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Sigma C4 User's Manual

1. 64 ES Enable SRQ Status request mode 64 EGE Goto temperature ex a emu mex Sere der Ra 71 PR TS TOT A Ra e AAP AMEN MEN 55 PN Select active control probe vor pea PER XR eis eb ee ua pepe eek TO PU Read EE G Ven see qdo UTR cardo 4 ens 65 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 113 OG Query lash command x occ rox wr ER ES ER NEW NE E AE Ed PED 64 QE QEA Query error status string 0 0 cece eee eee 62 QF QFA Query setup parameter value nananana annann eee 59 QN Query controller serial number 57 e a da RA 58 QR Query controller temperature range 0 eee eee eee 58 pex cc le a AN tate a PAA PAA O 58 QS Query setpoint amp control probe number 58 OU CONTE GINO aaa bho ie sh eel ooo 73 n ane AA AA AA CROCE IDA V ner Ge Sens 57 QV Query firmware NELSON XX Dxcd XX See ROS sed HOP 57 RA RAF Ramp to temperature vos ue do tec o tec Re o tel o cta 71 RE REA Requestierror byte aaa A 61 RS RSA Request status byte oidos 61 SC Set ProlecOrrechion erorico ero A S ANE De eR 66 SD Set UUT Temperature differential limits 69 Sl Select immediate modes a hee o oo ee 70 SL Set UUT temperature Limits 2122s xe EUR UR 69 SE CEC PEA MM AA Apna 70 eR oo rsa pte dhl rte said AGO MAAN uet Cice MAN LE NUNG BU bai PCIe KUALA aNG 56 TO TF Turn aux power control port on amp off 72 UP Write current paramet
2. 62 7 5 4 QC Query Last Command 64 7 5 5 ES Enable SRQ Status Request Mode 64 DO DS Disable Me GBO id 64 7 5 7 PT Read Temperature x soar Naan a eet eee 65 7 6 Setup Parameter Commands 66 7 6 1 SG Set Probe Correction iii ki inn Ek haha 66 7 6 2 WP Set PID Constants usi 54 24 et ste ia 67 7 6 3 BF 8 BO Blower Off 8 Blower On Commands 68 7 6 4 SL Set UUT Temperature Limits 69 7 6 5 SD Set UUT Temperature Differential Limits 69 7 6 6 UP Write Current Parameters to NV Memory 69 7 7 System Operation Commands 70 7 7 1 SI Select Immediate Mode nananana aeann 70 7 7 2 SP Select Program Mode 70 7 7 3 PN Select Active control Probe 70 7 7 4 GT GTF Go To Temperature o 71 7 7 5 RA RAF Ramp to Temperature 71 7 7 6 DL Delay Dwell Interval ocur 3 Yes Rer EE D 72 7 7 7 CO amp CF Turn the Refrigeration Port On 72 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 5 7 7 8 TO8 TF Turn Aux Power Control Port On 72 Er OV Quit Controlling s vov ae A A 73 7 8 Error and Status Reporting Overview 74 PAC Stat s Byte IE AA AA PAA PAPAG 74 8 2 JEMOMDYler 356 AHA DAMA Lomb Dba dee oa 75 7 8 3 Error Status String tad NA
3. 7 3 1 Byte 03 Probe Temperature Value Errors Probe 1 more than 20 C and less than 50 C exceeding high temp operation limit 7 3 1 Probe 1 more than 20 C and less than 50 C exceeding low temp operation limit 7 3 1 Probe 2 more than 20 C and less than 50 C exceeding high temp operation limit 7 3 1 Probe 2 more than 20 C and less than 50 C exceeding low temp operation limit 7 3 1 Probe 1 more than 50 C exceeding high temp operation limit 7 3 1 Probe 1 more than 50 C exceeding low temp operation limit 7 3 1 Probe 2 more than 50 C exceeding high temp operation limit 7 3 1 Probe 2 more than 50 C exceeding low temp operation limit 7 3 1 Byte 04 Correction Value Errors Correction temperatures submitted less than 50 C apart 7 3 1 Correction factors submitted result in greater than 20 C correction at the limits of the controller range 7 3 1 Byte 32 Hardware Errors EEPROM write failed 222 2 7 3 1 FLASH memory write failed teen teen nee as 7 4 9 Byte 35 Port status set on reset off Blower port Oh dne oe Eea BADA RE SR SW ar Medes 7 3 1 Main heater port control heat on 2 0 ce s 7 3 1 Boost heater portion eseria Naa o aed tog eels IURE le oe oslo abe RES 7 3 1 Refer
4. Setpoint Out of Range Error If a program step requests a setpoint outside the System Operating Range See Section 3 5 the C4 will generate a Setpoint Out of Range Error The error message will be preceded by a minus sign if the setpoint requested is lower than the System Operating Range and will not show a minus sign if the requested setpoint is above the System Operating Range Example 905 SOB 005 S09 Fither the setpoint request or one of the temperature ranges that defines the System Operating Range will have to be changed before the program will run 52 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 6 8 Special Commands There are special commands that use the substep data within a step for different purposes than normal These commands are 6 8 1 Creating controlled loops and 6 8 2 6 8 5 External port controls In each case only some of the substeps are used To enhance program readability we suggest that you set any unused substep values to zero 6 8 1 Controlled Program Looping The program may be placed into a controlled loop by the use of the PROGRAM LOOP special command When the Probe is specified as 3 the Setpoint value is used as a loop count This value must be specified as an integer and be in the range 1 999 Each time the Loop Command is reached in the program the loop count is decremented by one As long as the loop count is greater than zero the program will execute the step indicated in the Next Step Number substep of the P
5. 50 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 6 7 1 Program Run Time Information Considerations When a program is running the display shows the currently executing program step number on the left and the total amount of remaining run time for that step on the right The time displayed is the sum of any remaining ramp time and or hold time The temperature may be displayed by pressing lt DISP TEMP gt while the program is running Pressing lt DISP CNTL gt will restore the display of the current step number and the time left in the step Programs may be designed to run continuously by specifying the next step to be any previous step of the program In this way step 100 the end is never reached The program must then be stopped by the operator pressing the lt START STOP gt key Controlled looping is also possible See 6 8 1 Multiple programs may be stored in memory since a program may be started from any step and terminates with any step specifying 100 as its next program step It 1s the operator s responsibility to keep a record of the beginning program step number for each program in memory 6 7 2 Run Time Pre read Errors When a program is started by pressing lt START STOP gt with the first step of the program displayed the C4 will pre read all the program s steps in the run time execution sequence During the pre read the C4 checks all steps for errors so that the user can solve any problems immediately rather than having them occur later during pro
6. Query or status commands do not cancel outstanding commands Command syntax is SI lt CR gt lt LF gt 7 7 2 SP Select Program Mode This command selects the program mode of operation In program mode commands are executed in the order they are sent The commands are stored in a command buffer until such time as the controller can execute them Program mode SP is the default upon entering the Remote mode of operation Note that the command buffer is limited in size Each time a command is sent to the C4 in program mode the status and error bytes should be checked for buffer full condition The command will not be partially stored If any of the error bits related to command acceptance bits 2 4 5 or 6 are set the command has not been accepted Query and status commands are executed immediately in program mode and do not affect operation command processing Command syntax is SP lt CR gt lt LF gt 7 7 3 PN Select Active control Probe This command selects the probe that will be used for control of the chamber The default when entering the Remote mode of operation is probe 1 For single probe systems this command is never used although all units are sold capable of utilizing two probes Valid probe numbers here are 0 1 and 2 only Selecting probe O will initiate Intelligent Two Probe Control See Section 4 Command syntax is PNn lt CR gt lt LF gt Where n is probe number to use for control 72 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 7 7
7. UUT Upper 500 C As required Operating Temperature Limit 932 F Default 200 Jnit Under Test UUT Lower From 1 to full Operating Temperature controller range Full controller Differential Limit ie 300 for a 100 range ie 300 Unit Under Test UUT Upper to 200 for a 100 to Operating Temperature controller 200 controller Differential Limit Note The setup field parameters are stored in non volatile memory that is retained even during power down 8 1 Displaying the Field Values The contents of field 0 is displayed upon entering the Setup mode To display the next field press lt DISP CNTL gt Pressing lt DISP CNTL gt after field 30 will cause field O to be re displayed Pressing lt DISP TEMP gt will scroll backward Entering a 2 digit number and pressing lt ENTER gt will display the entered field without having to scroll through the list C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 83 8 2 Changing the Value of a Setup Field A field may be changed with the following procedure 1 Display the field to be changed using the lt DISP CNTL gt key as detailed in 8 1 2 Press lt CLEAR ENTRY gt to clear the current value 3 Enter the new value Note For setup parameters F0 F16 the valid choices may be scrolled by using lt ADV gt and or lt gt until the desired field value appears on the display If you wish to use this method do not press lt CLEAR ENTRY gt first 4 Press lt ENTER gt to replace the old va
8. using Intelligent 2 Probe Control is very easy To use Intelligent 2 Probe Control set the probe number to zero 0 Intelligent 2 Probe Control will be used in any mode Local Program or Remote if the probe number 0 40 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 5 LOCAL MODE Basic Operation The C4 Local mode of operation provides simple control of the chamber or platform through the front panel controls In this mode a single setpoint is entered from the front panel and the controller will attempt to have the chamber or platform reach and hold that temperature In local mode the compressor of mechanically refrigerated units can be turned on or off using the lt REFER gt button on the front panel The controller can be set to automatically start controlling at the last used temperature upon startup by setting the controller to the AutoStart mode See AutoStart mode description Section 8 4 The circled numbers on the front panel guide the user through the sequence for the basic operation of changing the setpoint The reasoning for each keystroke is as follows 1 Display control setpoint temperature 2 Clear the existing setpoint value 3 Key in control probe number only if 2 probes defined in setup parameter F1 new setpoint 4 Commit new setpoint entry 5 Display current chamber temperature If controller RUN LED is not ON press lt START STOP gt to begin controlling at set temperature 5 1 Displaying Temperature The temperature
9. 1 5 6 Temperature Out of Range Shutdown 13 1 5 7 Internal Error Shutdown Conditions 14 1 5 8 Fahrenheit Temperature Scale Supported 14 1 5 9 Temperature Probe Correction Calibration 14 1 5 10 Bumpless Temperature Control 14 1 5 11 Intelligent 2 Probe Control Probe Averaging 15 1 5 12 Default Setup Parameters Restore 16 1 5 13 Program Mode Step Insert 8 Delete 16 1 5 14 Program Mode Any Step Points to Step 100 16 1 5 15 Program Mode Safer Program Clear 16 1 5 16 Program Mode Run Time Program Pre check 16 1 5 17 Remote Mode ElA 232 Baud Rate Improvement 16 1 5 18 Remote Mode ElA 232 Port Initialization 17 1 5 19 Remote Mode Fault Tolerant Parser 17 1 5 20 Remote Mode System Information Queries 17 1 5 21 Remote Mode Operation Information Queries 17 1 5 22 Remote Mode Setup Parameter Commands 18 1 5 23 Remote Mode IEEE 488 GPIB Monitoring 18 1 5 24 Setup Mode Easier Parameter Access 18 2 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION 2 4 iia ad pa 19 24 TONE PANG APA PA AO 19 2 1 1 Digital LED Display Gu UA OM ve 19 2 EDINA CA LOTS ea Wie e GA a Wee 19 2 1 3 Mode Switch o rea eee a oi eni 20 2 4 RS let AMAIA 21 2 2 Rear Panel Connections 32 5
10. 105 A ak oda O E PAS 24 MOPSTOIT MIM DOES sx pm A AE Dee dese Gee Pee adde 23 A wtih ie ANN a AAP TTT RAM EO RA RE ENO 10 55 Address aaa A TI RE DOTT EO EN NE 79 o O O 22 Frontipane boro A per A 55 Improvements ie hr etos e Meta d xen GI ae e le IRENAME NI 12 Sample command structure with examples 96 GPIB port monitoring reset A A Aat ba 18 GLE TF Goto tem peratures mos A A IE ur 71 Hardware problems Last EE ea ar t NA EA 101 Holdtimer ot cla etna neca edu RR EO NE EKO ME NN 43 72 TE EAB Ss OP IB a ii ert d eet e UN 10 Infellivent 2 probe control o AAA REX Na eX RUNE 35 laterchansea bility ue uote Seth a O el 11 Internal error shutdown conditions Nd RA A ex ex eb ex v 31 ISGVBOSE APA 21 LED TADIA LOREN peni deos P CE P E DC e X b ARCU Foe CE DC RUP 19 Irae Teri D DOE eeehe e OCC RUD A BE ARIE E MM Me a uet 55 POE ID oso ale een ui aS lala 10 39 Local mode problems Controller starts immediately in local mode 102 Loop Count Error ce ste enr c bc cte OE COT SNOS a 50 Masa mizi ne ramp L sso a RFID ap URP UP Nein ad e 45 Memory signature checking AA es im NOR UI OR EP NT OG Dn COUNTS CR 31 Mesa 26 Table a ain ear aoe Dea dee Treiber dox i DX Aloe me im JA ga na 109 Mode WATE NAN TTT 20 Warn AA AA 20 Model Number AA PA 23 N Probe 2 DI NKO 50 IN A UN PANG KG AN Naa PAN bala tase 102 Parser P toleran o a A A O NI VERA MAO IN 17 PES 2 Precision Ball DAR ess S
11. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 82 PID controller Integral term Adjustment not Tens of seconds required for I term effect normally equal to P term effect required 5 7 Default PID controller Differential term Adjustment not Seconds required for D term effect to equal normally P term effect required PID controller integral wind up Adjustment not limiter term required Refrigeration compressor front panel control l yes O no Autostart in Local Mode l yes 0 no Blower shut off mode O disable 1 enable Temperature Scale 0 1 O lt Celsius 1 Fahrenheit i Probe 1 Correction Uncorrected first value U1 SORER NOATE x Probe 1 Correction Corrected first value C1 Obe OC NN Probe 1 Correction Uncorrected second value U2 BORD Probe 1 Correction Corrected second value C2 Ai ione Probe 2 Correction f Uncorrected first value U1 Dej ECO SM 4 Probe 2 Correction Corrected first value C1 SRDE NN Probe 2 Correction Uncorrected second value U2 PO Probe 2 Correction E Corrected second value C2 PEG KON C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 5 7 Default Permitted lc ud F Chamber Platform Lower 200 C As required Operating Temperature Limit 327 9 F Default 100 Chamber Platform Upper 500 C As required Operating Temperature Limit 932 F Default 200 Unit Under Test UUT Lower 200 C As required Operating Temperature Limit 327 9 F Default 100 Unit Under Test
12. 4 rax og WEE SHE OER 98 TEST O auta AA ANA ANA 22 CO amp CF Turn the refrigeration port on amp off T2 Outputs and input installation and use 98 TO TF Turn aux power control port on off 72 Tuning Adjusting for changing needs A DAA AAA A 106 Discussion of PID constants and their use 105 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 119 The Differential Term equ peng eee edie Ka PAS KAG DANG IJ 108 The band etd cH MC stud a Na a kn a AB oa ag Ans Pd od 107 The proportional termi AAA AAA 107 WP Set PID constants A NN 67 UP Write current parameters to NV memory 69 UUT opera INST MIS si o AAP 81 UUT temperature differential limits 37 69 81 UUT temperature ES OR Gta EO OE EN E RE e Ete GE tec 37 SL Set UUT temperature limits Ro zeno A AP 69 Watehdos timen dada dai 31 Website repas re Ra aod mae M e D OU re 110 WP Set HE ET T h B Gn ato f e oe CROCO ERN OUO n rin CR os tta Fitted 67 120 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2
13. ADAE CUR E Gt CEP Uere 22 Probe correction calibration o a ED C IY d P dr uod 32 80 Entering probe correction setup data 0 cece ee eee 84 Do GT POD COTO a wale te pede als RM Cb PS 66 Probe out of range shutdown 1 oe UME Mo UME WANG SEE Role aa 29 Clean Apna atta qm Ba kia Sarado Pl PA pele laste A RO phe pe 30 Effect of probe correction s s KAKA wens to tiie were tan tava wenn ow Anh tA Uo da 30 Error Status String PONIA Pe Oe Pee AAA 30 Probes number installed defining sika coin ewe hs mr els 79 Program AUS Power control port control e CR Eb de 52 Displaying step number while running 49 ODETA O TO SA INN coe esee ag AA WG Ee AC ONE AT CONTR ICONS C ab 48 ESOPO Paan reip ere Pen Pbi APTA 51 Ei o sss AA e Ma sd Me re AG Sud E LM n ALAS Ab at iat BLU E 49 Pre read h By Saye NA a e RU Daros ENE s he s e Pasa Gs 49 Refrigeration compressor control ni 6 aioe NA o ono on dela 52 Ruano T coo cbe e x E XE EC EE rr dex 48 Program memory clearing ee aah te ust veste des acid Erg tgp 46 Prosram mode Accede ox M E R C C e end 10 43 Control program example s oo ue atem to de ee C Pe do te C ete nla lad 87 116 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Local program example using the special commands 91 Mu ltiple in memory A O 93 Programming worksheet Za Ta a a a NA ERE OE 95 Using shortcuts to shorten program entry time 89 Program mode problems Blowers misbehaving 3d kaa k
14. AN WA A t ha o RN Bay Aag 22 IIE 79 80 83 Adjusting for changing needs scs A ME AN aka oly aa 106 Discussion of PID constants and their use 105 The Differential Term aed ettet RN ta 108 LINA A O xe A A E O Z pP DP DI PI 107 IDE proportional term ltda de o e 107 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 115 WP Set PID constants vxo ga pha Gu ete ede hee eee Pe PES 67 PN Select active control probe 5 is vob p PO NG e este Pa uate 70 POS Pec 10 AUS power control port control 7 ous teme A Roo CH OR NUR NUNG ole el 52 COME ADA RK A AAA 22 Cryogenic boost control ar terio 52 BINOY recen ms eds eae eee A DEN 55 IBREASS GPIB ENE KA AB KI ig i 55 Outputs and input installation and use 21 98 Refrigeration compressor control 5 dnd ave ah ated ed laa 52 TO TF Turn aux power control port on amp off 12 Mi a ANAN 52 98 Power 2nd power cords WARNING aec d atem te d ee epe em 101 VASCO CCAA Ase pop oA nue Red A d REA A E E p e Meets 101 Probe Number of probes io soe cx o quU Cui e uM Pad ar aUe Patr e baklang Kakaiba ee ES 82 PN Select active control probe ooo TO Probe correction software probe calibration 83 Specifying active control probe for program 43 Probe 2 NO probe 2 GFEOE Su mien ll EES 49 50 Probedverabslnti igo 85x A hae Heke BO DOR o n ADR esr NE Renan DAS 35 Probe CONNECTIONS x ete uid OC AER UC KAN GORGE ON GERE GC
15. C to 300 C 319 F to 572 F To check the internal range setting of your C4 controller turn the mode switch from OFF to any other position During the 2 seconds that the firmware release number is shown on the display rapidly press lt DISP TEMP gt three times The internal range setting will be displayed for 5 seconds following the version display An example 200 1000 999 148P Celsius mode Fahrenheit mode C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 23 3 1 3 Serial Number Display The controller serial number can be displayed at startup by pressing lt DISP CTRL gt while the model number 8 5 or WA is displayed The serial number will be displayed in the format 4 0 8278 The first digit either a 8 or amp indicates whether the controller is a CC 3 or C4 and the 5 digits to the right of the dash is the sequential part of the number There is no significance to the leftmost of the 5 sequential digits being separated from the other 4 digits The separation is a limitation of the display When recording or reporting serial numbers please always use the 7 digit string including the leftmost digit and the dash in this format 4 03276 When the serial number is displayed the controller is not controlling The number will remain on the display until the controller is turned off 3 2 Updating Firmware There are two methods of updating the firmware in the C4 1 Physically replace the EEPROM that contains the firmware There is usually a
16. DL command causes the controller to dwell at the setpoint for a specified interval of time before executing the next command The Interval Complete bit of the Status Byte is set when the chamber or platform has completed the requested delay interval The command syntax is DL lt space gt hh lt space gt mm lt CR gt lt LF gt Where hh are hours to be used for the delay interval mm are the minutes to be used for the delay interval Example DL 1 20 lt CR gt lt LF gt Will hold the current setpoint for 1 hour and 20 minutes 7 7 7 CO amp CF Turn the Refrigeration Port On amp Off The CO command turns on the refrigeration compressor port The CF command turns the port off The default setting upon entering Remote mode is off The REFER LED on the front panel will display the status of the refrigeration compressor port Bit 2 compressor status of the Status Byte is set when the port is on and is reset when the port is off The command syntax is CO lt CR gt lt LF gt CF lt CR gt lt LF gt 7 7 8 TO amp TF Turn Aux Power Control Port On amp Off The TO command turns on the auxiliary power port The TF command turns the port off The default setting upon entering Remote mode is on Bit 1 chamber status of the Status Byte is set when the port is on and is reset when the port is off The auxiliary power port is standardly implemented as a TTL output available at back of the C4 B circuit board The port is typically used to contro
17. Error Status String Bit Definitions 00 0 00 1 00 2 00 3 00 4 00 5 00 6 00 7 00 0 00 1 00 2 00 3 00 4 00 5 00 6 00 7 02 0 02 1 02 2 03 0 03 1 03 2 03 3 03 4 03 5 03 6 03 7 04 0 04 1 32 0 32 1 35 0 35 1 35 2 35 3 35 4 35 5 35 7 Byte 00 Duplicate of Error Byte First Release Used Aux input TTL high Door open with optional switch 0 000 eee 7 3 1 Error in Extended Error String 22 La 7 3 1 IMe gal arg ment strimg x ec eR aid RR RNC Ke S NA BRA Ahaha 7 3 1 Failsafe tripped RNA 7 3 1 Hot usedi mba vc 7 3 1 Unrecognized command La 7 3 1 Input butter stall a ss Le aut el DB s od do KA a nG PINA ut at 7 3 1 TimeOut errok tes so idos eR EDT 7 3 1 Byte 01 Duplicate of EIA 232 Status Byte SR enabled aa Le UON Ma CUNEO BG BANA nat O AN NARE NUN a in GAGO 7 5 2 Aux Powet port ON e NANDO 7 5 2 Refer Compressor port ON 7 5 2 Not Used u crores i tere NG GANAN RE ER a pn lan NG edere di pa 7 5 2 Setpomt reached 1x ate ctm oma fa a aa NG Aaahh end ba GN NA NGA L aal 7 5 2 AA RA 7 5 2 EEYOE d bed e ap anan 7 5 2 Interval complete ese mua puh PU eR kad er REV KAG E E ERU E ere v 7 5 2 Byte 02 Setpoint amp Probe Errors Setpoint submitted exceeds upper operating limit 7 3 1 Setpoint submitted exceeds lower operating limit 7 3 1 Probe requested is not defined in F1
