Stanford Research Systems SIM918 Operating And Service Manual

Operation and Service Manual
Stanford Research Systems
Precision Current Preamplifier
SIM918
Revision 1.8 December 13, 2006
Certification
Warranty
Service
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Copyrightc Stanford Research Systems, Inc., 2006. All rights reserved.
Stanford Research Systems, Inc. 1290–D Reamwood Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94089 USA Phone: (408) 744-9040 Fax: (408) 744-9049
www.thinkSRS.com e-mail: info@thinkSRS.com
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
Contents
General Information iii
Safety and Preparation for Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Notation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
1 Getting Started 1 – 1
1.1 Introduction to the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 2
1.2 Front-Panel Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 5
1.3 Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 8
1.4 Power-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 –9
1.5 Restoring the Default Configuration . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 9
1.6 SIM Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 10
2 Description of Operation 2 – 1
2.1 About Transimpedance Amplifiers . . . . . . . . . . . 2 – 2
2.2 Bias and Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2– 4
2.3 Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 – 5
2.4 Autozero Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 – 5
2.5 Phase-Locked Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 – 6
2.6 Autocalibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2– 6
2.7 Clock Stopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 – 7
2.8 Quiescent Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 – 8
3 Remote Operation 3 – 1
3.1 Index of Common Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 – 2
3.2 Alphabetic List of Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3– 4
3.3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3– 6
3.4 Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 – 7
3.5 Status Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 – 24
4 Circuit Description 4 – 1
4.1 Schematic Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 – 2
A Index A – 1
i
ii Contents
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
General Information
The SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier, part of Stanford Research Systems’ Small Instrumentation Modules family, converts an input electric current into a proportional voltage output while maintain­ing zero potential dierence between the input terminal and a bias terminal.
The main amplifier stage presents a transimpedance RF, equal to the current gain of the preamplifier, to an input current iin. The bias voltage V voltage at the output of the instrument is
Safety and Preparation for Use
is subtracted from the output of the stage, so that the
bias
V
out
= (V
iin× RF) − V
bias
= iin× RF.
bias
Connections
WARNING
CAUTION
Biomedical applications
WARNING
No dangerous voltages are generated by the module. However, the outer shield of the front-panel Input coaxial (BNC) connector in the SIM918 can be switched to the rear-panel Program input. If a dangerous voltage is applied to the Program terminal, it may be present on the outer shell of the Input connector, and may cause injury or death.
Do not exceed ±60 volts to the Earth at the center terminal of the rear-panel Shield Program Voltage BNC connector.
Do not exceed ±15 volts to the Earth at the center terminal of the front-panel Input and Bias BNC connectors, or at the center terminal of the rear-panel Ref Clock Sync BNC connector.
Under certain conditions, the SIM918 may prove to be unsafe for applications involving human subjects. Incorrect grounding, com­ponent failure, and excessive common-mode input voltages are ex­amples of conditions in which the instrument may expose the subject
iii
iv General Information
to large input currents. Therefore, Stanford Research Systems does not recommend the SIM918 for such applications.
Caution regarding use with photomultipliers
CAUTION
Service
Preparation for use
The front-end amplifier of this instrument is easily damaged if a photomultiplier is used improperly with the preamplifier. When left completely unterminated, a cable connected to a PMT can charge to several hundred volts in a relatively short time. If this cable is connected to the curent input of the SIM918, the stored charge may damage the front-end JFET. To avoid this problem, provide a leakage path of about 100 kto ground inside the base of the PMT to prevent charge accumulation.
Do not install substitute parts or perform unauthorized modifications to this instrument.
The SIM918 is a single-wide module designed to be used inside the SIM900 Mainframe. Do not turn on the power to the mainframe or apply voltage or current inputs to the module until the module is completely inserted into the mainframe and locked in place.
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
General Information v
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
vi General Information
Symbol Description
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
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
General Information vii
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 [GAIN ]; [GAIN ] is shorthand for “[GAIN ] & [GAIN ]”.
