Fiber-Optic Isolated Computer Control
Group3 Control is a fiber optically linked control system using distributed I/O modules called Device Interfaces, or DIs. A DI with the appropriate I/O boards installed is positioned at the point to be controlled or monitored.
Up to 16 DIs can be placed on each fiber optic loop coming from the loop controller installed in the host computer.
The Group3 Control system features dual port RAM in it’s loop controllers for added speed, and redundant calibration tables within the DIs and I/O boards for added system reliability.
Applications include monitoring and control of Ion Implanters, Electron Guns, Ion Sources, RF Accelerators, RFQ Accelerators, and LINAC Accelerators, to name a few.
Specifications
This is a table of the general Group3 Control system specifications as a whole system, for detailed specifications on each of the I/O boards please refer to the I/O Board page.
Group3 Control | |
---|---|
Number of Loops | 1,2, or 3 per Loop Controller |
DIs per Loop (Max) | 16 |
Channels per Loop (Max) | 1152 Digital or 384 analog, or a combination of the two |
Maximum Cable Length | 1000 meters with glass fiber optic cable |
Loop Bit Rate | 1.152 megabaud |
Channel Update Rate Min Max |
2ms - 1 DI with a single 'A' board installed 40ms - 16 DIs all fully loaded |
Controlling Computer | |
Platforms Supported | PC (ISA and PCI), STD Bus, CAMAC, and VME |
PC Operating Systems | Windows 3.1, 95, 98, NT4.0, 2000 and XP |
Application Software Supported Tested, Not Supported |
LabVIEW Epics, Vista |
Applications
- University of Notre Dame, SNICS Ion Source
- CalTech, Electron Gun
- DOE, Spallation Neutron Source (SNS)
University of Notre Dame
SNICS Ion Source control and monitoring using a Pentium PC, LC3-PC-P, and two CN3 device interfaces, one at ground, and one at high voltage. The system is running with LabVIEW software.
CalTech
Electron Gun control and monitoring using a Pentium PC, LC1-PC-P, and four CN3 device interfaces, one at ground, one at 130kV, one at 150kV, and one at 160kV. The system is running with LabVIEW software.
US DOE
SNS Test System control and monitoring using a VME Crate, LC2-VME-P, and five CN3 device interfaces, two at ground, two at 30kV, and one at 50kV. This has evolved in to the control system for the H¯ ion source, comprised of more than 40 CNAs, 6 DIs, and 5 VME Loop Controllers.
Tech Support
Please Contact Yuqiang Qin for information on this subject.
- Technical Note – Remote Diagnostic Utility for I/O Modules
- Calculating the Loop Controller update rate. This paper gives information on the communications timing and calculation of loop speed and system response time.
Pricing
Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions:
Prices above are for domestic deliveries to Canada, USA and Mexico only.
Prices are expressed in U.S. Dollars, FCA San Carlos, California.
Prices are subject to change without notice.
OEM discounts are available.
Payment:
Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Prepayment before shipment, or Net 30 days (subject to credit acceptance).
Delivery:
Stock to 90 days, depending on quantity.