are DC Graphs The default position of tabulated data produced from DC experiments 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference System Impedance Graphs The default position of tabulated data produced from Impedance experiments In each case for DC and Impedance experiments the options are None Right Bottom Default Graph Types In this group of fields each row represents a table header but you can click the rows to expand the tables and display the step types as follows Default graph types General Graph i Graph 2 Open Circuit V vs Time Voltage Waveforms DC Constant Leva Linear Sweep I V Characterisation Triangular Sweep I V Characterisation Sweep Pulse Differential Pulse Square Wave Staircase Linear Sweep Staircase Triangular Sweep Pulse Impedance AC C V Mott Schottky Constant level Bode 7 0 WNone Linear Sweep 7 Ovs V None Triangular Sweep Z vs V None Staircase Linear Sweep 7 Ovs V None Staircase Triangular Sweep Z Gvs V None There is one row for each step type containing drop down l
102. are Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 1 1 Create New Project A new project can be created by selecting New Project from the File menu This will display a dialogue box in which you can specify a project name and various other features of the project In its expanded state with the More button selected the dialogue box 1s as follows Name Project Comment Location CiiMy Data ModuLab Browse ra Create experiment too Less Cancel Create Project The fields are Name The project name that will appear in the navigation panel when the new project is created Comment A comment about the project More Less This is a toggle button to expand and contract the dialogue box The following additional fields appear in the expanded state Location The folder in the filing system where the project is to be stored It defaults to C My Data ModuLab Browse Browse the filing system to find a suitable location for the project The selected folder will appear in the Location field Create experiment too If this box is checked an experiment will be created with the project Cancel Close this dialogue box without creating a project 5 2 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Create Project Complete the creation of the project so that it appears in the left hand navigation panel If a project is already op
103. ars which is updated with measurements when an experiment is running and provides access to Start Stop and Pause Continue etc This is a toggle button so that it shows or hides the status grid Ce Status Grid Section 2 6 Ce This button is equivalent to Show Status Grid in the Experiment Menu Section 2 4 4 210060138_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features Run KE Display the Start Experiment screen associated with an experiment structure when an item within the structure is selected If the Start Experiment screen is already on display the experiment will run same as pressing the Run button within the screen Ce This button is equivalent to Run in the Experiment menu Section 2 4 4 Stop All E Stop all experiments from running Ce This button is equivalent to Stop All in the Experiment menu Section 2 4 4 STATUS GRID If Show Status Grid is selected from the Experiment menu a panel appears at the bottom of the right hand window showing the status of the modules as follows Instrument Chassis step Measurements Control Chassis 1 1 Linear sweep E ii F Module information There is one row of status information for each instrument group that has been installed in the system and has been tested using the Test button in the Instrument Group Setup S Instrument Group Setup Section 4 2 3 This example shows the status of a single group while an
104. ary to start a new step every time switching of the external device is required The control outputs are available from D type connectors on the rear panel On an 8 slot chassis there are two connectors representing slots 1 4 and 5 8 and the three control outputs for each slot are available from the appropriate pins On a 4 slot chassis there is just a single connector See the Installation Guide for details of how to connect external devices to the ModuLab system 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 48 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 7 6 Graph Setup This sub screen in the Step Setup screen specifies the graphical layout of data generated by the step d Graph Setup E Override settings from User Preferences The fields are Override settings from User Preferences If this box is checked the values specified in this screen will be used for graphs generated by the step Otherwise the graphs will conform to the defaults for the step type defined in the Graph Preferences sub screen in the User Preferences Ce Graph Preferences Section 4 1 3 Graph 1 Graph 2 These two fields represent the two graphs that appear in the data screen when the experiment 1s run and results are obtained Ce Data Section 5 10 When a selection is made from these fields a number of other fields appear representing the conf
105. as theequivalent DC test abovebut with impedance measurementperformed at regular intervals during the sweep Staircase Linear Sweep 1 Same as the equivalentDC test above but withimpedance measurement performed on each tread of the staircase during the sweep Staircase Triangular Sweep Same as the equivalentDC test above but withimpedance measurement performed on each tread of the staircase during the sweep CS Adda New Step Section 5 6 1 In these step types the voltage from the generator follows a specified DC waveform and an alternating voltage 1s superimposed on it to provide impedance measurements The step types are as follows E VA NOTE Constant Level Impedance The DC voltage 1s held at a constant value Ce Section 5 8 4 5 Linear Sweep Impedance The DC voltage follows a linear variation between two limits Ce Section 5 8 4 6 Triangular Sweep Impedance The DC voltage follows a cyclic linear scan between two limits Ce Section 5 8 4 7 Staircase Linear Sweep Impedance The DC voltage follows a step function Ce Section 5 8 4 8 Staircase Triangular Sweep Impedance The DC voltage follows a step function which periodically reverses Ce Section 5 8 4 9 left hand navigation panel 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide The complete step names including the word Impedance are in the ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide So
106. ated numeric field and drop down list box LOOP A loop defines a set of measurements to be taken repeatedly and may contain additional loops nested at multiple levels Measurements are taken by including steps within the loops Adding a Loop In the navigation panel a loop can be added under an experiment Setup or another loop as follows 1 Right click on the experiment Setup or loop to display the drop down menu Move the cursor to Add New then select Loop The new loop appears under the experiment Setup or loop prefixed by a number for example 1 Loop 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 19 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 9 4 2 5 20 The number is incremented by 1 for each successive loop at the same level However loops and steps belong to the same sequential numbering system so that if there is already a step at the same level and you add a loop it will be given the next number for example 1 Step 2 Loop 2 Add some more loops or steps under the loop You can add as many nested loops as you like but there has to be some steps within the structure otherwise the loop doesn t do anything NOTE Decisions can also be included in the structure of loops and steps Ce Decision Section 5 5 Loop Setup When you click on a loop in the navigation panel the Loop Type and corresponding Loop Setup are displayed as follows Repeat experiment steps a number of times Sca
107. ated properties Rs Solution resistance Rp Polarisation resistance C Capacitance Ce Circle method Section 5 12 2 5 106 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project These properties are used in the equivalent circuit in the following Fitting Options screen a 4 OI 7 z D e Fitting Options S T Simulates or Fits a Circuit to Impedance data Use 2 cursors to identify a region to fit Fitting results a Run Options Print Help BS om Ab oo ek EF EE EE e E E Impedance Circuit c Fitting Type Error Positive Positive Positive The fields are Method Defines the type of plot in this case Equivalent Circuit Run This button performs the calculation and displays the results as a set of values in the Fitting Results box Ce Section 5 12 4 5 Running the Equivalent Circuit Calculations 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 107 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 108 Fitting Results Reserved for future use Not used for the Equivalent Circuit method m this release Buttons The two rows of buttons above the drawing space are as follows New Clear the drawing space ready for building a new circuit Adjust Moves the whole circuit together with the title to the top left of the drawing space Load Load a previously saved circuit Save Save the current circuit under a specified filename wit
108. aterials Test System User Guide 5 8 4 11 5 62 Sweep Pulse In this step type the sample follows a waveform with a series of pulses of varying voltage so that each pulse differs from the previous one by a specified step Ru voltage 5 5 Start voltage Base voltage Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse S a j 5 n 1 n The corresponding Scan Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup is as follows 4 can Setup Step Pulse period J Pulse width 0 05 er Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following step type uses this sub screen Step Type Category Sweep Pulse Voltage Waveforms DC Voltages in this sub screen are specified relative to an appropriate base value Ce Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project The fields are Base level The voltage during the interval between pulses Start level The voltage of the first pulse End level The terminating voltage so that the scan ends after a pulse has exceeded this value Step The voltage of each successive pulse relative to the previous pulse Pulse period The time period between successive pulses This is made up of the interval between pulses when the voltage is at the base value followed by the pulse width Pulse width The duration of each pulse excluding the interval between pulses 210
109. ates some of the commonly used commands available from the menu bar as follows Add New Add a new item under the currently selected item in the navigation panel The drop down menu at the right of the button gives a list of available additions If there are no additions the button and menu are greyed out Ce This button is equivalent to Add New in the File Menu Section 2 4 1 The icon used for this button depends on what can be added When you click the icon the corresponding item is added otherwise you can click the drop down menu to add alternative items The icons are as follows a The folder icon appears in circumstances where a folder can be added e The step selection icon appears when a step can be added to an experiment setup loop or decision option The option icon appears when an option can be added to a g decision CR The chassis icon appears when a chassis can be added to the equipment library K The instrument group icon appears when an instrument group can be added to a chassis Open Project J Opens a project that has previously been created A filing system dialogue box appears with the ModuLab folder selected and you can expand the folder and select the project to be opened then click OK Ce This button is equivalent to Open Project in the File Menu Section 2 4 1 Save Save the project so that it becomes updated with the currently selected experiment Ce This button is equivalent to
110. ation Section 5 7 3 A decision can be added to an experiment using the drop down menus associated with the items in the usual way The rules for creating decision structures are as follows e lt A decision can be added under an experiment Setup a loop or an existing decision option if there 1s one e A decision has to be preceded by at least one step somewhere in the experiment structure so that there are measurements on which the decision can be based e Decisions can be nested up to eight levels e There has to be at least one step within the structure under each option otherwise it doesn t do anything 0 22 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 5 1 Decision Option Conditions When you click on a decision option element in the navigation panel the Option Conditions screen is displayed as follows Option Conditions This screen specifies a single test to be performed according to the entries you make in the fields and you can add more tests using the AND OR buttons The fields and buttons in this screen are described in detail under Step Termination which has similar functionality CS Step Termination Section 5 7 3 21006013 AA 04 02 10 D 23 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 6 5 24 STEP A step defines an excitation signal to be applied to the sample in terms of a voltage or
111. ation 1 1 Constant level Impedance 1 i 100000 Bk 2 Iteration 2 1 Constant level Impedance 2 1e2 1e3 Frequency Hz An enlarged view of the Data Selection panel is as follows 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 7 9 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 80 Data Selection Data Files dance Test Impedance Test data ata file steps Group 1 Constant level Impedance Loop Iteration 1 Constant level Impedance 1 Iteration 2 Data sets Impedance Test Constant level Impedance This example shows what the sub screen might look like after running an experiment just once and selecting a step called Constant Level Impedance within a data folder called Impedance Test The pathname of a data file called Impedance Test data appears in the upper panel and a series of steps appears in the middle panel under the group name Group 1 The first step is Constant Level Impedance then there 1s a loop with two iterations each containing a step called Constant Level Impedance followed by the iteration number The lower panel displays the step that has been selected from the left hand navigation panel in this case the one outside of the loop and this 1s the step that appears in the graphic display The fields are as follows Data Files This window displays a list of data files generated by experiments Initially there is just one file corresponding to the results of this exper
112. b screen Step Type Category Staircase Linear Sweep Voltage Waveforms DC Staircase Linear Sweep Impedance Voltage Controlled Impedance Voltages in this sub screen are specified relative to an appropriate base value C Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 57 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide The fields are Start level The voltage at which the scan begins End level The voltage at which the scan ends Scan rate The constant rate of change of voltage between the start and end level defining the linear scan on which the staircase 1s superimposed Step The voltage level of each step that is superimposed on the linear scan 5 8 4 9 Staircase Triangular Sweep In these step types the sample follows a waveform with a voltage that varies according to a cyclic step function Voltage Staircase Triangular Sweep 2 Vertex voltage Start voltage End voltage 1 Vertex voltage 5 58 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project The corresponding Scan Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup is as follows Fi a can Setup Start level d 2nd vertex level 7 ist vertex level End level i Scan rate 100 Step 20 mY No of cycles 3 Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following step types use this sub screen Step Type Category Staircase Triangular Sweep
113. be used The field may be as follows Not fitted MHV 100 Bypass High Voltage The High Voltage module is fitted with a bypass circuit so that if this box is checked the signal passes through the module unchanged This box can be checked only if a High Voltage module is available and is used in the experiment otherwise it is greyed out The High Voltage option field must indicate a model and the Instrument configuration field must include a High Voltage module for example Mat HV Ground The type of grounding to be used The options are Internal The ModuLab system is internally grounded with the LO point connected to ground through an internal switch no cable required This option should only be used if the sample is not grounded External The ModuLab system is externally grounded through the sample LO floating This option should only be used if the sample is grounded NOTE The LO point is a common reference voltage for modules within a group Ce Installation Guide 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 9 3 3 ral Sample Setup The Sample Setup sub screen in the experiment setup screen specifies the sample configuration for the experiment as follows F Sample Setup Electrode Diameter 11 283 Electrode Area 1 Thickness Sample and Ref Ref Capacitance Ref Conductance The fields are Electrode Diameter The d
114. be added from the Data file steps window This button removes the selected step from the Data sets window 5 10 4 Trace Setup This sub screen in the data screen enables you to define the appearance of the graphs in terms of line types colours and symbols Trace Setup Style PS Colours Colour Y Advanced trace setup Le The fields are as follows Style This list box displays lines or symbols on the graph as follows Auto Automatically choose to display data as lines or symbols on the graph depending on the number of measurement points Lines Display data as lines on the graph Symbols Display data as symbols on the graph There will be one symbol for each measurement taken Both Display data as both lines and symbols Colours This list box specifies how colours are to be displayed on the graph as follows Colour Change all traces to their default colours Black Change all traces to black 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 81 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 82 Advanced Trace Setup When this list box is clicked a popup window appears as follows Trace Data set Anus Colour Style Width Symbol Size Legend D 1 Constant level Impedance Graphi Y1 e el leed Mm Lel Pl 1 Constant level Impedance 2 1 1 Constant level Impedance Graphi Y2 l ief Lel S 1 Constant level Impedance 2 1 Constant level Impedance Graph2 Y1 Le El Els 1 Co
115. but other files can be added Here 1s an example which uses data from the Getting Started project where the MAT Test has been performed three times and the FRA Test has been performed once To follow this example you need to have performed the MAT Test and one of the Additional Tests at least once 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 123 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide To create the report 1 Open the Getting Started project and expand the experiment structures in the left hand navigation panel for the MAT Test and one of the additional tests in this case the FRA Test and click on the data folder for the MAT Test so that the screen is as follows d E AB Getting Started a MAT Test aa i e ka MAT Test 3 e 8 MAT Test 2 ee 1 Linear sweep Ei BH Additional Tests a Es FRA Test o om Setup 1 Constant level Impedance d FRA Test 1 Constant level Impedance HV Module Test Trace Setup ROS PSO TRIE Re I oe PO EA I TTT TOM RE EET BM RPT oO 1 Data Selection Femto Ammeter Test Advanced Options 15 MRef Test Time s al afr f Booster Module Test Voltage Instrument Chassis i Measurements Control a E Module information 3 e e e e e ER d i E IERS KEE E ROSY oder ics EA CSN PALES 2 Click the Save button in the Graph sub screen to save the contents of the MAT Test data folder as a graph file which will appear at the bottom of t
116. called Graph and Graph 2 The following screen defines the Graph Setup for a step and includes an option to use the settings from the User Preferences ape Graph Setup E Override settings from User Preferences Graph 1 None l l a D Graph 2 None OS Kai Ce Graph Setup Section 5 7 6 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 85 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide When an entry is selected in the Graph 1 and Graph 2 fields the display is expanded with additional fields to define the axes as follows Graph Setup Override settings from User Preferences Graph 1 x Voltage Yi Curent Density Graph Vvs Time A Voltage re j g When an experiment has been run and results are generated the Axes sub screen is available so that you can change the displays Graph live Y x Voltage Yi Curent Density Y2 M Graph 2 V vs Time Voltage Current Density Le The Axes sub screen is the same as the Graph Setup sub screen except for the following e It doesn t have the Override settings from User Preferences check box because the option to override these settings has already been decided m the Graph Setup e Ithas a Table field to display tabulated data e It has a Refresh button to redisplay the graphs and tabulated data after changing the fields The complete set of fields in the Graph Setup and Axes sub screens is as follows Override settings from User Preferences If thi
117. can add new ones if required The display associated with the Chassis is as follows ber ATEA ESO De General Settings Name Chassis 1 e 9 2 Group 1 169 254 254 11 Comments Sp bo b 8 Group 2 169 254 254 17 et BO os SEELEN Chassis Display Display IP address 169 i254 _ i254 li Test Display Use default address Advanced eee an y H 4 A Va d Se dl Za Si E Al NW Ve Si br a a 5i ji Fai i H x Ze fei HA on Es o mal J cs So ft al d S Zeil To change the display s IP address enter the newaddress and click Change EEN en nen SE New IF address ZK EE Ke KEE E GE New Subnet Mack EY New Gateway address Tyee ee ee A We SEVEN EN Seele Ke AS enen ie den WEE EEN 21006013_AA 04 02 10 4 9 Software Reference System ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 4 10 The right hand window is divided into sub screens each with their respective fields as follows General Settings Name A name for the chassis in case there is more than one of them The default name is Chassis but if there is more than one of them they will each need to be given unique names Comments A free format text field in which you can type a description of the chassis Chassis Display Display IP address The IP address of the chassis display panel The correct address correspon
118. ck on the drawing space above the resistor R2 to insert a capacitor C1 as follows bk ite bb FL Impedance Circuit e E j Ref Ri Ri Gnd G e te el te ei j We will now see how to join up the elements and the letter N will appear whenever the cursor is over a node 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 111 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 Click on the Wire toolbar button then position the cursor over the node to the right of the Ref element so that the letter N appears and click the node Then move the cursor to the right so that the letter N disappears and position it over the node to the left of the R1 element and the letter N will re appear Click on the node so that the two elements become joined up as follows N a Ab St eh ef Eh Impedance Circuit ci E Ref Ri RZ Gnd i _ et te WC CRU PS TEE j 6 Similarly click the two nodes between R1 and R2 and the two nodes between R2 and Gnd so that they become joined up as follows N a ae e fiche E E E Impedance Circuit it 3 Ref R1 R2 Gnd j 7 Hold the cursor over the wire between R1 and R2 so that the letter W appears then click on the wire to create a new node and the letter W will change to N Then move the cursor vertically upwards and click in the space to the left of C1 but not on the node to create a corner Then move the cursor to the right and click on the node to the left of C1 so that the scre
119. cription of the hardware that makes up the ModuLab system and is defined by a set of items in the left hand navigation panel with the System tab selected The Equipment library item is at the top of the hierarchy and underneath it there are other items as follows e There is a chassis item for each chassis in the system e Underneath each chassis there are instrument group items representing a core module and a number of optional modules which are specified automatically or manually as follows e The high voltage module femto ammeter and 2A booster are automatically detected by the system e The frequency response analyzer has to be specified by the user in the Instrument Group Setup Ce Instrument Group Setup Section 4 2 3 Equipment Summary The Equipment Summary is available from the Equipment library item at the top of the equipment hierarchy as follows Oe ee eR Equipmentlibray ZO User Preferences P Equipment Summary E Instrument Groups Available Instrument Group Capability Stat 8 Chassis 1 Chassis Group Name Slot s MAT FRA HV FA MRef 24 Auw sy Chassis 1 Group 1 1to7 MATIM MFRAIMHz MHV100 J J J J Not in use K 2 Group 1 169 254 254 11 Chassis 1 Group 2 8 MATIM Notinuse 9 8 Group 2 169 254 254 17 The summary consists of a tabulated list of equipment with one row for each instrument group and with columns representing the features of the group The rows can be re a
120. ct the data to be displayed 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 95 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide C Data Selection Section 5 10 3 To add a graph file from a data file and display the data 1 Click on the data item in the left hand navigation panel The data item will be selected automatically if the experiment has just been run The data screen contains the Graph sub screen as follows Ce Graph Section 5 10 1 2 Click on the Save or Save Copy buttons to add a Graph file containing all the results from the data item NOTE The Graph file displays the same sub screens as the data screen including the Graph sub screen The Save button is the same overwriting the existing Graph file but the Save Copy button creates a new Graph File in the navigation panel alongside the existing one with the filename appended by a number The Save and Save Copy buttons are both the same in the data screen overwriting the existing file 5 96 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 12 MATHEMATICAL FUNCTIONS AND CIRCUITS FITTING Graphical displays generated by ModuLab can be represented by simple mathematical functions including straight lines and circles which are fitted to the results using statistical algorithms It is also possible to construct electrical circuits representing the results To access these features of ModuLab proceed a