Front-panel indicators are set as OVLD.
Signal names are set as ¬STATUS.
Signal levels are set as HIGH.
Remote command names are set as *IDN? .
Literal text other than command names is set as OFF.
Special ASCII characters are set as hCRi.
Remote command examples will all be set in monospaced font. In these examples, data sent by the host computer to the SIM918 are set as straight teletype font, while responses received by the host computer from the SIM918 are set as slanted teletype font.
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
viii General Information
Specifications
Performance characteristics
Min Typ Max Units
Gain Selection 106, 107, 10
Accuracy, 106V/A ±0.1 %
107V/A ±0.1 % 108V/A ±1 %
Stability, 106V/A ±10 ppm/◦C
107V/A ±50 ppm/◦C 108V/A ±100 ppm/◦C
Current input Selection On, open
Oset voltage [1–3] ±10 µV
Resistance 1
Capacitance 18 pF
Bias current, DC [3] 0.5 2.0 pA
AC [1, 4] 3.5 pA rms
Current noise at 1 kHz [5], 106V/A 130 fA/√Hz
107V/A 42 fA/√Hz 108V/A 15 fA/√Hz
Voltage noise [1, 4] 25 µV rms
3 dB bandwidth [5], 106V/A 22 kHz 107V/A 12 kHz 108V/A 4 kHz
Terminals Isolated BNC [6]
BNC shield Ground, bias, program /open
8
V/A
Bias input Selection On, ground
Program input Voltage 60 +60 V
Reference clock sync Selection Input, output
Voltage [7] 5.0 +5.0 V
Resistance 10 M
3 dB bandwidth 0.2 Hz Terminals Isolated BNC [6]
BNC shield Ground, float
Resistance 3 G
Terminals Grounded BNC [8], rear
Interface Rear BNC [8], TTL [9]
Input frequency [10] 0.90 1.10 Hz
Output frequency 1.0 Hz
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
General Information ix
Min Typ Max Units
Autozero Selection On, hold
Source Internal, external reference clock
Switching frequency 0.50 Hz
Output Voltage [7] 10.0 +10.0 V
Maximum current ±100 mA
Short circuit duration Indefinite
Resistance 100
Oset voltage [2] ±50 µV
Common-mode rejection, DC 80 dB
Terminals Grounded BNC [6]
Operating Temperature [11] 0 40
C
Power +5, ±15 V DC
Supply current, +5 V 100 mA
±15 V 150 mA
Conditions:
[1] With autozero on. [2] Following an autocalibration at (23 ± 5)◦C within 24 hours. [3] 100 s average. [4] 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz. [5] For a 100 pF source capacitance and an infinite source resistance.
Higher values of source capacitance or a finite source resistance will
degrade these specifications. [6] Amphenol 31–10–4052 or similar. [7] An overload will be detected and the instrument is not guaranteed
to perform properly if these limits are exceeded, or if |V
exceeds the limits. Continuous application of a bias voltage V
excess of ±15 V will damage the instrument. [8] Tyco 227169–4 or similar. [9] Rising-edge sensitive.
[10] External reference clock capture range. The instrument is not guar-
anteed to perform properly if these limits are exceeded.
[11] Non-condensing.
iin×RF|
bias
bias
in
General characteristics
Dimensions 1.500W × 3.600H × 7.000D
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
Interface Serial (RS–232) through SIM interface
Connectors BNC (3 front [4], 2 rear [6]); DB–15 (male) SIM interface
Weight 1.7 lbs
x General Information
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
1 Getting Started
In This Chapter
This chapter gives you the necessary information to get started quickly with your SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier.