18. Noise Immunity 1 tal duds ees e RN ERE ER De 102 9 7 5 Diagnosing and Solving Local Mode Problems 102 Controller starts immediately in Local Mode 102 9 7 6 Diagnosing and Solving Program Mode Problems 102 Hard Ee ale 22 Sa NAT bed BABA is and Sas od ed bol ad 102 Explicit Program ENA naaa eee bE oe R ee ee HUNG 103 Blowers Misbehaving 103 Program hangs on Ramp as Quickly as Possible step 103 9 7 7 Diagnosing and Solving Remote Mode Problems 103 EIA 232 Problems subscr ste hase wo NAAN ees sees 104 GPIB IEEE 488 Problems 104 9 7 8 Firmware Upload Problems 104 Starting the C4 from PROM based firmware 105 GOM POR ISSUCS a oa AG pang eee Mag utes ACA esas 105 6 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 9 8 Temperature Control PID Tuning 4 Problems 105 Adjusting for changing needs 106 The Proportional Term 355 e Ps 107 The Integral Term ra ie 107 The Differential Term suu 32s nimbo hA Bb 108 9 9 Displayed Messages and Errors Table lilius 109 9 10 Technical Support Repairs 4 Returns asaan aaneen 110 IN desto R E E PA OV OEM 111 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 7 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 1 INTRODUCTION This manual describes the operating procedures for the Sigma Systems Models C4 amp CC 3 Controllers microprocessor based controllers and co
19. Remote mode 3 7 Internal Error Shutdown Conditions The C4 monitors system health by keeping track of four internal areas they are Processor health Tracked by watchdog timer Memory condition Checked at startup Setup parameter integrity Checked continuously TEEE 488 bus integrity Checked continuously The first three items above are discussed in sub sections below The IEEE 488 bus controller is automatically reset if a problem is detected No message to the user is generated as no data is typically lost in the process 3 7 1 Watchdog Timer Should the system become locked due to corruption that causes the processor to continuously malfunction an independent watchdog timer will cause a full system reset After a watchdog reset the display will show When this occurs the mode switch must be turned to the OFF position then back to the desired mode to clear the reset message and continue operation Internal memory will be the same as it was when the shutdown condition occurred 3 7 2 Memory signature checking Each time the C4 is powered up the system checks a series of memory signature bytes to test the integrity of system memory If the signature bytes are not correct the system assumes that memory has been compromised If this should occur a normal event any time a memory chip is replaced all of system memory is reinitialized All program steps for Program mode are reset to their default values and all setup parameters are re
20. The following is the exact key sequence for entering this program into the C4 program step memory Set the C4 to Program mode by setting the rotary MODE switch to the PROGRAM position Press lt DISP CNTL gt then Displayed Step Keys to press Description of entry Substep 4 E C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 93 Ste Displayed P Step Keys to press Description of entry Number Substep CLEAR ENTRY 11 5 ENTER Go to 11 5 C 2 i TOBA sanay wm enten T Tag 8 848 osamo cwm 043 asam meam TOAS ama ET RST RA T TT 083 TT 888 eom 083 eem ETE COM AC porne 08 4 94 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Displayed Step Keys to press Description of entry Substep 05 4 Sample program notes eec SS 09 s S gt i 97 9 e o EE AUX POWER CONTROL PORT ON OFF commands are only necessary when using special order options such as an external relay to control chamber or platform power or an active load under test COMPRESSOR PORT ON OFF commands similarly depend on the equipment being controlled having a refrigeration compressor Ifthe chamber or platform being controlled does not require their use either of these ports can be configured to control user equipment Call our technical support department for information Step 8 is required because End of Program substep 3 next step 100 cannot be used in the same step as any of the special commands which use probe numbers 3 and higher 9 2 Keeping More
21. a hold time of 99 00 The second step should have a ramp time of 00 00 and the desired hold time Note Warning A program step with specified ramp and hold times will terminate at the end of the specified time ramp time hold time regardless of whether the controller was able to achieve the setpoint On the other hand a maximum speed ramp step substep 1 00 00 substep 2 99 00 will not advance to the next step until and unless the setpoint is achieved If the unit under test generates or absorbs heat in a manner that prevents the test environment from ever becoming stable at the setpoint the program will hang on such a step as it will not advance to the next step unless it can stabilize the platform or chamber at the setpoint A program step with a ramp time of 00 00 a hold time of 00 00 and a probe number of either 1 or 2 is a null program step A null program step has no effect on the temperature setpoint of the chamber It is used to fill an unneeded step in an existing program C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 47 6 2 Clearing Program Memory Reinitializing program steps When the controller is shipped from the factory all program steps are initialized to their default values as shown below To create a usable program for the controller to run the user enters replacement values in those program steps to be used All program steps are retained in memory even during power down of the controller When it becomes necessary to clea
22. and stop of program execution and changing of the mode switch this port will be off The REFER LED on the front panel will indicate when this port is on or off 6 8 3 External Compressor Off When the Probe substep 4 is specified as 5 the program step turns the refrigeration compressor control port off Substeps 0 2 are ignored Off is the default mode for this port upon power up start and stop of program and changing the rotary switch The REFER LED on the front panel will indicate when this port is on or off 6 8 4 Optional Aux Power Control Port On When the Probe substep 4 is specified as 6 the program step turns the optional aux power control port on Substeps O 2 are ignored Upon power up and changing of the mode switch this port will be on At start and end of program execution this port will be automatically set to off For special order chambers or platforms equipped with optional solid state relay to control main power this command must be used once at the beginning of a program in order to turn the chamber or platform on Note that because this control will disable all power to a chamber with solid state relay chamber power control the normal continuous running of the air circulation fans is disabled regardless of the state of the Blower Shutoff Mode setup parameter Note that mechanically refrigerated chambers or platforms with cryogenic coolant boost use the Aux Power Port to control the availability of the cryoge
23. and the keypad The numbers in circles on the front panel guide the user through the steps for changing the temperature setting in the LOCAL manual mode of operation See Section 5 2 1 1 Digital LED Display The Digital LED Display is a 7 digit display arranged in the following configuration The display is used for showing probe temperatures setpoints program steps fail safe status and setup information 2 1 2 LED Indicators Below the Digital LED Display are four discrete LED Indicators These indicators are arranged in the following order REFER COOL HEAT RUN e e e e REFER indicator lights if power is applied to the refrigeration compressor control port not all units are equipped with compressors C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 19 COOL indicator lights when cooling is active typically during the time the cryogenic valve is open on cryogenically cooled units HEAT indicator is pulsed along with the on and off function of the heaters These indicators are active in all modes of operation RUN indicator shows whether the chamber temperature is being controlled 2 1 3 Mode Switch The Mode Switch is used to apply power to the chamber and to select the mode of operation Itis a 5 position rotary switch arranged as follows The OFF position removes the power from heating and cooling and compressor control circuits of both the controller and the chamber or thermal platform CAUTION Placing the mode switch in the OFF position
24. by pressing the lt REFER gt button The REFER LED on the front panel indicates the state of the refrigeration compressor control port The port is shut off when controlling action 1s stopped by pressing the lt START STOP gt button and restarted if lt START STOP gt is pressed again before the rotary switch is moved to a mode other than Local or Off The controller can be configured to not respond to front panel lt REFER gt compressor ON OFF commands See SETUP mode Section 8 setup parameter F13 44 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 6 PROGRAM MODE The Program Mode allows more complicated front panel control than the Local Mode The Program Mode allows a temperature control program to be entered into the controller memory for subsequent execution as required Up to 100 program steps may be entered Multiple programs may be entered and executed as long as the total number of steps in all programs does not exceed 100 Programs are stored in non volatile EEPROM memory See Appendix 9 1 for Sample Programs 6 1 Description of a Program Step Each program step has five data parameters called substeps The program substeps are numbered 0 4 Except for special command steps see Section 6 8 each substep has a dedicated function as follows Substep 0 is a setpoint temperature Substep 1 is the ramp time Substep 2 is the hold time Substep 3 is the next step to be executed If this substep is specified as 100 the program will terminate after execu
25. charge for firmware EEPROMs 2 Use a PC to upload the firmware through the C4 serial port Firmware and upload software are free from Sigma System s internet sites www SigmaSystems com or ftp SigmaSystems com Note All firmware updates are available on EEPROM chips for physical installation Not all updates are available as downloads from the Sigma Systems web site The reason for this is that some firmware updates make changes in the basic data structures inside the C4 Because firmware loaded into the C4 through the serial port is stored separately and in addition to the EEPROM firmware and because the C4 can be started from either resident version the two versions must use compatible data structures Thus versions that will modify the data structures in the C4 may only be installed by changing the firmware EEPROM 24 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 3 2 1 Upgrading Firmware by PROM Replacement Before starting be certain that you have a properly grounded antistatic surface and a grounding strap to prevent damaging the C4 components during disassembly and reassembly Remove the C4 from its cabinet or rack then remove the EEPROM chip that contains the firmware and replace it with a new one containing the updated firmware Firmware EEPROMs are available from Sigma Systems There is a charge for firmware EEPROMs The firmware EEPROM is located on the digital or A board the same board that has the EJA 232 and GPIB connectors on
26. compatible commands run properly on the C4 but not on the CC 3 the problem is likely a command syntax problem that the C4 s fault tolerant parser corrects C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 105 If you are having no success with bus communications check to be certain that the correct bus EIA 232 or GPIB IEEE 488 is selected using setup parameter F2 SI Immediate Mode or the default SP Program Mode are typically issued at the beginning of a program sequence However they may be issued at any point If the C4 receives a SI command and there is a command executing and or commands in the command buffer the executing command is interrupted and the command buffer is cleared The Aux Power ON TO and Aux Power OFF TF commands control the auxiliary power control port This port is normally used to control power to the chamber or platform or an optional device It is not necessary to use these commands to enable and disable temperature control EI A 232 Problems ETA 232 issues are usually communications interface related The C4 is configured as DCE Data Communications Equipment Therefore it is not appropriate to use a crossover or null modem cable Use a straight through cable that does not have pins 2 and 3 reversed The C4 does no hardware or software handshaking DTR and CTS are constantly asserted by the C4 for compatibility with devices that need these signals Hardware handshaking from the controlling device is ignored Software handsh
27. compressor port ON sieneen e E ae 7 3 1 Aux output power port on 2 6 2 eect eee teens 7 3 1 Coolant port on ZNE s car aa PAANAN NGA DB ANC iret e aree Ne a ANGAT 7 3 1 Aux input port on connected to ground 2 teen e een nes 7 3 1 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 79 80 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 8 SETUP MODE Setup mode is entered by placing the mode switch in the right most position Setup mode is used to modify operational parameters of the chamber When first entering Setup mode the digital display should display R N m 1to10 This first display indicates the setting for field 0 There are thirty parameter fields which can be modified Table 8 1 shows the meaning of each field and the values each field can be assigned TABLE 8 1 ud B ad Field B ad PID controller Proportional term Controller gain P term number C from 4 7 setpoint where controller will use full on Default 4 control Number of Probes installed Remote communication port a NE __ 0 1 1 0 EIA 232 1 IEEE 488 j EIA 232 port baud rate 1 300 2 lt 600 3 1200 4 2400 5 4800 6 9600 7 19 200 8 38 400 EIA 232 port data bits Field Purpose Factory Factory Setting EIA 232 port stop bits EIA 232 port parity enable O disabled 1 enabled EIA 232 port parity type O even 1 odd EIA 232 port echo O disabled 1 enabled IEEE 488 port primary address C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 81 Field i Permitted Field 4 Field Purpose Factory Setting 10
28. compressor control port default State llle 53 Remote communications port select 79 Remote Mole PAPA NAN TITO TOTO T E 10 55 ETAZSZ T TTT 104 Remote mode problems Command Syntax ISSUES dn il A A de OC n det 103 Firmware upload problemen coc ese abs eee eb eek EE eek ES 104 GPIB IEEE 488 Problems ai 104 Incompatibilty AO ma R NA R Ka aa aan R ae baa KONG 103 Repairs returns a decre ite Cat heit atte alt t tede O aa EO de Ra NET JOE 110 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 117 ho HoX Requeststatus byte A ANNA Ka Naa Pakana T 61 RS 232 A an was a RO ENE E a a gg ak Gag OI 10 Hun Time Pr read Errors a KAW ANG RN NANG BN NANG a 49 Invalid Loop GUBE TO papaano eh masini whan eae PDA 50 No Prope 2 POR S na ai 50 Setpoint Out of Range Error 2 o ex dex E pe Rede D DE A AAA 50 SC Det prope Corrections uet emet a Res ANA O wee a SER aee GP ME EI ext eG NOM et 66 SD Set UUT temperature differential limits 69 Seria kn Der display ues x o Beeb bate tog bate ence Bateman e ur 24 Serial DOT DD OD taa To me p pee ud rss ated ads 10 55 Settings RE OR TET TERT TED TETUR 19 Servicing considerations service WARNINGS 2 cee eee 101 Setpoint Displaying changing in local mode Pa AP Res 40 AA PN PNPA PENE 41 Setpoint Out of Range Error AA AA AA AA 50 S t up Model aria ANO ZNE e 10 79 Setup parameter integrity checking 32 Setup parameters Autostar
29. controlling Blowers will be left in the condition determined by setup parameter F15 Blower shut off mode The controller display will show PA BBB PA ERR The minus sign in the display indicates that the reported temperature was below the System Operating Range and the absence of the minus sign indicates that it was above the System Operating Range Note that because the C4 will report a or NO condition and stop controlling for an error of 20 50 C the only events that will typically trigger an PRR or ERA condition is a instantaneous failure of the sensing circuit most likely an open circuit RRR or short 3 6 1 Effect of Probe Correction on Out of Range Shutdown Any adjustments to the probe readings made by the Software Probe Correction feature See Section 3 8 will not affect system over under temperature shutdown operations The raw uncorrected probe readings for the current active control probe s are used for the system health monitoring 3 6 2 Probe Out of Range Shutdown Reported in Error Status String Any Probe Out of Range Shutdown will set a bit in Byte 03 of the Error Status String See Section 7 8 3 for specific bit assignments 3 6 3 Clearing a Probe Out of Range Shutdown C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 31 The Probe Out of Range Shutdown condition can be cleared by pressing lt START STOP gt in Local or Program mode by rotation the mode switch on the front panel to a different position or by issuing a Device Clear in
30. following table shows the U1 C1 U2 C2 setup parameter assignments Probe 1 Probe 2 U1 F17 F21 C1 F18 F22 U2 F19 F23 C2 F20 F24 The syntax for the SC command is ASCII text as follows SCn lt space gt Ul lt space gt C1 lt space gt U2 lt space gt C2 lt CR gt lt LF gt where n number of probe to correct U1 C1 U2 and C2 are floating point numbers to one decimal place Example SC1 0 2 3 100 101 3 There is no response to this command from the controller except to set the appropriate bit in the Error Byte in the event that the command or parameters are incorrect 7 6 2 WP Set PID Constants A complete discussion of the PID terms entries is in Setup Section 8 6 A discussion of how to use the terms to improve control is in the Appendix in Section 9 8 Read both sections carefully before using this command WARNING Incorrect usage of this command may cause temperature control to be effected with invalid data and may result in unexpected temperature excursions that can cause harm to personnel and damage to eguipment The WP command writes the P I amp D data to setup parameter fields FO F10 F11 respectively The data for all 3 parameters used for PID control must be sent with the command The syntax for the WP command is ASCII text as follows WP lt space gt p lt space gt lt space gt d lt CR gt lt LF gt C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 69 where p proportional term constant integer i integral term constant integ
31. gt lt LF gt Where nn is the setup parameter number in 2 bytes of ASCII text decimal leading zero if required If QFA is used the value is returned in two bytes of ASCIT hex in the format 00 in an ASCII string followed by CR LF as follows QFAnn lt space gt hh lt CR gt lt LF gt Where nn is the setup parameter number in 2 bytes of ASCII text decimal leading zero if required and hh is the ASCII hex value For parameters numbered 17 through 30 The values returned for parameters numbered 17 through 30 are temperatures expressed as ASCII floating point decimal numbers with one decimal place Negative values will have a leading minus sign If the value is a Fahrenheit value the character F will be appended to the end of the string CR LF terminates the string QF and QFA return the same strings for parameters 17 through 30 Format of the returned data is OFnn lt space gt 123 4F lt CR gt lt LF gt OFAnn lt space gt 123 4F lt CR gt lt LF gt Note The values returned by QF and QFA are the values held in SRAM and are the working copy values These values are originally obtained for Remote mode from the permanent EEPROM values used by Local and Program modes If any of C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 61 these working values in SRAM have modified by Remote Mode setup commands See Section 7 6 they will not be the same as the non volatile EEPROM copy unless an UP command was subsequently used to permanently store the SRAM values t
32. is the same EJA 232 status byte that is available using RE and REA commands in EIA 232 mode The EIA 232 version of the status byte is used in the Error Status String Byte 01 even in IEEE 488 mode Byte 00 the Error Setpoint Reached and Interval Complete bits of byte 01 as well as bytes 02 31 and the Error Byte are cleared each time a QE or QEA command is issued The syntax for the command is RS lt CR gt lt LF gt Request binary value RSA lt CR gt lt LF gt Request ASCII hex value The QE command will return QE lt space gt lt a fixed length 64 byte binary string gt lt CR gt lt LF gt Total return string length 69 bytes including terminators The QEA command will return the 64 bytes of error status data in 2 character per byte formatted ASCIT hex in 4 lines of 16 error status bytes each formatted as follows For each line QEA lt space gt lt first byte number in two ASCII digits gt lt triple space gt lt then 16 bytes of error status data as ASCII hex with 1 space between bytes 0 7 three spaces between bytes 7 8 one space between bytes 8 15 gt lt CR gt lt LF gt as follows GEA 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 lt CR gt lt LF gt GEA 16 0000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 lt CR gt lt LF gt GEA 32 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 lt CR gt lt LF gt GEA 48 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 lt CR gt lt LF gt C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 65 7 5 4 QC Query Last C
33. may be displayed at any time by pressing the lt DISP TEMP gt key The format of the display is Pn TT T Example PA 108 8 Celsius PnF TTT T Example PAR 102 8 Fahrenheit where n indicates from which probe the reading originates and the TTT T indicates the numeric temperature In single probe mode n is always 1 In two C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 41 probe mode n can be 1 or 2 as the temperature display toggles between probe 1 and probe 2 with each press of the Display Temperature lt DISP TEMP gt key If Intelligent 2 Probe Control is implemented probe number set to 0 the display will rotate from probe 1 to probe 2 to probe 0 average then back to probe 1 etc with each press of cDISP TEMP5 The temperature is displayed to the nearest tenth of a degree C although internal temperature values are kept at a much higher precision The value is rounded so that a display of 30 2 means a temperature between 30 15 and 30 24 Fahrenheit values display an F after the probe number 5 2 Displaying and Changing the Setpoint The setpoint may be displayed by pressing the Display Control key lt DISP CNTL gt The format of the display is Sn TT T Example SA 109 8 Celsius SnF TTT T Example SAR 08 8 Fahrenheit where n is the probe used for control Upon entering the LOCAL mode from the PROGRAM REMOTE or SETUP mode the control probe defaults to 1 and the setpoint is erased If the setpoint has been erased the no setpoint message
