Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Nanopositioning goes 24 Bit: Piezo Controllers with USB Interface and High-Resolution DA/AD Converters

Home > Press > Nanopositioning goes 24 Bit: Piezo Controllers with USB Interface and High-Resolution DA/AD Converters

Abstract:
PI announces a new generation of 24-bit resolution, nanopositioning stage controllers. The controllers will enable better than 100 picometers command resolution for even the latest generation, long-travel, piezo nanopositioning systems (1 mm and up), such as the PIHera series closed-loop flexure stages. The use of 24-bit converters represents more than 2 orders of magnitude improvement over the still widely used 16-bit converters.

Nanopositioning goes 24 Bit: Piezo Controllers with USB Interface and High-Resolution DA/AD Converters

Auburn, MA | Posted on September 30th, 2009

Piezo system specialist PI is switching to a new generation of 24-bit resolution, nanopositioning stage controllers. The new controllers will enable better than 100 picometers command resolution for even the latest generation, long-travel, piezo nanopositioning systems (1 mm and up), such as the PIHera™ series closed-loop flexure stages. The use of 24-bit converters represents more than 2 orders of magnitude improvement over the still widely used 16-bit converters.

USB Interface, 1 to 12 Channels, Many Variations

The new controllers feature a high speed USB interface and come in a variety of bench-top, rack-mount and OEM card versions from single-channel units for simple linear actuator applications, to multi-axis system controllers with 12 channels per rack.

Features and Advantages
- Integrated USB Interface, 24 bit converters for higher position resolution.
- Additional RS-232 interface for compatibility with industrial controllers
- Extensive software libraries & GUIs; support for LabView, Matlab, text-based programming languages
- Analog interface for compatibility with NI cards and analog control signals
- Network capability with up to 12 channels for multiaxis positioning applications
- Choice of position feedback sensors: capacitive for highest precision and piezoresistive / strain gauges for cost sensitive applications
- Integrated servo controller with notch filter for higher bandwidth
- User programmable data tables for random waveform generation

Extensive Software Support, Hardware-Independent Command Set

The new piezo controllers come with Windows installation software, DLLs and LabVIEW drivers. The extensive command set is based on the hardware-independent General Command Set (GCS), common to all PI micro & nanopositioning systems. GCS reduces the programming effort in the face of complex multi-axis positioning tasks or when upgrading a system with a different PI controller.

Datasheets & More Information:
www.physikinstrumente.com/en/news/fullnews.php?newsid=162