1.1 Introduction to the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1– 2
1.1.1 Current amplifiers and autozero . . . . . . . . 1 – 2
1.1.2 Clocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 2
1.1.3 Cabling and grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–3
1.1.4 Autocalibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1– 3
1.1.5 Remote interface and status . . . . . . . . . . . 1– 3
1.1.6 Block diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 4
1.1.7 Front and rear panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 5
1.2 Front-Panel Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 5
1.2.1 Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–5
1.2.2 Autozero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1– 5
1.2.3 Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 7
1.2.4 Bias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 7
1.2.5 Output overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 8
1.3 Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 8
1.4 Power-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 9
1.5 Restoring the Default Configuration . . . . . . . . . 1 – 9
1.6 SIM Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 10
1.6.1 SIM interface connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 – 10
1.6.2 Direct interfacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1– 10
1 – 1
1 – 2 Getting Started
1.1 Introduction to the Instrument
1.1.1 Current amplifiers and autozero
A current, or transimpedance, amplifier converts electric current into a proportional output voltage. Unlike a simple resistor, the am­plifier presents a low-impedance terminal to the input current. In the SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier, the electric potential of the input terminal, Vin, is accurately made equal to the user-provided potential at the bias terminal, V nitude of the resulting input oset voltage is nearly zero:
V
= Vin− V
ofs
In all transimpedance amplifiers, the input potential is kept near that of the bias through the action of negative feedback. When the bias voltage is at ground, the input terminal is often said to present a virtual ground, or a virtual null. Without autozeroing, this vir-virtual ground tual ground drifts, in some cases by many millivolts. This error in the electric potential of the input terminal may be unacceptable in precision measurements.
bias
bias
, or to ground. The absolute mag-oset voltage
, |V
| < 10 µV.
ofs
1.1.2 Clocks
In the SIM918, an autozero circuit measures V
every 2 seconds and
ofs
makes the adjustment necessary to keep the oset voltage at zero. The autozero feature can be engaged or inhibited remotely or from the front panel, giving the user flexibility in sensitive applications. With autozero inhibited, the preamplifier retains microvolt input accuracy for many hours. When engaged, it takes the autozero only a few cycles of a reference clock to restore the oset to within its specified limits.
The gain, or transimpedance, of the preamplifier can be set to RF= 106, 107, or 108V/A, remotely and from the front panel. Along with voltage accuracy, the SIM918 oers a low input bias current and a current noise that is close to the lower limit imposed by the Johnson noise of the transimpedance.
The autozero circuit switches between measuring the input oset voltage, and the oset voltage of the zeroing amplifier itself, at one half the frequency of an internal or external reference clock. The in-reference clock ternal clock signal (typically 1.0 pulse per second, pps, i.e. 1.0 Hz)one pps can be selected, remotely or from the front panel, to be output on
1
1
In the unfortunate but established terminology of electronics, the word bias con­veys dierent meanings. The bias current is the input current present in the instrument in the absence of a current from an external source.
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
1.1 Introduction to the Instrument 1 – 3
a rear-panel connector. Alternatively, the same connector can be used to input a clock signal at (1.0 ± 10%) pps (i.e. 1.10 Hz–0.90 Hz), synchronizing the switching to an external source.
The reference clock in the SIM918 operates independently of the oscil­lator used to clock the digital control circuitry. The latter is designed with a special clock-stopping architecture. The microcontroller is turned on only in the following cases: when the settings are being changed; autozero is turned on or o; and during autocalibration, re­mote communications, or when an overload condition or an external reference clock event occurs. This guarantees that no digital noise contaminates low-level analog signals.
With autozero oand in the absense of an external clock input, the preamplifier enters a completely quiescent state: no reference clock transitions are present that can disturb the measurement of a low-level electric current.
1.1.3 Cabling and grounding
The SIM918 provides maximum flexibility for cabling and ground­ing. The input connection can be opened, and the bias voltage can be connected to signal ground.