34. of this manual the term C4 will mean to include both the model C4 controller and the model CC 3 controller In the event that there is a difference between the two models that difference will be explicitly detailed C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 9 1 2 General Description Using the model C4 temperature control is available manually from the front panel by use of user entered programs or via remote control via either a EI A 232 or IEEE 488 GPIB The controller has a precision temperature reading capability with a digital read out Two temperature probes can be connected to the controller allowing either probe or both probes to be the control probe s while either probe can be used to take measurements Two additional controlled device ports are available They are intended for on off control of a refrigeration compressor and an external load such as a device under test or a main chamber or platform power relay These ports normally are supplied as TTL level low voltage ports but are optionally available with solid state relays to control line voltage as in the case of units with mechanical refrigeration The compressor control port may be toggled from the front panel at any time in the manual LOCAL mode The compressor is designed to not cycle on and off with the temperature control function The controller operates in each of four modes Local Single Setpoint control from the front panel Simple Mode Start Stop functionality Program
35. off and the controller is in the program mode Mode swith set to PROGRAM Appendix 9 3 contains a template form for writing programs 6 5 Insert Program Step To insert a step before an existing step 1 Enter the step number to be moved up and press lt DISP CNTL gt 2 Press lt CLEAR ENTRY gt 3 Press lt ADV gt The display shows ANS nn where nn is the new incremented step number for the current step 4 Press lt ENTER gt to move the current and all higher steps up 1 step and insert a new step at the current step number The current step will then be the new step with default values New step substep O will be displayed so you can enter your data for that step Note that inserting a step pushes old step 99 out of memory C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 49 6 6 Delete Program step 1 Enter the step number to be deleted and press lt DISP CNTL gt 2 Press lt CLEAR ENTRY gt 3 Press lt CLEAR ENTRY gt again The display shows 9 nn where nn step number to be deleted 4 Press ENTER to delete the step and move all higher steps down one step 6 7 Running Executing a Program To start program execution the beginning program step of the program to be run must be displayed Displaying a specific program step 1s covered in Section 6 3 With the first step of a program displayed press lt START STOP gt to begin program execution at that step The program will continue to execute until 1t W and wait for actio
36. proper operation of the C4 s TEEE 488 interface Assumptions C4 address is set to 1 All options have been implemented S Select Immediate Mode OUTPUT 701 SI SP Select Program Mode OUTPUT 701 SP ES Enable the SRQ OUTPUT 701 ES DS Disable the SRQ OUTPUT 701 DS TO Turn Chamber On OUTPUT 701 TO TF Turn Chamber Off OUTPUT 701 TF CO Turn Compressor On OUTPUT 701 CO CF Turn Compressor Off OUTPUT 701 CF RS Request Status Information OUTPUT 701 RS To receive the status byte use the following Enter 701 using B A DISP A RE Request Error Information OUTPUT 701 RE To receive error byte use the following Enter 701 using B A DISP A 98 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 GT Go To Temperature OUTPUT 701 GT 85 0 or OUTPUT 701 GT 85 or OUTPUT 701 GT85 DL Delay OUTPUT 701 DL 00 25 OUTPUT 701 DL00 25 RA Ramp to Temperature OUTPUT 701 RA 85 5 00 25 PNn Select Active Probe OUTPUT 701 PN 2 PTn Read Temperature OUTPUT 701 PT1 To receive temperature use the following WAIT 200 this is required ENTER 701 A DISP A The C4 responds only to the following standard I O statements ABORTIO 7 Aborts all bus activity and resets the C4 CLEAR 7 Aborts all bus activity and resets the C4 CLEAR 701 Selected device clear resets the C4 SPOLL 701 Polls device 1 for status register contents The SRQ must be enabled using ES and the SR
37. testing scheme It does not replace the hardware calibration process nor should it A number of system health checks as well as process limits are based upon the raw or uncorrected temperatures reported by the probes It is important to optimize the hardware level calibration before using this software calibration method Software probe correction is achieved by entering four temperatures U1 C1 U2 amp C2 for each probe into the setup parameter table Ul amp U2 are the uncorrected or displayed temperatures at two points C1 amp C2 are the corrected or actual temperature at those same two points Thus to make a correction using C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 85 ice water 0 C and boiling water 100 C when the display shows 2 3 C for the ice water and 99 C for the boiling water the user would enter the following U1 23 C1 O U2 99 C2 100 The C4 will then calculate a new slope and offset for the probe curve All temperatures reported by the corrected probe will be adjusted by applying this new slope and offset to the raw temperature data reported by the probe Note Software probe correction 1s done separately for each probe The following table shows the U1 C1 U2 C2 setup parameter assignments Probe 1 Probe 2 U1 F17 F21 C1 F18 F22 U2 F19 F23 C2 F20 F24 Changing these parameters on the fly in Remote mode is discussed in Section 7 6 1 It is the responsibility of the user to be certain that this feature is used pr
38. than One Program in Memory Programs can be installed and run anywhere there is room within the 100 step 00 99 memory allocation To install programs at step number XX press lt DISP CNTL gt xx lt DISP CNTL gt Example lt DISP CNTL gt 18 lt DISP CNTL gt will set the program pointer to step 18 substep 0 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 95 Once you have set the program pointer to a step you can enter new program information by following the procedure in Section 6 4 or run a program that begins at that step as detailed in Section 6 7 IMPORTANT When placing more than one program in memory all programs except the last one must end with SUBSTEP 3 100 or a non terminating loop in order to prevent separate successive programs from automatically running successively It is good programming practice to place an End of Program SUBSTEP 3 100 command at the end of every program This will assure that program data that may be entered into higher step numbers at a later time will not have unexpected results when the initial program is run 96 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 9 3 Sigma Systems C4 Programming Worksheet O K to copy ate Program Name Page of Sub Substep Sub Substep Step Step Data Notes Comments Step Step Data C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 97 9 4 Sample Command Structure for IEEE 488 GPIB Operation All sample commands are written in BASIC for a Hewlett Packard 85F computer and are representative of the required structure for
39. would have to continually get warmer as the object heated When the object was 20 the air would have to be 100 when the object was 50 the air would have to be 130 when the object was 80 the air would have to be 160 etc Heating efficiency can be substantially improved by this method However because our object is thick and heavy there likely is a large temperature differential between the surface temperature of the object and the core temperature that we are measuring Even though the object s core is only 80 at some point in this process the surface temperature exposed to 160 air may well be much higher In fact if the object is a poor thermal conductor the surface temperature may approach the air temperature in this example 160 While we would like to have our object s core temperature increase as quickly as possible inducing a surface temperature that is 60 over the setpoint may be more than the object can tolerate If we knew however that the object s surface could tolerate 130 then we could use an air stream temperature of 130 but no more to speed the transfer of heat into the object When the object s core temperature started to approach the setpoint we could reduce the amount of over heating of the air and object surface The closer the core temperature got to the setpoint the less overheating would be applied Eventually just as the core temperature reached the setpoint the amount of ov
40. 31 SI Select NONG AGACLIP Ea TO SL Set UUT temperature AA AA 69 DOAKIE magina NIETO E OO 43 T2 Software probe correction calibration viii 6066 scio a 3a 32 cs A NAME UN PNPE NOH 70 is aa HR ET 33 64 Status Dyte ONCE MERC MET 33 61 74 Status error Stins orostid A Dede OP hee ANA AA 33 75 Dibsdet blo S i he OC RERUM e A ig MAR NUNG NN AN a 77 DIGDOHUD ER ps AA AA 16 Stop controlling command Li CT tne nag eo Ss 73 System Operating Temperature Range 29 System Opera DITO AA NG a a o NP CS a NUNG K NUK NK NA a ih 41 o stem Operation LER IE arora TA NAG AN BG UNO Non KAG AA AANO NA AUG M GG A podaj a a ana 29 System operation temperature limits 29 Technical Up PO encore vo O dp 110 Temperature Displaying in leal ET Kara x E A A Wa 39 GO PEAGO 416 Tem Perature KA ANA Ang hate PAS ata ean PAG na erar 71 Magno ramp speed vidre ear AA Re le b EA 45 PI Read OntDerab e aee n soos aca ue decer EN NA WANG PA utto GP OU e Eta dali 65 RA RAR Ramp to temperature ec K a t PD A 71 Scale C Cor AA wal rana o e ne a aei lat 80 Temperature pS Ca coo KA ene ee ola koe RR K BG A RONA NA Ap DO 29 Temperature range DISHIAS nop or O TOTE TOER EE AA Pa 23 TO TF Turn aux power control port on amp off T2 opubleshoOb HP N ana Er ban IE CPC PCR PCI R RORS 101 ka Pa AA CA PATA NAAN PENA PEN gh ie eda eae ah ed Neel Se 22 Outputs and input installation and use 4
41. 4 GT GTF Go To Temperature This command instructs the controller to control to the setpoint specified in the command Bit 4 setpoint reached of the Status Byte 1s set when the chamber or platform has stabilized within 1 degree of the setpoint for 15 seconds The command syntax is GT lt space gt ttt t lt CR gt lt LF gt Celsius mode GTF lt space gt ttt txCR gt lt LF gt Fahrenheit mode Example GT 125 lt CR gt lt LF gt Celsius mode GTF 180 lt CR gt lt LF gt Fahrenheit mode 7 7 5 RA RAF Ramp to Temperature This command executes a ramping function The operands of the command include a ramp temperature and aramp time The controller will execute a linear ramp from the current temperature to the specified temperature over the specified time period Bit 4 setpoint reached of the Status Byte is set when the chamber or platform has stabilized within 1 degree of the setpoint for 15 seconds The command syntax is RA lt space gt ttt t lt space gt hh lt space gt mm lt CR gt lt LF gt Celsius mode RAF lt space gt itt i lt space gt hh lt space gt mm lt CR gt lt LF gt Fahrenheit mode Where ttt t is the final setpoint temperature hh are hours to be used for the ramp mm are the minutes to be used for the ramp Example RA 55 2 15 lt CR gt lt LF gt Celsius mode RAF 55 2 15 lt CR gt lt LF gt Fahrenheit mode Ramps to 55 over 2 hours and 15 minutes C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 73 7 7 6 DL Delay Dwell Interval The
42. AS 50 4 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 invalid Loop Count Error sita nad adria 50 Setpoint Out of Range Error 50 6 8 Special GOMMAndS 2 3 223 ed 50 6 8 1 Controlled Program Looping eee eee 51 6 8 2 External Compressor ON cee eee 52 6 8 3 External Compressor Off it ld RR 52 6 8 4 Optional Aux Power Control Port On 52 6 8 5 Optional Aux Power Control Port Off 52 6 9 Common Programming Issues 0c eee eee eee eee 53 6 9 1 Step Numbering 55s ken 5 rte o Ba ind md o ete d es 53 6 9 2 Changing Substep Values 53 6 9 3 Control Ports 2 6 cotes as 53 T REMOTE MODE a do A RUE AE M RG ee 55 Jal EDA 292 MONACO s zani pi ARAO EEA NEU A T ET earns 55 7 25 JEEE 489 Ile sortea trata 55 7 3 Command Summary by functional group 56 7 4 System Information Queries vs A Bee Ree Kan 57 7 4 1 QV Query Firmware Version jsi a 57 7 4 2 QN Query Controller Serial Number 57 7 4 3 QR Query Controller Temperature Range 58 7 4 4 QS Query Setpoint amp Control Probe Number 58 7 4 5 QF QFA Query Setup Parameter Value 59 7 5 Operation Information Queries 8 Commands 61 7 5 1 RS RSA Request Status Byte 61 7 5 2 RE REA Request Error Byte anaana aaaea 61 7 5 3 GE GEA Query Error Status String
43. Joss ba batida 22 3 GENERAL OPERATION 8 ERROR CONDITIONS 23 Sele AU sspe Kna NG PAT En A an LA UE 23 3 1 1 Model Number and Firmware Version Number Display 23 3 1 2 Temperature Range Display 23 3 1 3 Serial Number Display 24 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 3 3 2 Updating Firmware 4 4 a Sard Bad uto d Saad enr crure PA an nad na e 24 3 2 1 Upgrading Firmware by PROM Replacement 25 3 2 2 Upgrading Firmware by Uploading through C4 Serial Port 25 Making the physical connection for upload 26 Running the upload software on the PC 26 Starting the upload on the C4 27 3 3 Restoring Setup Parameters to Default Values 27 3 4 Fahrenheit Operation 295594 32 0 2254 as ausi uis NAA 28 3 5 System Operating Temperature Range 29 3 6 Probe Out of Range Shutdown 29 3 6 1 Effect of Probe Correction on Out of Range Shutdown 30 3 6 2 Probe Out of Range Shutdown Reported in Error Status String aie du E RO PANA A O ordern dard ua Ad 30 3 6 3 Clearing a Probe Out of Range Shutdown 30 3 7 Internal Error Shutdown Conditions eee 31 8 7 1 Watchdog TIMES sos ias 31 3 7 2 Memory signature checking eee eee 31 3 7 3 Setup parameter integrity checking 32 3 8 Software Probe Corr
44. L OPERATION 8 ERROR CONDITIONS 3 1 Startup Displays 3 1 1 Model Number and Firmware Version Number Display The C4 identifies itself upon power up It will display the model number for 1 second then the firmware version number for 2 seconds as follows 99 5 MAL 7 5 8 64 MAL 7 5 8 3 1 2 Temperature Range Display Each C4 controller is set at the factory for use with a specific device chamber or platform Because the controlled device was made to specific thermal limit specifications and because constraining the operating range of the controller improves it s accuracy the controller to be used with each device is set to operate only within the range appropriate for that device The setting of an operating range involves a number of internal adjustments and calibrations and the loading of specific control tables for that range This setting can only be changed by Sigma Systems service personnel We recommend that each controller be kept with the device for which it was originally configured However if you find that it is necessary to move a controller to another device it is important that you check to be sure that the controller that is moved is configured to operate in the appropriate range for the device it is to control As of November 1998 controllers are supplied for five ranges as follows 100 C to 200 C 148 F to 392 F 100 C to 300 C 148 F to 572 F 100 C to 350 C 148 F to 662 F 175 C to 400 C 283 F to 752 F 195
45. Q line must be activated before the C4 will respond to a serial poll request C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 99 9 5 Installation and Use of TTL Outputs and Input The C4 has incorporated in it the ability to receive one TTL signal and send two TTL signals Throughout the manual the outputs are referred to as AUX POWER CONTROL PORT and REFRIGERATION COMPRESSOR PORT The input is referred to as the AUX INPUT previously known as the DOOR SWITCH These signals are available on the B circuit board the one with the 6 lug screw terminal strip on the back The connections are available on pins 6 10 of J6 at the back of the board Look for the 5 pin connector just below the 6 lug terminal strip The 5 pin header is pins 1 5 of J6 and the 5 through hole solder pads just below it are pins 6 10 The J6 pin outs are as follows PIN 6 5v PIN 7 Aux Input Door switch PIN 8 Ground PIN 9 Aux Power Control Normally high See Section 7 7 8 PIN 10 Compressor Control Normally low See Section 7 7 7 Pin 6 5v is not used The door open input Pin 7 should be connected to ground Pin 8 to activate the door open signal in the controller When Pin 7 is connected to ground bit 7 of byte 35 of the Error Status String See Section 7 8 3 is set When Pin 7 is not connected to ground that bit is reset Each time the state of Pin 7 changes connected or disconnected from ground bit O of the Error Byte See Section 7 8 2 1s set Pins 9 and 10
46. SIGMA SYSTEMS MODELS C4 8 CC 3 PROGRAMMABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER INTERFACE OPERATING 8 PROGRAMMING MANUAL Firmware Version 7 5 2 Manual Revision 4 June 3 1999 1 de 1 SIGMA SYSTEMS CORPORATION MEM de Y A y k Ng SIGMA SYSTEMS CORPORATION 1817 John Towers San Diego California 92116 USA TEL 619 258 3700 WWW SigmaSystems Com FAX 619 258 3712 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Copyright 1997 1998 Sigma Systems Corporation 1817 John Towers El Cajon California 92020 USA All rights reserved The manual may be reproduced in whole or in part solely for the purposes of use and training for the use of Sigma Systems equipment or as required to assist in the sale of new Sigma Systems equipment No modification of the content is permitted C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS T INTRODUCTION autres DU Na St ties 9 1 1 Models C4 8 CC 3 Explained 9 l2 General Description sssri esiri ess eds WG ae ag NA PNG WANG MM WA 10 1 3 Custom Features Interchangeability WARNING 11 1 4 Release 7 5 2 Firmware 000 ee eee 11 1 5 C4 vs CC 3 Differences What s New 12 1 5 1 Hardware 8 Stability Improvements suus 12 1 5 2 Hardware Change EEPROM replaces BBSRAM 12 1 5 3 Firmware OS a hana NS a naaa aaa 13 1 5 4 Forced Start from PROM Firmware Lus 13 1 5 5 Front Panel Information Display at Startup 13
47. Section 7 4 1 7 4 2 7 4 3 7 4 4 7 4 5 7 4 5 See Section 7 5 1 7 5 1 7 5 2 7 5 2 7 5 3 7 5 3 7 5 4 7 5 5 7 5 6 7 5 7 See Section 7 6 1 7 6 2 7 6 3 7 6 3 7 6 4 7 6 5 7 6 6 See Section 7 7 1 7 7 2 7 7 3 7 7 4 7 7 5 7 7 6 7 7 7 TT 7 7 8 7 7 8 7 7 9 7 4 System Information Queries 7 4 1 QV Query Firmware Version This command returns the current internal firmware release number in ASCII text in the following format OV lt space gt nnn nnn nnn lt CR gt lt LF gt Where nnn is the number of each part of the release number padded on the left with leading zeros if necessary Example OV 007 003 001 lt CR gt lt LF gt The syntax for the command is QV lt CR gt lt LF gt 7 4 2 QN Query Controller Serial Number This command returns the controller serial number in ASCII text in the following format QN lt space gt n nnnnn lt CR gt lt LF gt Where the first number n is the number designating the model group 3 for CC 3 5 or 4 for C4 and the five digits nnnnn following the dash comprise the sequential part of the serial number Example QN 4 03376 lt CR gt lt LF gt Note When recording or reporting the serial number always use all 7 digits The syntax for the command is QN lt CR gt lt LF gt C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 59 7 4 3 QR Query Controller Temperature Range This command returns the controller temperature range in ASCII text in the following format OR lt space gt thhhh llli
48. TART STOP gt has not been pressed Note If the setpoint entered is not within the System Operating Range See Section 3 5 an error message will be displayed and the setpoint will not be stored If the requested setpoint is below the System Operating Range the error will be preceded by a minus sign Examples SOR SOR When this message is displayed press lt CLEAR ENTRY gt to return to setpoint entry mode TIP It is not necessary to stop the controller from controlling the chamber or platform to change the setpoint The setpoint may be changed at any time even while the chamber or platform is being actively controlled 5 3 Controlling to a Setpoint The controller will start to control to the specified setpoint when lt START STOP gt is pressed The RUN LED will light to indicate the control process is active A subsequent press of lt START STOP gt will cause the controller to stop controlling and the RUN LED will be extinguished Unless disabled through setup parameter F15 Blower Shut off Mode See Section 8 5 the chamber blowers will continue to run regardless of RUN status If lt START STOP gt is pressed before a setpoint has been set the following error will be displayed SP ERR C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 43 5 4 Compressor Control mechanically refrigerated unit control only The compressor of a system employing mechanical refrigeration can be manually toggled at any time during local mode controlling operation
49. Y 9900 ENTER 09 9 CLEAR ENTRY 3 ENTER 098 4 CLEAR ENTRY 1 ENTER 08 0 CLEAR ENTRY 10 0 8 A CLEAR ENTRY O ENTER 3 08 8 CLEAR ENTRY 3 ENTER 08 8 CLEAR ENTRY 100 ENTER 8 4 CLEAR ENTRY 1 ENTER Step Number 90 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 9 1 2 Using shortcuts to shorten program entry time Shortcuts can make program entry easier and faster if the program step memory to be used for the new program contains the values that you need Default reinitialization values are stored in every program step when program memory is cleared by pressing lt CLEAR PROG gt lt CLEAR PROG gt to reinitialize program memory These default values are often what you need If a program is already in memory a new program can be entered into either the steps that the existing program occupies or into steps that remain unused since the last reinitialization In either case some of the existing data in the steps to be used may be the same as the new program data If the is the case the old data can be retained more easily than it can be re entered The shortcut is simply a one keystroke method of retaining the existing value in a step when that value is the value you need For instance a reinitialized program step always has a substep 4 probe value of 1 If you are going to use probe 1 in a step in your program you can simply retain that value instead of rekeying the value When entering a program you display substeps sequentially by pres