121. d directly under the experiment Setup regardless of the item that has been selected in the experiment Structure Ce Add New from the File menu Section 2 4 1 to add a step as a sub item within a loop New Report Add a new report folder to an experiment The report folder will be added directly under the experiment regardless of the item that has been selected in the experiment structure Ce Add New from the File menu Section 2 4 1 to add a report folder as a sub item within a general purpose folder or directly under the project Window Menu Reset Toolbar Reset the toolbar to its default configuration after changes have been applied The toolbar can be customised from the drop down menu at the right 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 17 ModuLab MTS Control Features ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 2 4 6 V IR calc This is a simple calculator that works out values of the equation V IR There are two data entry fields with white backgrounds and a result field with a yellow background as follows mg Voce CII a V H L 2 WM Type a number in any data entry field and the value in the result field will be re calculated If you click the result field 1t will turn white and another field will become the result field according to the following sequence Click V when yellow to make R the new result field Click I when yellow to make V the new result field Click R when yellow to make I the new result fie
122. der and these will be recognised from their contents as having a specific meaning in ModuLab They appear in the navigation panel as report items and when you click on them a Report Writer appears so that you can generate report files from the graph files associated with experiments Ce Reports Section 5 13 Although a report folder has the same properties in Windows as any other folder you cannot add a sub folder from within Modul ab because it would not make sense to do so There would be no point for example having a sub folder containing an experiment because the reports themselves depend on experiments that have already been performed Ce Add New in the File Menu Section 2 4 1 for details of the positions in the project structure where experiments report folders and general purpose folder items can be added EDITING THE NAVIGATION PANEL The tree structure in the navigation panel can be modified in a number of ways e New items can be added where appropriate under the currently selected item by selecting Add new from the File menu or toolbar or from the drop down menu that appears when right clicking the item The available items depend on the current position in the tree structure 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 9 ModuLab MTS Control Features ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide e Items can be cut copied pasted or deleted using the Edit menu or toolbar or the drop down menu that appears when right clicking the i
123. ding to the chassis display has to be entered to enable the PC to communicate with the display You can enter a four part number then click the Test Display button to implement it within the ModuLab software and perform a communication test Normally the default address should be used but an alternative address will be required if there is already a device on the network that uses the default address for example the display panel in another chassis Ce Installation Guide for details of how to set up IP addresses on the system Use default address If this box is checked the default address 169 254 254 1 appears in the Display IP address field and the field becomes greyed out Test Display This button implements the specified address within the ModuLab software and if communication is successful it displays a test message on the chassis display A message will also appear on the PC to the right of the button Advanced This sub screen can be used to change the IP address of the chassis front panel display and at the same time implement the new address within the ModuLab software and perform a communication test CAUTION This feature changes the address within the Modul ab hardware and you will need to make a note of the new address in case it is needed within the Chassis Display sub screen If the new address is lost you will no longer be able to communicate with the display and will have to return the chassis to Solartron for
124. e 2 11 5 124 5 128 5 130 5 131 5 133 5 134 8 2 See also report safety 111 3 30 3 32 sample connection diagram 2 9 3 5 3 7 3 8 3 13 3 26 5 7 5 8 5 12 high impedance 3 31 3 32 8 1 high power 3 33 3 34 high voltage 3 30 3 32 3 34 material 1 3 3 1 3 14 3 27 3 28 setup 5 15 5 31 5 51 save project 2 14 2 19 save all experiments 2 14 2 20 scaling 5 93 scan rate 3 12 5 37 5 52 5 55 5 57 5 59 5 61 reversal 5 57 5 60 scan setup 3 12 3 23 5 28 5 37 5 50 shortcut folder 5 136 Solartron website 7 2 Square wave 5 48 5 66 staircase linear sweep 5 48 5 58 impedance 5 49 staircase triangular sweep 5 48 5 59 impedance 5 49 start experiment 2 17 2 21 3 5 3 13 5 7 status grid 2 17 2 20 2 21 step 2 8 2 12 2 21 5 5 5 25 8 2 AC 3 21 5 29 5 35 See also impedance step category 2 8 3 10 3 22 5 25 5 26 5 46 general 5 46 voltage controlled impedance 5 48 voltage waveforms DC 5 47 cyclic 2 23 5 37 5 38 5 39 5 40 9 3 Index DC 3 10 4 5 5 35 ID 5 68 impedance 5 28 item 2 17 linear 5 38 new 2 17 3 12 3 21 3 23 5 6 5 20 5 25 5 26 setup 3 10 4 4 5 27 6 1 instrument 5 28 5 43 start 5 95 step selection icon 2 19 termination 5 28 5 41 5 69 type 2 8 3 10 3 18 3 22 4 4 4 5 5 25 5 26 5 27 5 35 5 46 5 47 5 48 5 50 8 2 width 5 40 support ModuLab 7 1 technical support 2 18 sweep pulse 5 48 5 63 system tab 2
125. e If there is more than one module type they must be arranged in the following order from left to right 1 High voltage module 2 Femto ammeter module 3 Sample and reference module 4 Booster module occupying two slots As long as these rules are observed a core module and its companion modules may occupy any slots in the chassis and if core modules are used on their own to take measurements they can be installed in adjacent slots in any order Some examples of module arrangements are shown in Figure 1 1 MFRA MAT MHV MFA MREF MBST 2A MAT s Sample O Power Power Power Power C Ref Power CH Comms Comms Comms Comms S C LE Gomm Comms S D I Error gt eG Error ge S Error Error A 1 otal N S Error Measure Gl O Measure El Gen on Measure amp Gen on gt Gen el Gen on A 120V A 120V Hi Connections Lal Ip 3 E CR Auxiliary D W n Auxiliary 0000 HFb Y Power x Overload kb amp Over Temperature D Gen on SD Sample Connections Sample Connections Lo Connections Sample D Ip 3 Sample Connections D e600 o Sample Connections l MAT Connections Lo O OE Group 1 Group 2 i Figure 1 1 Example of instrument groups In this example the modules are arranged from left to right as follows e Group 1 A frequency response analyzer alongside a core module followed b
126. e Module IP address field where n is the slot number plus 10 and the field becomes greyed out Test This button implements the specified Core Module IP address within the Modul ab software and if communication is successful it displays a test message on the chassis display A message will also appear on the PC in the display panel at the right of the sub screen 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference System Instrument Web Page This hyperlink communicates with the core module and displays information about it as a web page This includes the IP address of the card in case it needs to be changed CAUTION Ifyou change the address of the core module hardware you will need to make a note of the new address in case it is needed within the ModuLab software The address remains on the card when it is moved from one chassis to another and 1f the address 1s lost you will no longer be able to communicate with the core module and will have to return it to Solartron for testing FRA Present If an FRA is fitted this box needs to be checked to indicate its existence then the system can identify the model and access its features and the model will appear in the Equipment Summary There is currently only one model MFRA IMHz Ce Equipment Summary Section 4 2 1 FRA IP address The IP address of the FRA The correct address corresponding to the FRA has to be entered to enable the P
127. e the Close Project dialogue box will appear so that you can save the changes All structures will then disappear from the navigation panel regardless of whether the System or Project tab is selected The Close Project dialogue box appears in all circumstances where a project needs to be closed and changes to the project have been made This includes closing a project yourself creating a new project or opening an existing project when a project is already open or exiting the ModuLab application 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 3 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide The dialogue box is as follows See ee eee nes ee BEE eee ee eee RE EE RE EE REEL REELLE RE EELER EE REELLE eee ee ee EE eee ee These experiments will be stopped Save changes tothe following items Example Project MAT Test Setup W Example Project New Folder New Experiment Setup The fields and controls are as follows These experiments will be stopped This panel contains a list of all experiments that are currently running All experiments will be stopped when the project closes because they depend on the project for their setup and collection of data Normally you wouldn t want to close a project while an experiment is running so this serves as a warning that you should click the Cancel button Save changes to the following items This panel contains a list of items in the project where changes have been made since
128. e Le vi Current Density Aer Le Le Y2 None A For each of these fields that displays a variable other than None two additional fields appear to the right a list box of units and a drop down box for configuration of the axis with labels limits tick marks etc Each axis defaults to an appropriate setting for the graph type that has been selected in Graph 1 or Graph 2 but they can be changed by selecting the following options None Time Voltage Current Density Charge Density Power Density Resistance Frequency Impedance Admittance AC Capacitance Permittivity Rel Permittivity Modulus Rel Modulus AC Voltage AC Current The Y2 axis defaults to None for graph types that involve two axes but it defaults to an appropriate variable for graph types that require three axes for example Current Density if the graph type is V I vs Time X Y1 Y2 units This field appears to the right of any axis field X Y1 or Y2 that has not been set to None It has a drop down list box of units which depend on the variable being displayed by the axis For example if the axis represents time the available units are ms S Minute Hour Day 21006013_AA 04 02 10 0 89 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 11 1 1 5 90 X Y1 Y2 details This drop down box appears to the right of the units field for any axis field X Y1 or Y2 that has not been set to None It displays a det
129. e following variables Voltage Impedance Admittance AC Voltage AC Current 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 93 Software Reference Project Current Curent wi Forward Reverse Diferential ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide This group of fields exists only for an axis representing current density and has the following check boxes Forward I Reverse I Differential Time vs Time vs wi Experiment Loop Start Step Start The current density in the forward direction This will be at the top of a pulse or step for differential pulse or square wave The current density at the bottom of a pulse or step for differential pulse or square wave This check box has no meaning for other step types because there is no reverse data The difference in current density between the top and bottom of a pulse or step for differential pulse or square wave This check box has no meaning for other step types because there is no reverse data This group of fields appears only for a time axis and represents the offset of the zero value on the axis which can be one of the following selected from a check box Experiment Loop Start Step Start 5 94 The time axis has the zero value at the beginning of the experiment The time axis has the zero value at the beginning of the current iteration round a loop The time axis has the zero value at the beginning of the current step or cycle 21006013_AA 04 02 10
130. e following typical applications e Development of advanced polymer materials e Pharmaceutical applications including drug delivery and freeze drying e Semiconductor materials e Composite materials and coatings e Display materials e Aerospace materials Figure 6 7 Cryostat The cryostat has the following features e Solid and liquid sample holders are included for testing a wide range of materials including solids gels oils powders pastes etc e The sample holders use guard ring techniques to reject fringing effects at the edge of the sample e High and low impedance materials samples can be accurately tested using two or four terminal sample connections 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Appendix Ce The connection type is identified in the Modul ab MTS software in the Instrument Experiment Setup e Fast and accurate temperature settling using a dual channel temperature controller There are two heaters one to achieve the required temperature quickly and the other to maintain accurate temperature control e The system operates with continuous flow of cryogen via a transfer line from the dewar e The cryostat operates with either liquid nitrogen or liquid helium which must be selected at the beginning of the experiment and there is no mixing of cryogens 21006013_AA 04 02 10 6 11 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 7 ModuLab MTS Support 7 1 RA
131. e grounded externally LO floating Ce The LO point is a common reference voltage for modules within an instrument group For details see the Installation Guide 3 26 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 3 3 1 Example General Materials Testing This configuration is used for general purpose tests on a wide range of materials The materials core module is used to control the DC conditions on the sample and a frequency response analyzer may be added if impedance measurements are required This configuration is suited to testing samples that do not require extremely high or low voltage current measurements Samples can be tested over a ENN range with current levels up to 100mA which is sufficient for many types of materials To set up an experiment with this configuration 1 Run the ModuLab software and set up an experiment Ce Set up the Experiment Section 3 2 2 In the Hardware Requirements sub screen make the following selections from the list boxes Instrument configuration Mat only A connection diagram will appear as shown in Figure 3 1 Auxiliary Sample Conmections Figure 3 1 General materials testing 2 Review the values in the experiment setup and change them if necessary so that they are compatible with the characteristics of the material Ce Experiment Setup Section 5 3 3 Add some steps and loops or change the existing s
132. e module is used with a materials core module a high voltage module and an FRA To access this configuration and display the connection diagram select the following entries from the Hardware Requirements sub screen Section 5 3 2 Sample amp Reference Mat HV 1 Sample e C O ro z eug A 120v Hi Connections Sample Comiectians Sample Comnections Lo Connections Figure 3 8 High voltage system with internal referencing Ce In this configuration the Sample and Reference module has been added to High Voltage Materials Testing Section 3 3 2 2 Ce The alternative connection diagram for external referencing 1s available by selecting User Reference in the Sample and Ref field in the Sample Setup Section 5 3 3 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 3 3 3 3 High Impedance Testing with Reference Capacitance This configuration is used for impedance testing of materials that pass very low currents in circumstances where compensation is required for cable capacitance A Sample and Reference module is used with a materials core module a femto ammeter and an FRA To access this configuration and display the connection diagram select the following entries from the Hardware Requirements sub screen Section 5 3 2 Experiment Type Sample amp Reference Instrument configuration Mat Femto Ammeter A connection diagram will appear as shown
133. e than one core module 3 18 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 3 2 5 Display Graphs and Tables In this example so far we have displayed a single graph on each screen of results However you can change the axes to display different data or you can display a second graph or a tabulated list of data Here is an example of how to change the display by editing the Axes sub screen 1 Make sure the step in this case Linear Sweep is selected in the data file structure in the navigation panel to display the results for the step 2 In the Axes sub screen select Charge Density in the Y1 list box 3 In the Graph 2 list box select V vs Time The sub screen will expand to show the axis fields for the second graph but you can leave them at their default values dee Ce Axes Section 5 10 2 2 me E thom d 21006013_AA 04 02 10 3 19 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 Click the Refresh button if required to re display the data This will only be needed if an amber warning icon appears alongside the button The display is automatically refreshed when the Table field is changed and the screen will be as follows S op My Project ei E Experiment 1 o H Setup i JA 1 Linear sweep i A Experiment 1 Graph 1 Lu ob wi P g SS Charge Density C cm N p Ki X
134. e the components of the fixed electrode assemblies for solid samples electrode insulation and guard ring Any attempt to do so will adversely affect measurement accuracy and will render the warranty invalid 6 3 4 Measuring Solid Samples To measure the electrical properties of solid samples proceed as follows 1 Make sure the correct fixed electrode is fitted according to the sample size Ce Section 6 3 3 2 Remove the sample if it is currently held between the electrodes 3 Turn the micrometer so that the electrodes move into contact with each other 4 Press the Zero Abs button to zero the micrometer display 21006013 AA 04 02 10 6 7 Appendix 6 3 5 6 8 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Toggle the in mm button to set the display to the required units Turn the micrometer and place the sample between the electrodes and adjust it so that the sample is held gently but firmly Note the reading on the micrometer display Set up the experiment in ModuLab MTS and enter the sample thickness and electrode area in the Sample Setup The area is based on the diameter of the fixed Lo electrode without the insulation and guard rail Ce Section 5 3 3 Sample Setup Run the experiment and take measurements using the ModuLab MTS software Measuring Liquid Samples To measure the electrical properties of liquid samples with the liquid sample electrode fitted proceed as follows l M
135. edance Triangular Sweep Triangular Waveform Impedance Linear Sweep Impedance All DC step types except Constant Triangular Waveform Impedance Level Per pulse Sweep Pulse Sweep Pulse Differential Pulse Differential Pulse Square Wave Square Wave Pulse Pulse Per step Staircase Linear Sweep Staircase Linear Sweep Staircase Triangular Sweep Staircase Triangular Sweep Staircase Linear Sweep Staircase Linear Sweep Impedance Impedance Staircase Triangular Waveform Staircase Triangular Waveform Impedance Impedance NOTE The Time Domain Measurement Setup sub screen specifies Measurement mode options for both AC and DC steps This is because impedance measurements are taken by superimposing a frequency on a DC scan Ce Impedance Setup Section 5 7 1 5 34 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project The screens for each of these options are as follows e Measurement mode Periodic Integration period 0 1 WS Measurementrate 1 Samples per second Cycle selection All First Last Every 10 This screen defines how periodic measurements are taken at specified intervals The fields are Integration period The integration period for noise reduction purposes A short period displays a detailed response to the waveform but it may be affected by noise A longer period gives less detail but filters out noise The integration period can be specified in the followi
136. eds this value Step The voltage of each successive step relative to the previous one Pulse amplitude The amplitude of the squarewave above and below the step Pulse Frequency The frequency of the squarewave consisting of the upper and lower sections superimposed on its corresponding step 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 8 4 14 Run External Program This step type runs an external program while at the same time maintaining the sample in a controlled condition which may be open circuit or constant voltage This would be useful for example when running a multiplexer or temperature controller to prepare the sample for the next step to begin This step type is available in the General category in the Scan Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup 1s as follows Pd a can Setup Program to run Parameter Wi While running Open Circuit Open Circuit 0 0 Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The fields are Program to run The full pathname of the program to be run or the file to be opened causing a program to run while this step is running Find Use this button to navigate the filing system to find the program or file Parameter Any command line parameters that need to be appended to the program or filename Special This button adds the following characters to the Parameter field which have a special meaning in Modul ab
137. eforms DC Voltage Controlled Impedance AC C V Mott Schottky The step types are listed under their appropriate category when a new step is added You can select a step type from the list and an appropriate screen will appear and then you can specify the detailed configuration Steps can exist directly under an experiment Setup or they can be within loops to take repeated measurements or under decision options Ce Step Section 5 6 e Decision This item contains options to be evaluated so that steps can be carried out e Option This item under a decision evaluates a condition and carries out steps depending on the result Data This is generated by running experiments and obtaining results which are displayed as tabulated lists and graphs If the experiment contains loops and sub loops the data will be generated at multiple levels in the tree structure A data filename is specified when the experiment is run although it defaults to the experiment name Graph This is a graphic display feature that can access the data generated by experiments and display it with the appropriate axes and make it accessible to reports This feature can be added to a project independently of any experiments and then the data from different experiments can be imported for display and comparison Alternatively it can be created from a data item after running an experiment and will access all the results of the experiment by default C
138. el at the entry to the pulse Pulse period The time period between successive pulses This is made up of the interval between pulses when the voltage 1s at the entry level followed by the pulse width Pulse width The duration of each pulse excluding the interval between pulses 5 8 4 13 Square Wave In this step type the sample follows a waveform with a voltage that varies according to a step function but a square wave is superimposed on each step Voltage Square Wave Tread Potential End voltage Pulse 1 frequency se d ef Pulse Amplitude Start e Se d ke c lr voltage Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse 1 2 3 4 5 n 1 n 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 65 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 66 The corresponding Scan Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup is as follows a S2CDD Setup Start level Absolute e Step Pulse amplitude Pulse frequency Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following step type uses this sub screen Step Type Category Voltage Waveforms DC Voltages in this sub screen are specified relative to an appropriate base value CS Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 The fields are Start level The starting voltage of the step function before the squarewave has been added End level The terminating voltage so that the scan ends after a squarewave has occurred on a step that exce
139. elds are as follows Pseudo log This radio button selects a list of harmonics which is approximately logarithmic over three decades from 1 to 1000 All This radio button selects the complete set of harmonics from 1 to 1024 Custom This radio button enables you to create your own harmonics by editing the list Text box This text box displays the list of harmonics associated with the selected radio button The number 1 is the fundamental frequency and all the others are multiples of the fundamental frequency Measure non stimulated harmonics When this box is checked the system measures all harmonics generated from the sample regardless of whether or not they belong to the specified list of harmonic frequencies 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 33 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 7 2 Time Domain Measurement Setup This sub screen in the Step Setup screen specifies how DC measurements are to be taken during an experiment The available fields depend on the selection from the first field as follows Measurement mode This field specifies whether measurements are to be taken on a regular basis or when there are changes to the sample excitation The options according to the step types are Option Available for step types _ Default for step types Periodic All step types Open Circuit Constant Level Constant Level Impedance V change Open Circuit Linear Sweep Linear Sweep Imp
