Uniblitz N-CAS VINCENT ASSOCIATES VLM1, User Manual

Page: 14 / 23

VLM1/VLM1B User Manual 14
Operating Basics
Initial Operation and Testing
The VLM1/VLM1B provides the circuitry necessary to operate an FS Series shutter from a TTL signal.
Connect your FS Shutter to the SHUTTER output connector as described in START UP and as shown in
Figure #5. If your shutter is equipped with the Electronic Synchronization system, connect all five
wires, otherwise, the two wires are all that are required to be connected.
When the power supply cable is connected to the
VLM1/VLM1B’s PWR/COM port and the power
supply is connected to an AC source (via the AC module provided or the USB COM port of a
computer), the Green POWER LED will illuminate. Pushing the N.C./N.O. switch, the shutter will open
and the GREEN LED of the N.C./N.O. switch will illuminate indicating the output MOSFET amplifier
has been activated.
This device also supports an FS device equipped with an Electronic Synchronization circuit. Therefore,
when the shutter opens and if so equipped (and connected) the Yellow LED will illuminate, indicating
the Sync system is active. Additionally, the SYNC OUTPUT BNC will change from 0V to +5V TTL
Active High and remain high as long as the Shutter is active (Active High – default setting). If you wish
this output to be Active Low, reposition the internal Jumper as shown is Figure #7 on the main board.
When the
VLM1/VLM1B receives an Active Low TTL control signal (0V) on the PULSE Input BNC,
the shutter will open and when the pulse returns to +5V the shutter will close. The TTL control pulse
controls a MOSFET switch that in turn controls the FS Series Shutter from the +5VDC supply.
If the requirement is to operate the shutter from a switch contact closure, follow this procedure (this is
when the active setting of the PULSE Input BNC is active low – the default setting):
1. Connect a wire from pin #4 of the SHUTTER connector , this is the Ground connection. Or
short the outer shell of the BNC to the center contact of the BNC. (This is the same action as
indicated when using the 710R or 710R/F as described below.)
2. Switch the 0V (Ground) to the BNC center contact. The shutter will open.
The shutter will open and remain open for as long as the switch contact is depressed. When 0V is
removed from the input, the shutter will close. This is the same action that will occur when the Front
Panel pushbutton is depressed.
After connecting the shutter and the TTL signal, the shutter’s exposure can be controlled via a TTL
square pulse input, the Front Panel pushbutton, or the USB COM port.
Exposure time is determined by PULSE Input signal duration in the Low(0V) position (Active Low).
This is referred to as Pulse Width Determined Exposure Time.
The
VLM1B can be easily integrated into OEM applications where a +5VDC power supply is available.
Note that when a remote activate cable, the 710R (see https://www.uniblitz.com/products/710r-
handheld-remote-cable/ ) or the 710R/F (see https://www.uniblitz.com/products/710rf-foot-activated-
remote-cable/ ) can be plugged directly into the PULSE INPUT BNC only. Depressing the switch on
either cable will active the shutter to the open position. The Active state of this input must be Active
Low. If the state is active high, then +5V will be required to switch the shutter to the active state and 0V