50. aa Hahaa hahaa 103 Defining an explicit program end AAA 103 Hard OOS ER O OO EN O oa ARE EN AP AN nial oC nda a sedi 102 Program hangs on ramp as quickly as possible step 103 Program step DGIO IE NN ANN ASA 48 Description ai A O REN NE NV A CI O eli dot 43 Displaying changing in remote mode 46 Entering changing in remote mode 47 PONA A ox pens PD Edda ae qr dia e AU KGG ADR dC 44 racine P 47 Programs M ltiplein c TTT 49 PT Read emp AA SA A han a DEPO CRURA 65 OC Quer T command suns ANGAS WAN NGA KUNG LS ut eL OP al 64 GE QEA Query error status STNE as 62 QF QFA Query setup parameter value 59 QN Query controller serial number 57 QR Query controller temperature range 58 QS Query setpoint amp control probe number 58 QU UTI OG e taste NT e EN EM NE e Pad Rav ap gus 73 QV Query firmware version A NE PR Re E a 57 RA RAF Ramp to temperature 32 estes coc e EA CA ANG 71 Ramp totemperatare as ras 43 71 RE REA Request error byte a nah sto nb xe m Do ss 61 REPO KOY yr pna prani el Are beni Aa ted de Dani ae 39 42 Refrigeration CO CF Turn the refrigeration port on amp off 72 Refrigeration compressor control ooo 42 52 80 98 Refrigeration
51. aking will be parsed as data by the C4 and will reliably result in failure GPIB IEEE 488 Problems C4 status requests are available either via the manual RS read status command or by enabling SRQ with the ES command and then using serial poll to obtain the status byte The serial poll method will only return the status byte after SRQ is enabled with an ES command 9 7 8 Firmware Upload Problems Firmware upload is very straight forward and has no options except for the user to select a COM port on the PC If the upload never starts after the PC program is started try turning the controller off and then back on and reinvoking rS LOAd mode Depending on the behavior of the COM ports on the two devices some experimentation may be in order as to which device needs to be brought up first If your uploads appear to run properly and the upload software indicates a successful result yet the system will not run you should try the load again It is 106 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 unlikely that a problem will cause a bad load but it is possible and it s the easiest problem to fix so try reloading first Starting the C4 from PROM based firmware If reloading doesn t work you can try starting the controller from the older firmware that permanently resides on the PROM in the controller To initiate a PROM based startup press lt START STOP gt rapidly three times while the model number is displayed very first display upon power up This will cause
52. and R2 R32 on CC 3 in the upper rear area of the right hand circuit board B board see fig 5 Apply power to unit and turn power switch on 6 With nothing hooked to the probe inputs of the controller adjust R5 R29 until the voltage at TP1 reads 7 100 volts 0 005 and adjust R2 R32 until the voltage at TP6 TP2 reads 1 70 volts 0 05 T7 Securely connect the resistance box across the probe 1 inputs J1 1 and J1 4 set the resistance box to 500 0 ohms Adjust R2 R32 slightly until the controller front panel reads exactly P1 0 0 no minus sign Value should already be within 5 degrees C 8 With the resistance box still across the probe 1 inputs J1 1 and J1 4 set the resistance box to 695 0 ohms Adjust R5 R29 slightly until the controller front panel reads exactly P1 100 0 9 Recheck that the controller still reads 0 0 with 500 0 ohms at input If it takes more than 3 iterations of these adjustments to calibrate the controller the controller is in need of repair work 10 Remove power from unit reinstall controller into unit 11 Controller response rate can be adjusted as follows With the rotary switch in the SETUP mode press ADV until FO 4 to 6 then press ENTER Higher numbers represent larger proportional term and thus a slower controller response lower gain and lower numbers represent faster response higher gain See Section 9 8 This step may be omitted if calibration error is less t
53. and is always monitored for conformance with the System Operating Range Probe 2 is monitored for conformance only if it is being used for control 3 6 Probe Out of Range Shutdown When the C4 is actively controlling the temperature of a chamber or platform it freguently checks to be certain that the control temperature as reported by any active control probe is within the System Operating Range In the event that the temperature reported by the active control probe is more than 20 C and less than 50 C outside the controller s System Operating Range then the controller will presume that a run away condition exists The controller will turn off all heating and cooling and stop controlling Blowers will be left in the condition determined by setup parameter F15 Blower shut off mode The controller display will show PA LO PA 30 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 LO indicates that the reported temperature was 20 50 C below the System Operating Range HI indicates that the reported temperature was 20 50 C above the System Operating Range The number following the P is the number of the probe that reported the excessive temperature In the event that the control temperature reported by the active control probe is more than 50 C beyond the System Operating Range the controller will presume that the operation of the probe has been compromised by an open or shorted circuit The controller will turn off all heating and cooling and stop
54. ature of the UUT Unit Under Test to be used in the temperature control algorithm Both the primary probe located in the chamber airstream or in the platform and the secondary probe typically located inside the UUT are used to provide a chamber or platform response that can accelerate testing while respecting the absolute and relative limits of all the affected components Common single probe control strives to maintain the setpoint temperature in either the chamber airstream or at the platform surface If the UUT is massive or is a poor thermal conductor the internal temperature of the UUT can lag the chamber or platform temperature considerably If as a result of measuring the chamber air stream or platform temperature only the test is terminated too quickly the UUT may not have actually achieved the desired setpoint test temperature Conversely using a second probe buried inside the UUT to control the temperature may achieve better UUT interior temperature control but it will do so at the risk of extreme temperatures in the chamber or on the platform and thus at the UUT surface as well Intelligent 2 Probe Control is designed to achieve the setpoint temperature inside the UUT probe 2 either as quickly as possible or at a controlled ramp rate while always respecting the limits of the controller chamber or platform and UUT The user may specify the absolute limits of the UUT as well as limit thermal shock by specifying a proportio
55. d connection is made as follows Solder a short green 22g wire to the A Board static ground eyelet located below the IEEE 488 connector Hook the other end of the wire to a horseshoe lug and connect it to the main terminal strip J1 lug 3 green 9 7 5 Diagnosing and Solving Local Mode Problems Controller starts immediately in Local Mode If the system improperly begins controlling to the setpoint when you turn the controller from OFF to LOCAL Mode before you press lt START STOP gt the Autostart setup parameter F14 is set to enable Autostart Resetting this setup parameter to O will disable the automatic starting feature 9 7 6 Diagnosing and Solving Program Mode Problems Hard Loops Also note that hard loops will execute forever Standard loops using the loop command do not allow nesting Only one loop may be active at a time If you have a nested loop it may appear to function properly but it will probably never complete 104 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Explicit Program End If you are observing behavior that indicates that the controller is continuing to control beyond the end of the steps you have in your program check to be certain that you have a step at the end of your program that points to step 100 to end the process Otherwise if there are some unused steps further up in program memory they may be getting executed in error Be sure that any unused steps that are in the middle of your program have been changed to null st
56. displays 1n lieu of the setpoint temperature Example Si MSP SAT MSP To change either the setpoint temperature or the control probe of a 2 probe configuration only use the following procedure 1 First display the setpoint using lt DISP CNTL gt 2 Press CLEAR ENTRY to clear the current value from the display If single probe mode is in effect SA or Sa will appear at the left of the display indicating the control probe must be 1 If two probe mode is in effect the probe number is also cleared 3 If the probe number is erased in two probe mode enter the controlling probe desired either 1 or 2 for control by probe 1 or probe 2 or enter 0 for Intelligent 2 Probe Control See Section 4 If in single probe mode ignore this step 42 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 4 Enter a setpoint temperature using the numeric decimal point and sign keys Numbers may be entered with a maximum of 1 decimal place Pressing the sign lt gt key will toggle the value between positive and negative Positive values will have no indication negative values will show a minus sign to the left of the temperature display 5 Errors may be corrected by simply pressing lt CLEAR ENTRY gt and re keying the entry prior to pressing lt ENTER gt 6 After the number is keyed in press lt ENTER gt to commit the entry and store 1t as the new setpoint 7 The controller will remain in the RUN mode if the rotary switch has not be changed and lt S
57. do 52 Aux power control port control AAA AA 52 98 Aux power control port default state 5 Kk A C RUD SCR 53 BF BO Blower off and blower on commands 68 Blowers BF BO Blower off and blower on commands 68 Blower shut off mode raso es a E t GE AI REA EEE Eola io 80 83 BloWwers misbehaane isa a oa ta o aede ep ud 108 Chamber Beating AAA a A aaa 48 C4 A E E ENE NP 9 Iaa lOS NA AA dtro or AA NAGA N A Kila Alba VNA 19 Stability Improvements aii asan 12 Whats New AN ss bee e bem P be CD PONI 12 Calibration OT nav L sce ems Ue NP CS OR e GENUS UCET SCR LI NAM utet 99 Calibration via software oc sn aie aos 32 80 Entering probe correction setup data 84 Probe correction software probe calibration 83 DG SEL probe A A 66 CC 3 Teal Z E E E erate Wear eat NE o EE Mri ere o d Or re er 9 CC 3 5 Explained ar door tate bnt tate Ree gs Phar ae oer atop ANG Cana BA ANG ee Lets 9 Use E Ta L RA RA din o a O Semi adr 9 Celsius temperature NGA iia 28 80 Chamber platform operating limits NAN dea PERE De AAA 81 CO CF Turn the refrigeration port on amp off 12 Command BF BO Blower off and blower on commands sees 68 CO CF Turn the refrigeration port on amp off T2 PDI Delay dwellanterval a N ee tt too x o oo Ka o ode do 12 DS Disable SRQ Status request mode
58. does not remove all power from either the controller or the chamber or thermal platform Only the heating cooling and compressor control circuits are turned off Full line voltage potential is still available in many places in both the controller and the chamber or platform See servicing warnings and instructions in the appendix of this manual Moving the rotary switch changes the mode of operation of the chamber The different modes are described in detail in separate sections of this manual When the rotary mode switch is moved to a new position other than OFF the temperature control loop if running is turned off heating and cooling are disabled but the chamber blowers will continue to run unless disabled via setup 20 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 parameter F15 Likewise at the end of a local or remotely controlled program chamber blowers will continue to run but heating and cooling will be disabled Note that a chamber in this condition with blowers running will exhibit some heating due to blower air friction This effect is exaggerated in units equipped with high velocity blowers Moving the rotary switch between OFF and LOCAL will maintain the last used setpoint for the next operation of the controller See 6 3 for description of auto start function 2 1 4 Keyboard The keyboard consists of 20 momentary contact keys Certain keys are functional only in some of the modes of operation With some keys such as the Display Control the
59. e compromised by an open or shorted circuit and stop applying heat and cooling shut down the system and display an appropriate warning message 1 5 2 Hardware Change EEPROM replaces BBSRAM All C4 controllers and CC 3 controllers converted after January 1998 have the battery backed static RAM BBSRAM replaced with an EEPROM This change was implemented to reduce the possibility that the controller will require service Although changing the BBSRAM when the battery died about every 5 12 years was a fairly simple matter the necessity for doing so was found to be a nuisance as was diagnosing the need for the change The BBSRAM or EEPROM provides the non volatile memory where the C4 stores both the setup parameter information and the user programs 12 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 1 5 3 Firmware Uploads When new firmware is available for your C4 you can easily upload it into the controller using the controller s serial port The procedure requires only a diskette bootable PC and a serial cable and takes only about ten minutes Firmware updates when available may be obtained on diskette for a fee from Sigma Systems or for free by download from www SigmaSystems Com or ftp SigmaSystems Com See Section 3 2 2 1 5 4 Forced Start from PROM Firmware The controller can be started from the original firmware version that is stored in the PROM Uploaded versions are stored in flash memory If a firmware upload session should go astray somehow this feat
60. e setup parameter tables in EEPROM Upon exiting Remote mode including by system reset or by power loss the SRAM values are discarded Each time Remote mode is entered a new copy of the EEPROM setup parameter values is read into SRAM as a working copy 7 6 1 SC Set Probe Correction A complete discussion of the probe correction entries is in Section 8 7 Read that section carefully before using this command WARNING Incorrect usage of this command may cause temperature control to be effected with invalid data and may result in unexpected temperature excursions that can cause harm to personnel and damage to equipment The SC command writes the data for either probe 1 or probe 2 to setup parameter fields F17 F20 or F21 F24 respectively The data for all 4 parameters used to correct one probe must be sent with the command Software probe correction is achieved by entering four temperatures U1 C1 U2 C2 for each probe into the setup parameter table Ul U2 are the uncorrected or displayed temperatures at two points C1 C2 are the corrected or actual temperatures at those same two points Values for probe correction should be entered in the current scale C or F as set in setup parameter F16 There is no difference in the command syntax for Fahrenheit operation so it is incumbent upon the user to use the correct values 68 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Note Software probe correction is done separately for each probe The
61. e technicians at Sigma Systems If you are having problems with the controller stopping or locking up at unexpected times check the ground connections for the power source Also review Section 9 7 4 in this manual for some tips on noise immunity If the problem persists you may be able to obtain a noise suppression kit from Sigma that will help If your controller uses power from the chamber or platform it is possible to install an optional separate power cord for the controller so that it may have it s own clean power source If the problem relates to the display getting scrambled the cause is likely static discharges in or near the front panel Especially if the environment is carpeted C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 103 train your users to use their finger to discharge the static potential they may have accumulated on something other than the C4 front panel 9 7 4 Noise Immunity Noise can show up as lost or incorrect data sent over the bus In extreme cases this noise can disrupt controller operation regardless of whether computer bus is in control or not The following modification has been found to solve many computer bus related noise problems It will provide static ground to the backshell of the IEEE 488 bus connector as well as pin 1 of the EIA 232 connector bypassing any path through the digital circuitry It is not done at the factory because in some cases it actually degrades noise immunity by creating a ground loop Bus static groun
62. e the user wants to ramp from 80 0 to 78 in 20 minutes and then hold 78 for the next 20 minutes A single program step will accomplish both tasks The sample program step below will pass control to program step 6 when it has completed 0 00 0 20 0 40 09 46 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Program step substep Data Effect Purpose 05 0 78 0 Sets temp setpoint to 78 05 1 00 20 Sets ramp time to 20 minutes 05 2 00 20 Sets hold time to 20 minutes 05 3 6 Sets step 6 as next step to execute 05 4 1 Selects probe 1 for active control 6 1 2 Maximizing Ramp Speed amp Other Ramp Considerations When a ramp time is specified in a program step the controller attempts within the limits of system capability to achieve a linear temperature change rate such that the setpoint is achieved precisely at the end of the ramp period If an insufficient ramp time is specified some of the hold time will be borrowed to allow the ramp to setpoint to complete To achieve the maximum ramp rate set the ramp time substep 1 to 00 00 and the hold time substep 2 to 99 00 A program step with a ramp time of 00 00 and a hold time substep 2 of 99 00 will cause the controller to achieve the setpoint as quickly as possible then immediately execute the next step If a specific hold time following ramping at maximum ramp rate is required then use two steps Both steps should specify the same setpoint The first step should have a ramp time of 00 00 and
63. ection Calibration 32 3 9 Status and Error Reporting aaa DD po aa oe 33 3 10 Fail safe System vac RA ARA 34 4 INTELLIGENT 2 PROBE CONTROL eee ee eeeeee 35 4 1 How Intelligent 2 Probe Control functions 36 4 2 Preparing for Intelligent 2 Probe Control 37 4 3 Using Intelligent 2 Probe Control 0 002 eee 38 5 LOCAL MODE Basic Operation 000 eee ee ee 39 5 1 Displaying Temperature z 23 poba coated EC E Ta E R awe 39 5 2 Displaying and Changing the Setpoint 40 5 3 Controlling to a Setpoint ep adora 41 54 Compressor Control lt 2 22 016 ts ee tek AE NR RR Nubes t 42 6 PROGRAM MODE a ai ARA AA ARS AE T AREA 43 6 1 Description of a Program Step ur RR ERREUR ela 43 6 1 1 Format of a Program Step ces Vds tp eae s 44 6 1 2 Maximizing Ramp Speed amp Other Ramp Considerations 45 6 2 Clearing Program Memory Reinitializing program steps 46 6 3 Displaying Program Steps 46 6 4 Entering or Changing a Program Step 47 6 5 Insert Program Step AAA AN ER A RN EE A Rae 47 6 6 Delete Program step crece sora o oe eee oes ana 48 6 7 Running Executing a Program seus Hand ha aba atar a 48 6 7 1 Program Run Time Information Considerations 49 6 7 2 Run Time Pre read Errors e A O 49 NO Probe 2 BITOV antea RADOE PERIERE SADAVER
64. ed BAGA NA NA a a PT ed oje teh AG 75 Error Status String Bit Definitions 77 o UIP MOD A OE OE AE EAE OEEO lm 79 8 1 Displaying the Field Values 81 8 2 Changing the Value of a Setup Field 82 8 3 Two Probe Mode 25 otra aaa 82 8 4 Auto star Mode 5 sor dere NANA EN a AS 82 8 5 Blower Shut off Mode a a 83 8 6 Temperature Control Terms PID Setup fields 0 10 11 12 83 8 7 Software Probe Correction Calibration 83 Entering probe correction setup data 84 O APRENDA v ey AI Ia 87 9 1 Programming Examples amp Notes mo 87 9 1 1 Simple Local Program Example 87 9 1 2 Using shortcuts to shorten program entry time 89 9 1 3 Local Program Example Using the Special Commands 91 9 2 Keeping More than One Program in Memory 93 9 3 Sigma Systems C4 Programming Worksheet 95 9 4 Sample Command Structure for IEEE 488 GPIB Operation 96 9 5 Installation and Use of TTL Outputs and Input 98 9 6 Field Calibration of Model C4 Controller 99 9 7 Iroubleshoolng miesni FA A A pag 101 9 7 1 Servicing Considerations Service WARNINGS 101 9 7 2 Before you go any further maa PG NENE ae KY TIPO 101 9 7 3 Diagnosing and Solving Hardware Problems 101 9 7 4
65. ed as it is written for use by support personnel who are competent installers and mechanics but who may not know or need to know the theory and intricacies of PID control There are three user adjustable control terms that the C4 uses to control temperature They are C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 107 Proportional term Setup parameter FO Integral term Setup parameter F10 Differential term Setup parameter F11 Note that you will also find the in setup section of this manual a reference to the Integral Wind up Limiter Term Setup parameter F12 Do not alter this field It is set once at the factory for the C4 model controller and never requires adjustment Adjusting for changing needs When you C4 was shipped from the factory it was optimized or tuned for normal operation of the chamber or platform to which it was attached or for which it was intended It was presumed that the load that you would test would not have great mass that some overshoot of the setpoint was acceptable when going to a new temperature and that the cryogenic coolant available if used would be delivered from a supply source that indeed delivered liquid not just compressed gas Your needs may not match the original settings or your controller may have had it s settings changed for other reasons If the controller is settling a little short of the setpoint or is oscillating you can probably make a few changes in the PID settings and improve things considerab
