Stanford Research Systems certifies that this product met its published specifications at the time
of shipment.
Warranty
This Stanford Research Systems product is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment.
Service
For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a Stanford Research Systems
authorized service facility. Contact Stanford Research Systems or an authorized representative
before returning this product for repair.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Copyrightc Stanford Research Systems, Inc., 2005, 2006. All rights reserved.
Stanford Research Systems, Inc.
1290–D Reamwood Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94089 USA
Phone: (408) 744-9040 • Fax: (408) 744-9049
The SIM980 Summing Amplifier, part of Stanford Research Sysetems’
Small Instrumentation Modules family, is a four-input, unity-gain
amplifier for combining multiple analog signals from DC to 1 MHz.
Do not install substitute parts or perform any unauthorized modifications to this instrument.
The SIM980 is a single-wide module designed to be used inside the
SIM900 Mainframe. Do not turn on the power until the module is
completely inserted into the mainframe and locked in place.
iii
ivGeneral Information
SymbolDescription
Alternating current
Caution - risk of electric shock
Frame or chassis terminal
Caution - refer to accompanying documents
Earth (ground) terminal
Battery
Fuse
On (supply)
Off (supply)
Symbols you may Find on SRS Products
SIM980Analog Summing Amplifier
General Informationv
Notation
The following notation will be used throughout this manual.
WARNING
CAUTION
A warning means that injury or death is possible if the instructions
are not obeyed.
A caution means that damage to the instrument or other equipment
is possible.
Typesetting conventions used in this manual are:
• Front-panel buttons are set as [Button];
[Adjust] is shorthand for “[Adjust ] & [Adjust ]”.
• Front-panel indicators are set as Overload.
• Remote command names are set as *IDN?.
• Literal text other than command names is set as OFF.
Remote command examples will all be set in monospaced font. In
these examples, data sent by the host computer to the SIM980 are set
as straight teletype font, while responses received by the host
computer from the SIM980 are set as slanted teletype font.
SIM980Analog Summing Amplifier
viGeneral Information
Specifications
Performance Characteristics
Number of inputs4
FunctionInverting, non-inverting, or off
Gain1×
Input impedance1 MΩ
BandwidthDC to 1 MHz
Output voltage noise30 nV/√Hz@ 1 kHz, max.
Crosstalk−80 dB @ 1 kHz
Offset voltage±100 µV (after 5 min. warm up)
Input range±10 V before overload
Output range±10 V before overload
Input slew rate40 V/µs
Total Harmonic Distortion0.01% (−80 dB) max. @ 1 kHz
Output slew rate75 V/µs
Operating temperature0◦C to 40◦C, non-condensing
Power+5 V (100 mA)
±15 V (300 mA)
General Characteristics
InterfaceSerial (RS-232) through SIM interface
ConnectorsBNC (5 front, 1 rear)
DB–15 (male) SIM interface
Weight1.5 lbs
Dimensions1.500W × 3.600H × 7.000D
SIM980Analog Summing Amplifier
1Getting Started
In This Chapter
This chapter gives you the necessary information to get started
quickly with the SIM980 Summing Amplifier.
1.1Introduction to the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . .1 – 2
The SIM980 Summing Amplifier is a four-input, unity-gain amplifier
for combining multiple analog signals from DC to 1 MHz.
1.1.1Overview
The basic function of the SIM980 is to add or subtract up to four
analog signals. Each input channel can be separately configured for
inverting or non-inverting operation, or switched off. Each input is
1 MΩ and DC-coupled, and accepts signals between ±10 V.
1.1.2Power-on State
The SIM980 stores its operation state (input channel configuration)
in non-volatile memory. At power-on, the SIM980 will return to its
previous configuration after a brief system check and initialization.
1.2Front-Panel Operation
The front panel of the SIM980 (see Figure 1.1) provides a simple
operator interface.
Figure 1.1: The SIM980 front and rear panels.
SIM980Analog Summing Amplifier
1.2Front-Panel Operation1 – 3
1.2.1Inputs
Each of the four input channels of the SIM980 has a front-panel block
consisting of the BNC input connector, a control button, and several
LED indicators.
1.2.1.1Polarity toggle
Each input can be switched between inverting or non-inverting polarity by briefly pressing that channel’s control button. When invert-
ing, the −LED is illuminated; when non-inverting, + is lit. Note
that the polarity is always displayed, independent of whether that
channel is on or off.
1.2.1.2On/Off toggle
Each input can independently be turned on or off by holding that
channel’s control button for ∼1.5 seconds. When on, the channel is
either added to or subtracted from the output (depending on polarity,
section 1.2.1.1). When off, it does not contribute to the output signal
at all. The OFF LED is lit to indicate when a channel is off.