140. elds will be greyed out but will display appropriate values If a value is specified in this field the Total Points field will be recalculated giving the points required between the Start and End values Total Points The number of values to be applied between the Start and End values If this radio button is selected the Step and Points decade fields will be greyed out but will display appropriate values If a value is specified in this field the Step field will be recalculated giving the change of DC bias between successive cycles Repeat for each DC bias level This radio button enables the list of DC bias levels underneath it to be directly edited in case specific values are required Otherwise the list is greyed out and contains the values calculated from the fields on the left New values can be typed or pasted in separated by any of the following delimiters Tab Space New line Semi colon Comma unless it 1s used as the decimal separator character When the screen is re displayed the delimiters will be converted to line breaks so that each value appears on a new line 5 74 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 9 2 1 Scan Setup for DC Bias Scanning Loop A constant level DC or impedance step under a DC bias scanning loop can be optionally configured to take its DC level from the loop as follows 1 Click on the step in the left hand naviga
141. en containing items that have changed the Close Project dialogue box will appear so that you can specify the items that need to be saved then the new project will appear Ce Opening and Closing Projects Section 5 1 2 Ce Example of how to create a new project and develop an experiment Chapter 3 5 1 2 Opening and Closing Projects Projects can be opened and closed as follows To open a project that has previously been created select Open Project from the File menu A filing system dialogue box appears with the ModuLab folder selected and you can expand the folder and select the project to be opened then click OK If a project is already open and changes have been made the Close Project dialogue box will appear so that you can save the changes Then the new project will appear in the navigation panel with the Project tab selected in place of any currently open project To re open a recently opened project hold the cursor over Recent Projects in the File menu to display a recent project list then select the required project If a project is already open and changes have been made the Close Project dialogue box will appear so that you can save the changes Then the new project will appear A project will remain in the recent project list until the whole list 1s cleared using Clear List which appears at the bottom of the list To close a project select Close Project from the File menu If changes to the project have been mad
142. en becomes as follows N a ae e feel E E E Impedance Circuit j 8 Similarly click on the node to the right of C1 then move the cursor to the right and click to create a corner Then move the cursor down to the wire 5 112 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project between R2 and Gnd so that the letter W appears then click to create a new node and the screen will be as follows N a ae St ah eh Eh Impedance Circuit ci LS d II F NOTE The small dot to the left of Gnd is part of the element and it s already joined to a wire so you can t click on it You need to click on the wire 9 Finally the labels need to be changed to represent the required component names Click on the Selection toolbar button then right click on R1 and select Rename from the drop down menu The element will turn red and the cursor will jump to the label in the element table as follows ee Ae erie eh feels Ah E A4 Impedance Circuit ci E Element Value Unit Fitting Type Error Ri 1 Ohm Positive 0 R2 i Ohm Positive q C1 1 uF Positive 0 10 Overtype the label in the element table with the appropriate name for example Rs then click on the drawing space to complete the edit The new name will appear over the resistor and the element will turn black Similarly change the other element names so that R2 becomes Rp and C1 becomes C If you like after overtypin
143. er supply which may be 50 Hz 60 Hz This is used in the Time Domain Measurement Setup where an integration period can be specified in units of mains cycles Ce Time Domain Measurement Setup Section 5 7 2 21006013_AA 04 02 10 4 3 Software Reference System ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 4 1 2 4 4 Messages This sub screen in the User Preferences screen contains boxes which you can check to select messages to be displayed in various circumstances Messages Warn if calibration expired In the current version there is just one message Warn if calibration expired A message is displayed if the calibration of a module has passed its expiry date and needs to be returned to Solartron for recalibration Graph Preferences This sub screen in the User Preferences screen defines the default graph types for each step type and the default table positions if tables are to be displayed with the generated data The graphic defaults appear in the Graph Setup sub screen in the Step Setup where they can be changed as required and then the appropriate configuration appears in the Axes sub screen when the results are produced The default table positions are transferred directly to the Axes sub screen Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 6 CS Axes sub screen Section 5 11 1 When the User Preferences screen is first opened it appears as follows d Graph Preferences Table Positions with Graphs Default gr
144. est System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments When you run the experiment the steps will run successively first the Linear Sweep then the Constant Level Impedance When the data item appears for Constant Level Impedance you will be able to click on it and watch the graphs being drawn These will depend on the User Preferences but there will normally be a single Bode plot of impedance magnitude and phase angle against frequency as follows Bp My Project i ob i RS Experiment 1 7 Setup HA 1 Linear sweep 2 Constant level Impedance ER EA Experiment 1 2 a Group 1 Se v4 1 Linear sweep Bode Z be 2 Constant level Impedance Frequency Impedance x Impedance Graph 2 None 100000 H Bw Experiment 1 Table Data Selection 1e2 1e3 d Trace Setup Frequency Hz Zz Advanced Options z Instrument Chassis Measurements Control Chassis 1 1 962e 07 rm G 1 Pay stitched roup Slot 2 1 259Hz 1 244e 07 Q Module information Ehe a Aen e a d Se DEE EE SEELEN EEN ES EE You will be able to display other AC plots by editing the Axes sub screen Ce Display Graphs and Tables Section 3 2 5 and Axes Section 5 10 2 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 29 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 3 HARDWARE AND CONNECTION CONFIGURATIONS The hardware and connection config
145. etantaus aerea E 5 50 Bees E EE 5 51 9943 EIERE 5 51 5 8 4 4 Constant Level DC Measurement 5 52 5 8 4 5 Constant Level Immpecdance 5 52 5 8 4 6 Linear Enter 5 53 5 8 4 7 Triangular ween 5 55 21006013 AA 04 02 10 1X Contents 0 9 5 10 5 11 5 12 5 13 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 8 4 8 Staircase Linear ween 5 57 5 8 4 9 Staircase Triangular ween 5 58 DEAT NR GE 5 60 5 8 4 11 Sweep Pulse 0 nnoonnnnannenennenannosnnrornrennnrnrnnrrnnrernnrenereene 5 62 5 8 4 12 Differential PUISC tinistssievvderindnidnnsitentiadauins 5 64 5 8413 Sg are WaVE hipersaiti aa eA 5 65 5 8 4 14 Run External Program cccccscccsseecseseeceeseceeeeseeeeenees 5 67 EOQQOP NING EE 5 69 5 9 1 AC Amplitude Scanning LOOP EE 5 70 5 9 1 1 Impedance Setup for AC Amplitude Scanning Loop 5 72 5 9 2 DC Bias Scanning LOOD E 5 73 5 9 2 1 Scan Setup for DC Bias Scanning Loop 5 75 PD PA E EE 5 7 6 ELON EEEE WEE 5 77 LEE EE 5 79 510 3 Dala Selecto M EE 5 79 e hu Mace SCUD EE 5 81 OH OS Advanced OPIN EE 5 83 GRAF PRUD E 5 85 5 11 1 L y ut f Grapnic DISplayS ceon ae es 5 85 SALLIT AXIS RTE E 5 90 EE E E E E ET 5 95 MATHEMATICAL FUNCTIONS AND CIRCUITS FITTING 5 97 Oi Een WE EE 5 100 Ee EES 5 103 S2 Ae E 5 105 Eeer 5 106 512 451 Drawing a CINCUN EE 5 110 51242 Eer ue dl e EE 5 114 5 12 4 3 Specialised Circuit Elements cceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 5 116 5 12 4 4 Equiv
146. etup S Instrument Group Setup Section 4 2 3 If there is more than one instrument group the name will be appended by the slot numbers and chassis number for example Group 2 becomes Group 2 in slots 3 to 8 of Chassis 1 The default option is the first group that is found by the system that matches the requirements of the experiment based on the Experiment type and Instrument configuration These two fields respectively default to Normal and Mat only when adding a new experiment so any group could be used in the Instrument Group to use field because they all have a core module The default is therefore the first group in the chassis according to their slots and if a group is not found it defaults to Custom 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project The Custom option enables you can set up an experiment without necessarily matching it to any specific hardware For example you might have problems with the hardware or you may be changing the hardware configuration or you may be setting up an experiment for a third party system where the installed modules may be different from those in your own system The Custom option makes the experiment fully transportable between systems and if all the experiments in a project use this option 1t means the project is independent of the Equipment library Advanced If this box 1s checked the sub screen expands to display the mater
147. ftware Reference Project 5 8 4 Scan Setup When you configure a step as described in the Step Setup you have to fill in a set of sub screens which may vary according to the step type Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following sub sections describe all the variations of the Scan Setup sub screen L L Open Circuit Section 5 8 4 3 Constant Level DC Measurement Section 5 8 4 4 Constant Level Impedance Section 5 8 4 5 Linear Sweep Section 5 8 4 6 Triangular Sweep Section 5 8 4 7 Staircase Linear Sweep Section 5 8 4 8 Staircase Triangular Sweep Section 5 8 4 9 Pulse Section 5 8 4 10 Sweep Pulse Section 5 8 4 11 Differential Pulse Section 5 8 4 12 Square Wave Section 5 8 4 13 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 49 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 8 4 1 5 50 Relative Values Voltage is always defined as a difference between two values although it is normally only necessary to specify one value against an arbitrary base value for example ground Most of the Scan Setup sub screens have fields where a voltage has to be specified and an additional list box is available in case a specific base value is required For example in the screen for Constant Level Impedance a DC voltage level can be specified relative to the end of the previous step is as follows P a 2tan Setup Alongside the value and units fields there is a list box with the followi
148. g R1 you can click directly on R2 in the element table and this will complete the edit of R1 and start the edit of R2 so that R1 turns black and R2 turns red Then you can move directly to C1 and when editing is 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 1183 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide complete you can finish by clicking on the drawing space The screen will be as follows eo oe fe ee dek feels eee Ab A4 Impedance Circuit c E Element Value Unit Fitting Type Error Rs i Ohm Positive 0 Rp 1 Ohm Positive k ic 1 uF Positive 0 5 12 4 2 Circuit Editing The following actions are available when drawing and editing a circuit Move an Element All elements including the permanent elements Circuit Title Ref and Gnd can be moved to appropriate positions as follows 1 Click the Selection button then do either of the following e Click on a single element to be moved e Click on an empty drawing space and drag the cursor to select multiple elements 2 Drag the element s across the drawing space An element can be moved along a wire to which it is attached but if it is moved perpendicular to a wire the wire will move so that it remains attached to the element Any other elements attached to the wire will also move and the movement will be perpetuated throughout the diagram as far as is necessary to keep all the connections in place 5 114 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials
149. gives a brief description of how to generate a report 6 Rename the New Report folder in the navigation panel to something more suitable for example Getting Started 7 Type a suitable name in the Report Filename field in the Report Writer sub screen for example MAT Test 5 126 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Click the Generate Report button to the right of the Report Filename field to create an RTF file with the specified name in the report folder and display the contents of the report in the lower panel as follows al Eh Getting Started i Lekt Es MAT Test i Included Graphs Ei SC C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test MAT Test 2 qraph io e Eege C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test MAT Test 3 graph weg C My Data ModuLab Getting Started MAT Test MAT Test graph H Report Writer e EA MAT Test 3 ER IS MAT Test 2 i i 1 Linear sweep e MAT Test pA 1 Linear sweep Report Filename MAT Test Den MAT Test 3 Lux MAT Test 2 MAT Test created 25 January 2010 ei Getting Started GL ee Experiment Comment MAT Test MAT Test rtf oi Additional Tests d FRA Test Experiment Steps H Linear sweep Start at 0 Volts end at 6 Volts at 0 2 Volts Second 1 Constant level Impedance Connection Diagram o FRATest Won oe 1 Constant level Impedance i oo HV Module Test i Femto Ammeter Test MRef Tes
150. h specified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and currentare taken during this test pul Square Wave Applies avoltage tothe samplethat is swept fromone voltageto anotherusing avoltage staircasewith asquare wave superimposed on eachtread Measurements of voltage and current are taken during thistest Any combination ofthe abovetests may beused tocreatearbitrary waveforms that include sweeps steps constant levels and pulses 3 Click on the required step type An appropriate screen will appear so that you can specify the detailed configuration and the item name will change to the chosen step type 4 Configure the step as described in the Step Setup next section 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 25 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 7 STEP SETUP The screens for each step type are all slightly different but they have the same general layout in the Step Setup screen as follows Ki EE EE Seelen V 8 op Example Project tf i oL Experiment 1 Wh D ss D Comments rl Ak Scan Setup Start level ist vertex level seen ie e endievel 05 Jk ts gt Scan rate 100 No of cycles 3 _ Time Domain Measurement Setup Step Termination Instrument Step Setup 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 Control Outputs Time s y i Baseline Waveform i Graph Setup JW kV ae d H System Wi KR Ka WEE EE DSTeres and ERED ONY
151. h the BIN extension Run Run the calculation same as the Run button at the top of the sub screen CS Section 5 12 4 5 Running the Equivalent Circuit Calculations Options Display a dialogue box to specify how the calculation is to be performed Ce Equivalent Circuit Fitting Options Section 5 12 4 4 Print Print the circuit A print dialogue box will appear Help Display help text about this topic Toolbar The toolbar above the drawing space has the following buttons Select an element of the circuit for editing Draw a wire Insert a resistor Insert a capacitor Insert an inductor HF ww 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Ad Insert a distributed element cel Insert a constant phase element Insert a Gerisher element A Insert a Warburg open circuit element Ad Insert a Warburg short circuit element CS Specialised Circuit Elements Section 5 12 4 3 Circuit Title This element within the drawing space gives a title for the circuit A drop down menu appears when it 1s right clicked with the following options Set Font A font dialogue box appears so that you can specify a font size style and colour Rename A text box appears so that you can change the title The Circuit Title is a permanent feature of the drawing space and cannot be removed Ref This element within the drawing space represents a reference electrode Gnd This eleme
152. haracterisation to display a set of configuration screens for this step type as follows ER My Project _ Comments G Experiment 1 i E ses i e 1 Linear sweep fl kd Scan Setup Step Termination instrument Step Setup 4 6 10 Control Outputs d Time s Baseline Waveform Le Graph Setup 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 11 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide The item called New Step in the navigation panel has changed to Linear Sweep The sub screens in the central column are for configuration of the step and the two graphs on the right are for illustration and setup purposes as follows e The upper graph is a general representation of the waveform and explains the meaning of the parameters in the setup e The lower graph shows the waveform that will actually be applied to the sample and will change when the values of the parameters are modified 4 In the Scan Setup screen make sure the Start level is at its default value of 0V and set the End level to 6V and the Scan rate to 200mV s and so the screen is as follows e ocan Setup Start level 0 o Absolute MM End level 6 o Absolute MM Scan rate mV s e This will give a duration of half a minute for the scan and the time axis on the lower graph will be updated next time you click on a field or on the graph itself 5 Expand the Time Domain Measurement Setup sub screen so it appears be
153. he experiment structure 3 Ifthe MAT Test has been run more than once select the appropriate data folders for example MAT Test 2 and MAT Test 3 and in each case click the Save button in the Graph sub screen to add a graph file 4 In the structure under the Additional Tests folder select a data folder for any experiment that has been run for example FRA Test and click the Save button in the Graph sub screen to add a graph file 5 124 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project A screen showing three graph files for the MAT Test and one graph file for the FRA Test is as follows E B Getting Started D MAT Test setup S e 1 Linear sweep MAT Test 3 e 1 Linear sweep am MAT Test 2 yA 1 Linear sweep ca MAT Test 3 cw MAT Test 2 Do MAT Test Additional Tests FRA Test a 1 Constant level Impedance FRA Test F i Constant level Impedance FRA Test 1 HV Module Test a Femto Ammeter Test A MRef Test Booster Module Test 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 125 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 Right click on the experiment item for the MAT Test to display the drop down menu and click on Add New then Report A report folder called New Report will appear in the navigation panel under the graph files and the pathnames of the graph files will appear in the Report
154. he Experiment Setup where the new item is to be created Right click the Experiment Setup and select Add New gt Step from the popup menu Altematively use the File menu EEE IRS STG ID DLO OLDE EN Items in the Project tree can be moved by dragging them e 8 Holding Ctri while dragging ve Click here to switch between will make a copy instead Project Experiments Data and Reports Data can be added to a Graph System Preferences and Equipment Setup by dragging it from the tree SAE AIS Ki E Re KSE This screen has a left hand navigation panel displaying the structure of the currently open project in this case Getting Started The right hand window displays a screen corresponding to the currently selected item in the navigation panel in this case a Welcome screen which is the same for the top level item of all projects When ModuLab is started it will open a project according to the following rules e Ifthe previous session of ModuLab was closed while a project was open ModuLab will open with the same project e Ifthe previous session of ModuLab was closed without a project ModuLab will open without a project and the left hand navigation panel will be empty You will have to open a project or create a new one e Ifyou have just installed ModuLab and you are running it for the first time the Getting Started project will open by default This User Guide describes how to add a new p
155. he navigation panel and recreates the experiment that was used to generate the 2 10 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features data This is useful if you receive some data from a third party and wish to run the experiment Explorer This command opens Windows Explorer at the location in the filing system that represents the currently selected item in the navigation panel This might be useful for example it you want to copy part of the system configuration or data to another part of the filing system for backup purposes 2 3 FILENAMES AND EXTENSIONS The ModuLab project structure is based on the Windows filing system with the project as atop level folder Within this structure files with certain extensions are recognised by Modul ab and interpreted to create the structure in the navigation panel For example e Files with the INFO extension contain general information about the project e Files with the DATA extension contain data generated by experiments If a file exists within the structure that is not recognised by ModuLab or has been created by ModuLab for use with other applications it will appear in the navigation panel complete with the file extension This will include CSV files containing exported data and RTF files representing reports When one of these files is selected in the left hand navigation panel a File Information dialogue box will appear as follows
156. hod y mxtc where y 1s the vertical axis measurement of a point on the plot x is the horizontal axis measurement of a point on the plot m is the gradient c is the intercept on the y axis Data selection This list box selects the range of data through which the line is to be fitted The options are Between Cursors Fit the line to all the data between two All Points specified points on the graph Fit the line to all the data on the graph so that there is no need to specify cursors 5 101 Software Reference Project Mode ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide This list box specifies how the model is applied to the data The options are Fit Simulate Parameters Fit the mathematical model to the data and calculate a set of parameters to produce simulated results Evaluate the model from a set of parameters specified by the user which may be an approximate representation of a previous fit This table contains details of the parameters used to produce the simulated results The parameters are listed in the Name column as follows Gradient Intercept Chi2 The gradient m in the model equation y mxtc The Y intercept c in the model equation y mxtc The fit error based on the Chi test A value of zero indicates a perfect fit For each of these parameters the remaining columns are as follows Value Units Fit type Error 5 102 The value of the parameter
157. ialogue box provides a safe method of opening files that are not used by ModuLab Do not open files from the project directory using the standard Windows features unless you have already seen that files with the same extension appear in the ModuLab navigation panel Otherwise you could edit a file that is used by ModuLab and the project might become corrupt 5 134 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 14 1 Shortcut Folder In addition to referencing files the File Information dialogue box can represent a shortcut folder which points to a folder anywhere on the filing system containing a collection of files This provides a convenient method of opening files from other applications that might be relevant to ModuLab A Shortcut folder is created as follows 1 From the File Menu select Add Shortcut A shortcut folder will appear at the bottom of the navigation tree It doesn t matter which item in the tree has been selected The shortcut folder always appears at the bottom 2 Select the Shortcut folder to display the File Information screen as follows DEENEN ZE Ge EN Ze E Kee P Bee ai ZE SR ee EES So ER ae DE ee EERE Ki ModuLab MTS File E EN Experiment Window Help SE SH J Getting Started H w MAT Test lt o T Name h Additional Tests Location ae E Folder Shortcut Size Created Modified Open Folder This is the same as the Fi
158. ials core module and optional modules in the selected Instrument Group to use according to their model identifiers If an instrument group is selected from the installed hardware the fields will be greyed out and cannot be changed Otherwise if the Custom option has been selected the list boxes become available for you to select a model O If the experiment requires optional modules according to the experiment type and Instrument configuration and a core module is selected that does not have the optional modules fitted a red error icon will appear alongside the appropriate module fields The experiment will not run when there is an error The following fields appear under the check box Materials Core Module The model of the core module that is being used There is only one model as follows MAT 1MHz FRA option The option to use an FRA 1f required and the model to be used The field may be as follows Not fitted MFRA 1MHz Femto Ammeter option The option to use a femto ammeter if required There is only one model so the field may be either of the following Not fitted MFA Sample amp Ref option Not fitted MREF 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 13 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide High Current option The option to use a 2A booster The field may be as follows Not fitted MBST 2A High Voltage option The option to use a High Voltage module if required and the model to