66. entical to the model CC 3 controller When the controller is operating in Fahrenheit mode both the displays and the bus communications are different These differences are intentional and designed to prevent errors that might arise from a user using setpoints in one scale while the controller is operating in the other scale Note however that there is no difference in the Program mode programming operation of the C4 when operating in either Fahrenheit or Celsius mode It is incumbent upon the user to notice the differences in the temperature displays and program accordingly To change the temperature scale use SETUP mode See Section 8 to access setup parameter F16 Select either of these field values 0 Celsius 1 Fahrenheit When in Fahrenheit mode temperature displays have an F following the probe identifier on the left side of the display Example PAP 1094 Likewise temperature inquires over the bus PT command See Section 7 5 7 will return a string with an F as the third byte in the string The string will therefore be 1 byte longer than the string returned in Celsius mode This difference was intentional as it requires a modification of the parsing routine that will assure that Celsius and Fahrenheit data are recognized properly Thus if the current probe 1 temperature is 86 7 F the result of a Fahrenheit mode get temperature query for probe 1 query command PT1 would be TIF 86 7 lt CR gt lt LF gt If the te
67. eps ramp and hold time both 0 Blowers Misbehaving If the blowers seem to behave differently than you expect check the Blower Shutoff Mode setup parameter F15 Program hangs on Ramp as Quickly as Possible step Note that a program step with specified ramp and hold times will terminate at the end of the specified time ramp time hold time regardless of whether the controller was able to achieve the setpoint On the other hand a maximum speed ramp step substep 1 00 00 substep 2 99 00 will not advance to the next step until and unless the setpoint is achieved If the unit under test generates or absorbs heat in a manner that prevents the test environment from ever becoming stable at the setpoint the program will hang on such a step as it will not advance to the next step unless it can stabilize the platform or chamber at the setpoint 9 7 7 Diagnosing and Solving Remote Mode Problems General Considerations 8 CC 3 Compatibility Bus communication problems often involve command syntax errors The Sigma C4 is NOT case sensitive The command GT is satisfied by Gt gT or gt Each command line should be properly terminated with both a CR ODh and LF 10h but the C4 can fix the problem if one of the termination characters is present The C4 fixes up extra spaces tabs and commas The C4 ignores EOI The model CC 3 controller does not have a fault tolerant parser If programs that use only CC 3
68. er d differential term constant integer Example WP 6 5 5 lt CR gt lt LF gt There is no response to this command from the controller except to set the appropriate bit in the Error Byte in the event that the command or parameters are incorrect 7 6 3 BF 8 BO Blower Off 8 Blower On Commands The BF and BO commands affect the state of setup parameter F15 Blower Shut off Mode See Section 8 5 for a detailed explanation Because the Blower Shut off Mode only affects the behavior of the blowers when the controller is in idle state not controlling after running a program the BF and BO commands only affect that state However the C4 monitors the state of Blower Shut off Mode while idling so that using BO or BF at that time can change the state of the blowers during controller idle time The BF command will turn the blowers off in idle mode This command sets setup parameter F15 to 1 The BO command will turn the blowers on in idle mode This command sets setup parameter F15 to 0 The syntax of the command is BF lt CR gt lt LF gt Turn blowers off enables Blower Shut off Mode BO lt CR gt lt LF gt Turn blowers on disables Blower Shut off Mode 70 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 7 6 4 SL Set UUT Temperature Limits The SL command sets the lower UUT limit setup parameter F27 and the upper UUT limit setup parameter F28 For a detailed explanation of the effect of these parameters see Sections 3 5 and 4 The command sets the
69. erheating would be zero The ramp rate of the core of the object would have been maximized without exposing any of the object to temperatures exceeding it s tolerance There is one more consideration You may want to achieve an object core temperature as quickly as possible to improve production testing efficiency but you may want to not apply thermal differentials that will shock the object you are testing In fact the object may have more tolerance for differentials when hot 38 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 than cold or visa versa To properly protect your object you need to be able to constrain the air temperature in the chamber and thus the surface temperature of the object such that the difference between surface temperature and the core temperature does not exceed some difference the object can tolerate It would be useful to be able to specify such a differential tolerance for both the high and low thermal limits of the object 4 2 Preparing for Intelligent 2 Probe Control The Sigma Systems C4 controller using Intelligent 2 Probe Control provides temperature control based upon all of the factors discussed above The process is very simple You will first need to set all the limits that the C4 will need Then you use the normal commands or operations in Local mode Program mode or Remote mode to go to temperatures ramp to temperatures hold temperatures etc The limits for the UUT temperature extremes are set in Setup parameter
70. ers to NV memory 69 WE Set PEI Constants ooo er mta aoira ner eos eR e bea e ed 67 Comi umeabloens portselect dues ui aeu ate ette e ate ER at etate Uh atte c atte atn at T9 Compressor CO amp CF Turn the refrigeration port on amp off 72 COM PESO ONO papas x Dae O 80 98 Connections POAT Daniel APAN Jel ha 22 Cryogenic boost CON TOV ada lio Peers 52 DEDEda dwell mia sc cali 72 DS Disable SRQ Status request mode 64 Dwelktime serret NAA NO 43 72 EEPROM replaces BBSRAM ao EX SEX CE E Ka EE dE DES 12 11 292 PO a nea a dus aac as i Baga ag Sapa dhan E gut be 10 55 Connector 47 a0 PPP PIS Pee Pes Peale NE GR EX Reque X NE Regu RS 22 EIA 232 settings EI SIMAO S oo unc vao FE v Pale aU DHS ERE OSD PANO Pate wl do Fuge 79 Biror A e ANG AL Ea bag Aa naa St AES 33 61 75 Error Message table ni A E d E e ANE D DC PD 109 POY SEAMS Stino A AN ANA KE GG AP ER UE CARE Mle c a 33 75 Dip St AA do ANA 77 GE QEA Query error status string 0 0 cece eens 62 ES Enable SRQ Status request mode 64 Fahrenheit temperature scale A ote OU UA Ue o a 28 80 114 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Failsafe Systema a a v Pu PNE ED NU M Kab E E Kalang e OA 34 paa S O AE O Z OO ME A ap MZ m 11 101 COM p rt ISSUES DADAS pt sd ee 105 Firmware upload pro DIES NA NAA NA al a a AA ANG 104 Starting the C4 from PROM based firmware
71. ever when the change in the Setpoint is very small this start from the beginning search routine can search over such a wide range that it will introduce a bump in the platform or chamber temperature that can exceed the amount of the Setpoint change The C4 includes an intelligent PID routine that constrains the search appropriately for the change in Setpoint and thus eliminates the PID bump 1 5 11 Intelligent 2 Probe Control Probe Averaging Not in this release Available in next release without charge Check the Sigma Systems FTP or WWW site for downloadable file Intelligent 2 Probe Control allows the internal temperature of the unit under test UUT to be used in the temperature control algorithm Both the primary probe located 1n the chamber airstream or platform and the secondary probe typically located inside the UUT are used to provide a chamber or platform response that can accelerate testing while respecting the absolute and relative limits of all the affected components Common single probe control strives to maintain the Setpoint temperature in the chamber airstream or at the platform surface If the UUT is massive or is a poor thermal conductor the internal temperature of the UUT can lag the chamber or platform temperature considerably Conversely using a second probe buried inside the UUT to control the temperature may achieve better UUT interior temperature control but it will do so at the risk of ext
72. fields F27 lower limit and F28 upper limit These values can be set in Setup mode as described in Section 8 or by using the SL Set UUT Temperature Limits command from Remote mode as described in Section 7 6 4 The UUT temperature differential limits are set in Setup parameter fields F29 lower differential limit and F30 upper differential limit These values can be set in Setup mode as described in Section 8 or by using the SD Set UUT Temperature Differential Limits command from Remote mode as described in Section 7 6 5 Note that the low limit you set is the allowable differential between the air stream temperature platform surface temperature as measured by probe 1 and the UUT core temperature as measured by probe 2 at the UUT low temperature limit as described by Setup parameter F27 Likewise the high limit you set is the allowable differential between the air stream temperature platform surface temperature as measured by probe 1 and the UUT core temperature as measured by probe 2 at the UUT high temperature limit as described by Setup parameter F28 For example If the lower UUT limit F27 is set to 100 and the the lower differential limit F29 is set to 60 and the setpoint is set to 80 while the UUT is considerably warmer than that then the controller will try to take the temperature of the chamber down below the setpoint max 100 to speed the down ramp However because the differential limit is 60 the con
73. function is different depending on the mode of operation The Keyboard is arranged in the following configuration CLEAR PROG Clear program from memory START STOP Start Stop temperature control REFER Toggle refrigeration compressor on or off ENTER Enter finalize current keyboard entry ADV Advance to next program step DISP TEMP Display temperature CLEAR ENTRY Clear current keyboard display entry DISP CNTL Display control setpoint LOCAL MODE ONLY C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 21 2 2 Rear Panel Connections At the rear panel of the controller a cable is provided to connect to the power cooling solenoid mechanical refrigeration and heaters of the chamber In addition a six lug screw terminal block J1 is provided for eyelet terminal connection of the temperature probes and for connection of one additional optional device such as the Sigma PFS 2 Precision Fail Safe Probe 1 Black lead Probe 2 Black lead Chassis Ground Probe shield Chamber or platform ground etc Probe 1 42 return Red or White lead Auxiliary device ground 12 VDC for Fail Safe 9 96 8000 Please observe all standard anti static procedures when making connections to these points There is also an IEEE 488 GPIB connector series 57 metric threads and an ET A 232 connector female DB 25 for the remote modes of operation Two TTL outputs and one TTL input are also available on J6 See Section 9 5 22 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 3 GENERA
74. gram execution The pre read makes certain that the program to be run does not call for probe 2 use when only one probe is defined by setup parameter F1 that all loop commands contain valid loop counters and that all setpoints requested are within the System Operating Range In each case if an error is found the display will show the step number that contains the error on the left side of the display and the error message on the right side Note that the pre read will display the first error is finds If there is more than one error each successive error will be shown on the display after the last displayed error is corrected and a program start is again attempted C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 51 No Probe 2 Error If a program step calls for control by probe 2 when setup parameter F1 1 number of probes the C4 will generate a No Probe 2 Error Example 007 MOPS You must either remove the step that calls for probe 2 or enable probe 2 with setup parameter F1 See Section 8 before the program will run See Section 8 3 Invalid Loop Count Error If a program step is a loop start step substep 4 probe value 3 then the loop count substep O loop count must be in the range 1 999 integer no decimal value If the number is either not an integer or is outside the range 1 999 the C4 will generate an Invalid Loop Count Error Example 008 LOOP The invalid loop count must be corrected before the program will run See Section 6 8 1
75. gt lt CR gt lt LF gt Example REA 40 lt CR gt lt LF gt The syntax for the command is RS lt CR gt lt LF gt Request 1 byte binary value RSA lt CR gt lt LF gt Request 2 byte ASCII hex value 7 5 3 QE QEA Query Error Status String These commands return the 64 byte 512 bit Error Status String Each bit in the string represents an error or status condition If the bit is set 1 the condition is true if the bit is reset 0 the condition is false The Error Status String is divided into two parts The first 32 bytes 256 bits are event triggered The second 32 bytes 256 bits are status or state set Each of the bits in bytes 0 31 are set once when the condition that that bit reports becomes true If the condition becomes false the bit remains set The bits in bytes 0 31 except bits 0 1 amp 2 of status byte 01 are all reset in the event of a QE or QEA command The bits in bytes 32 63 are not reset in the even of a QE or QEA command These bits are set and reset as the condition they monitor changes state Each of the bytes has a defined purpose For instance all the probe correction error bits are in the same byte This makes is easier to parse the Error Status String and branch to error routines because basic groups of errors can be checked at the byte level 64 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Note Byte 00 of this string is the same error byte that is available using RE and REA commands Byte 01 of this string
76. han 5 0 degrees C 102 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 9 7 Troubleshooting 9 7 1 Servicing Considerations Service WARNINGS WARNING Sigma Systems C4 Controllers obtain power from the chamber or platform to which they are connected The controllers do not have protective side covers on the chassis It is imperative to disconnect the power to both the chamber or platform and the controller if separate from the power source before removing the controller Look for an optional separate power cord going to the controller If the controller is equipped with a separate power cord disconnect that cord also before removing the controller FAILURE TO HEED THIS WARNING WILL LIKELY RESULT IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CONTROLLER AND DANGER OF HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SHOCK TO THE USER 9 7 2 Before you go any further Make sure you have the most recent firmware for your C4 A number of problems for each of the areas discussed in this troubleshooting section have been addressed with firmware upgrades over the years To check the firmware version number simply turn the controller off and back on The version number will be displayed for 2 5 seconds See Section 3 1 1 As of the date of this manual the current firmware version is 7 4 0 Any other version is older including versions 10 and 12 If you have other than the current firmware see Section 3 2 9 7 3 Diagnosing and Solving Hardware Problems Most hardware related problems are best left to th
77. ifying probe O will return the average temperature of the two probes The response is ASCII text with temperature as a one decimal place number Negative temperatures are preceded by a minus sign Temperatures read in Fahrenheit mode have an F character inserted after the probe number Tn lt space gt ttt t lt CR gt lt LF gt for Celsius mode TnF lt space gt ttt t lt CR gt lt LF gt for Fahrenheit mode where n is the probe number 0 1 or 2 and ttt tis the temperature The ttt t value 1s not fixed length but always includes one decimal place A minus sign precedes negative values Examples T1 102 0 lt CR gt lt LF gt T1F 74 3 lt CR gt lt LF gt C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 67 7 6 Setup Parameter Commands The commands in this section allow a user to change the value of some of the setup parameters that are stored in SRAM and used by Remote mode The SRAM copy of the setup parameters is created upon entry to Remote mode from the non volatile copy that is kept in EEPROM for use by Local and Program modes The commands listed in this section change only the SRAM working copy of the setup parameters To save these values in the non volatile EEPROM setup parameter tables use the UP command See Section 7 6 6 If any of the setup parameter values in SRAM have been modified by Remote mode commands they will not be the same as the non volatile EEPROM copies unless an UP command was subsequently used to copy the SRAM values to th
78. in the controller when it was shipped from the factory After completing this procedure please check each value to make certain that it is appropriate To restore the default values to the setup parameter table turn the controller off then back on During the 1 second in which the controller model is displayed press lt CLEAR ENTRY gt very quickly 3 times The display should then read SU BES Press lt ENTER gt to confirm that you want restore the default values Any other key will abort the process The display should then read BUSY and then SU Dom Turn the controller off then on again to resume operation with the new values The first time the controller is turned back on after restoring the default setup parameters the display will show ALL MAS The mode switch must then be turned to SETUP You may see an Mt BUST display and model number and or firmware version number at this time The controller forces you to SETUP mode before it will function as a reminder that the default values have been loaded and that the parameters needed for your operation have not yet been set C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 27 When you have set the necessary parameters for your needs you are ready to go to LOCAL PROGRAM or REMOTE mode 28 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 3 4 Fahrenheit Operation The C4 can use either Celsius or Fahrenheit temperature scales Celsius is the default mode When the controller is operating in Celsius mode it s behavior is id
79. ion 8 7 Changing these parameters on the fly in Remote mode is discussed in Section 7 6 1 3 9 Status and Error Reporting There are three sources for error and status information The Status Byte CC 3 compatible The Error Byte CC 3 compatible The Error Status String 64 bytes CC 3 5 amp C4 only The Status Byte and Error Byte are bit mapped single bytes of data The Error Byte and the EJA 232 version of the Status Byte are replicated in the Error Status string Maintaining the separate Error Byte allows CC 3 programs to run properly on the C4 Their interaction with the SRQ error system is important for all controllers Here s how it works When an error occurs the appropriate bit is set in the Error Byte Setting a bit in the Error Byte in turn sets the error bit in the Status Byte Setting the error bit in the Status Byte sets the SRQ The SRQ will also be set if either Interval Complete or Setpoint Reached in the Status Byte are set 34 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Some errors especially those unique to the C4 are only defined in the Error Status String In the event of one of these errors bit 1 of the Error Byte this bit was not used by the CC 3 is set to indicate an extended error The Status Byte and SRQ are thus set as well The Error Status String is a bit mapped 64 byte string 512 bits that contains both event triggered and status monitoring information A complete description of the Error Status String and
80. it s behavior can be found in Section 7 8 3 3 10 Fail safe System The C4 is designed to sense the loss of control circuit power due to opening of a safety limit switch such as those supplied with all Sigma chambers and thermal platforms If the controller is in the RUN mode and the fail safe is tripped the controller will stop controlling and display m SAT on the digital LED display It will also report the fail safe tripped condition over the computer bus interface if in use In order to re establish normal operation the failsafe system on Sigma chambers and thermal platforms requires that power be cycled off then on in addition to the out of range temperature condition subsiding Use the rotary Mode Switch on the controller front panel Turn the switch to OFF to clear the fail safe condition If the controller 1s to be used independently of a Sigma Systems temperature chamber or thermal platform connect pins 10 amp 11 of the 12 pin power plug to pin 3 for 120 volt operation In the case of 208 240 volt operation connect pins 10 amp 11to pin 6 through a 56kQ watt resistor Opening this connection will cause the above described failsafe condition C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 35 36 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 4 INTELLIGENT 2 PROBE CONTROL Probe Averaging Not in this release Available in next release without charge Contact Sigma Systems to receive a revised firmware EEPROM Intelligent 2 Probe Control allows the internal temper
81. ity of pressing lt START STOP gt If the system includes mechanical refrigeration and the last local control session had the compressor turn on it will be turned on for the Autostart session as well 8 5 Blower Shut off Mode Setup field 15 Normally at the end of a program execution or in the event of a Fail Safe shutdown condition the blowers in an chamber will continue to run If this is not desired the blowers can be set to shut off under these conditions by enabling the blower shut off mode by setting the value of setup parameter F15 to 1 Blower shut off mode does not apply to Local mode 8 6 Temperature Control Terms PID Setup fields 0 10 11 12 The PID control terms that the C4 uses for temperature control are available in setup fields O 10 and 11 Do not change field 12 If you are not familiar with PID terms and their effects a non theoretical discussion can be found in Section 9 7 7 in the troubleshooting appendix of this manual 8 7 Software Probe Correction Calibration The C4 will allow you to enter data via Setup or Remote mode that will correct any anomalies in the temperature readings and control at two points Such adjustments are sometimes necessary to optimize accuracy at a particular temperature or to compensate for differences between raw probe temperature data and actual temperatures Note The purpose of this feature is to allow precise calibration at two points near the critical points of the user s