The shield of the Input BNC can be switched between signal ground, the bias voltage, or the rear-panel Program input (which can be left floating, if desired). With the Program input, a user can supply an excitation potential to an experiment via the shield conductor of the input cable, while the excited current flows through the center conductor to the SIM918. The shield of the Bias BNC can be inde­pendently grounded or floated.
The input and bias selections, and those of their shields, can be made via the push of a front-panel button or remotely.
1.1.4 Autocalibration
A user-commanded autocalibration procedure allows one to elimi­nate the eects of thermal drifts in the autozero circuit, and to reduce output oset voltage.
1.1.5 Remote interface and status
A remote computer can access the module through the SIM900 Main-remote interface frame, using RS–232 or GPIB. All instrument settings can be queried via the remote interface. The SIM918 can be operated outside the SIM900 Mainframe by powering it with its required DC voltages.
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
1 – 4 Getting Started
LPF
0.5 Hz
(±1)
R
F
INPUT
OUTPUT
BIAS
+
+
+
Main amp
Difference amp
Zeroing amp
offset adj
If the maximum bias voltage is exceeded, or the chosen gain setting causes the output voltage to exceed its maximum, the appropriate overload LED turns on. If the module cannot lock to an external reference clock signal, an LED indicates an unlocked state. If armed, the module also generates a status signal to alert the user of the overload or unlocked condition.
1.1.6 Block diagram
The output of the main amplifier (transimpedance stage) is refer­enced to the bias voltage. A dierence amplifier subtracts the bias voltage, so the output of the instrument is directly proportional to the input current iinand the gain RF:
V
out
= (V
iin× RF) − V
bias
= iin× RF. (1.1)
bias
A block diagram of the preamplifier is shown below in Figure 1.1.
Figure 1.1: The SIM918 block diagram.
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
1.2 Front-Panel Operation 1 – 5
1.1.7 Front and rear panels
1.2 Front-Panel Operation
1.2.1 Gain
The gain RFof the preamplifier, in volts per microampere, is indicated on the front panel of the instrument via a green annunciator LED. Press one of the [GAIN ] buttons to change the gain. If [GAIN ] is pressed when RF= 1 V/µA, the press has no effect. If [GAIN ] is pressed when RF= 100 V/µA, the press has no effect.
A simultaneous press of [GAIN ] has a special meaning. This press initiates autocalibration (Section 2.6).
1.2.2 Autozero
1.2.2.1 Engaging the autozero circuit
The autozero circuit is turned ON by the press of a front-panel button. There will be a pause of up to 3.3 seconds (a wait for a positive-going edge of the reference clock). At the end of the pause, the green
2
Note the minus sign in Eq. (1.1); the output voltage is positive for a current that flows out of the input terminal.
Figure 1.2: The SIM918 front and rear panels.
2
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
1 – 6 Getting Started
annunciator LED will turn on and the zeroing circuit will become active.
The same button turns autozeroing o. There will be a less than 1 s pause in order for the present control output of the autozero circuit to be sampled and stored. At the end of the pause, the LED indicator will turn oand all switching inside the SIM918 will cease. The sam­pled control output (trim) will remain applied to the transimpedance­stage amplifier, zeroing it to the best of precision available at the time the autozero circuitry is inhibited.
1.2.2.2 Reference clock detection
The autozero circuit switches at one half the frequency of an internal or external reference clock. If a periodic TTL-level signal is applied to the rear-panel Ref Clock Sync connector, and the connector is not selected for output (see the next section), the preamplifier will recognize the external clock and attempt to lock to the signal. The green External LED will illuminate for the duration of the external clock input.
1.2.2.3 Output 1 pps sync
If the frequency of the external clock is stable and is between 0.90 Hzcapture range and 1.10 Hz, the module will successfully lock to the signal. It typ-lock acquisition time ically takes 250 s (just over 4 minutes) to acquire a lock. The yel­low Unlocked LED is illuminated whenever the SIM918 is not in a locked state. For further discussion of locking, see Chapter 2.5.