159. iameter of the sample electrode A value specified in this field will cause the Electrode Area to be calculated and greyed out Electrode Area The area of the sample electrode used for the calculation of current density A value specified in this field will cause the Electrode Diameter to be calculated and greyed out Thickness The thickness of the sample used to calculate permittivity and modulus Sample and Ref The sample and reference module may be configured to use it s own internal reference capacitors or it can be connected to an external reference supplied by the user The options are Internal Reference The sample and reference module is configured to use it s own internal references The connection diagram will show the Ref sockets connected to the Int Ref sockets Figure 5 1 User Reference The sample and reference module is connected to an external reference supplied by the user The connection diagram will show the Ref sockets connected to the external user reference Figure 5 2 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 15 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Figure 5 1 Sample and reference Figure 5 2 Sample and reference module with internal reference module with user reference The following fields become available when User Reference is specified in the Sample and Ref field otherwise they are greyed out They specify the properties of the external user reference Ref Capacitance
160. ield specifies the name of the data file that appears in the navigation panel when the experiment is run It defaults to the experiment name and is appended by a number if the same name is used more than once OC Measure This button performs an open circuit measurement on the sample to obtain results without applying an excitation signal from the generator The results will appear in the status grid at the bottom of the screen together with a red control button so that the measurements can be stopped When the measurements are stopped the red button is replaced by an OC button so that they can be re started The open circuit measurement is a useful method of obtaining results on the performance of the sample before running an experiment Run This button runs the experiment and writes the results to the specified data file The file name appears in the navigation panel automatically highlighted and the graphs and tabulated lists of data will appear and will be updated as each new data point is collected Error and Warning Messages If the experiment has not been set up correctly a tabulated list of errors and warnings will appear at the bottom of the screen as follows Severity Description Experiment The 2 Terminal connection method is not allowed For this instrument configuration 2 Run External Program The program to run does not exist 18 Scan DC level 1 New Step The step is undefined There are two columns
161. iguration of the axes as follows Y a Graph Setup Override settings from User Preferences Graphi lws V x Voltage Yi Curent Density Y2 Graph 2 Y vs Time A ili ii if ep Voltage None e These are described in detail in the Layout of Graphic Displays cS Section 5 11 1 0 44 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 8 STEP TYPES When you add a step you have to make a selection from a list of step types arranged in categories which are available from a set of collapsed sub screens as follows Example Project a Bpow 1 a General KR H a E Voltage Controlled impedance aby CY Mot Sct RI a ME Ze p The sub screens can be Dieses to ES the appropriate step types and then when you have completed the addition you can configure the step Ce Adda New Step Section 5 6 1 Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following sub sections describe the categories of step types ke CS General Section 5 8 1 Cf Voltage Waveforms DC Section 5 8 2 L Ce Voltage Controlled Impedance AC CN Mott Schottky Section 5 8 3 Ce The Scan Setup screens associated with the step types are described in Section 5 8 4 5 8 1 General The list of step types which appears when adding a step contains the General EE as follows a General Open Circuit The generatoris disconnected fromthe cell and voltage measurements are take
162. iment Ce Data Section 5 10 The data generated by experiments is divided into data sets for each step The layout of the graphs in each data set is defined in the Graph Setup sub screen for the step and there is an option to use the default layout for the step type defined in the Graph Preferences screen The layout can subsequently be changed when the results have been generated using the Axes sub screen In each of these screens where graphs are defined the general layout is the same Ce Graph Setup Section 5 7 6 Ce Graph Preferences Section 4 1 3 Ce Axes Section 5 10 2 Ce Layout of Graphic Displays Section 5 11 1 Data from other experiments can be retrieved into the data file including data that has been generated by users of other ModuLab systems Sub sets of data from multiple experiments can be compared with each other so that this feature provides a powerful tool for data analysis Ce Data Selection Section 5 10 3 Data from any experiment can also be displayed using the Graph file This has the same graphic display features as the data file but it can be manually added to the system and does not need to be generated by an experiment It also makes the data available to reports C Graph File Section 5 11 2 Layout of Graphic Displays Graphic displays are defined in a number of different dialogue boxes in the ModuLab software but they have the same general layout with fields for defining two graphs
163. iment but other files can be added for the purpose of comparison The additional files can be created by running the same experiment several times or by running other experiments and then the data files can be imported into this sub screen If a file is no longer required in the list it can be removed When you click on a file the list of steps within the file will appear in the Data file steps window This button opens a dialogue box so that you can browse for a data folder and add it to the Data Files window Only folders are displayed not the files within them and you can only add folders with the DATA extension If you try to add any other folder the system will return an error 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project This button removes the selected folder from the Data Files window Data file steps This window displays the complete list of steps within the file that has been selected in the Data Files window You can select any step from the list and add it to the Data sets window for graphic display This button adds the selected step in the Data file steps window to the Data sets window Data Sets A data set is the data generated by a single step in the experiment and this window contains a list of data sets to be displayed in the graphs and tabulated lists By default it contains a single data set generated by this experiment but other data sets can
164. ims for a standard deviation of 10 of reading 0 001 of full scale on the noisiest input Integration When auto integration is off this field can be used to specify a fixed integration time The units can be seconds or cycles and a value in seconds is rounded up to cover the nearest number of whole cycles When auto integration is on this field specifies the maximum time allowed to reach the required accuracy although there will always be at least three cycles Sweep type The method of variation of frequency during the sweep This field only exists when the Technique is Frequency Sweep The options are Linear Logarithmic Points The number of measurement points during a linear sweep This field only exists when the Technique is Frequency Sweep and the Sweep Type is Linear Points per decade The number of measurement points per decade during a logarithmic sweep This field only exists when the Technique is Frequency Sweep and the Sweep Type is Logarithmic 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 31 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 7 1 1 5 32 Harmonics This field is available when the Technique is set to Multisine and the list box opens up a dialogue box where you can specify the stimulus to the sample in terms of a list of harmonic frequencies to be added the fundamental frequency The list of harmonics is returned to the list box as one of the following options Pseudo log
165. in Figure 3 9 MFRA IMHz Hi Connections Auxiliary Lo Connections Figure 3 9 High impedance system with internal referencing Ce In this configuration the Sample and Reference module has been added to High Impedance Materials Testing Section 3 3 2 3 Ce The alternative connection diagram for external referencing is available by selecting User Reference in the Sample and Ref field in the Sample Setup Section 5 3 3 210060138_AA 04 02 10 3 39 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 3 3 4 3 40 High Voltage High Impedance Testing with Reference Capacitance This configuration is used for impedance testing of materials that pass very low currents at high voltage in circumstances where compensation 1s required for cable capacitance A Sample and Reference module is used with a materials core module high voltage module femto ammeter and an FRA To access this configuration and display the connection diagram select the following entries from the Hardware Requirements sub screen Section 5 3 2 Sample amp Reference Mat HV Femto Ammeter 7 ample CC OG Comms Power A Jak Power E Comms me Ever C Gen an bi 120 d i l Al Comecions Sampie Comiectans Lo Connection KC Figure 3 10 High voltage high impedance system with internal referencing Ce In this configuration the
166. including wires to join them up at the intersections which are called Nodes The Fitting Options screen contains a simple circuit containing two resistors and a capacitor To build this circuit proceed as follows 1 Click the New button to clear the drawing space leaving only the default Title and the Ref and Gnd elements as follows Run gege Print Help oben ee E E Circuit Title E Ref Grd e e Pini per TT 2 Specify a suitable Title for the circuit This circuit will have an impedance as a consequence of combining resistance and capacitance elements so we will call it Impedance Circuit 5 110 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Click the Selection toolbar button then right click on the Circuit Title element to display the drop down menu and select Rename to display the title in a text box Overtype the title then click anywhere outside the text box to close it The screen will be as follows ee fe erie Ak feels Ah Ac A4 Impedance Circuit Ret Gnd ie ee 3 Click on the Resistor toolbar button then click on the drawing space to the right of the Ref element to insert a resistor labelled R1 Click again to the right of R1 to insert a second resistor labelled R2 so that the screen 1s as follows NS Sab oe feb EF FE E Impedance Circuit EI Ref Ri R2 Gnd ce eH ee e j 4 Click on the Capacitor toolbar button then cli
167. inserted A definition of how an experiment will progress over a specific period of time including the stimulation signal and the measurements to be taken Any number of sequential steps can be included in an experiment The general shape of the stimulation signal to be applied to the sample during a step for example Linear Sweep Triangular Sweep etc The complete definition of a step requires values to be applied to the step type such as the signal level duration and upper and lower limits 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Glossary of Terms A combination of one or more modules in one or more chasses and other equipment temperature controllers cryostats ovens etc all operating under software control from a PC Temperature Control A control feature within an experiment that applies temperature variations to a sample Test Unit Any item under test UUT being measured by the system 21006013 AA 04 02 10 8 3 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide add new 2 9 2 12 2 19 chassis 4 9 experiment 5 5 graph 5 96 loop 5 20 project 3 2 report 2 17 5 127 shortcut 5 136 step 2 17 3 21 5 25 address See IP address admittance 5 94 auxiliary channel 4 9 5 8 5 19 5 43 5 94 8 1 axes 3 19 3 25 4 4 5 45 5 77 5 80 5 86 5 87 5 91 isotropic 5 89 axis details 5 91 backplane 1 1 Bode plot 3 25 5 92 5 93 5 120 booster internal 1 1 3 33 3
168. insulator tests e High power experiments involving for example high conductivity materials and superconductors The configurations are Ce General Materials Testing Section 3 3 2 1 example Section 3 3 1 Ce High Voltage Section 3 3 2 2 Ce High Impedance Section 3 3 2 3 Ce High Voltage High Impedance Section 3 3 2 4 Ce Low Voltage with Booster Section 3 3 2 5 Ce High Voltage with Booster Section 3 3 2 6 3 3 2 1 General Materials Testing This configuration is used for general purpose tests on a wide range of materials To access this configuration and display the connection diagram select the following entries from the Hardware Requirements sub screen Section 5 3 2 Instrument configuration Mat only The details of this configuration are given in the example Ce Section 3 3 1 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 29 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 3 2 2 High Voltage Materials Testing This configuration is used for testing materials that require high stimulus voltage and or measurement of high voltage signals The MHV 100 module is used producing a voltage up to 100V WARNING Take care to use this module so that the voltage output does not constitute a safety hazard See the General Safety Precautions at the beginning of this manual Typical examples where the high voltage module may be required are testing dielectrics insulators ceramics and display panel materia
169. ionally use the amplitude from the loop or its own amplitude defined within the step Ce Sections 5 9 1 and 5 9 1 1 Scan DC Impedance Bias Level The loop contains a list of DC bias levels and performs a cycle for each entry in the list Each constant level DC or impedance step within the loop may optionally use the DC bias from the loop or its own bias defined within the step Ce Section 5 9 2 and 5 9 2 1 NOTE All loop types including scanning loops can be nested at multiple levels In the case of scanning loops the steps underneath them will take values from the nearest appropriate parent 210060138_AA 04 02 10 0 69 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 9 1 d 5 70 AC Amplitude Scanning Loop When a loop is selected from the left hand navigation panel and Scan Impedance AC Amplitude is selected from the Loop Type sub screen the loop can be configured to perform one cycle for each entry in a list of AC amplitude voltage levels The specified amplitude is applied to each impedance step within the loop but only if AC scan value has been selected from the Impedance Setup Ce Impedance Setup for AC Amplitude Scanning Loop Section 5 9 1 1 Any step type can be included in the loop but only impedance steps can take amplitude values from the loop The Loop Setup sub screen for this loop type as follows Loop Setup Scan AC amplitude between O Repeat for each AC ampl
170. irements although it is normally supplied with the modules assembled and configured for a specific purpose The ModuLab system 1s available with two different chassis sizes depending on the number of modules required e The Chassis 4 system which takes up to four modules e The Chassis 8 system which takes up to eight modules Ce For more sophisticated test purposes it is possible to build an expanded system by combining multiple ModuLab chasses through the Ethernet link as described in the Installation Guide Instrument Groups A group of modules in the chassis consisting of a materials core module MAT I1MHz and a number of optional modules is known as an instrument group There are a number of optional module types and an instrument group can contain only one module of each type These are the frequency response analyzer high voltage module femto ammeter sample and reference module and booster The optional modules 1f fitted must be installed in the correct slots in relation to the materials core module as follows e Ifa frequency reponse analyzer is used it must be in the adjacent slot to the left of the core module ModuLab is a trademark of Solartron Analytical 21006013_AA 04 02 10 1 1 The ModuLab MTS System ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide e Ifahigh voltage module femto ammeter sample and reference module or booster are used they must be in adjacent slots to the right of the core modul
171. ist boxes for the default variables to be displayed on two graphs called Graph 1 and Graph 2 The available variables for DC and impedance steps are listed in the Layout of Graphic Displays The option for Graph 2 defaults to none because you would normally want to specify variables that are different from Graph 1 CS Layout of Graphic Displays Section 5 11 1 21006013_AA 04 02 10 4 5 Software Reference System ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 4 1 4 4 6 Advanced This sub screen in the User Preferences screen defines advanced options for ModuLab Advanced Default options scheme EE Reset to defaults The fields are Default options scheme This specifies a collection of default options to be used in cases where they are required to be country specific The list box has the following entries UK Europe USA The selected option together with the Reset to defaults button will apply the country specific defaults throughout ModuLab For example in the General Settings the Temperature units will be set to C for the UK and F for the USA CS General Settings Section 4 1 1 Reset to defaults If any optional values in the program have been changed this button resets them to their default values 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference System 4 2 4 2 1 EQUIPMENT LIBRARY The Equipment library gives a des
172. itude Step Dm Points decade SE Total Points The fields at the left of this sub screen are used to generate the list of AC amplitudes at the right which can then be directly edited in case specific values are required The fields are Scan AC amplitude between If this radio button 1s selected the interval between two AC voltage amplitudes is divided into a series of values The fields under this button are Start The AC amplitude to be applied on the first cycle round the loop End The AC amplitude to be applied during the last cycle round the loop Step The change of AC amplitude between successive cycles until the End value is reached If this radio button is selected the Points decade and Total Points fields will be greyed out but will display appropriate values If a value is specified in this field the Total Points field will be recalculated giving the points required between the Start and End values 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Points decade The number of values to be applied at logarithmic intervals during each decade of AC amplitude change If this radio button is selected the Step and Total Points fields will be greyed out but will display appropriate values If a value is specified in this field the Total Points field will be recalculated giving the points required between the Start and End values Total Point
173. k File Information screen You can then browse the filing system and select a destination folder and the shortcut will be populated with the files You can then click on the files and open them from the appropriate applications S Shortcut Folder Section 5 14 1 Remove Shortcut Remove the selected shortcut folder Save Save the project so that it becomes updated with the currently selected experiment Save All Save the whole project including all the experiments 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features 2 4 2 Page Setup Set up the page size and orientation etc for printing A standard Windows dialogue box appears as follows Page Setup EX Paper Size Source Orientation Margins millimeters Portrait Left 10 Right 10 6 Landscape Top 10 Bottom 10 Cancel Exit Close the ModuLab software If changes to the currently open project have been made the Close Project dialogue box will appear so that you can save the changes then the ModuLab software will close Ce Opening and Closing Projects Section 5 1 2 Edit Menu Undo Undo the latest change to the project Click repeatedly to work backwards and undo the latest history of changes If no changes have been made since the project was opened this menu item is greyed out In some circumstances the Undo command may be appended by the latest action For example if you have just
174. l be added directly under the experiment Setup outside of the loop 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Ce Add New in the File menu Section 2 4 1 and New Step in the Experiment menu Section 2 4 4 5 6 2 Assign a Step Type When a new step appears in a project as part of a new experiment or because it has been added it has to be given a step type before it can be used To assign a step type proceed as follows 1 Click on the item labelled n New Step in the Navigation Panel where n is the sequential item number to display the categories of step types CS Adda New Step Section 5 6 1 2 Expand the sub screens to display the step types in the appropriate categories as follows General OC Open Circuit A The generatoris disconnected fromthe cell and voltage measurements are taken Open circuit experimentstepsare typically used forchecking voltage decay orvoltage hold after a samplehas been polarized to a particular voltage using one ormore DC voltage controlsteps Run External Program An external program can be run while a step is in progress For example itmight be necessary to control some external equipment such as a multiplexer or a temperature controller e Voltage Waveforms DC Constant Level The samplevoltage is held at a constantvalue for aspecified time period Measurements of voltageand current are taken during thistest Linear Sweep V
175. lay the drop down menu and click Rotate This is a toggle action so the element will change from horizontal to vertical and vice versa Rename Element All elements can be renamed except Ref Gnd and the wires which have no names 1 Click the Selection IS button on the toolbar then right click the element to display the drop down menu and click Rename The cursor will jump to the Element Table so you can overtype the name Alternatively you can go straight to the element table and edit the name without using the drop down menu When editing the Title which does not appear in the element table you have to right click the element and display the drop down menu then select Rename and a text box will appear so you can overtype the text 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 115 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 9 12 4 3 5 116 Delete Element All elements can be deleted except Title Ref and Gnd 1 Click the Selection N button then do either of the following e Hold the cursor over a single element so that it turns red e Click on an empty drawing space and drag the cursor across multiple elements so that they all turn red 2 Press the Delete key on the keyboard to delete the highlighted element s Alternatively to delete an element that contributes to impedance resistors capacitors etc 1 Click the Selection button 2 Right click on the element then select Delete from the drop do
176. lbar or alternatively enter the following address in your browser www solartronanalytical com The web page will appear as follows PRODUCTS SEARCH SUPPORT NEWS CONTACT US solortron Solartron Analytical is part of AMETEK Advanced Measurement Technology analytical Welcome to solartronanalytical com Add Solartron Analytical to your favorites Solartron Analytical is the world s leading supplier of systems for characterizing materials and electrochemical cells using precision electrical measurement techniques including electrical impedance spectroscopy EIS These systems which feature potentiostats galvanostats and frequency response analyzers of outstanding performance are used for battery and fuel cell research dielectric analysis electrochemistry corrosion studies sensor development and materials analysis Click the relevant sections of the image below or the links on the left to find out more electronics amp control system testing 4 electrochemistry electrical corrosion amp energy Sait Latest News January 21 2010 Stacks of App lication s Electrical Characterization of Materials See how other researchers have used our systems for work in applications areas similar to yours via our extensive online applications reference library click here to locate it ModuLab System for Research Electrochemistry This comprehensive system provides the most versatile electrochemical measu
177. ld Help Menu Contents Display the Modul ab help system in a window with a navigation panel on the left and the help topics on the right The navigation panel has four tabs Contents Navigate a table of contents to display the help topics This tab is selected by default when Contents is selected from the Help menu Index Make a selection from an alphabetical list of index entries and display the associated topics Search Search the Help system for any word or phrase and display the associated topics Favorites Add the currently displayed topic to your list of favorites for further reference Index Display the Modul ab help system in a window with a navigation panel on the left and the help topics on the right The tabs are as described above under Contents but the Index tab 1s selected FAQ Display a list of frequently asked questions as a topic within the help system Check for updates Display the Downloads page from the Solartron website Downloads are available for a number of Solartron products Technical support Display the Technical Support page from the Solartron website 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features About Display the ModuLab splash screen giving the current version number Click the screen to close it 2 5 TOOLBAR nce a DRA pm o HG pero eee i a EM 1 wee zz zl OB Gi E stowstatus end i run SE ze a The toolbar emul