82. kC R gt lt LF gt where t lt C or F hhh high limit HI low limit Example For standard range controller in Celsius mode OR C200 100 lt CR gt lt LF gt The syntax for the command is OR lt CR gt lt LF gt 7 4 4 QS Query Setpoint amp Control Probe Number This command returns the current setpoint and control probe number as follows Sp lt space gt nnn lt CR gt lt LF gt For Celsius mode SpF lt space gt nnn lt CR gt lt LF gt For Fahrenheit mode Where p is the number of the controlling probe and Where nnn is the current setpoint Example Control with probe 1 to 85 F T1F 85 0 lt CR gt lt LF gt Note If probe number returned z 0 then Intelligent 2 Probe Control is active The syntax for the command is OS lt CR gt lt LF gt 60 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 7 4 5 QF QFA Query Setup Parameter Value This command returns the current SRAM value of a setup parameter field QF requests the data to be returned in binary form QFA requests the data to be returned in ASCII text form The syntax of the command is OFnn lt CR gt lt LF gt OFAnn lt CR gt lt LF gt Guery for binary Query for ASCII text Where nn is a one or two byte ASCII text decimal number of the setup parameter field to be returned For parameters numbered 0 through 16 If QF is used the value stored for that parameter is returned as a one byte binary value in an ASCII string as follows QFnn lt space gt lt binary byte gt lt CR
83. l an optional remote chamber or platform power switch The command syntax is TO lt CR gt lt LF gt TF lt CR gt lt LF gt 74 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 7 7 9 QU Quit Controlling The QU command stops the C4 from controlling All heating and cooling is turned off the blowers are set to the mode determined by setup parameter F15 Blower Shut off Mode The command syntax is QU lt CR gt lt LF gt After a QU command the display will show Dae 85 0 Celsius mode me 108 8 Fahrenheit mode Note The C4 can also be commanded to STOP controlling the temperature by issuing IEEE 488 standard I O statements ABORTIO Bus Clear or Selected Device Clear C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 75 7 8 Error and Status Reporting Overview There are three sources for error and status information The Status Byte CC 3 compatible The Error Byte CC 3 compatible The Error Status String 64 bytes CC 3 5 amp C4 only 7 8 1 Status Byte The Status Byte is a one byte block of data in which each of the eight bits reports the status of an item The bits in the Status Byte report the status of the following items BIT EIA 232 TEEE 488 GPIB Interval complete Error Refer compressor port status 0 off 1 on Aux Power port status 0 off 1 on NE lo ShRQensbed disbed Bits 0 1 amp 2 in the Status Byte are state driven and are not cleared when read Each bit is set or reset by the state of the condition they report The error bi
84. lear the program memory to lessen the likelihood that all of program memory will be erased by accident 1 5 16 Program Mode Run Time Program Pre check When a program is run in Program Mode the C4 pre reads the program to look for run time errors that it can report to you before starting By pre checking your program errors are dealt with immediately rather than after the program has partially completed The following items are checked Calls for probe 2 when only one probe is defined for the system Calls for setpoints that are not within the system operating range Loop counter numbers not within the range of 1 to 999 integer See Section 6 7 2 for a full explanation 1 5 17 Remote Mode ElA 232 Baud Rate Improvement EIA 232 communications are now supported at 19 200 and 38 400 bps See Section 8 16 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 1 5 18 Remote Mode ElA 232 Port Initialization The CC 3 required that to use the EI A 232 port the port had to be initialized by switching the mode switch to SETUP before switching to REMOTE mode The C4 eliminates this requirement The EIA 232 port is initialized each time the remote switch is switched to REMOTE mode 1 5 19 Remote Mode Fault Tolerant Parser The C4 uses a very fault tolerant parser Command strings received over either the EIA 232 or GPIB ports are converted to upper case extra spaces and tabs are removed commas are converted to spaces and line terminators are corrected if necessary For this rea
85. led and maximum rate ramping and temperature hold dwell Using Probe 1 for control Use 5 minutes to ramp from ambient to 45 2 C Hold 45 2 for 2 minutes Use 2 minutes to ramp to 32 3 C Hold 32 3 C for 6 minutes Go to 50 1 C as quickly as possible Go to 10 C as quickly as possible Hold 10 C for 3 minutes End program The following is the exact key sequence for entering this routine as a program into C4 program memory Set the C4 to Program mode by setting the rotary MODE switch to the PROGRAM position If you wish to erase any programs already in memory and start with clear reinitialized program memory press CLEAR PROG CLEAR PROG The table which follows shows how to enter all of the data for this program There are shortcuts that can be used to save some time when entering program data The shortcuts are shown in the next table If you are not familiar with C4 programming be sure your understand all of the entries in the first table before attempting to use the shortcut method C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 89 Displayed Step Keys to press Description of entry Substep 00 0 CLEAR ENTRY 45 2 ENTER OOA CLEAR ENTRY 5 ENTER 0 00 82 CLEAR ENTRY 2 ENTER 00 8 CLEAR ENTRY 1 ENTER O 4 CLEAR ENTRY 1 ENTER OLO CLEAR ENTRY 32 3 ENTER OLA CLEAR ENTRY 2 ENTER 1 OA CLEAR ENTRY 6 ENTER 68 9 CLEAR ENTRY 2 ENTER OLA CLEAR ENTRY 1 ENTER 08 0 CLEAR ENTRY 50 1 ENTER O A CLEAR ENTRY 0 ENTER 2 09 9 CLEAR ENTR
86. lower and upper temperature limits at the same time The syntax of the command is SL Ill uuu u lt CR gt lt LF gt where Ill is the lower limit F27 uuu u is the upper limit F28 111 1 8 uuu u are one decimal place numbers Example SL 75 130 lt CR gt lt LF gt 7 6 5 SD Set UUT Temperature Differential Limits The SD command sets the lower UUT temperature differential limit setup parameter F29 and the upper UUT temperature differential limit setup parameter F30 For a detailed explanation of the effect of these parameters see Section 4 The command sets the lower and upper temperature differential limits at the same time The syntax of the command is SD lL uuu u lt CR gt lt LF gt where IIl I is the lower differential limit F29 uuu u is the upper differential limit F30 111 1 8 uuu u are one decimal place floating point numbers Example SD 50 30 lt CR gt lt LF gt 7 6 6 UP Write Current Parameters to NV Memory UP writes the current SRAM resident setup parameters to EEPROM non volatile setup parameter tables See Section 7 6 for explanation This command uses no arguments The syntax of the command is UP lt CR gt lt LF gt C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 71 7 7 System Operation Commands 7 7 1 SI Select Immediate Mode This command selects the immediate mode of operation In immediate mode a command is executed immediately when it is received over the interface Ifa previous command is executing it is canceled
87. lue with the new value The old value is not replaced until the lt ENTER gt key is pressed Therefore a change may be canceled simply by pressing lt DISP CNTL gt before the lt ENTER gt has been pressed The new parameters go into effect upon leaving the Setup mode The local control setpoint is returned to 30 0 after leaving the setup mode and the controller will be in the idle not controlling mode 8 3 Two Probe Mode Setup field 1 This controller will control or display from either probe input The behavior of the controller and selection of the probe which controls it is by program command in both program mode and remote control mode In local mode the setup parameter for field 1 of active probes must be set to 2 before the two probe mode See Section 5 or Intelligent 2 Probe Control See Section 4 in can be used It is very important to use only 5000 platinum RTD probes from Sigma Sigma probes are specially calibrated and matched to the internal controller data sets of the C4 Use of other probes will likely cause significant loss of accuracy 8 4 Auto start Mode Setup field 14 The controller may be set up to automatically begin controlling at the last used LOCAL mode temperature by setting the Auto start setup field 14 to 1 When 84 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Autostart is enabled moving the mode from OFF to LOCAL will cause the controller to begin controlling to the last set local mode setpoint without the necess
88. ly You need to be aware that very precise control requires a stable environment The C4 is an excellent and accurate controller However it is not magic For example if you tune your C4 to provide fast ramps with conservative approaches to setpoints with liquid nitrogen cooling a static load and then run the unit using a nitrogen source that delivers gas instead of liquid a good part of the time and then you add a substantial live load as well your system performance will not be what you expected Before you start the tuning process we suggest that you do what you can to be sure that you are tuning for the actual loads that you will be testing using the coolant that will be available at test time If you are using cryogenic coolant be certain that the coolant delivery is consistent It is not possible to provide a stable environment in your chamber or on your platform if the supplied coolant s ability to absorb heat keeps drastically changing as the supply vacillates between liquid and gas Likewise if you will have live loads that turn on and off during the test optimize the performance of the system with the load at the point that is most critical to you If the live loading is small it should make little difference However if the live load is substantial the performance of the system will be adversely affected when it is operating with a load substantially different than the load for which it was tuned 108 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Befo
89. med control using programs entered stored and Program run from the front panel 100 Temperature Duration Mode Program steps available Multiple programs may be stored and called as needed Control via ELI A 232 or IEEE 488 GPIB The IEEE 488 interface implementation is a TALKER LISTENER with serial poll Extended addressing and parallel poll capabilities are not supported The EIA 232 interface is fully configurable for baud rate data bits stop bits and parity Setup Used to define and store operation and environment Mode variables that control how the C 4 behaves 10 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 1 3 Custom Features Interchangeability WARNING Each Sigma Systems C4 Controller has been custom configured for the chamber or platform with which it was supplied or for which it was specified Many units include special wiring for custom control applications precision fail safe additions non standard voltages external unit power control etc Units that may appear to be identical may be internally quite different Do not interchange controllers between controlled devices chambers and or platforms unless you are certain that the controllers have been identically constructed Failure to heed this warning voids your warranty may cause unpredictable controlled device behavior that could cause damage to persons or property pose a risk of fire or cause other problems If you must move controllers between controlled devices please contact
90. mmands in Appendix 9 4 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 57 7 3 Command Summary by functional group System Information Queries QV QN QR QS QF QFA Query Firmware Version Query Controller Serial Number Query Controller Temperature Range Query Setpoint amp Control Probe Number Query Setup Parameter binary Query Setup Parameter ASCII hex Operation Information Queries amp Commands RS RSA RE REA QE QEA QC ES DS PT Request Status Byte binary Request Status Byte ASCII hex Request Error Byte binary Request Error Byte ASCII hex Query Error Status Flag String binary Query Error Status Flag String ASCII hex Query Last Command String Enable SRQ Disable SRQ Default Read Probe n Temperature Setup Commands SC WP BF BO SL SD UP Set Correction for Probe n Set PID Constants Blowers off Enable Blower Shut Off Mode Blowers on Disable Blower Shut Off Mode Set UUT Temperature Limits Set UUT Temp Differential Limits Write Current Parameters to NV Memory System Operation Commands SI SP PN GT GTF RA RAF DL CO CF TO TF QU 58 Select Immediate Execution Mode Select Program Mode Default Select Probe n for Control Go to Temperature Ramp to Temperature Delay hold for Interval Turn Refrigeration Compressor On Turn Refrigeration Compressor Off Turn Aux Power Port On Turn Aux Power Port Off Quit Controlling return to idle state C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 See
91. mperature at probe 1 was 55 4 C the same command in Celsius mode would return T1 55 4 lt CR gt lt LF gt During Remote mode operation the C4 may be queried to determine the current temperature scale by using the QS Query Setpoint command See Section 7 4 4 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 29 3 5 System Operating Temperature Range The C4 controller operates within the limits of the system devices There are 3 pairs low high of temperature limits that constrain the range of operations 1 The range of the C4 as it is set at the factory 2 The range of the controlled device chamber or platform as described by setup parameters F25 amp F26 3 The range of the UUT unit under test as described by setup parameters F27 8 F28 Each of these ranges is characterized by a low limit and a high limit The highest of the 3 low limits is the low temperature System Operation Limit The lowest of the 3 high limits is the high temperature System Operation Limit In other words the controller will respect the most restrictive limits that are described by the combination of the 3 ranges listed above The low and high temperature System Operating Limits define the System Operating Range The controller will not accept setpoints outside the System Operating Range and will report error conditions and stop controlling if the controlling probe s report a temperature too far outside that range Note Probe 1 is always in the chamber airstream or platform
92. n from the reaches program step 100 where it will display MN operator Running programs may also be stopped at any time by pressing lt START STOP gt After a program has been stopped in this manner pressing lt START STOP gt again will cause the program to continue executing from the beginning of the step it was executing when it was stopped Important If the refrigeration compressor was on when the program execution was interrupted in this way it will be restarted when program execution 1s restarted At the end of a program the controller will not turn on further heat or cool however the chamber blowers will remain on unless blower shutoff mode has been enabled see Section 8 5 The blowers can be turned off manually by an operator using the front panel mode switch Set the switch to OFF to turn off the blowers The refrigeration compressor mechanically refrigerated models only will be turned off when a program completes IMPORTANT If you are controlling an chamber or platform with optional solid state relay power control including units with compressor control please read Section 6 8 4 at this time CAUTION Chamber temperatures can exceed 70 C without heaters energized if high velocity blowers have been installed If this presents a problem be sure the test load is removed promptly at the end of the program run or enable blower shutoff mode see Section 8 5 to have blowers not run on at the end of a program execution
93. nally applied maximum temperature differential for the UUT skin to core temperature Intelligent 2 Probe Control will maximize speed in achieving internal UUT setpoint temperatures while at the same time controlling the thermal stress on the UUT Note For the balance of this section the description of Intelligent 2 Probe Control will be related to operation of temperature chamber All of this information applies to thermal platforms as well but they are not mentioned further to make the text easier to read C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 37 4 1 How Intelligent 2 Probe Control functions Intelligent 2 Probe Control takes advantage of the fact that increasing the temperature differential between two objects increases the rate of heat transfer between them For instance if a thick and heavy object is to be heated from 0 to 100 and the object is placed in a temperature chamber with a 100 internal air stream temperature the temperature of the object will rise quickly at first because of the large differential between the temperature of the chamber air stream and the object However as the object continues to absorb heat the differential decreases and the rate of heat transfer decreases The closer the object s temperature approaches the air stream temperature the more slowly the object absorbs heat To maintain the thermal transfer efficiency that existed early in the warming process when the differential was for example 80 the air stream
94. ng PA ERA or Probe out of range 3 POP 108 8 Temperature for probe 2 in F 3 4 5 1 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 111 SOR o SOR VIO 65 8 or TAP 108 7 9 10 Technical Support Repairs amp Returns Idle after quit command Sigma s Technical Support department can be reached by email fax or telephone Email TechSupport SigmaSystems Com Fax 619 283 6526 Telephone 619 283 3193 Normal business hours are 8 00 AM to 5 00 PM normal business weekdays Pacific time Also you can access our Web site at www SigmaSystems com If you wish to send us a controller for repair or updating please contact technical support before shipping to obtain a return authorization number When contacting technical support it is often very helpful if you know the serial number of the unit under discussion Out of warranty repairs can be charged on either VISA or Mastercard or can be billed if you have an account with us Please obtain purchase authorization from your buying department before returning items to us for servicing Pre authorized and credit card based repairs are typically returned to you much faster that repairs that must wait for purchase authorizations during the time or after repairs are made 112 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 INDEX nl AA O AAAH MAA 35 PA Mode neestas EEA O A RA NE ZAE MN A ARE ME AKA 80 82 Aux power control port o MEME 52 Grrogente boost controla a it do o aee Ria io Sear Re 52 Main power controla e tara
95. nic boost system Because the port will be turned off at the start of any program cryogenic boost cooling will only be available if this port is turned on 6 8 5 Optional Aux Power Control Port Off 54 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 When the Probe substep 4 is specified as 7 the program step turns the optional load control port off Substeps 0 2 are ignored Upon power up and changing the rotary switch this port will be on At start and end of program execution this port will be automatically set to off 6 9 Common Programming Issues 6 9 1 Step Numbering Remember that the first step or substep is O instead of 1 6 9 2 Changing Substep Values When changing a substep value on the right half of the display you must use the lt CLEAR ENTRY gt key to clear the previous entry from the display before entering a new value Then enter the new value by keying on keypad then press ENTER to store that new value 6 9 3 Control Ports Refrigeration compressor and optional aux power control ports will return to their default values of On HI and Off LO respectively upon changing the setting of the rotary switch However before the start and after the end of a program they will both be LO C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 55 56 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 7 REMOTE MODE Remote mode provides for control of the C4 from a remote computer or terminal using either standard EIA 232 serial communication or Instrumentation Standard IEEE 488 GPIB communica
96. nt for step zero will be displayed Each subsequent press of the lt DISP CNTL gt key will cause the display to increment to the next program substep To display a specific program step enter a one or two digit step number directly after any press of the lt DISP CNTL gt key and then press the lt DISP CNTL gt key again to display the entered step substep 0 48 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 6 4 Entering or Changing a Program Step There is no difference between entering a program step and modifying an existing one To change any part of the program first display the current step by pressing lt DISP CNTL gt If you wish to make changes to a step other than the current step enter the 1 or 2 digits for the step number 0 99 and press lt DISP CNTL gt again Substep O of the desired step will now be displayed For each substep displayed you may change the current value or accept the current value To accept the current value and display the next substep press lt DISP CNTL gt To change the current value press lt CLEAR ENTRY gt to clear the old value then enter the desired new value Pressing the lt ENTER gt key stores the new substep value and advances the display to the next substep Only valid changes are allowed Subsequent and steps and substeps may be altered in the same manner by pressing lt DISP CNTL gt until the desired step is displayed Note The program may only be changed when the program is not executing run LED is
97. ntly becomes false the bit is not reset The entire error byte 1s cleared after it 1s read with the RE REA QE or QEA commands When the Error Byte is cleared the error bit in the Status Byte is also cleared 7 8 3 Error Status String The Error Status String is a string of 64 bytes 512 bits that can be obtained from the controller Each bit in the string represents an error or status condition If the bit 1s set 1 the condition 1s true 1f the bit 1s reset 0 the condition is false The Error Status String 1s divided into two parts Except for bits 0 1 amp 2 of the C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 77 byte 01 status byte replica the first 32 bytes 256 bits are event triggered The second 32 bytes 256 bits are status or state set Except for bits 0 1 amp 2 of the byte 01 status byte replica each of the bits in bytes 0 31 are set once when the condition that that bit reports becomes true If the condition becomes false the bit remains set Except for bits 0 1 2 of the byte 01 status byte replica the bits in bytes 0 31 are all reset in the event of a QE or QEA command a system reset or a power off condition Each of the bits in bytes 32 63 are set when the condition that the bit reports becomes true and is reset if that condition becomes false The bits mirror the instantaneous state of the condition that they report These bits are not reset by the event of a QE or QEA command but are reset during sy
