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HA0303T Rev A Feb 2014
Chapter 5
The APT User utility will be used throughout the rest of this tutorial to interface with
the position aligner.
Throughout this section, the sensor described is a PDQ80A quad detector. However,
the TPA101 unit is also compatible with other Thorlabs detectors, such as the
PDQ30C IR detector head or the PDP90A Lateral Effect Detector.
5.2
Building An Auto-alignment System - PC Operation
5.2.1
Introduction
The TPA101 position aligner is designed to operate with two TPZ001 piezo T-Cubes,
which provide the drive signals to the piezo actuators in the system. Initial release (rev
1) TPZ001 units have different functionality and settings to those of later (rev 2 or
higher) units. The revision number of the firmware is displayed during the power up
cycle (1.0.X or 2.0.X).
The main difference between these two revisions is that Rev 1 piezo cubes must be
connected to the position aligner using the external SMA connectors, so two SMA to
SMA cables are needed even if a TCH002 hub is being used. With Rev 2 piezo cubes,
the SMA to SMA cables are not needed when the units are installed on the TCH002
hub.
If no hub is available, then the SMA cables are required, regardless of what revision
number piezo cubes are used.
The following sections describe the electrical connections and software settings for
both rev 1 and rev 2 (or later) hardware.
Note
There are only enough hub lines to facilitate comms between one TPA101
unit and a pair of TPZ001 units. If a second TPA101 unit is used with 2
TPZ001 units, then SMA to SMA connections are required.
