31
Two-, and Three-Channel Stepper Motor Controller
5) Set the joystick console ID switch and the controller channel ID switches as described
in the preceding paragraph.
6) Open the APTConfig utility and ensure that the appropriate ‘HS’ option is selected
for the actuator being driven (e.g. HS 17DRV013). If an opt ion without the HS
prefix is seleceted, then the joystick will not function - see Section 3.6.
7) The stage can no w be moved using the jo ystick, GUI pan el, or by setting
commands to move each axis by relative and absolute amounts – see the helpfile
supplied with the APT server for more information.
4.10
External Triggering
External triggering is facilitated by the Trigger In and Trigger Out pins (pins 4 and 12)
of the CONTROL IO connector on the rear panel of the unit.
These connectors provide a 5V logic level input and output that can be configured to
support triggering from and to external devices - see Se ction 5.3.3. an d Section
A.1.3. for further details.
4.11
Creating a Simulated Configuration Using APT Config
The 'APT Config' utility can be used to set up simulated hardware configurations and
place the APT Server into simulator mode. In this way it is possible to create any
number and type of simulated (virtual) hardware units in order to emulate a set of real
hardware. This is a particularly useful feature, designed as an aid learning how to use
the APT software and as an aid to developing custom software applications ‘offline’.
Any number of ' virtual' control units can be combined to e mulate a collection of
physical hardware units For example, an application program can be written, then
tested and debugged remotely, before running with the hardware.
To create a simulated configuration proceed as follows:
1) Run the APT Config utility - Start/All Programs/Thorlabs/APT/APT Config.
Caution
Do not set the switches to identical numbers as this may result in lack of
joystick control. Also, do not set the channel ID switches to 'E' or 'F' as
this is reserved for factory use and testing.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