98. ntrol communications interfaces for the family of Sigma Systems temperature chambers and thermal platforms 1 1 Models C4 amp CC 3 Explained The models C4 CC 3 controllers are successors to the model CC 3 The model C4 is a completely redesigned controller that uses a completely different and more modern set of internal components with a new processor and completely new firmware Model C4 controllers are only available as new products from Sigma Systems The model CC 3 is a hybrid upgrade controller that uses only the digital circuitry of the model C4 It is made by substituting the C4 digital p c board known within Sigma Systems as the CPU board or the A board for the CC 3 s A board The upgrade from CC 3 to CC 3 also includes a few small modifications to other internal components The power supply power switching analog and front panel components of the CC 3 remain Model CC 3 controllers are only available as the product of upgrading a CC 3 controller From a functional perspective models C4 amp CC 3 are identical because all of the functionality of the controllers is defined by the processor bus interface components and firmware all of which are integral with the C4 A board The C4 analog and front panel components that remain unique to the C4 not included in the CC 3 upgrade from CC 3 provide slightly better accuracy and substantially better noise and static immunity For the balance
99. o EEPROM Upon exiting Remote mode including by power loss the SRAM values are discarded Each time Remote mode is entered a new copy of the EEPROM setup parameter values is read into SRAM as a working copy 62 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 7 5 Operation Information Queries 4 Commands 7 5 1 RS RSA Request Status Byte These commands retrieve the status byte See Section 7 8 1 If RS is used the status byte is returned as a one byte binary value imbedded in an ASCII text string as follows RS lt status byte gt lt CR gt lt LF gt If RSA is used the status byte is returned as a two byte ASCIT hex string imbedded in an ASCII text string as follows RSA lt space gt lt 2 character ASCII hex string gt lt CR gt lt LF gt Example RSA 47 lt CR gt lt LF gt The syntax for the command is RS lt CR gt lt LF gt Request 1 byte binary value RSA lt CR gt lt LF gt Request 2 byte ASCII hex value C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 63 7 5 2 RE REA Request Error Byte These commands retrieve the error byte Note The error byte and byte 00 of the Error Status String are cleared each time this command is used See Section 7 8 2 If RE is used the error byte is returned as a one byte binary value imbedded in an ASCII text string as follows RE lt error byte gt lt CR gt lt LF gt If REA is used the error byte is returned as a two byte ASCIT hex string imbedded in an ASCII text string as follows REA lt space gt lt 2 character ASCII hex string
100. ommand This command returns the last non null command string sent to the controller The returned string is the string that was delivered to the controller after the internal parser did any fixing It does not have to be a valid command The string is ASCII text and is terminated with lt CR gt lt LF gt Null strings are discarded by the parser Example Previous command sent QC returns Ra 55 2 11 lt CR gt lt LF gt RA 55 2 11 lt CR gt lt LF gt The syntax for the command is QC lt CR gt lt LF gt 7 5 5 ES Enable SRQ Status Request Mode For the IEEE 488 interface SRQ is sent with the binary status The status is not cleared until read with an RS command This command enables the SRQ function Format of the command is ES lt CR gt lt LF gt SRQ is sent on all error changes or if Status Byte bit 3 interval complete or bit 4 setpoint reached is set For the EIA 232 interface SRQ is sent as the ASCII string SQ binary status byte lt CR gt lt LF gt 7 5 6 DS Disable the SRQ This command disables the SRQ function default is DS disabled Format of the command is DS lt CR gt lt LF gt 66 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 7 5 7 PT Read Temperature This command is used to read the specified probe temperature The format of the command is PTn lt CR gt lt LF gt where n is the number 0 1 or 2 of the probe to be read Probe 2 is only available if enabled by Setup Parameter F1 See Section 8 Spec
101. on of the need The Differential Term The Differential term Setup field 11 is the least often changed term It s effects on the other terms are subtle and illusive to most users Don t change this term unless you are thoroughly convinced of the necessity for doing so The differential term supplies an anticipatory response that can be helpful with slow processes large loads It helps to compensate for the effects of thermal inertia at it s extremes If the term is too small anticipation may be inadequate for slow responding systems and the setpoint may be illusive If the differential term is too large the system may over anticipate and begin excessive oscillation The differential term changes the period of any temperature oscillations This can be helpful in the rare event that a change in the proportional or integral term has set up an oscillation that seems hard to break If this term is excessive the oscillations that develop are typically more rapid than those associated with an excessive integral term value Note that this term has such profound effects on the other two that there is a strong possibility that if you change this value you will have to adjust one or both of the other term values as well 110 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 9 9 Displayed Messages and Errors Table Display Description Manual Section Controller serial number Ma Clearing program steps gm LOOP Loop count error m is E 6 6 Probe out of range ners
102. operly Improper use of this feature can result in the C4 reporting very inaccurate temperature data and then using that data for temperature control To minimize the risk from such errors the following rules have been adopted 1 U1 amp U2 as well as C1 amp C2 must be at least 50 C apart 2 The correction values entered must be so constrained that when the internally calculated slope and offset are applied to the raw probe temperatures at the extremes of the C4 current operating range the maximum calculated temperature difference correction is 20 C Entering probe correction setup data When entering probe correction data the data for all four fields associated with one probe must be entered successively in one session Start the entry session by displaying the first field either F17 or F21 Enter the data for that field and the next 3 fields in succession If the data entered is within bounds prescribed by the rules above they will be stored 86 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 If the values entered do not comply with the rules as defined above the display will show COR ERR None of the data will have been stored in this case and the process must be begun again with data that complies with the rules C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 87 88 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 9 APPENDIX 9 1 Programming Examples 8 Notes 9 1 1 Simple Local Program Example The following temperature test routine uses basic temperature control commands including control
103. r all of the user programmed steps from memory use the CLEAR PROGRAM lt CLEAR PROG gt key on the keyboard All program steps will be reinitialized to their default values The procedure below will reinitialize all program steps to their default values To reinitialize all program steps to their default values press lt CLEAR PROG gt to display the Mam warning message on the display then press lt CLEAR PROG gt again to return all program steps to their default values as shown below If ever you accidentally press lt CLEAR PROG gt and see the mam warning on the display you may press any key except the lt CLEAR PROG gt key abort the memory clearing process Note The two presses of lt CLEAR PROG gt must be at least second apart This assures that the two presses were intentional and prevents accidental program erasure Once program memory has been erased it cannot be restored When the program memory is reinitialized each of the 100 program steps is initialized to the following default values null program steps Substep 0 30 0 30 degrees C Substep 1 00 00 Ramp time zero Substep 2 00 00 Hold time zero Substep 3 SS 1 Next sequential step Substep 4 1 Active Probe one 6 3 Displaying Program Steps not during execution To display the program steps press the DISPLAY CONTROL key lt DISP CNTL gt Unless you are already in program mode and have just displayed a different program step step O substep O the setpoi
104. rate power cord disconnect that cord also before removing the controller FAILURE TO HEED THIS WARNING WILL LIKELY RESULT IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CONTROLLER AND DANGER OF HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SHOCK TO THE USER Equipment Required Digital volt meter capable of four digits accuracy Decade resistance box capable of 0 1 ohm resolution IMPORTANT Before beginning the calibration process the software probe correction must be set to default values no correction If this is not done calibration may not be possible due to range limitations of the calibration potentiometers In addition the temperatures reported by the probe s will be incorrect Incorrect calibration can result in extreme and or unexpected temperatures that will likely result in damage to equipment and test specimens and harm to personnel Procedure 8 Be certain that the probe correction parameter fields are set to default no correction values With the temperature scale setup parameter F16 0 set to C setup parameters F17 F18 F21 F22 should be set to O and setup parameters F19 F20 F23 amp F24 should be set to 100 2 Remove power from the unit Access the controller chassis by removing the screws at the four corners of the controller front panel C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 101 3 Remove probe connections at the controller s rear terminal strip J1 1 and J1 4 4 Locate test points TP1 and TP6 TP2 on CC 3 and adjustments R5 R29 on CC 3
105. re you change any of the PID terms in your C4 write down the existing values It is not hard for inexperienced users to make enough changes that things get much worse If this happens to you you will want to have a list of the original settings so you can at least go easily back to what you had If you forget to write the setting down or if your controller was way off to begin with we suggest that you start with the default settings as shown in Section 8 Setup Mode The Proportional Term The Proportional term Setup field 0 is the most often adjusted term The proportional term is the number of degrees from the setpoint at which the C4 will begin to decrease the applied heating or cooling If the proportional term 10 then within the last 10 degrees of reaching the setpoint the heating or cooling will be cut by 10 for each degree closer to the setpoint the chamber or platform gets If the proportional term 5 then within the last 5 degrees of reaching the setpoint the heating or cooling will be cut by 20 for each degree closer to the setpoint the chamber or platform gets Decreasing the proportional term value will cause the C4 to apply full heating or cooling to the chamber or platform for a longer time slows closer to the setpoint Increasing the proportional term will begin the ramp slowdown sooner Decreased proportional term value will allow faster ramping at the expense of more overshoot Increasing the value will reduce over
106. reme temperatures in the chamber or on the platform If not carefully monitored second probe only control can result substantial damage to the chamber or platform and UUT and risk operator injury Intelligent 2 Probe Control 1s designed to achieve the Setpoint temperature inside the UUT probe 2 either as quickly as possible or at a controlled ramp rate while always respecting the limits of the controller chamber or platform and UUT The user may specify the absolute limits of the exterior of the UUT as well as limit themal shock by specifying a dynamically changing sliding scale maximum temperature differential for the UUT skin to core temperature Intelligent 2 Probe Control will maximize speed in achieving internal UUT Setpoint temperatures while at the same time controlling the thermal stress on the UUT An in depth discussion of this feature can be found in Section 4 1 5 12 Default Setup Parameters Restore There is a procedure for erasing the current setup parameter table data and restoring it basic default values See Section 3 3 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 15 1 5 13 Program Mode Step Insert 4 Delete Program steps may now be deleted from or inserted into programs See Sections 6 5 amp 6 6 1 5 14 Program Mode Any Step Points to Step 100 Any program step may now point to step 100 program end as the next step to execute 1 5 15 Program Mode Safer Program Clear Some deliberate delays have added to the key sequence to completely c
107. robe Correction is to allow precise calibration at two points near the critical points of the user s testing scheme It does not replace the hardware calibration process nor should it A number of system health checks as well as process limits are based upon the raw or uncorrected temperatures reported by the probes It is important to optimize the hardware level calibration before using this software calibration method Software probe correction is achieved by entering four temperatures U1 C1 U2 amp C2 for each probe into the setup parameter table Ul amp U2 are the uncorrected or displayed temperatures at two points C1 amp C2 are the corrected or actual temperature at those same two points Thus to make a correction using ice water 0 C and boiling water 100 C when the display shows 2 3 C for the ice water and 99 C for the boiling water the user would enter the following C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 33 U1 2 3 C1 0 U2 99 C2 100 The C4 will then calculate a new slope and offset for the entire probe curve All temperatures reported by the corrected probe will be adjusted by applying this new slope and offset to the raw temperature data reported by the probe Note Software probe correction is done separately for each probe The following table shows the U1 C1 U2 C2 setup parameter assignments Probe 1 Probe 2 U1 F17 F21 C1 F18 F22 U2 F19 F23 C2 F20 F24 Entering these parameters via Setup mode is discussed in Sect
108. rogram Loop step When the loop count substep 0 value finally becomes zero the step following the Program Loop step is executed Example Step amp substep Value 07 0 5 Loop count 07 1 0000 not used 07 2 0000 not used 07 3 1 Loop start step 07 4 3 Identifies this step as a PROGRAM LOOP command This will loop 5 times from step 1 to step 7 decrementing the loop counter by 1 for each loop When the loop counter has reached 0 the program will continue with step 8 Notes Nested program loops not supported They may appear to work if you try to use them but the loop will never complete and further results are not predictable A loop count of 5 example will cause the program to execute the loop 5 times If the program loop refers to a previously executed step as the loop start step then that step will be executed once originally plus the 5 times for the loop for a total of 6 times Example If the program that contained the example loop step above began with step 00 then progressed normally through steps 1 2 3 4 5 and 6 before C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 53 encountering the loop statement in step 7 then steps 1 6 will already have been executed once and then again 5 more times as a function of the loop for a total of 6 times 6 8 2 External Compressor On When the Probe substep 4 is specified as 4 the program step turns the refrigeration compressor control port on Substeps 0 2 are ignored Upon power up start
109. set to their default values The display will show ALL MES 32 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 The mode switch must be subsequently turned to the SETUP position to clear the display and resume normal operations Be sure you remember to restore any setup parameters that have been changed by the system reset 3 7 3 Setup parameter integrity checking Each time the system must rely on a system setup parameter the condition of the setup parameter table is checked against a replica that the system stores in another place in memory If there is any difference between the two copies of the parameter table the system will try to determine which table is correct and restore the incorrect copy If restoration is not possible the system will turn off all heating and cooling reinitialize the setup parameters to their defaults and display SU ERR The mode switch must be subsequently turned to the SETUP position to clear the display and resume normal operations Be sure you remember to restore any setup parameters that have been changed by the system reset 3 8 Software Probe Correction Calibration The C4 will allow you to enter data via Setup or Remote mode that will correct any anomalies in the temperature readings and control at two points Such adjustments are sometimes necessary to optimize accuracy at a particular temperature or to compensate for differences between raw probe temperature data and actual temperatures Note The purpose of Software P
110. shoot at the expense of a long settle time The proportional term is very necessary to slow the heating or cooling to prevent wild overshoot of the setpoint However because the slowing increases as the setpoint is approached there is a point at which the applied heating or cooling is not sufficient to continue the progress to achieve the setpoint The Integral term compensates for this shortcoming of the proportional term effect The Integral Term The Integral term Setup field 10 provides a time buffer for the slowing of the ramp caused by the proportional term This causes the slowing from the proportional term to be delayed just a bit so that the setpoint is achieved If the integral term is too small the setpoint may never be reached If it is too large there will be an oscillation of the temperature about the setpoint Increase the integral term value if the temperature never quite gets to the setpoint Lower this value if the temperature oscillates about the setpoint C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 109 There will always be some oscillation but a proper setting of the integral term will keep these oscillations very minor and within the range of established control accuracy When the C4 is shipped from the factory the integral term is set such that it will work well for most applications Small adjustments to the proportional term rarely require adjustment of the integral term Change this setting in small amounts only after careful demonstrati
111. sing lt DISP CNTL gt When you have displayed a substep that contains and displays a value that is the same as the value you need for that substep you can simply retain that value To retain an existing value in a substep and go on to the next substep press lt DISP CNTL gt when the step substep and value are displayed Thus the program entry sequence from the table above could be changed to the following more efficient entry sequence This sequence presumes that you have just reinitialized program memory by pressing lt CLEAR PROG gt lt CLEAR PROG gt C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 91 Number sebe Keys to press Description of entry Substep 1 CLEARIENTRY 50 1 ENTER 2 To run this program set the program pointer to the first program step 00 and then start the program using the following key seguence 00 lt DISP CNTL gt lt START STOP gt 92 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 9 1 3 Local Program Example Using the Special Commands The following temperature test routine uses program looping commands and the special port control commands Turn chamber or platform or auxiliary load on Do the following loop 5 times Using probe 2 for control Turn compressor on Use 15 minutes to ramp from ambient to 11 5 C Hold 11 5 for 20 minutes Use 1 hour to ramp to 32 3 C Hold 32 3 C for 1 hour Turn compressor off Go to 50 C as quickly as possible Hold 50 C for 2 hours Turn chamber or platform or auxiliary load off End program
112. son programs that work properly with the C4 and not with a CC 3 that use only CC 3 commands probably have syntax errors that the C4 parser corrects See Section 9 7 7 1 5 20 Remote Mode System Information Queries OV Query Firmware Version See Section 7 4 1 QN Query Serial Number See Section 7 4 2 QR Query Temperature Range See Section 7 4 3 QS Query Setpoint amp Control Probe Number See Section 7 4 4 QF Query Setup Parameter Data Binary Query See Section 7 4 5 QFA Query Setup Parameter Data ASCII Query See Section 7 4 5 1 5 21 Remote Mode Operation Information Queries RSA Request Status Byte ASCII Query See Section 7 5 1 REA Request Error Byte ASCII Query See Section 7 5 2 QE Query Error Status String Binary Query See Section 7 5 3 GEA Query Error Status String ASCII Query See Section 7 5 3 QC Query Last Command aaaea e neen See Section 7 5 4 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 17 1 5 22 Remote Mode Setup Parameter Commands SC WP BF BO SL SD UP Set Correction Calibration for Probe See Section 7 6 1 Set PID Constants as eoe e o eto es See Section 7 6 2 Turn Blowers Off s eroe Rated Ra Ri ALA See Section 7 6 3 uen AR See Section 7 6 3 Set UUT Temperature Limits See Section 7 6 4 Set UUT Temperature Differential Limits See Section 7 6 5 Write SRAM Parame
