17
Tickle Pulse
Iradion has chosen to follow the industry convention and make provision for the inclusion of a
“tickle pulse” function to keep the laser lit during down time. The intent of the tickle pulse is to
improve the pulse-to-pulse consistency and timing relative to firing commands received from
the control electronics. This function may be disabled if required by the customer. If disabled,
there is no signal processing done to incoming commands to fire. Adjustments to the signal
processing can be made via the RS232 interface covered in the Iradion LCC Comm
Protocol_v1.5 document.
The laser command line (modulation high) requires a 1 to 3
Sec pulse repeated at 200
Sec
intervals when there is no output commanded. There is an adjustable pulse stretcher within the
laser control board that is set to just below the threshold of the laser producing light, assuming
the implied 5000 Hz tickle rate.
Warning
If the tickle rate increases due to software settings or deliberate measures, there is
a danger of unintended laser emission.
NOTE: If the user desires to control the sub-threshold tickle within the external host
control software, Iradion can set the tickle stretch to 0
Sec upon request before
shipping. This would be required if, for example, the software required a tickle rate
greater than 5000 Hz.