178. le Information dialogue box described in the previous section except that it represents a shortcut folder instead of a file and there is a Browse button so that you can select a destination folder from the filing system The fields are initially blank because a destination folder has not been specified 3 Click the Browse button and navigate to a destination folder then click OK The shortcut folder in the left hand navigation panel will be re named according to the destination folder and will be populated with all the files and sub folders The browse button will disappear from the File Information screen and the fields except the Size will be filled in with the folder information 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 135 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide The following screen shows a shortcut representing a folder that contains a copy of this manual Eh Getting Started Pd ak i a MAT Test G A Additional Tests we ModuLab User Guide pdf Size Created 17 04 2008 10 03 00 Modified 17 04 2008 10 03 23 0 136 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 6 1 WAVEFORM GENERATION AND MEASUREMENT The ModuLab system applies a waveform to the sample according to the Step Setup and then measures the resulting voltage or current Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The materials core module has three amplifiers shown in Figure 6 1 Waveform 50Q Amplifier S Ai ag
179. low the Scan Setup sub screen Make sure the Measurement mode is set to V change to follow the voltage scan and set the Integration period to 1 second per sample and the Amount of change to 200mV so the screen is as follows Scan Setup Fs Start level D Absolute End leval Absolute e Scan rate Ki Measurement mode change SS Integration period 1 s per sample Amount of change 200 In this example the Scan rate is 200 mV s and the Amount of change specifies that a measurement occurs after every 200mV of signal change so there is 1 measurement per second Data collected by the system is integrated to filter out noise and the amount of filtering is defined by the Integration period so that a short period follows the waveform more precisely but a long period filters out more noise The Integration period should not exceed the 3 12 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments interval between measurements and if it does the system will use the interval between measurements as a maximum value In this case the Integration period has been set to 1 second to match the interval between measurements 6 If necessary expand the remaining sub screens and edit the fields as described in the various sub sections under the Step Setup However for the purpose of this experiment it will be sufficient to leave these sub screens at their default values
180. ls To access this configuration and display the connection diagram select the following entries from the Hardware Requirements sub screen Section 5 3 2 Experiment Type Instrument configuration Mat HV Auniliary Sample Connections Sample Connections Figure 3 2 High voltage system For some applications higher current levels may be required and this can be accomplished by adding a booster to this configuration Ce High Voltage with Booster Section 3 3 2 6 3 30 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 3 3 2 3 High Impedance Materials Testing This configuration combines the materials core module with a highly sensitive current to voltage converter femto ammeter module This includes all of the ranges of the standard core module so it can measure up to 100mA but provides additional ranges at the low current end for measuring femto amps 107 amps or less The femto ammeter may be required for example in nanotechnology or the measurement of very high resistance samples such as insulators The characteristics of this configuration is mid range voltage current stimulus but with current measurement into the femto amp range To access this configuration and display the connection diagram select the following entries from the Hardware Requirements sub screen Section 5 3 2 Instrument configuration MAT Femto Ammeter
181. ment Setup sub screen depends on whether or not it is possible to define the measurement rate by comparing the amount of change per measurement with the Scan rate specified in the Scan Setup sub screen For example the Scan Setup screen for a linear voltage sweep and the corresponding Time Domain Measurement Setup screen with the Measurement mode set to V change is as follows an Scan Setup Start level End level io Ahankhe e Scan rate 100 Integrationperiod 0 05 Amount of change Ce Linear Sweep I V Characterisation Section 5 8 4 6 The measurement rate is the Scan rate divided by the Amount of change and in this example it works out at 20 measurement per second When expressed as an interval this becomes one measurement every 0 05 seconds and this 1s 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project the maximum Integration period that the system will use If the specified Integration period exceeds this value the system will ignore it and use the calculated maximum This type of calculation can only be performed for step types that have linear sweeps including linear cyclic sweeps such as Triangular Sweep but excluding sweeps where something else is superimposed on a linear scan For example staircase scans are not suitable for this calculation even though they have a Scan rate field in the Scan Setup because the measurements are dependent on the steps
182. mount of change the maximum Integration period is limited to the calculated measurement rate expressed as a time interval e Ifthe measurement rate cannot be calculated from a Scan rate and Amount of change the Integration period is limited to the Maximum rate expressed as a time interval In either case a value of the Integration period that exceeds the limit will be ignored Ce Integration period for Measurement mode Periodic AY These two buttons set the Integration Period to match the Maximum Rate and vice versa Maximum rate The rate at which data points are collected by the system for internal use regardless of whether or not they are reported to the user as measurements All data points are used as measurements when the sample excitation 1s changing rapidly so the measurement rate becomes the Maximum rate Minimum rate The rate at which measurements are taken when the sample excitation does not change sufficiently to trigger a measurement although the system continues to collect data for internal use regardless of whether or not they are reported as measurements Amount of change The change that has to occur in order to trigger a measurement If there is insufficient change measurements will continue at the Minimum rate Cycle selection These check boxes only appear for cyclic steps such as triangular sweep and they are used to select the cycles in which measurements are to be taken Ce Cycle Selecti
183. n Open circuit experimentstepsare More typically used forchecking voltage dec wvforvoltagoeholdiafterasamplehas been polarized to a particular voltage using one ormore DC voltage controlsteps Run External Program An external program can be run while a step is in progress For example itmight be necessary to control some More external equipment such as a multiplexer or a temperature controller R ole E i Ce Add a New Step Section 5 6 1 og Open Circuit The generator is disconnected from the sample and l voltage measurements are taken Open circuit experiments are typically used for checking voltage decay or voltage hold after a sample has been polarized to a particular voltage 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 45 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Run External Program An external program can be run while a step is in progress For example it might be necessary to run some external equipment such as a multiplexer or temperature controller Ce Section 5 8 4 14 5 8 2 Voltage Waveforms DC DC Voltage Waveforms are applied to an experiment by stimulating the sample with a signal from the generator The step types in this category which appear when adding a step are shown in the following sub screen ed Voltage Waveforms DC Constant Level The samplevoltageis held at a constantvalue for aspecified time period Measurements of voltageand current are taken during thistes
184. n be checked to run the experiment on multiple samples but only one will be used in this example An instrument group can only be used for an experiment if it meets or exceeds the Experiment Hardware Requirements otherwise the row in the tabulated list will turn red Ce For example the row representing Group 2 turns red when the experiment includes an impedance step because it does not have an FRA as shown in Section 3 2 6 step 7 e There is a connection diagram showing how the core module and optional modules should be connected to the sample This diagram could be any 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 0 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 6 one of a number of standard configurations available from the Hardware Requirements in the experiment setup screen CS Set up the Experiment Section 3 2 2 There is an OC Measure button which displays open circuit measurements on the sample in case you want to see how the sample is performing without an excitation signal before you run the experiment There is a Run button which runs the experiment and collects data and stores it in the data file that is named in the field above the button The Run button should only be used when the experiment has been fully defined and is expected to obtain some meaningful results 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 3 2 2 Set up the Experimen
185. n rate is reversed at the start and end points of each complete cycle 2nd vertex level The voltage level at which the scan rate is reversed at the mid point of each complete cycle If a start level has been specified the scan will start during the first half of a cycle where it is approaching the 2nd vertex level The fields will be reversed so that the 2nd vertex level field comes before the Ist vertex level field End level The voltage level at which the scan ends during the last cycle If this 1s different from the first vertex level the last cycle will be incomplete The end level is only used if the box is checked otherwise the cycle ends at the first vertex level Scan rate The constant rate of change of voltage as it rises and falls between the two vertices No of cycles The number of cycles to be fully or partially completed 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 8 4 8 Staircase Linear Sweep In these step types the sample follows a waveform with a voltage that varies according to a linear step function Voltage Staircase Linear Sweep End voltage fo time Start cage Qi Qq0 The corresponding Scan Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup is as follows a ocan Setup Start level Absolute MM End level 1 Absolute MM Scan rate 1 Step Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following step types use this su
186. nced Options Current Density Instrument Chassis Measurements Control Chassis 1 4701 mV 2 027e 06 mA 1 358e 08 mAh Gett Slot 2 ia Module information The data will continue to be updated while the experiment is running until it is complete 3 16 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 11 Click again on the three items in the navigation panel to display the completed results as follows o gt Experiment 1 1 Linear sweep Data Selection Trace Setup Advanced Options op My Project es i i Data Selection Trace Setup Advanced Options Instrument Group 1 Module information 21006013_AA 04 02 10 aiai fe i A cm 15 Time s Voltage Time Control 2 035e 09 2 03e 09 2 025e 09 v v Current Density 3 17 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 2 E 2055e 09 B s Experiment 1 L i Setu VA 1 Linear sweep s N Ex Save co Print preview orttable EA Experiment 1 copy pr Export ti ajai EI gt 7 Group 1 DESS I see i m 2 035e 09 m E u 2 03e 09 Table Auto 2 025e 09 Data Selection Z Trace Setup Advanced Options Instrument Chassis mi Measurements Control Chassis 1 2 038e 06mA 1 64e 08 mAh SEA Slot 2 F Module information Now that we have observed these th
187. nd specifies the frequency range to be tested Ce Impedance Setup Section 5 7 1 Time Domain Measurement Setup This sub screen specifies how measurements are to be taken during an experiment Ce Time Domain Measurement Setup Section 5 7 2 Step Termination This sub screen specifies the conditions under which the step is terminated using tests on the measured values voltage current etc CS Step Termination Section 5 7 3 Instrument Step Setup This sub screen specifies an instrument configuration for the step including the voltage and current range This setup takes priority over the more general Instrument Experiment Setup Ce Instrument Step Setup Section 5 7 4 and Instrument Experiment Setup Section 5 3 4 Control Outputs This sub screen operates the Control Outputs on the ModuLab rear panel which can be used to control external devices such as heaters stirrers flow controllers and fans Ce Control Outputs Section 5 7 5 21006013 AA 04 02 10 n 27 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Graph Setup This sub screen specifies the graphical display of data generated by the step Ce Graph Setup Section 5 7 6 5 7 1 Impedance Setup This sub screen in the Step Setup screen exists only for AC step types The system superimposes a frequency or a range of frequencies on top of the DC scan that has been specified from the Scan Setup Impedance Setup
188. nformation button at the bottom of the Status Grid a sub panel opens to give information about the currently selected instrument group as follows EI Module information Instrument Information _ Cyclic Control Experiment name MAT Test 1 Linear sweep This panel gives the status of the selected instrument group under the heading Instrument Information as follows e The instrument group for example Group 1 e The current activity being performed by the group which could be Measuring The group is currently taking a measurement In use The group is currently being used for an experiment but is not taking a measurement Not in use The group is not being used Error A error has occurred The row of status information turns red when this condition appears e The experiment name for example MAT Test e The step that is currently running same as the Step column in the status grid The following additional features are available Cyclic Control xy This button reverses the direction of cyclic steps for the selected instrument group Display Graph d This button displays a graph of the data being generated by the currently T selected instrument group 21006013_AA 04 02 10 2 23 ModuLab MTS Control Features ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 2 ERROR AND WARNING ICONS In some of the screens in the ModuLab system error and warning icons will appear if an inappropriate entry is made in a field
189. ng options vs Open Circuit The value is specified relative to the open circuit voltage of the sample measured at the end of the last open circuit step For example if a sample generates 1 5V in open circuit and you specify a voltage of 1V the overall voltage will be 2 5V When this option is selected it is recommended that the previous step should be open circuit because open circuit potential is only measured during an open circuit step and at the beginning of the experiment Absolute The value is specified in absolute terms without reference to any other values vs Previous The value is specified relative to the voltage measured at the end of the previous step DC Scan Value Only applicable to steps within DC bias scanning loops Ce DC Bias Scanning Loop Section 5 9 2 and Scan Setup for DC Bias Scanning Loop Section 592l This list box does not appear in fields where a change of voltage is being specified for example a pulse or step 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 8 4 2 5 8 4 3 210060138_AA 04 02 10 Software Reference Project Units The same units are generally available for similar fields that occur repeatedly throughout the Scan Setup sub screens as follows Duration US ms S Minute Hour Day Level uV mV y Scan rate u V s mV s V s kV s MV s Frequency uHz mHz Hz kHz MHz O Open Circuit For open circuit experiments the Scan
190. ng units us per sample Ms per sample S per sample Mains cycle The duration of a cycle of the mains power supply based on the Mains Frequency specified in the General Settings of the User Preferences Ce Section 4 1 1 AV These two buttons set the Integration period to match the Measurement rate and vice versa The Integration period should not exceed the Measurement rate as a time interval Measurement rate The rate at which periodic measurements are taken specified as an interval seconds or a frequency per second 210060138_AA 04 02 10 0 30 Software Reference Project 0 36 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Cycle selection These check boxes select the cycles in which measurements are to be taken in a cyclic step such as triangular sweep For non cyclic steps these check boxes do not appear The options are All Take measurements during all cycles First Take measurements during the first cycle regardless of whether or not All has been checked Last Take measurements during the last cycle regardless of whether or not All has been checked Every n Take measurements every n cycles according to the specified value If the First box has been checked measurements will be taken on the first cycle otherwise the system will wait n 1 cycles and then take measurements on the nth cycle Measurement mode V change I change For these measurement modes the type of Time Domain Measure
191. nlmpedance AC amplitude Repeatimpedance steps with different AC amplitudes scan DC Im nce bias level Repeat constant level or impedance steps with different DC levels Loop Setup The Loop Setup sub screen depends on the selected Loop Type The default is Loop and the sub screen has a single field Number of times to cycle When the experiment is run it will cycle round the loop the specified number of times implementing all the steps and sub loops each time round The remaining fields in the Loop Type sub screen are for setting up scanning loops where the steps use AC amplitude or DC bias levels from the loop Ce Loop Types Section 5 9 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 9 9 DECISION e A decision enables the system to optionally run a sequence of steps from a choice of alternatives depending on the state of the sample at the end of the previous step The following schematic shows an example of how a decision might be used Option 1 Neither Voltage lt 2 Option 2 Voltage lt 5 Figure 5 3 Schematic diagram of decision process In this example the decision is based on the last measurement of an Open Circuit step and there are three possible outcomes depending on the result e Option is evaluated first and if the Open Circuit measurement is less than 2V the step within the option is performed in this case Constant Level at 1V
192. not measured it goes directly to earth and therefore does not contribute to the measurement For measuring liquid samples Figure 6 5 the fixed Lo electrode assembly has a guard ring to maintain parallel electric field lines through the sample but has the following additional features e tis shaped like a dish so that it can hold small samples of liquid e It can be disassembled for cleaning 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Appendix Hi Electrode Sample Holder Wall Liquid Sample Insulation l Guard Ring Lo Electrode Figure 6 5 Liquid sample and electrodes The ModuLab system should be internally grounded when connected to the solid or liquid sample holders 6 3 3 Changing The Fixed Electrode Assembly The fixed Lo electrode assembly can be changed as follows 1 Using the micrometer move the travelling electrode as far away as possible from the fixed electrode assembly 2 Carefully unscrew the fixed electrode assembly from the body of the sample holder using finger pressure only 3 Store the electrode assembly in a safe place 4 Screw the new electrode assembly into the body of the sample holder taking care to keep the assembly properly aligned with the sample holder to avoid crossing the threads Tighten the electrode gently against the body using finger pressure only CAUTION Do not over tighten the fixed electrode CAUTION Do not attempt to separat
193. np asta Ly SWINE NE LSS SY Es AAW rt Ore a ag BA be TONS bot ee PON tg nS BS PR i The main window to the right of the navigation panel is divided into two sections e The left column is a set of sub screens that you can expand and collapse and they vary according to the step type e The right column is a set of graphs for illustration and setup purposes only They also vary according to the step type but they do not represent any actual data The upper graph shows the excitation waveform and the lower graph shows a typical result that might be obtained NOTE The term Step Setup is used as a generic term in this documentation although it does not appear in the software Instead the screens are identified by their step type at the top of the column of sub screens for example Triangular Sweep as follows The sub screens are as follows Comments This sub screen is the same for all step types and enables you to enter a comment about the step 5 26 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Bram Di Comments Scan Setup This sub screen specifies values associated with the excitation signal that is applied to the sample The shape of the waveform varies according to the step type and there are a number of variations of this sub screen Ce Scan Setup Section 5 8 4 and its sub sections Impedance Setup This sub screen appears only for step types that use impedance a
194. nstant level Impedance C Constant level Impedance 1 Graph1 Y1 i A Lel Blel Constant level amie D Z Constant level Impedance 1 Graph Y2 Thl Bel Constantlevel lmpedance 1 9 Constant level Impedance 1 Graphie GI Tlel EB Lel Bel Constant level Impedance fi Constant level Impedance 2 Graph1 Y1 we iel F Sjel Constant evel ee e Z enee Cam EES MES IE MES ct ee Oe a tis A el Si Constant level Impedance e This window contains a number of properties that you can apply to the lines and symbols on the graph There is a header row followed by one row for each data set graph and vertical axis that is displayed In this example there are three data sets listed in the Data Selection sub screen and two graphs with three vertical axes between them defined in the Axes sub screen so there are nine rows altogether numbered from 0 to 8 Ce Data Selection Section 5 10 3 Ce Axes Section 5 10 2 The fields are as follows Trace The trace number starting at 0 and incrementing by 1 for each successive row Data Set The data set name according to the list in the Data Selection sub screen which defaults to the item selected from the left hand navigation panel Axis The graph number Graph 1 or Graph 2 and the axis Y1 or Y2 Colour The colour of the trace The list box displays a colour palette Style The line style used for the trace The list box displays
195. nt has failed to perform an intended operation e Equipment has been stored in unfavourable conditions e Equipment has been subjected to severe physical stress If in any doubt as to the serviceability of the equipment don t use it Get it properly checked out by a qualified service technician LIVE CONDUCTORS When the equipment is connected to its measurement inputs or supply the opening of covers or removal of parts could expose live conductors The equipment must be disconnected from all power and signal sources before it is opened for any adjustment replacement maintenance or repair Adjustments maintenance or repair must only be done by qualified personnel who should refer to the relevant maintenance documentation EQUIPMENT MODIFICATION To avoid introducing safety hazards never install non standard parts in the equipment or make any unauthorised modification To maintain safety always return the equipment to your Solartron service provider for service and repair 210060138_AA 04 02 10 Text Conventions The following text conventions are used in the ModuLab MTS documentation e Bold text is used for headings e Blue text is used for names and titles of features of the ModuLab hardware and software when it 1s required that the user at this point should find these features on the system e Italic text 1s used for words and phrases that have a specific meaning within ModuLab without being names or titles for example pr
196. nt within the drawing space represents a grounded electrode The circuit has to be drawn between the Ref and Gnd elements so they are permanent features of the drawing space and cannot be removed Element Table The Element Table below the drawing space has one row for each element in the circuit The columns are Element The element name This defaults to an appropriate character or abbreviation followed by a number but can be changed For example if resistors are added to a blank circuit they will be called R1 R2 etc but might be renamed to Rs Rp Value The value of the element which can be specified by the user or calculated by the system 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 109 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Unit In the case of resistors capacitors and inductors this field gives the units in which the element is measured and they can be changed from a drop down list box For all other elements a dialogue box appears so that the element properties can be specified These dialogue boxes are also available by right clicking on the elements in the drawing space and selecting Properties Fit Type Error These fields are the same as in the Line method Ce Line method Section 5 12 1 5 12 4 1 Drawing a Circuit A circuit is drawn by starting with a blank drawing space containing only the Title and the two permanent elements labelled Ref and Gnd New elements can be added