113. stem reset or power off condition Each of the bytes in the Error Status String has a defined purpose For instance all the probe correction error bits are in the same byte This makes is easier to parse the Error Status String and branch to error routines because basic groups of errors can be checked at the byte level Note Byte 00 of the Error Status String is the same Error Byte that is available using RE and REA commands Byte 00 is cleared each time a QE or QEA command is issued This byte is also cleared anytime the RE or REA commands are issued to read the Error Byte This byte is maintained in the Error Status String so that it is not necessary to use two commands to obtain the Error Byte and the extended error information contained in the Error Status String Byte 01 of the Error Status String is the same as the EIA 232 version of the Status Byte The bits 3 4 are cleared from both the Status Byte and byte 01 of the Error Status String when the Error Status String is read Many of the bits in the Error Status String have no current definition and will always be reset 0 Each successive release of Sigma Systems C4 controller firmware may implement additional bit definitions Each new list will be backward compatible The length of the Error Status String will remain at 64 bytes The table below shows the firmware release in which the bit was first used and the definitions for the currently defined bits 78 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2
114. stems for a fee or you can provide your own DOS bootable diskette and obtain the necessary files for the upload process from the Sigma Systems site on the Internet The Internet address for this site is www SigmaSystems com The download file SSUPxxxx EXE may contain specific instructions that replace the instructions in the next paragraph After downloading the file copy it to an otherwise empty DOS bootable diskette and run SSUPxxxx EXE This file is a self extracting ZIP archive that will install all the files you need onto the diskette Check for the presence of a README TXT file on the diskette for instructions that supplement or supercede these instructions Making the physical connection for upload To upload firmware to your C4 you will need to connect the C4 to a DOS bootable PC compatible computer using a straight through or modem type serial cable The C4 is configured as DCE Data Communications Equipment Therefore do NOT use a null modem type serial cable that has pins 2 3 crossed Connect the cable to either COM1 or COM on the PC and to the female DB25 connector on the back of the C4 Running the upload software on the PC After you run the SSUPxxxx EXE file on your DOS bootable diskette you are ready to run the software Place the floppy in the A drive of the PC and turn on or reset the PC to allow it to boot from the floppy Follow the instructions on the screen Note that the menu will allow you to do
115. successive uploads without restarting and will allow you to change serial ports as you do so Users who will be uploading to a number of controllers in one session will find that this feature saves some time If the uploads are being done on a bench as opposed to leaving the controller in it s chamber or platform housing be certain to follow all precautions about removing all power before removing the controller and about taking care to use proper anti static procedures when handling the controller Be certain that the bench has a properly grounded anti static surface If you are going to upload firmware into many controllers successively in a bench environment you can use a PC with two serial ports COM1 and COM2 and two serial cables You can then have the upload program alternate serial ports for the 26 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 uploads so that you can upload to one controller while connecting and disconnecting the other Starting the upload on the C4 When the PC is ready turn the C4 controller on During the 1 second display of the model number rapidly press lt CLEAR PROG gt three times The display will read BS LOAD The firmware upload should begin immediately The PC will indicate when the load is complete If you have difficulties see the trouble shooting information in Section 9 7 8 3 3 Restoring Setup Parameters to Default Values Note The default values are very generic They are not the values that were likely
116. supply 5v when the port is on The state of both ports is reported by the Status Byte See Section 7 8 1 and by the 35 of the Error Status String See Section 7 8 3 In the Status Byte and the Error Status String the reporting bits are set if the port is on 5v and reset if the port is off These ports are TTL level and will require proper isolation and drive capability considerations when interfacing to other devices Damage to the C4 from improper connection or use of these board level facilities is not covered under your Sigma Systems warranty 100 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 If the controller is equipped with internal solid state relay to control the compressor the output of the solid state relay is through pin 8 of P1 the 12 pin power cable to the controller At the end of running a program from the front panel the chamber control port and the compressor control port will return to their original default positions of high and low respectively 9 6 Field Calibration of Model C4 Controller WARNING Sigma Systems C4 Controllers obtain power from the chamber or platform to which they are connected The controllers do not have protective side covers on the chassis It is imperative to disconnect the power to both the chamber or platform and the controller if separate from the power source before removing the controller Look for an optional separate power cord going to the controller If the controller is equipped with a sepa
117. t in the Status Byte is cleared when the Error Byte in read and cleared with RE REA QE or QEA Setpoint Reached and Interval Complete are event triggered Interval Complete is set when a timed delay or ramp time is completed Setpoint Reached is set when the chamber or platform has stabilized at the setpoint Both Interval Complete and Setpoint Reached are cleared when read 76 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Interval Complete Setpoint Reached and Error will trigger the SRQ if it is enabled The Status Byte is replicated as byte 01 in the Error Status String See Section 7 8 3 7 8 2 Error Byte The Error Byte is a one byte block of data in which each of the eight bits reports the status of an item The bits in the Error Byte report the status of the following items BIT ITEM 7 Time out error Chamber or platform did not reach a GT command temperature in 20 minutes 6 Not Used 5 Undefined command A command string was received that is not recognized by the controller 4 Data in Error Status String changed 3 Fail safe tripped 2 Ilegal argument string A valid command was received but the accompanying argument s was were not valid 1 0 Aux Input toggled typically optional door switch open closed The Error Byte is event information Each time the state of an item that is reported in the Error Byte becomes true the associated bit in the Error Byte is set If the condition of the reported item subseque
118. t mode NANO 80 82 Blower shut off mode np a an as 80 83 Chamber platform operating limits aa e 81 Chanoine Va lAng ia RON eL KE BOE MAE oe Na dieti 82 RT AA a o DRE o ANA 81 EEPROM values ura iii do 66 A o sese E 79 CRIBA a KANG ie WAN Na MUN e AON NAA t DE 19 O 66 79 Modifying temporarily in remote mode 66 Number ol DEODATO A 79 82 Permanent changes to in remote mode 66 PTD constancy tarps parr Mb o AD ees 79 80 83 Probe correction software probe calibration 80 83 REFER key enable disable ovo ceno X SEER RES Pe RE Sus 80 Remote communication port select 79 Rettorine to default valles ds so da a clio OS 2 SC Set ODA BJ PAGLIBAN 66 DINA VEVA ES AA A ee t eee ee AN ede Mod 66 Temperature scale Char Ey esti atc NAMA a A JE ONE AA NG 80 UP Write current parameters to NV memory 69 a Ata a IA ka a a ea dina Han ae nak Ja ana 66 UUT operating differential limits a AA AAA A 81 MR m limits uu asc te ma NE 81 118 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 Shutdown conditions Teal A E duae Ore rae Wee era GNG AG E Med 31 Memory sienat re failed so CP AN ERES C DE aa 31 PPO DCO UG TR HO eoi a tees NA KANG P EIC NING EPI NONA AS 29 Setup parameters Corrupt pr AA nat ee DTO a ATON 31 System operation temperature limits exceeded 29 Watehdos Timers sn a ode d ar Oed a or Dee Ope Dede ee DE
119. ters to EEPROM See Section 7 6 6 1 5 23 Remote Mode IEEE 488 GPIB Monitoring The IEEE 488 bus controller is automatically reset if a problem is detected No message to the user is generated as no data is typically lost in the process 1 5 24 Setup Mode Easier Parameter Access Setup parameters may now be accessed directly by number rather than having to scroll the entire list If scrolling is used there is now a backup key so the list can be scrolled in either direction Likewise for parameters that are chosen from a list the list can be scrolled in either direction or the parameters can be keyed in directly without scrolling the list See Section 8 1 18 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 2 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION The SIGMA SYSTEMS Model C4 Controller fits into an area 3 5 x 5 5 x9 5 long Connection to the chamber or platform is made through an umbilical cable with a 12 pin connector that is standard for all SIGMA chambers and thermal platforms Controllers destined for use with SIGMA thermal platforms have an additional 6 pin connector used for the sensor probe circuits All C4 controllers have a 3 pin pigtail connector at the back of the controller for control of refrigeration via solid state relay This feature was optional on CC 3 controllers and is thus not a consistent feature of CC 3 controllers 2 1 Front Panel The front panel consists of four major parts the LED digit display the LED indicators the mode switch
120. the controller to bypass the newly installed firmware and run from the older version COM port issues If the update software on the PC won t start due to communication problems the difficulty is likely either a bad wrong cable non standard COM port settings or a non standard UART Check to be certain that you are using a standard modem cable straight through and not a null modem cable pins 2 3 crossed If the cable is not the problem use a utility program such as Microsoft s MSD or Norton Utilities NDIAGS to test the PC s COM ports and check the addresses interrupt and UART number COM1 should be located at address 3F8 with IRQ4 and COM should be at address 2F8 with IRQ3 The UART should be an 8250 or a number that starts with 16 Some early PCs used non standard UARTs and address assignments and relied on the very slow system BIOS to keep all this straight The Sigma upload software bypasses the BIOS to achieve better performance 19 200 baud and cannot tolerate non standard COM ports If you ve done all the above and still have a problem check the Sigma web site at www SigmaSystems Com for service bulletins If you still don t have a solution your controller will likely need to be returned to Sigma for service 9 8 Temperature Control PID Tuning amp Problems The Sigma C4 controller uses a classic PID control algorithm Users who are familiar with PID control will find this section somewhat simplistic and generaliz
121. the end The location of the firmware EEPROM is shown by the triangle pointer The EEPROM socket is labeled U13 Make certain that the end of the EEPROM with the notch or notch mark is toward the inside or center of the board Note that it is possible to remove and replace the firmware EEPROM without disassembling the C4 If you lay the controller upside down and look at the digital board from the bottom the firmware EEPROM is the first large chip from the front of the controller You will not be able to see the U13 label but you can see the C32 label on the small capacitor located next to the firmware EEPROM socket Using a small flat bladed screwdriver or chip removal tool carefully pry the old EEPROM from it s socket Try to keep the chip as flat as possible while removing it to prevent damage to the pins or socket When replacing keep the replacement EEPROM flat to the socket make sure all pins are started in their respective receivers in the socket then press the chip firmly into place 3 2 2 Upgrading Firmware by Uploading through C4 Serial Port Note CC 3 5 controllers with version 7 0 0 firmware or earlier have battery backed RAMS for non volatile storage These units MUST have the BBRAM replaced with an EEPROM before newer firmware is installed C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 25 Use a DOS bootable diskette and a PC type computer to load the new firmware through the C4 s serial port You can obtain the required diskette from Sigma Sy
122. the Sigma technical support department for assistance and advice 1 4 Release 7 5 2 Firmware This manual is specifically written to cover the features of Release 7 5 2 firmware for the Sigma Systems Model C4 controller The features of this release firmware are largely backward compatible with all CC 3 and earlier CC 3 amp C4 firmware This release fixes a number of bugs found in the CC 3 interim release versions 6 8 6 6 9 0 and 7 0 0 It also adds a number of new features See Section 1 5 Note This release implements probe temperature correction on a per probe basis Interim CC 3 releases implemented this feature on a global basis Sigma highly recommends that all users update to the latest firmware release Contact Sigma Technical Support See Section 9 10 Note This release is not available as an upload file for serial port firmware updating of your controller Due to non backward compatible change in the way some data is stored internally this version must be installed using a PROM obtained from Sigma Systems C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 11 1 5 C4 vs CC 3 Differences What s New 1 5 1 Hardware amp Stability Improvements The new C4 introduces a number of new improvements to make the controller faster and more reliable than its predecessor The C4 has a completely new digital processing board The new board has a much faster processor more memory and a much faster IEEE 488 GPIB controller Interrupts have been completel
123. tion Selection of the type of interface is made from the setup mode see Section 8 NOTE The IEEE 488 2 requirement for lockout of front panel control during IEEE 488 control is not enabled in this controller The front panel mode switch remains active during remote control In remote mode the C4 is controlled externally by sending a 2 character ASCII command over the bus followed by an optional set of parameters and ending with a terminator For both IEEE 488 and EIA 232 communication the terminator is Carriage Return Line Feed 13 10 decimal ODh OAh For IEEE 488 command structure see Appendix 9 4 7 1 ElA 232 Interface The controller may communicate remotely through an EIA 232 interface To use EIA 232 communication the interface must be selected for EIA 232 remote communication in Setup mode Additionally the interface must be software selected for proper baud rate parity data bits and stop bits These are also set through the keypad in Setup mode and become stored in the non volatile memory See Section 8 Setup Mode A female DB 25 connector is provided on the rear panel The interface is set up as a DCE with DTR and CTS set always true 7 2 IEEE 488 Interface The IEEE 488 interface is implemented as a Talker Listener without extended addressing or parallel poll capability The primary address is selected through the keypad in Setup mode A standard IEEE 488 connector is provided on the rear panel See sample co
124. tion and the display will show End Substep 4 is the probe used for control It can be specified as 0 1 or 2 to select the probe or mode to be used for temperature control or 3 to 7 to effect special commands see Section 6 8 When displaying program steps on the LED display the program step substep is displayed at the left side of the display and the data associated with that program step substep is displayed on the right as follows The example above shows step 6 substep 0 contains the temperature data 30 5 Each program step contains all five substeps regardless of whether or not each step is used Therefore a complete program step is as follows C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 45 6 1 1 Format of a Program Step FORMAT OF A STEP substep step T SEE AG es dala Ra ro Sees 00 0 TTT T temp setpoint 00 1 HH MM ramp time 00 2 HH MM hold time 00 3 NNN next step 00 4 P control probe where step is the current program step number 00 99 substep is the current program substep 0 4 TTT Tis the setpoint temperature displayed to the nearest 1 C HH is hour s 00 99 for ramp or hold MM is minute s 00 59 for ramp or hold NNN is the next program step number 00 100 to execute P is the number of the probe 1 or 2 to use for control or P is the special command indicator values of 3 thru 7 See 6 8 for details The simple graph at the right shows a typical ramp amp hold scenario In this exampl
125. troller will be constrained to keep the amount of thermal lead difference between probe 1 in the air stream and probe 2 in the UUT core to 60 The C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 39 air stream temperature based upon this 60 limit would not be allowed to drop to 100 until the UUT core temperature had reached 40 The same rules hold true for the high end of the UUT range except that the high differential limit F30 is applied at the high limit of the UUT range F28 For UUT core temperatures between those limits a proportional differential limit is calculated by the C4 based upon the limits specified at the extremes For Example If the lower UUT limit F27 is set to 100 and the the lower differential limit F29 is set to 60 and the upper UUT limit F28 is set to 200 and the upper differential limit F30 20 the differential limit calculated for a temperature of 25 would be 50 Important Intelligent 2 Probe Control like normal control using probe 1 or probe 2 is constrained by the limits of the controller range and the chamber platform operating temperature limits F25 F26 If a probe correction has been implemented for either or both probes F17 F24 those adjustments will be used as well It is imcumbent upon the user to be certain that they are aware of these settings and their potential for interaction 4 3 Using Intelligent 2 Probe Control Once all of the necessary settings have been made and verified
126. ure allows the controller to still operate See Section 9 7 8 1 5 5 Front Panel Information Display at Startup The controller model is displayed at startup See Section 3 1 1 The firmware version number is displayed at startup See Section 3 1 1 The operating range may be displayed at startup See Section 3 1 2 The controller serial number may be displayed See Section 3 1 3 1 5 6 Temperature Out of Range Shutdown The controller now stores the operational limits for itself the controlled device Sigma chamber or platform and the unit under test UUT The operating temperature is checked against these limits if it is too far outside these limits the system is shutdown with an appropriate error message displayed See Section 3 5 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 13 1 5 7 Internal Error Shutdown Conditions The C4 monitors system health by keeping track of three additional areas they are Processor health Tracked by watchdog timer Memory condition Checked at startup Setup parameter table Checked continuously as used Some detected internal errors can be repaired on the fly If this is possible the C4 will recover from the error and you will not know the error existed If however the error is not repairable and the system must be shut down an error message will be displayed to help you understand what happened and how to prevent or cope withit See Section 3 7 1 5 8 Fahrenheit Temperature Scale Supported The controller will no
127. w operate in either Celsius C or Fahrenheit F mode See Section 3 4 1 5 9 Temperature Probe Correction Calibration The C4 will allow you to enter data via the Setup mode that will correct anomalies in the temperature readings and control Such adjustments are sometimes necessary to optimize accuracy at a particular temperature or to compensate for differences between raw probe temperature data and actual temperatures These differences can be the result of probe placement effects of the unit under test on the temperature data or other causes See Section 3 8 1 5 10 Bumpless Temperature Control Not in this release Available in next release without charge Check the Sigma Systems FTP or WWW site for downloadable file When the setpoint is changed the PID control algorithm begins a new search for the right amount of heat and or cooling to maintain the new setpoint Normally for each new setpoint the PID routines begin the search anew behaving as if the controller was just turned on The controller will quickly determine that heat or cooling is called for and while the chamber or platform advances toward the new Setpoint the PID routine adjusts for the response to heat and cool and methodically settles the chamber or platform in on the new setpoint For most setpoint changes where the new and old setpoints are quite different this is a fast accurate and appropriate method of control 14 C4 Manual Rev 7 5 2 How
128. y restructured to improve stability The multilayer design is far more tolerant of both static and power line interference There is now a watchdog timer to detect system lockups in the event that something does interfere with the system The battery backed RAM has been replaced by an EEPROM The Vactrol type isolation device in the failsafe circuit has been replaced The C4 contains no components that have a time based failure mode The new firmware also monitors the state and integrity of internal memory Critical system information is stored in multiple places so that minor errors due to uncontrollable transients or other causes can be repaired on the fly with no disruption in process control Likewise both the front panel display and the GPIB interface are monitored constantly to assure that their operation has not been compromised by static discharge or line transient In the event of a problem either device can be reset on the fly to allow operations to continue normally System integrity 1s further enhanced by a series of successive shutdown processes that monitor the integrity of the data coming from the sensor probes In the event that any probe reports a temperature more than 20 C beyond the limits set 1n the controller the controller will shut down all heating and cooling and display a warning message Likewise in the event that a sensor probe reports an extreme temperature either hot or cold the system will assume that a probe has becom

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