1.2.1.3Offset autocalibration
1.2.1.4Input Overload
Unused channels should be turned off rather than simply left unconnected, as the Johnson noise of the open 1 MΩ input resistor will
dominate the output noise of the SIM980.
The SIM980 uses an active input offset correction to trim all input
circuitry as well as the summing circuitry of DC offsets. The user
can initiate an autocalibration cycle by disconnecting all inputs and
outputs from the SIM980, and pressing and holding any of the control buttons for ∼5 seconds. The entire process takes approximately
1 minute, and is completed when the relays have stopped “clicking”
for at least 10 seconds.
Note that it is important that all inputs be open (or,preferably, shorted
to ground) before initiating an offset autocalibration cycle. If any
input channel is above ∼500 µV amplitude, the SIM980 will reject the
autocalibration request.
Each of the four input channels of the SIM980 has an overload detection circuit. The input is considered overloaded when the signal
magnitude exceeds ±10 V. This is indicated by the red OVLD LED at
the top of each front-panel block.
SIM980Analog Summing Amplifier
1 – 4Getting Started
1.2.2Output
The resulting sum of the enabled input channels appears at the output
BNC connectors on the front and rear panels. Each output connection
is through a 50 Ω resistor. For normal operation, the user should not
need to terminate the output. If a 50 Ω termination is applied, note
that the output signal will be divided in half.
If the output signal exceeds ±10 V, the output overload detection is
activated. This is indicated by the red OVLD near the top of the
“OUTPUT” block on the front panel.
1.3SIM Interface
The primary connection to the SIM980 Summing Amplifier is the
rear-panel DB–15 SIM interface connector. Typically, the SIM980 is
mated to a SIM900 Mainframe via this connection, either through
one of the internal Mainframe slots, or the remote cable interface.
It is also possible to operate the SIM980 directly, without using the
SIM900 Mainframe. This section provides details on the interface.
CAUTION
1.3.1SIM interface connector
1.3.2Direct interfacing
The SIM980 has no internal protection against reverse polarity, missing
supply, or overvoltage on the power supply pins. Misapplication of power
may cause circuit damage. SRS recommends using the SIM980 together
with the SIM900 Mainframe for most applications.
The DB–15 SIM interface connector carries all the power and communications lines to the instrument. The connector signals are specified
in Table 1.1
The SIM980 is intended for operation in the SIM900 Mainframe, but
users may wish to directly interface the module to their own systems
without the use of additional hardware.
The mating connector needed is a standard DB–15 receptacle, such as
Amp part # 747909-2 (or equivalent). Clean, well-regulated supply
voltages of ±15,+5VDC must be provided, following the pin-out
specified in Table 1.1. Ground must be provided on pins 1 and 8,
with chassis ground on pin 9. The −STATUSsignal may be monitored
on pin 2 for a low-going TTL-compatible output indicating a status
message.
If the user intends to directly wire the SIM980 independent of the
SIM900 Mainframe, communication is usually possible by directly
connecting the appropriate interface lines from the SIM980 DB–15
plug to the RS-232 serial port of a personal computer.1Connect RXD
from the SIM980 directly to RD on the PC, TXD directly to TD, and
similarly RTS→RTS and CTS→CTS. In other words, a null-modem
style cable is not needed.
To interface directly to the DB–9 male (DTE) RS-232 port typically
found on contemporary personal computers, a cable must be made
with a female DB–15 socket to mate with the SIM980, and a female
DB–9 socket to mate with the PC’s serial port. Separate leads from
the DB–15 need to go to the power supply, making what is sometimes
know as a “hydra” cable. The pin-connections are given in Table 1.2.
1.3.2.2Serial settings
The initial serial port settings at power-on are: 9600 Baud, 8–bits, no
parity, 1 stop bit, and RTS/CTS flow control. The serial baud rate is
fixed, but the word size and parity may be changed with the FLOW
or PARI commands.
SIM980Analog Summing Amplifier
1
Although the serial interface lines on the DB-15 do not satisfy the minimum
voltage levels of the RS-232 standard, they are typically compatible with desktop
personal computers
1 – 6Getting Started
DB–15/F to SIM980Name
DB–9/F
3 ←→ 7RTS
4 ←→ 8CTS
10 ←→ 3TxD
11 ←→ 2RxD
5Computer Ground
to P/S
7 ←→ −15 VDC
13 ←→ +5 VDC
14 ←→ +15 VDC
8,9 ←→ Ground (P/S return current)
1 ←→ Signal Ground (separate wire to Ground)
Table 1.2: SIM980 Direct Interface Cable Pin Assignments
SIM980Analog Summing Amplifier
2Remote Operation
In This Chapter
This chapter describes operating the SIM980 over the serial interface.
2.1Index of Common Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 – 2
2.2Alphabetic List of Commands . . . . . . . . . . . .2 – 4