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HA0303T Rev A Feb 2014
Chapter 2
For convenience the footprint of this unit has been kept to a minimum, measuring only
60mm x 60mm x 47mm (2.4” x 2.4” x 1.8”) and with the facility to directly mount to the
optical table close to the device under control. Table top operation also allows minimal
drive cable lengths for easier cable management. All controls are located on the top
face of the unit – very useful when manually adjusting devices and monitoring the
positions via the easy to interpret ‘Target’ display.
USB connectivity provides easy 'Plug and Play' PC controlled operation - multiple
units can be connected to a single PC via standard USB hub technology or by using
the T-Cube Controller Hub (see Section 3.3.4.) for multi-axis motion control
applications. Coupling this with the user friendly apt™ software (supplied) allows the
user to get up and running in a short space of time. Advanced custom motion control
applications and sequences are also possible using the extensive ActiveX®
programming environment also supplied. This programming library is compatible with
many development tools such as LabView, Visual Basic, Visual C++, C++ Builder,
LabWindows/CVI, Matlab and Delphi.
See Section 2.3. for a full description of the APT system software.
In the remainder of this handbook, the Tutorial sections (Chapter 4 “Getting Started -
Basic Operation” on page 18 and Chapter 5 “PC Operation - Tutorial” on page 33)
provide a good initial understanding on using the unit, and the reference section
(Chapter 6) covers all operating modes and parameters in detail.
2.2
T-Cube Controller Hub
As a further level of convenience when using the new T-Cube Controllers Thorlabs
also offers the T-Cube Controller Hub (TCH002). This product has been designed
specifically with multiple T-Cube operation in mind in order to simplify issues such as
cable management, power supply routing, multiple USB device communications and
different optical table mounting scenarios.
The T-Cube Controller Hub comprises a slim base-plate type carrier (375mm x 86mm
x 21.5mm, 14.75” x 3.4” x 0.85”) with electrical connections located on the upper
surface to accept up to six T-Cubes.
Internally the Controller Hub contains a fully compliant USB 2.0 hub circuit to provide
communications for all six T-Cubes – a single USB connection to the Controller Hub
is all that is required for PC control. The Controller Hub also provides power
distribution for up to six T-Cubes, requiring only a single power connection.
Important Note
For convenience and consistency, all system descriptions and examples
throughout this manual assume that the TPA101 is used with a pair of TPZ001
T-Cube Piezo Controllers. It is also possible to use the MDT693B or BPC303
controllers, or a 3rd party piezo amplifier, or even a non-piezo actuated
positioning element, as long as they have suitable low voltage external control
inputs and a manual adjustment facility.