197. o eliminate electrical and mechanical interference from the environment by removing equipment that is not needed for the experiment The following precautions can also be taken Ce A Faraday cage can be used to reduce electrical interference from the environment Section 6 2 1 Ce Tribo electric precautions can be taken to reduce vibrations that may induce electrical interference within the cables Section 6 2 2 Faraday Cage To reduce electrical interference from the environment the sample should be totally enclosed in a Faraday cage consisting of an electrically conducting metal enclosure which captures the signals from the environment and evenly distributes them in the space around the sample The cage must be a continuous metal conducting enclosure with no gaps or empty holes If the enclosure consists of multiple components for example a box with a lid all parts of the box must be electrically connected Sockets must be fitted to the cage so that there is good electrical connection between the outer shell of the socket and the metallic body of the cage and there must not be any insulating washers The insulating material within the socket which separates the core from the outer shell must be PTFE not PEEK dielectric BNC connectors will meet these requirements 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Appendix The dielectric reference module supplied with ModuLab for testing the system is
198. oject experiment and step Definitions of the italicised words and phrases are in the Glossary of Terms e Finger pointers are used for cross references for example Ce Chapter 8 Glossary of Terms 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Contents Lk THE MODULAB MTS SYSTEM egene EE E SEENEN 1 1 UN NC SO FEM OVER IEW E 1 1 KZ EE GROUDS 32sccets ee 1 1 1 1 2 Getting Started with ModuLab MI 1 3 2 MODULAB MTS CONTROL FEATURES cceeceeeseeeeeeneeeneeeneeeneeeeees 2 1 2 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE USER INTERFACE eee 2 1 Zoll SOV SIC EE 2 5 Cie TROIS EE 2 7 Pee FOG en e 2 9 2 2 EDITING THE NAVIGATION PANEL cece ceeeseeeeeeseeeeeeees 2 9 2 2 1 Navigation Drop DOWN Menu ccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeaeeeeseeeeseeeesaes 2 10 2 3 FILENAMES AND EXTENSIONS oes L 2 11 24 cl 18 Bs EE 2 12 241 Fle EEN ee 2 12 24 2 EdE Men EE 2 15 2A En EE 2 16 2AA EXpenment E 2 17 245 WING OW TE EE 2 17 26 TACID MONU euan E E EEEREN 2 18 ler ere EE 2 19 20 a AR EE RE 2 21 2 6 1 Open Circuit Meaeuremente 2 22 2 6 2 Module INTOTIMALON DEE 2 23 2 ERROR AND WARNING ICONS ccc cccceecceeeeceeeeeeeeaeeseeeeaes 2 24 28 CLOSING leie EE 2 25 3 SETTING UP AND RUNNING EXPERIMENTG cceeeseeeeeeeeeeeees 3 1 Seb OVERVIEW e eege geehrt 3 1 Sc AN EXAMPLE EXPERIMEN EE 3 1 3 2 1 Create a New Project including an Evperment 3 2 21006013 AA 04 02 10 vil
199. on in Measurement Mode Periodic 0 38 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project e Measurement mode Per pulse The Time Domain Measurement Setup sub screen for this Measurement mode is as follows 7 Time Domain Measurement Setup Measurement mode Per pulse y Integration period 10 D of pulse width In this case measurements are taken when each pulse occurs and if the pulses occur on a changing baseline an additional measurement will be taken at each interval between pulses There is just one field in this sub screen in addition to the Measurement mode Integration period The integration period for noise reduction purposes The value must not exceed the Pulse width defined in the Scan Setup Ce Integration period for Measurement mode Periodic e Measurement mode Per step The Time Domain Measurement Setup sub screen for this Measurement mode is as follows Time Domain Measurement Setup Measurement mode Per step Integration period mm o Bio of step width Cycle selection All J First Hitaet every bo H In this case measurements are taken at the beginning and end of each step The fields for this Measurement mode are as follows Integration period The integration period for noise reduction purposes The value must not exceed the step width calculated from the Scan rate and Step specified in the Scan Setup Ce Integration period
200. on 5 8 To add the AC step and repeat the experiment proceed as follows Right click on the Setup item under the Experiment to display the drop down list box and hold the cursor over Add New then select Step as follows EI mE My Project f Ei Comments me TETTEN de HEH ELLE e Experiment 1 UAE Hardware see New Experiment New Step New Report ument Group to use Ctrl A Craft duanced p iin slots i to 7 of Cha Ctrl V Delete sam mple S S oe Rename Si HGRA z AN E Cla instrument Experi Ctrl Recreate Experiment Explorer CS Add New Section 2 4 1 and New Step Section 2 4 4 Setting Up and Running Experiments Now that we have run the experiment with a DC step by configuring the step that was included in the experiment by default we will add a new AC step to perform impedance measurements To run an experiment with AC steps a frequency response analyzer has to be installed for use with the core module A variety of AC step types are available but for the purposes of this example we will use Constant Level Impedance In this step type a constant DC voltage is applied to the sample while a frequency sweep is superimposed on it You could use New Step instead of Add New and then Step and it would make no difference in this case although the two commands are functionally different 3 21 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS
201. p Section 4 2 3 HV The model of the high voltage module if fitted This is detected automatically by the system and there is currently only one model MHV 100 FA This field is ticked if a femto ammeter is fitted This module is automatically detected by the system MRef This field is ticked if a sample and reference module is fitted This module is automatically detected by the system 2A This field is ticked if a 2A booster is fitted This module is automatically detected by the system 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference System AuxV This field is ticked if auxiliary voltage channels are available to the group The auxiliary channels are automatically detected by the system Auxiliary channels are fitted as standard to the ModuLab MTS system but may be optional in other versions of ModuLab Status The current status of the instrument group same as in the Module Information The status values are Measuring The module is currently taking a measurement In use The module is currently being used for an experiment but is not taking a measurement Notin use The module is not being used Error A error has occurred The row of data turns red when this Status appears Ce Module Information Section 2 6 2 4 2 2 Chassis The Chassis item is located under the Equipment library item There will be at least one of them as part of the installation but you
202. p Applies avoltage tothe samplethat is swept from one voltageto anotherusing avoltage staircasewith aspecified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and currentare taken during thistest Staircase Triangular Sweep Applies a voltageto the samplethatis swept fromone voltage to another then back to thestart voltage using a voltage staircasewitha specified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and current aretaken duringthis test Pulse Applies a series of voltage pulses tothe sample of defined level pulse width and repeatduration over a specfied time period Measurements of voltageand currentare taken during thistest Sweep Pulse Applies a series of voltage pulses tothe sample of defined pulsewidth and repeat duration The pulse level smoothly sweeps fromone voltageto another Measurements of voltageand currentare taken during this test Differential Pulse Applies a series of voltage pulses tothe sample of defined level pulse width and repeatduration superimposed ona staircase voltage sweep with specified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and currentare taken during this test Square Wave Applies avoltage tothe samplethat is swept fromone voltageto anotherusing avoltage staircasewith asquare wave superimposed on eachtread Measurements of voltage and current are taken during thistest Any combination ofthe abovetests may beused to createarbitrary waveforms that include sweeps steps constant levels and pulses 3 Click on Linear Sweep I V C
203. p and move on to the next step This button appears only when an experiment is running excluding open circuit measurements Restart an experiment that has been running in open circuit after it has been stopped This button appears only after open circuit measurements have been stopped Open Circuit Measurements In some circumstances an open circuit measurement might have to be taken at the beginning of an experiment for example a solar panel might have become charged or a capacitor may have retained some charge from a previous experiment or other electrical processes When an experiment is set up and ready to run and the OC Measure button is pressed in the Start Experiment screen the Status Grid appears as follows Instrument Chassis Control Group 1 CS Start Experiment Section 5 2 2 The Step column displays Measuring OCV and the results in the Measurements column will be updated as the measurements are taken When the red control button is clicked the measurements will stop and the status will change to Idle as follows Instrument Measurements Group 1 The red control button has disappeared and has been replaced by an OC button for re starting the Open Circuit measurements This is the same as the OC Measure button in the Start Experiment screen 210060138_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features 2 6 2 Module Information If you click the Module I
204. p with specified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and currentare taken during this test Square Wave Applies avoltage tothe samplethatis swept fromone voltageto anotherusing avoltage staircasewith asquare wave Superimposed on eachtread Measurements of voltage and current are taken during thistest 7 Vy n4 Any combination ofthe abovetests may beused to createarbitrary waveforms that include sweeps steps constant levels and pulses Ce Adda New Step Section 5 6 1 In these step types the voltage from the generator follows a specified waveform as follows e Constant Level The voltage is held at a constant value for a specified time period Ce Section 5 8 4 4 e Linear Sweep I V Characterisation There is a linear scan of voltage between two limits Ce Section 5 8 4 6 5 46 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Vy Triangular Sweep I V Characterisation There is a cyclic linear scan of voltage between two limits Ce Section 5 8 4 7 Staircase Linear Sweep There is a scan of voltage between limits according to a step function Ce Section 5 8 4 8 Staircase Triangular Sweep There is a scan of voltage between limits according to a step function but the direction is periodically reversed creating a cyclic waveform Ce Section 5 8 4 9 IL Pulse There is a series of pulses of voltage of constant amplitude Ce Section 5 8 4 10 A
205. periment New Step and New Report in the Experiment menu Section 2 4 4 These have the effect of adding items directly under the appropriate top level items project experiment or experiment Setup regardless of the sub item that has been selected 210060138_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features New Project Create a new project A dialogue box appears in which you can specify a project name and various other features and then the project appears in the navigation panel with the Project tab selected If a project is already open containing items that have changed the Close Project dialogue box will appear so that you can specify the items that need to be saved then the new project will appear CS Create New Project Section 5 1 1 Open Project Open a project that has previously been created A filing system browser window appears with the ModuLab folder selected and you can expand the folder and select the project to be opened then click OK The project will appear in the navigation panel with the Project tab selected If a project is already open containing items that have changed the Close Project dialogue box will appear so that you can specify the items that need to be saved then the new project will appear Ce Opening and Closing Projects Section 5 1 2 Close Project Close the currently open project so that it disappears from the navigation panel The panel
206. ple materials core module communication 1 3 current range 5 18 5 43 IP address 4 12 4 13 test 2 3 2 4 5 124 voltage range 5 18 5 43 measurement setup See time domain measurement setup ModuLab support 7 1 module 1 1 8 2 address See IP address communication 1 1 information 2 23 4 9 optional 1 1 2 6 2 24 3 1 3 5 3 9 4 7 4 8 4 12 5 128 specification 5 8 status 2 5 2 17 2 20 2 21 navigation panel 2 9 network 4 10 4 12 4 13 new project 2 13 3 2 5 2 OC measure 2 22 3 6 3 15 5 9 open circuit 2 22 3 6 3 15 5 9 5 35 5 46 5 51 5 52 See also OC measure open project 2 13 2 19 5 3 power iv 1 1 1 2 1 3 3 1 3 14 3 29 4 3 5 36 5 90 8 1 See also sample high power preferences 2 5 4 2 advanced 4 6 default graph types 4 5 general 4 3 graph 4 4 messages 4 4 print 5 78 5 109 preview 5 79 project 2 16 5 1 close 2 13 5 3 folder 2 9 new 2 13 3 2 5 2 open 2 13 2 19 5 3 recent 2 14 save 2 14 2 19 tab 2 4 2 7 5 1 pulse 5 35 5 48 5 61 differential 5 48 5 65 sweep 5 48 5 63 recent projects 2 14 reference electrode 5 110 21006013_AA 04 02 10 Index reference voltage 3 9 3 26 5 14 relative values 5 51 report 2 9 2 12 5 124 8 2 add data 5 129 filename 5 133 folder 2 9 2 17 5 124 5 129 5 132 5 133 8 2 generate 5 133 included graphs 5 127 new 2 17 5 127 open 5 131 writer 5 127 5 130 5 133 results See data RTF fil
207. porttable gy Group 1 x z j JA 1 Linear sweep Graph 1 Vvs Time x Time Y Voltage Y2 None Graph 2 None 5 Data Selection Trace Setup SEN Advanced Options 3 Voltage Instrument Chassis Step Measurements Chassis 1 702 3 mV 2 045e 06mA 2 275e 09 mAh Group 1 Slot 2 1 Linear sweep F Module information 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 15 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 9 While the experiments still running click the item for the instrument group This will display the data for the step that 1s currently running on this core module in terms of current density against voltage as follows 4 op My Project a 5 i B P Experiment 1 2 05e 09 o EN Setup 2 052e 09 2 046e 09 EK Ee E 2 044e 09 K 1 Linear sweep i Afcm H F p 2 2 038e 09 2 036e 09 2 034e 09 2 032e 09 Ff 2 03e 09 mf Data Selection SE 2 028e 09 SC 1 5 d Trace Setu 5 vv Advanced Options Current Density Instrument Chassis Chassis 1 Slot 2 Group 1 Se Module information 10 While the experiment is still running click on the step in this case Linear Sweep so that it shows the data for the step as follows EN My Project A 2 055e 09 B P Experiment 1 2 045e 09 Afcm 2 Graph2 Table 2 035e 09 We K Data Selection 2 3 2 5 Trace Setup vw Adva
208. r any sensors connected to the equipment in a potentially explosive atmosphere The equipment is NOT designed for use in these conditions and could possibly cause an explosion SAFETY SYMBOLS For the guidance and protection of the user the following safety symbols appear on the equipment together with details of the hazard where appropriate Symbol Meaning General safety hazard Refer to the operating manual for detailed instructions Electrical safety hazard This symbol may appear alongside the general safety hazard symbol together with a voltage Continued overleaf 21006013 AA 04 02 10 111 General Safety Precautions continued from previous page Symbol Meaning Safety hazard involving heavy weights A numerical value for the amount of weight may appear alongside this symbol Take care when handling and carrying Follow the manufacturer s instructions and ask for assistance if necessary NOTES CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS For the guidance and protection of the user Notes Cautions and Warnings appear throughout the manual The significance of these is as follows NOTES highlight important information for the reader s special attention CAUTIONS guide the reader in avoiding damage to the equipment WARNINGS guide the reader in avoiding a hazard that could cause injury or death AVOID UNSAFE EQUIPMENT The equipment may be unsafe if any of the following statements apply e Equipment shows visible damage e Equipme
209. racter Mains Frequency erp A Ee Warn if calibration expired d ep eens a Graph Preferences Table Positions with Graphs DC Graphs p TE Impedance graphs Default graph types General Graph 1 Graph 2 Voltage Waveforms DC Graph 1 Graph 2 Impedance AC CW Mott Schottky Graph 1 Graph 2 Rega nie RRA SEAE IN IRANS Advanced gO EO EE oe Hi Serao ech D SC a view fae ee j at SE EE The User Preferences are unique to each user of the system When a user logs in to Windows and runs the ModuLab software their specified preferences are applied to all projects Ce The sub screens are discussed in sub sections 4 1 1 to 4 1 4 4 2 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference System 4 1 1 General Settings This sub screen in the User Preferences screen defines general information for the ModuLab system wer General Settings Temperature units Corrosion units CSV separator character Mains Frequency The fields are as follows Temperature units The units of temperature at which measurements are made The units may be SE F K Corrosion units The units in which corrosion rates are measured The units may be mm year mil year mil 1 1000 inch CSV separator character The character which separates successive data fields in a CSV file It may be 9 Tab Mains Frequency The frequency of the mains pow
210. ree displays of results both during and after the experiment they can be summarised as follows e The Experiment 1 screen gives a graph of voltage against time for the experiment as a whole e The Instrument Group screen gives the results that are currently being collected by this core module while the experiment 1s running The results correspond to the current step and are displayed in terms of current density against voltage because these are the axes used by the step When the experiment has been completed the graph changes to voltage against time because it represents the core module more generally without any specific reference to a step and since there is only one core module the graph is the same as in the Data File screen e The Linear Sweep screen gives the data for the step and the graph axes represent current density against voltage I vs V which is the default for this step type specified in the Graph Preferences Ce Step 7 Section 3 2 1 NOTE The Group 1 item is only temporary in systems that have only one core module and it exists for the purpose of displaying the results of a sequence of steps while the experiment is in progress If you close the project after the experiment is complete and re open it again the Group 1 item will not be present and the Linear Sweep step will appear immediately under the Data File However the instrument group items remain permanently in the structure in systems that have mor
211. rement technology available It provides a range of measurements that were not possible before from a single instrument including real fA results ultra high impedance ultra low impedance and high cell voltage polarization It also boasts a best in class impedance measurement system single sine f multi sine FFT and harmonic analysis across the entire frequency band in addition to AC voltammetry using the full range of techniques To find out how to join the many other research scientists who have brought the power of ModuLab to their specific application area click here This site contains full information on the products available from Solartron Analytical for applications in the fields of electrochemistry energy storage corrosion materials control electronics test and metals analysis Click on the various boxes in the site to find out which of our precision instruments may best suit your particular application Solartron Analytical can provide a full range of technical expertise in the form of technical notes and technical training to guide you in this You can also contact our sales and marketing team through the website to get immediate expert advice When you need an upgrade for your ModuLab software you can download this from our website This enables you to keep your ModuLab system up to date and in line with the very latest improvements T 2 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide This
212. repetitive cyclic basis A number of different types of loop are available There is the standard oop for repeating any specified sequence of steps and there are loops which can be configured for repeating impedance steps with different AC amplitudes or DC bias levels Any single product that can be fitted individually into a chassis slot Random fluctuations in sample voltage A condition to be evaluated under a decision to enable steps to be carried out A top level folder in the Windows filing system which may contain experiments and other related items ModuLab recognises the folder as a project because of its contents A document describing an experiment which can be opened in a word processor for editing and printing The document may contain experiment settings and results including connection diagrams graphs tables and user comments The data displayed in a reportis based on the graph files associated with the experiments Any number of document files each with the RTF extension can be generated by the Report Writer under a report folder and can then be displayed and edited using any Windows application that supports the RTF format A folder which is recognised by ModuLab as a container for reports The Report Writer appears when the user clicks on the report folder in the navigation panel and reports can be generated from any number of graph files A space in a chassis into which a single width module can be
213. resenting a main category in which there can be a number of different hardware and connection configurations The following options are available from the list box Normal Sample amp Reference Installation Test The default option is Normal 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 11 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 12 Instrument configuration The modules required for the experiment The available options depend on the selected Experiment type as follows Experiment Type Available Instrument configurations Normal Mat only Mat HV Mat Ultra HV Mat Femto Ammeter Mat HV Femto Ammeter Mat Ultra HV Femto Ammeter Mat 2A Mat 2A HV Sample amp Reference Mat only Mat HV Mat Femto Ammeter Mat HV Femto Ammeter Installation Test Mat only Mat HV Mat Ultra HV Mat Femto Ammeter Mat Sample amp Reference Mat 2A A connection diagram and description is displayed when a selection is made from these two list boxes and the circumstances in which each configuration may be used are given in the Hardware and Connection Configurations Ce Hardware and Connection Configurations Section 3 3 including the sub Sections The default option is Mat only Instrument Group to use The instrument group to be used for this experiment The list box contains all the groups installed in the system according to the names that they have been given in the Instrument Group S
214. rials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 3 3 2 5 Low Voltage with Booster In this configuration the materials core module and booster are configured to test material samples at high power and low voltage 42A 8V The core module is connected to the booster and the booster is connected to the sample The booster may be required for example for testing high conductivity materials and superconductors To access this configuration and display the connection diagram select the following entries from the Hardware Requirements sub screen Section 5 3 2 Instrument configuration Mat 2A We Gen Sample Comiectians m 5 ons fAT Con gct SC ure A Oe di aa E S k Lo Figure 3 5 Low voltage system with booster NOTE The booster requires 4 Terminal connections to be specified in the Instrument Experiment Setup because voltage measurements from Vhi and VLo are required for low impedance samples An error message will appear in the Start Experiment screen if 2 Terminal connections are specified CS Section 5 3 4 Instrument Experiment Setup Ce Section 5 2 2 Start Experiment 210060138_AA 04 02 10 3 39 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 3 2 6 High Voltage with Booster In this configuration the materials core module high voltage module and booster are configured to test the sample at high power and high voltage 2A
215. roduce simulated results Simulate Evaluate the model from a set of parameters specified by the user which may be an approximate representation of a previous fit This mode only applies to the Normal model not Prefit Parameters This table contains the following parameters identified in the Name column Real The real center of the circle measured on the X axis Imag The imaginary center of the circle measured on the Y axis Radius The radius of the circle W max The frequency corresponding to the maximum value of imaginary impedance For each of these parameters the remaining columns Value Units Fit Type and Error are the same as in the Line method Ce Line method Section 5 12 1 5 12 3 Tafel This feature is applicable to the ModuLab Electrochemical System and has no relevance to materials testing 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 105 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 12 4 Equivalent Circuit A circuit can be constructed by the user to represent the electrical properties of the sample and the values of the components can be calculated in terms of resistance capacitance and inductance These calculations are only available for impedance data and cannot be applied to DC experiments Values that contribute to impedance are calculated where possible whenever a curve is fitted to impedance data for example in the Circle method the Fitting Results include the following estim
216. roject and create your own experiments but for the purpose of reviewing the user interface the Getting Started project will be suitable 2 If ModuLab has opened without a project you will need to open one or create a new one then continue with these instructions 2 2 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features CS Section 5 1 1 Create New Project Cf Section 5 1 2 Opening and Closing Projects A project normally opens in a A project structure can be expanded by semi collapsed state showing clicking on any symbols alongside the the first two levels of the 1tem item names then clicking the symbols structure in the navigation on the subsidiary items A typical expanded panel as shown on the left structure for the Getting Started project below including a data item representing the results of the Materials Core Module Test Gelee Test is Shown on the right below f S 5 is nba eg ewen Wee yi ba te E gd g 3 Getting Started 5 E P as Started 3 ee MAT Test a ES MAT Test E 9 Additional Tests o 8 setup S JA i Linear sweep SI gt Additional Tests a FRA Test LB S 1 Constant level Impedance a G HV Module Test e 1 Linear sweep i l Femto Ammeter Test ab e MRef Test HS i Constant level Impedance s Si m Booster Module Test sx E 1 Lin ar sweep Ce eae Ay eee Ls Tey So ri re ECKE ter B
217. rranged into reverse order by clicking the headers The columns are as follows Instrument Groups Available This set of columns identifies the instrument groups and their location in a chassis The columns are Chassis The chassis to which the instrument group belongs The name is specified in the General Settings for the chassis otherwise it defaults to Chassis Ce Chassis Section 4 2 2 21006013_AA 04 02 10 4 1 Software Reference System ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 4 8 Group Name The name of the instrument group defined in the Instrument Group Setup The name defaults to Instrument Group but you need to give each group a unique name for example Group 1 Group 2 etc Ce Instrument Group Setup Section 4 2 3 Slot s The slots in which the core module and optional modules which make up the group are fitted in the chassis The system automatically detects the slot numbers Instrument Group Capability This set of columns gives the specification of the core module and optional modules The columns are MAT The model of the core module detected automatically by the system There is currently only one model MATIM FRA The FRA model The user has to specify that an FRA exists in association with the core module and then the system automatically detects the model There is currently only one model MFRA 1MHz Ce The existence of the FRA is specified in the Instrument Group Setu
218. rt All button in the Graph sub screen Section 5 10 1 If you click on a file in the navigation panel that displays an extension for example a report file the File Information screen will appear as follows File Information Name Location Size Created 25 01 2010 09 55 11 Modified Open Folder 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 138 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide This screen gives information about the file and you can open it from other applications using the Open or Open Folder buttons The fields and buttons are as follows Name The filename including the extension Location The directory path where the file is located Browse l l Location Please click Browse to locate a Folder Browse This button appears only if the File Information screen represents a shortcut folder and enables you to browse the filing system and locate a folder Ce Shortcut Folder Section 5 14 1 Size The size of the file Created The date and time when the file was created Modified The date and time when the file was last modified Open This button opens the file in the default application on your computer that uses the specified extension Open Folder This button opens the Windows filing system folder where the file is located The file can then be opened in any application that supports the appropriate file format according to the extension WARNING The File Information d
219. s Step The voltage of each step that is added to the rising scan or subtracted from the falling scan No of cycles The number of cycles to be fully or partially completed Pulse In this step type the sample is stimulated with a series of voltage pulses of constant amplitude above a base level Pulse Voltage On Pulse Sample time Pulse Amplitude voltage M E et i o cher Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse Pulse 5 n 1 n 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project The corresponding Scan Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup is as follows Scan Setup Duration Base level Pulse amplitude Pulse period Pulse width Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following step type uses this sub screen Step Type Category Voltas Wave DO The fields are Duration The duration of the scan until it terminates Base level The voltage between pulses specified relative to an appropriate base value CS Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 Pulse amplitude The voltage level of each pulse relative to the Base Level Pulse period The time period between successive pulses This is made up of the interval between pulses followed by the pulse width Pulse width The duration of each pulse excluding the interval between pulses 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 61 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS M
220. s The number of values to be applied between the Start and End values If this radio button is selected the Step and Points decade fields will be greyed out but will display appropriate values If a value is specified in this field the Step field will be recalculated giving the change of amplitude between successive cycles Repeat for each AC amplitude This radio button enables the list of AC amplitudes underneath it to be directly edited in case specific values are required Otherwise the list is greyed out and contains the values calculated from the fields on the left New values can be typed or pasted in separated by any of the following delimiters Tab Space New line Sem1i colon Comma unless it is used as the decimal separator character When the screen is re displayed the delimiters will be converted to line breaks so that each value appears on a new line 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 71 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 9 1 1 Impedance Setup for AC Amplitude Scanning Loop An impedance step under an AC amplitude scanning loop can be optionally configured to take its amplitude from the loop as follows 1 Click on the step in the left hand navigation panel to display the sub screens for the step configuration 2 Inthe Impedance Setup sub screen set the Amplitude rms field to AC scan value as follows Z Impedance Setup Measurement Mode Sample only w
221. s a standard sized 45mm diameter disc which can be moved into contact with the sample by adjustment of the micrometer This electrode is used for measuring all samples solid or liquid e The Lo electrode is fixed in position but can be replaced by a number of alternative versions to suit the diameter of the sample The standard version supplied with the sample holder is for testing solid materials and has a 20mm diameter active area CS Section 6 3 3 Changing The Fixed Electrode Assembly The alternative fixed electrodes are available in two accessory kits as follows e A solid sample electrode kit consisting of three fixed electrodes for testing solid materials of different sizes The active electrode diameters are 10mm 30mm and 40mm e A liquid sample electrode kit with a single electrode for testing liquid samples Figure 6 3 Sample holder with standard 20mm fixed electrode All fixed electrodes solid or liquid utilise guard ring techniques to reduce the fringing effect of stray fields at the edge of the sample In the case of solid samples the diameter of the sample should be at least 10 greater than the electrode diameter to avoid fringing CS Section 6 3 2 Electrode Assemblies and Guard Ring NOTE The diameter of the solid sample fixed electrode assembly including the guard ring is 45mm same as the adjustable electrode The active electrode area is the smaller disc at the centre 21006013_AA
222. s box is checked the selections in the Graph Setup screen are used to define the graphs otherwise they conform to the defaults for the step type defined in the Graph Preferences screen 0 86 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Ce Graph Preferences Section 4 1 3 If the entries in the Graph Setup screen are to be used for an experiment this box should always be checked If the box is cleared the entries in the Graph Setup screen are ignored and when the experiment is run and the results are produced the Axes screen will conform to the Graph Preferences not the Graph Setup but the fields can be changed This check box does not affect the Table field which exists only in the Axes screen and uses the Graph Preferences if the Auto option is selected Graph 1 Graph 2 The type of graph to be displayed Two graphs can be displayed simultaneously with axes depending on the selections from these fields The options for DC plots are as follows None V vs Time I vs Time Q vs Time V I vs Time V vs I vs V V vs Log I Log I vs V The additional options for impedance plots are as follows Bode Z 0 Bode Z Z Complex Z Z 0 vs V Z 0 vs Ampl Bode ONT 0 Bode Vi Y Complex Y Bode OCL 0 Bode C Tan Bode C C Complex C Mott Schottky Bode ei 8 Bode el Complex dl 8 vs V 210
223. s follows 1 Click the appropriate points on the graph Each successive point will be labelled A B C etc For most plots only two points will be needed If required for greater precision hold the cursor over a position on the graph and the X and Y values will appear then click on the point 2 Ifa point needs to be moved hold the cursor on the label and drag it along the line of data As the cursor moves the label will display the X and Y values which will animate as the values change When you arrive at the required values release the mouse and the label will re appear 3 Ifa graph contains two traces for example voltage and current density against time complementary labels will appear on the second trace but only if the two traces are based on the same data set The trace that is currently selected for fitting will have green labels while the non selected trace will have blue labels If the second trace is selected by clicking on a blue label the colours will be reversed so that the blue labels turn green and the green labels turn blue 4 When the points have been set up select the required Method in the Fitting Options screen and set the appropriate options for the Method then click the Run button The plot will be fitted to the data and the parameters will appear in the Fitting Results box under the Run button Ce Line and Circle Methods Sections 5 12 1 5 12 2 5 Ifthe graph contains two traces you can click a l
224. s follows 1 In the left hand navigation panel click on a data item If there are no data items you will need to generate one by running an experiment 2 Display the results as the appropriate graph types depending on the mathematical function to be fitted 3 Click the Fitting tab to the right of the navigation panel to display the Fitting Options as follows Ee Fitting Options k No fitting algorithm selected Fitting Graph Setup Fitting results The fields available in this screen depend on the Fitting Method selected from the Method list box which contains the following options None Do not fit any functions or circuits to the data Line Fit a straight line through the data CS Section 5 12 1 Circle Fit a circle to the data Ce Section 5 12 2 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 97 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Equivalent circuit Fit an equivalent circuit to the data CS Section 5 12 4 The circuit is drawn by the user and the model calculates the values of the components including resistors capacitors and inductors This method can only be used for impedance data In all cases data can be selected by clicking two points on a graph and the model calculation will include all the data between the points Alternatively the calculation can be based on the complete set of data so that no points need to be specified To select the data for fitting proceed a
225. s option should not be used if there are more than a million points or while the experiment is running First Display the first 2000 points Last Display the last 2000 points When 2000 points have been accumulated the oldest ones will be discarded Regular Display every n th point where n is calculated so that 2000 points are displayed 210060138_AA 04 02 10 0 83 Software Reference Project 5 84 Random MinMax RegularTime MinMaxTime Auto ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Divide the data into 2000 sections each containing an equal number of points and display one point at random from each section Divide the data into 1000 sections each containing an equal number of points and display the minimum and maximum values from each section Display every n th point where n is calculated so that 2000 points are displayed each from an equal time interval Divide the data into 1000 equal time intervals and display the minimum and maximum values from each interval The system automatically chooses an option from the list depending on what is most appropriate for the data which may include DC or impedance measurements This is the default option 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 11 5 11 1 GRAPHIC DISPLAYS Graphic displays are generated by the ModuLab system and are available both during and after an exper
226. s the Experiment Hardware Requirements otherwise it will turn red indicating that it should not be used Ce Equipment Summary Section 4 2 1 The tabulated list of installed hardware has an additional field not included in the Equipment Summary as follows Use This column contains a check box for each instrument group so that you can select which ones to use for the experiment Any group that meets or exceeds the Experiment Hardware Requirements can be used An experiment can be run using multiple core modules by checking the boxes for each of them and connecting a sample to each instrument group The default selection will be a single check box according to the following rules e Ifthe experiment has just been added the box will be checked for the first instrument group in the list that meets the requirements e Ifa group has been specified in the Instrument Group to use field in the Hardware Requirements sub screen in the experiment setup screen the box for the specified group will be checked e Ifthe Custom option has been selected in the Instrument Group to use field no box will be checked The Custom option does not depend on any installed hardware and enables the configuration to be set up so that it can be transported between systems Comment You can write a comment about the experiment Data File 5 8 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project This f
227. se Group 1in slots 1 to 7 of Chassis 1 z Advanced Ground Internal Sample Setup i Click to enlarge w Instrument Experiment Setup Voltage 8V to 8V d Bas H Current 0 1A to 0 1A Experiment Limits AC amplitude 5 657V rms The experiment setup screen is divided into the following sub screens e Comments e Hardware Requirements e Sample Setup e Instrument Experiment Setup e Experiment Limits Comments The Comments sub screen in the experiment setup screen enables you to enter a comment about the experiment Es Lf Comments 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 3 2 Hardware Requirements The Hardware Requirements sub screen in the experiment setup screen specifies the hardware and connection configuration for the experiment The expanded screen with the Advanced box checked is as follows Hardware Requirements Experiment type Normal Instrument configuration Mat only Instrument Group to use Group lin slots 1 to 7 of Chassis 1 Advanced Materials CoreModule warm S i EN EH FRA option eee Femto Ammeter option MatFemto Ammeter Sample amp Refoption Sample and Reference High Current option MBST20V2A SS A ea l High Voltage option MHV100 E Bypass High Voltage Ground Internal The fields are Experiment Type The type of experiment rep
228. set up the step to apply a stimulus to the sample and take the required measurements A number of step types are available including linear sweep triangular sweep etc but for the purpose of this example we will configure the step to perform a linear DC voltage sweep Ce Step Types Section 5 8 1 Click on the step in the left hand navigation panel and a list of step categories will appear as follows iy ya peta Sa d Er My Project S i oL l S Experiment 1 General A CH Voltage Waveforms DC pA Voltage Controlled Impedance AC CH Mott Schottky ES l 3 10 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 2 Expand the Voltage Waveforms DC sub screen to display the list of step types in this category as follows General E d Voltage Waveforms DC Constant Level The samplevoltageis heldat a constantvalue for aspecified time period Measurements of voltageand current are taken during thistest Linear Sweep l V Characterisation Applies a voltagetothe samplethat is sweptsmoothly from onevoltage to anotherusing aspecified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and current aretaken during thistest Triangular Sweep l V Characterisation Applies avoltage tothe samplethatis swept smoothlyfrom onevoltageto another and then back tothe startvoltage using aspecified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and current are taken during thistest Staircase Linear Swee
229. t Booster Module Test 9 Scroll down the lower panel to view the complete report The report contains the report date and then the following information from each successive graph file in the upper panel e An experiment comment from the Comments sub screen in the experiment setup screen C Section 5 3 1 e A list of steps within the experiment and the excitation waveforms from the associated Scan Setup screens C Section 5 8 4 e A connection diagram e A list of equipment items used in the experiment including the core module and optional modules 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 127 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide e The graphs associated with the experiment according to the formatting that has been applied to the results Ce Data Section 5 10 e The tabulated data associated with the experiment according to the formatting that has been applied to the results Ce Data Section 5 10 e Data file comments from the Comment field in the Start Experiment screen Ce Section 5 2 2 e Fitting results Ce Section 5 12 At the bottom of the display at the end of the data from the last graph file there is a list of files that make up the report beginning with the RTF file that represents the document followed by all the associated graph files NOTE It is also possible to add a report folder by selecting New Report from the drop down menu instead of Add New
230. t Linear Sweep l V Characterisation Applies a voltagetothe samplethatissweptsmoothly fromonevoltage to anotherusing aspecifiedsweep rate Measurements of voltage and current aretaken during this test Triangular Sweep l V Characterisation Applies avoltage tothe samplethatis swept smoothlyfrom onevoltage to another and then back tothe startvoltage using aspecified sweeprate Measurements of voltage and current are taken during this test Staircase Linear Sweep Applies avoltage tothe samplethat is swept from one voltageto anotherusing avoltage staircasewith aspecified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and currentare taken during this test Staircase I riangular Sweep Applies avoltageto the sample thatis swept fromone voltage to another then back to thestart voltage using a voltage staircasewitha specified sweep rate Measurements of voltage and current aretaken duringthis test Pulse Applies a series of voltage pulses tothe sample of defined level pulse width and repeatduration over a speched time period Measurements of voltageand currentare taken during this test Sweep Pulse Applies a series of voltage pulses tothe sample of defined pulsewidth and repeat duration The pulse level smoothly sweeps fromone voltageto another Measurements of voltageand currentare taken during this test Differential Pulse Applies a series of voltage pulses tothe sample of defined level pulse width and repeatduration supenmposed ona staircase voltage swee
231. t When you have added the new project and experiment as described in the previous section you can set up the experiment as follows 1 Click on Setup in the navigation panel to display the experiment setup as follows Comments a s Experiment 1 i setup Hardware Requirements C K kiii Experiment type Instrument configuration Instrument Group to use Group 1in slots 1 to 7 of Chassis 1 hd Advanced Ground Sample Setup instrument Experiment Setup Experiment Limits This screen has a connection diagram in the top right corner and a description underneath The central column contains a number of sub screens which you can use to configure the experiment 2 If required you can click on the connection diagram to display an enlarged view as follows then click the Close button to return to the experiment setup screen 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 Make sure the Hardware Requirements sub screen is expanded using the arrow button if necessary and click the Advanced check box so that the sub screen appears as follows Hardware Requirements Experiment type Instrument configuration Mat only Instrument Group to use Group lin slots 1 to 7 of Chassis 1 Advanced Materials CoreModule MAT IMHz FRA option MFRA IMHz Femto Ammeter option MFA S Sample amp Ref option M
232. t This tab displays a tree structure of project items that are used to define experiments and data These two tabs can be moved to the top left of the navigation panel by clicking the pin button at the top right of the panel as follows T P i HE S by F Si i fi E IK fi id k 2 4 E Getting Started allen D MAT Test a setup H i MAT Test ER Additional Tests 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide ModuLab MTS Control Features When the tabs are pinned in this way the navigation panel only appears when the cursor is held over the tab The tabs can be returned to the bottom of the screen by clicking the pin button again e The main right hand window contains the configuration and data associated with the selected item within the tree structure This may be divided into sub screens for different types of display purposes and some of these can be expanded and collapsed using the arrow buttons D Comments o be EIS MAT Test If Show Status Grid is selected from the Experiment menu a panel appears at the bottom of the right hand window showing the status of the modules Hardware Requirement Ce Section 2 6 Status Grid At the bottom of the screen there is a small panel which displays status messages describing the current activity of the system C Section 2 6 2 Module Information 2 1 1 System When the System tab is selected
233. t and end voltage 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 8 4 7 Triangular Sweep In these step types the sample follows a waveform with a cyclic linear scan of voltage between two limits as follows Voltage Triangular Sweep l V Characterisation Scan rate 2 vertex voltage ko MMMM Start voltage End o voltage 1st vertex TTT voltage Cycle 1 Cycle 2 n 1 Last Cycle The corresponding Scan Setup sub screen which appears in the Step Setup is as follows Fd Za can Setup Start level 2nd vertex level 1 ist vertex level End level 5 Scan rate No of cycles Ce Step Setup Section 5 7 The following step types use this sub screen Step Type Category Triangular Sweep I V Voltage Waveforms DC Characterisation Triangular Sweep Impedance Voltage Controlled Impedance The voltage levels are specified relative to an appropriate base value CS Relative Values Section 5 8 4 1 21006013_AA 04 02 10 5 55 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 56 The fields are Start level The voltage level at which the first cycle begins If this is different from the first vertex level the first cycle will be incomplete The start level is only used if the box is checked otherwise the cycle starts at the first vertex level Ist vertex level The voltage level at which the sca
234. t name and on the sub items to expand the project Structure 3 4 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 11 Click on the experiment to display the Start Experiment screen as follows HM d A Vi d KU Vi 2 w de h k n Bas EAD AA BAAS A EE AS AIA IS IIL E AAA s op My Project Start Experiment a B T Experiment 1 Experiment Hardware Requirements Select one or more Instrument Groups FRA HV FA MRef 2A AuxV to runthis experiment Instrument Groups Available Instrument Group Capability Chassis Group Name Slot s MAT FRA HV FA MRef 2A Auw Chassis 1 Group 1 1to7 MATiIM MFRAIMHz MHV100 2 Di Di Di Not inuse Chassis 1 Group 2 8 MATIM Notinuse Status Data file Comment Experiment 1 Severity Description 1 Step The step is undefined This screen has the following features e There is a tabulated list of Experiment Hardware Requirements which specifies by default that a materials core module is required e There is a tabulated list of Instrument Groups Available together with their hardware specifications under Instrument Group Capability The available hardware including all the optional modules was detected by the ModuLab software or defined by the user during the system installation Each instrument group occupies one row in the table and the check boxes in the Use column specify which groups are to be used for the experiment Multiple boxes ca
235. tem However to maintain the structure of the project these features are only available where appropriate otherwise they are greyed out e Items can be moved from one position in the tree to another by dragging them up and down but only in circumstances where the structure of the project can be maintained e Items can be renamed so that they represent the features of your experiment To rename an item click once to select it then click again then re type the name This feature is not available for the data items generated from an experiment but 1s available for the folders in which they are held 2 2 1 Navigation Drop Down Menu When you right click on an item in the navigation panel a drop down menu appears including sub menus containing commands which are mostly from the Menu Bar and are appropriate for the item A typical drop down menu is as follows Atim EE EE EE EE SE E Ki fe Be Bee gum atime Satin SE ee S E SE Big A ER See pray SA b i SE ign Folder Experiment Graph o j Lines Rename F2 s r pojento iat Te Undo Insert Node Ctrl 2 E get Redo Ctri y gt Atom Tests ee Test Recreate Experiment T er wi Explorer Ge J TO ee Ce Corresponding Menu Bar commands Section 2 4 The following commands are specific to the drop down menu and do not exist in the Menu Bar Rename Experiment This command is only available when a data folder or sub item is selected from t
236. teps and loops making sure that the values in the dialogue boxes are compatible with the characteristics of the material Ce Step Section 5 6 and Loop Section 5 4 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 21 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 28 WARNING Always check the characteristics of the material and set up the ModuLab system accordingly to ensure safe operation of the experiment You can do a dummy run first using the Dielectric Reference Module but in most circumstances this will not predict the response of real material samples which may have entirely different characteristics 4 Connect the core module to the sample using the appropriate colour coded cables as shown in Figure 3 1 5 Run the experiment and review the results Ce Section 3 2 4 NOTE These instructions apply specifically to this experiment If you are running one of the other experiments make the appropriate selections from the ModuLab software and use the corresponding connection diagram 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 3 3 2 Normal Experiment Type The experiment configurations in the Normal category are used for a wide range of applications including e High voltage experiments for example when testing dielectrics insulators ceramics and display panel materials e High impedance experiments for example nanotechnology and
237. the Gen and I connectors on the Sample and Reference module e The Hi and Lo Smp connectors on the Sample and Reference module are connected to the Hi and Lo electrodes on the sample The compensating capacitance 1s introduced internally or externally as follows e For internal referencing the Hi and Lo Reference sockets on the Sample and Reference module are connected to their corresponding Hi and Lo Internal Reference sockets using appropriate cables e For external referencing the Hi and Lo Reference sockets are connected to the Hi and Lo electrodes of a known external capacitor using appropriate cables In both cases the cables used for referencing must be identical to the cables connecting to the sample and of the same length The choice between internal and external referencing has to be specified in the Modul ab software in the Sample Setup sub screen and the appropriate connections diagram will appear Ce Section 5 3 3 Sample Setup The specification of the Sample and Reference module for use in an experiment does not necessarily mean that it has to be used in all the impedance steps The Measurement Mode in the Impedance Setup for each step can be set as follows Sample only Measurements are taken from the sample without using the Sample and Reference module Sample amp Reference The Sample and Reference module is used according to the experiment Setup Ce Section 5 7 1 Impedance Setup 21006013_AA 04 02 10
238. the project was opened In each case the item is identified from the full pathname in the expanded structure in the left hand navigation panel and there is a check box so that you can specify that the item needs to be saved Cancel This button closes the dialogue box without closing the project and without saving any items All This button checks the boxes for all the items in the list so that they will all be saved when you click Continue None This button clears the boxes for all the items in the list so that none of them will be saved when you click Continue Continue This button closes the project and saves the changes to the items that have been checked Any experiments that are currently running will be stopped 5 4 21006013 AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 2 Ol o T on Je ech d EXPERIMENTS Any number of experiments can be set up within a project either directly under the project or under a folder within the project Underneath each experiment there is a Setup feature which enables the general features of the experiment to be defined and at the next level there are steps and loops which define the excitation signals to be applied to the sample during the experiment An experiment structure containing a single step called Linear Sweep 1s as follows EN Example Project ER Experiment 1 di Le S Py Add New Experiment
239. tinues running until the program has ended For example the program might run a temperature controller that stops when a required temperature has been reached If the step has to terminate because the Step Termination conditions have been reached the program will stop CS Step Termination Section 5 7 3 If the box 1s not checked the step terminates when the program starts It takes about one second to detect that the program has started 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project LOOP TYPES When a loop is selected from the left hand navigation panel a selection of Loop Types and their corresponding Loop Setup sub screens appears as follows Loop Type x Loop m a Repeat experiment steps a number of times Scanlm nce AC amplitude Repeat impedance steps with different AC amplitudes Scan DC Impedance bias level Repeat constant level or impedance steps with different DC levels Loop Setup The Loop Types are as follows Loop This is the standard loop where the corresponding Loop Setup contains a single field Number of times to cycle When the experiment is run it will cycle round the loop the specified number of times implementing all the steps and sub loops each time round the cycle Scan Impedance AC Amplitude The loop contains a list of AC voltage amplitude levels and performs a cycle for each entry in the list Each impedance step within the loop may opt
240. tion panel to display the sub screens for the step configuration 2 Inthe Scan Setup sub screen set the Level or DC Level field to DC scan value as follows Fd Za gt can setup Duration The fields for entering the value and units have become greyed out because the step takes its DC bias level from the loop NOTE DC scan value should only be specified for a step that is inside a DC bias scanning loop otherwise the experiment will not run 210060138_AA 04 02 10 5 75 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 10 Ed 5 76 DATA When an experiment is run a data item representing the results will appear in the left hand navigation panel with a structure of sub items based on the structure of the experiment When an item in the data structure is selected measurements will appear in the right hand window in the form of graphs and a tabulated list depending on the configuration of the Axes sub screen CS Axes Section 5 10 2 The graphs and tabulated list will be updated as the experiment progresses and new measurements are taken until the activity represented by the selected item is complete Each item in the data structure is linked to a corresponding item in the experiment structure For example the following structure has a data item called Constant Level Impedance and when selected it displays the results of the corresponding step in the experiment
241. tton automatically becomes inactive The default screen has a single test with a grey button Click this button to delete the test Loop exit If the step is within a loop this list box specifies how the step will terminate if the test is true The options are Go to next step Stay within the loop and go to the next step This is the default option Exit from loop Jump out of the loop and go to the next loop if 21006013_AA 04 02 10 there is one or the next step in the experiment 5 41 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 7 4 RR 5 42 Instrument Step Setup This sub screen in the Step Setup screen defines the Instrument Step Setup taking priority over the more general Instrument Experiment Setup Instrument Step Setup Override experiment settings Voltage range Current range i End Record range changes Enable Auxiliary Voltage Inputs DC A E B E cH oF Ce Instrument Experiment Setup Section 5 3 4 The fields are Override experiment settings If this box is checked the values in this screen are applied to the step and override the Instrument Experiment Setup If the box is not checked all the fields are greyed out Voltage range The voltage range of the core module This field is the same as in the Instrument Experiment Setup Current range The current range of the core module This field is the same as in the Instrument Experiment Se
242. tup Record range changes If this box is checked an entry is made in a log file when the core module changes from one voltage or current range to another This field is greyed out and displays the entry from the Instrument Experiment Setup Enable Auxiliary Voltage Inputs This group of fields determines how the auxiliary channels are to be used in the experiment DC The four check boxes A B C D indicate the auxiliary channels that are used for DC measurements from accessories for example temperature probes 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 7 9 Control Outputs This sub screen in the Step Setup screen specifies the control of external devices for example heaters stirrers flow controllers and fans Control is limited to switching the devices on and off by closing and opening a circuit and does not specify how they will operate Control Outputs Li Output A On Off Output B CH On off Output C E On Off Each core module has three control outputs A B and C and the options for each of them are as follows On The circuit is closed to turn the device on at the beginning of the step and remains closed throughout the whole step Off The circuit is opened to turn the device off at the beginning of the step and remains open throughout the whole step Since the On Off values apply to the whole step it will be necess
243. uide 5 92 Major tick The interval at which major tick marks and values appear on the axis The numeric field is followed by a list box with the following options None Tick marks are not displayed Inside Tick marks are displayed inside the axis Outside Tick marks are displayed outside the axis Cross Tick marks are displayed both inside and outside the axis Minor tick The interval at which minor tick marks without values appear on the axis The numeric field is followed by a list box same as for major ticks X axis crosses at This field specifies the value of the Y axis where the X axis crosses it This is useful for example when placing the axis on zero between positive and negative limits Logarithmic axis scale The axis has a logarithmic scale This box is checked by default if the axis for the graph type is normally logarithmic For example in a Bode plot the impedance and frequency are logarithmic but the phase angle 1s linear so the box is checked or unchecked depending on the axis that it represents The sign is ignored 1f the value is negative Invert axis If this box is checked the axis will be inverted so that the values increase in the reverse direction X axis from right to left Y axis from top to bottom Data Scaling The scaling of the data before it is plotted which can be one of the following selected from a radio button Linear No scaling applied Absolute Negative values converted
244. up to use field defaults to Custom if no group is available that is capable of performing the experiment O If you select an Experiment type and Instrument configuration that requires some optional modules and then select an Instrument Group to use that does not have the modules fitted a red error icon will appear alongside the module fields The experiment will not run until the error is corrected 6 Select an entry from the Grounding list box The options are Internal The ModuLab system is internally grounded LO connected to ground This option should only be used if the sample is not grounded External The ModuLab system is externally grounded through the sample LO floating This option should only be used if the sample is grounded NOTE The LO point is a common reference voltage for modules within a group For details see the Installation Guide 7 After setting up the Hardware Requirements expand the additional sub screens using the arrow button and fill in the fields if necessary to specify the detailed configuration of the experiment The additional sub screens are Ce Sample Setup Section 5 3 3 Ce Instrument Experiment Setup Section 5 3 4 Ce Experiment Limits Section 5 3 5 21006013 AA 04 02 10 3 9 Setting Up and Running Experiments ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 3 2 3 Set up the Step After setting up the experiment which includes a single undefined step by default you will need to
245. urations used by the ModuLab system fall into the following categories Ce Normal Section 3 3 2 Ce Sample and Reference Section 3 3 3 Ce Installation Test Getting Started Guide and Installation Guide Each of the sub sections under these main headings describes one of the pre defined hardware and connection configurations except for the Installation Test The configuration for General Materials Testing is described first as an example giving a brief outline of how to set up and run an experiment Ce Example General Materials Testing Section 3 3 1 The remaining experiments are the same except for the following e Inthe ModuLab software you have to select the required experiment type and instrument configuration to display the appropriate connection diagram e You have to connect the modules to the test sample according to the displayed diagram Steps may be added to experiments as follows e For time domain analysis use any step type under Voltage Waveforms DC Ce Section 5 8 2 e For impedance analysis use any step type under Voltage Controlled Impedance at the required DC voltage level Impedance tests require an FRA module to be fitted CE Section 5 8 3 The ModuLab system may be grounded internally or externally depending on the grounding of the sample e Ifthe sample is not grounded the Modul ab system must be grounded internally LO grounded e Ifthe sample is grounded the ModuLab system must b
246. uto displayed in a single list box and this selects a current range depending on the measured value This method should not be used in the following circumstances e Do not use with rapidly changing currents where an inappropriate range will give near zero or off limit conditions e Do not use with samples that are sensitive to the small discontinuities that occur in the sample drive when switching from one range to another Record range changes If this box is checked an entry is made in a log file when the core module changes from one voltage or current range to another 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Enable Auxiliary Voltage Inputs This group of fields determines how the auxiliary channels are to be used in the experiment These channels are for connection to accessories such as temperature probes not for taking measurements on the sample DC The four check boxes A B C D indicate the auxiliary channels that are used for DC measurement Experiment Limits The Experiment limits sub screen in the experiment setup screen specifies the upper and lower limits of voltage current and charge to be output to the sample as follows Expenment Limits Min voltage 8 Max voltage a Min current 100 Max current Ss SS K Min charge E Max charge To apply a limit check the appropriate box then specify the value and units from the associ
247. vement The specifications in this document may therefore be changed without notice 21006013 AA 04 02 10
248. which may be calculated by the system or specified by the user The units in which the value is specified or calculated This field depends on the selected Method e A list box of units appropriate to the selected component is available for an Equivalent Circuit e There are no units for the Line or Circle Method The value may change during a calculation according to the following options Fixed The value remains fixed and does not change during a calculation Free The value can change either up or down during a calculation This is the default option for all Methods except Equivalent Circuit Positive The value can increase during a calculation This is the default option for the Equivalent Circuit method Sub The value can decrease during a calculation The margin of error associated with the parameter A small value represents high accuracy 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project 5 12 2 Circle The Circle method in the Fitting Options screen fits a circular arc through the data and is typically used in complex plane plots as follows 5000 4000 3000 a 2000 1000 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 a el Ei The Fitting Options screen is as follows FEEL a Ia a ee eee eee ee ee ee ere Fy Be Ra el Ae De Fitting Options F Simulates or Fits a Circle plot Use 2 cursors to identify a region to fit
249. wn menu Specialised Circuit Elements The Equivalent Circuit toolbar contains the following specialised elements Distributed element Constant phase element Gerisher element d Warburg open circuit element d Warburg short circuit element These elements are complete self contained circuits each representing an impedance in accordance with a combination of resistance capacitance and inductance and they can be combined with other elements to create larger circuits These elements are normally used for specific applications and are described in the LEVM Manual Ce LEVM Manual J Ross Macdonald and Solartron Group Ltd available on the Solartron website www solartronanalytical com downloads software levm_manual pdf Each of these elements has a Parameters dialogue box which can be displayed using either of the following methods e Right click on the element to display the drop down list box and click Properties e Select the Unit field in the Element Table below the drawing space then click on the field again 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project The appropriate dialogue box will appear For example in the case of a DE element it will be as follows Distributed rn element type 4 Value Fit type Error RDE 1200000 Fositive D TDE 1 4 Positive D UDE D Fixed D PHIDE 0 384 Fositive D D Cancel 5 12 4 4 Equivalent Circuit Fitting Options
250. xis and a line drawn from the low intercept to the centre The frequency corresponding to the maximum value of imaginary impedance the top of the circle The value is specified in two sets of units rad s and Hz Estimated solution resistance Estimated polarisation resistance Estimated capacitance The following options are available Model The model used for the circle definition The options are Normal Prefit Perform an iterative fit using the current values from the table of parameters as initial values Draw the circle through three points on the data This method can be used to obtain initial values of the parameters for a Normal Fit in case the currently specified values are unsuitable 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Iterations The maximum number of iterations to be performed during a Normal Fit Data selection This list box selects the range of data through which the line is to be drawn The options are Between Cursors All the data between two specified points on the graph All Points All the data on the graph so that there is no need to specify points Epsilon Stop performing iterations of a Normal Fit when the change between iterations is less than this value Mode This list box specifies how the model is applied to the data The options are Fit Fit the mathematical model to the data and calculate a set of parameters to p
251. xit ModuLab 2 15 2 25 expanded system 1 1 1 3 2 6 experiment 2 8 5 5 limits 5 20 new 5 5 setup 2 4 2 8 2 17 3 7 5 5 5 10 5 20 5 23 5 25 instrument 5 8 5 17 5 28 5 43 5 94 start 2 17 2 21 3 5 3 13 5 7 explorer Windows 2 11 explosive atmospheres 111 9 1 Index export data 2 11 3 20 5 78 See also CSV file export all 5 79 export table 5 79 external program 5 47 5 68 Faraday cage 6 2 6 3 feedback control loop 6 1 femto ammeter 1 1 3 31 3 32 4 7 4 8 5 7 5 12 5 13 8 1 femto amp 3 31 3 32 file information 2 11 2 14 5 79 5 132 5 134 5 136 fitting 5 98 folder icon 2 19 FRA See frequency response analyzer frequency response analyzer 1 1 1 2 3 1 3 21 3 24 3 26 3 27 4 7 4 13 5 8 5 13 5 32 5 48 5 119 5 120 IP address 4 13 model 4 8 4 13 test 5 120 5 124 voltage range 5 33 voltage range representing current 5 33 fuel cell 1 1 fuses 111 generator 3 15 5 9 5 46 5 47 Gerisher element 5 110 5 117 graph 2 8 2 12 3 19 5 78 5 86 data reduction 5 84 default graph type 4 5 display graph 2 23 file 5 96 fitting mathematical functions 5 98 included in report 5 127 5 133 layout of graphic displays 5 86 preferences 3 4 4 4 5 45 5 87 setup 4 4 5 29 5 45 5 86 5 87 5 91 5 129 trace setup 5 82 ground 111 3 9 3 26 5 14 5 110 group See instrument group hardware requirements 5 11 high voltage module 1 1 1 2 3 30 3 32 3 3
252. y Multisine Multiple sinewaves according to a Fast Fourier Transform are swept from the start frequency to the end frequency 21006013 AA 04 02 10 5 29 Software Reference Project ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide 5 30 Amplitude rms The RMS amplitude of the AC signal maintained at a fixed level during the step The units are uV mV y The Relative Values field associated with this field contains the following options Absolute The value is specified in absolute terms without reference to any other values AC Scan Value The value has been specified in the Loop Setup for an AC amplitude scanning loop so that it can be applied to impedance steps within the loop There is no need to specify a value here and the fields will be greyed out This option should only be used for a step that is inside an AC amplitude scanning loop Ce Section 5 9 1 Frequency The frequency of the AC stimulus If the Technique is Single frequency this is a single field with a units field If the Technique is Frequency sweep or Multisine there are two fields representing the Start Frequency and End Frequency of the sweep The following units are available on all frequency fields uHz mHz Hz kHz MHz O Repeat every This field exists only for linear sweeps including cyclic sweeps such as Triangular Sweep and defines the DC voltage or current interval for the start of each new impedance measurement Start dela
253. y This field appears for non linear sweeps including non linear cyclic sweeps such as Staircase Triangular Sweep and specifies the delay after every change in DC voltage before an impedance measurement is taken It also appears in the case of Constant Level and the delay occurs only once at the beginning 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Software Reference Project Advanced The following additional fields appear if this box is checked Auto integration The signal applied to the FRA can be integrated to reject noise The effect is to narrow the measurement bandwidth and thus increase the signal to noise ratio Integration increases the measurement time so there is a trade off between the accuracy you require and the measurement speed Auto integration can be used when there is uncertainty about the degree of interference generated by the sample so that the integration time is adjusted automatically to obtain a specified statistical accuracy in the measurement result Auto integration selects an integration time appropriate for the interference from the noisiest input and measurement continues until the standard deviation of the input data 1s reduced to a target value The options in this field are Off Auto integration is not applied and instead you can specify an Integration Time Long Aims for a standard deviation of 1 of reading 0 001 of full scale on the noisiest input Short A
254. y a green row in the tabulated list of groups However the default group is the one that was selected in the Instrument Group to use field in the Hardware Requirements sub screen and this is the one we will use in this experiment Ce Hardware Requirements sub screen Section 3 2 2 Step 3 3 Connect the ModuLab system to the sample using the appropriate colour coded cables WARNING In some circumstances it may be useful to connect the ModuLab Test Unit first or the ModuLab 0 1 ohm Unit for high power applications and do a dummy run of the experiment before connecting the system to a real material sample However the primary purpose of the Test Unit is to test the modules under conditions of safety and it does not represent the characteristics of material samples which may vary greatly from each other Do not rely on the Test Unit as an alternative to carefully checking the characteristics of your system 4 If you like you can type a name in the Data file field but for the purpose of this example we will leave it at its default which is the same as the experiment name Start Experiment Select one or more Instrument Groups to runthis experiment Instrument Groups Available Chassis Group Name Slot s PA Chassis 1 Group 1 ito7 E Chassis 1 Group 2 H Datafile Comment Experiment 1 Measure 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide Setting Up and Running Experiments 5 If
255. y a high voltage module femto ammeter sample and reference module and 2A booster for DC and AC measurements at high voltage and either at high impedance or high power The femto ammeter and 2A booster can be installed within the same group but cannot be used in the same experiment Either the femto ammeter would be used for high impedance or else the 2A booster for high power e Group 2 A core module by itself to perform DC measurements 1 2 21006013_AA 04 02 10 ModuLab MTS Materials Test System User Guide The ModuLab MTS System The ModuLab system is normally supplied with all the modules installed according to your requirements so that it is only necessary to check that the modules are present and in the correct order Getting Started with ModuLab MTS When you receive delivery of your ModuLab system you will need to work through the manuals in the following order e The Getting Started manual gives a limited set of installation instructions sufficient to connect the ModuLab chassis to a PC and run a simple DC experiment using a ready made software configuration and a test unit known as the Dielectric Reference Module to represent a material sample This test will verify that the core module can communicate with the PC and 1s able to obtain some results from the test unit e The Installation Guide gives instructions about how to set up the system and perform a wider range of experiments so that all the installed modules can

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