For the duration of an unlocked state, the switches in the autozero circuit are not guaranteed to have correct duty cycles. Therefore, the specified input oset accuracy is not guaranteed while Unlocked.
The internal reference clock is used when an external clock signal is not present. In this state, neither the External LED nor the Un- locked LED is illuminated.
The rear-panel Ref Clock Sync connector can be used to output the internal reference clock. The signal at the output is TTL, typically at 1.0 Hz (1.0 pps). The [Output 1 pps sync] button toggles the direc­tion of the signal at the rear-panel connector. The output direction is indicated by a green LED. An inactive Output 1 pps sync indicates that the connector may be used to input an external clock.
If [Output 1 pps sync] is pressed while an external reference clock signal is present at the connector, clock output will fail and a Device­Dependent Error (Section 3.5.3) will be issued. If an external signal is applied to the Ref Clock Sync terminal while the connector is selected for output, the external signal will not be recognized.
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
1.2 Front-Panel Operation 1 – 7
1.2.3 Input
The [INPUT Open] button opens and closes a relay in the path of the input current. A green LED indicates a disconnected input terminal. The input capacitance of the SIM918 is at its lowest with input open, and is specified in the table on Page viii.
1.2.3.1 Input shield
Successive presses of the [INPUT Shield] button connect the outer shell of the Input BNC to the rear-panel Shield Program Voltage terminal, a buered copy of the bias voltage, and to signal ground. The state of the input shield connection is indicated by one of three LEDs: the yellow INPUT Shield Prog, the yellow INPUT Shield Bias, or the green INPUT Shield GND.
To float the shield of the Input connector, leave the Shield Pro­gram Voltage BNC open and select INPUT Shield Prog.
1.2.4 Bias
1.2.4.1 Bias overload
The [BIAS GND] button toggles the source of the bias between the voltage at the center terminal of the Bias BNC and the signal ground of the instrument. If the bias source is set to ground, the green BIAS GND light is on.
With Bias grounded, the dierence amplifier (Figure 1.1) is switched out and the output of the instrument is taken directly from the trans­impedance stage. With this configuration, there is no common-mode error and the output-oset error is reduced.
When Bias is connected to a user voltage, the voltage is buered internally before being distributed to other parts of the preamplifier. The oset error of the bias buer is included in the input oset accuracy specifications in the table on Page viii.
An overload condition is recognized and the BIAS OVLD LED is activated if the absolute value of the voltage applied to the Bias input exceeds certain limits. These limits are typically ±5.0 V, andbias overload limits are between
5.2 V V
≤ −4.9 V, 4.9 V V
min
max
5.2 V.
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
The overload LED stays on for a minimum of 50 ms; after this time it turns oif the overload condition has ceased.
1 – 8 Getting Started
1.2.4.2 Bias shield
Successive presses of the [BIAS Shield] button float the outer shell of the Bias BNC and connect it to ground. The state of the bias shield connection is indicated by one of two LEDs: the yel­low BIAS Shield Float or the green BIAS Shield GND.
Note that it is the electric potential at the Bias terminal, not the po­tential dierence across the Bias connector, that the autozero circuit uses as the reference for the input voltage.
1.2.5 Output overload
An overload condition is recognized and the OUTPUT OVLD LED is activated if the absolute value |iin×RF|exceeds certain limits. These limits are typically ±10.0 V, and are betweenoutput overload limits
1.3 Connections
Panel BNC Terminal Signal Direction
Front Input Center Input current Input
Rear Shield Program Voltage Center Shield program voltage Input
10.4 V V
≤ −9.9 V, 9.9 V V
min
max
10.4 V.
The overloaded state is also recognized, and OUTPUT OVLD acti­vated, if the raw output of the transimpedance stage, |V
iin×RF|,
bias
exceeds these limits. To distinguish between the two output over­load possibilities, use the OVLD? query. The overload LED stays on for a minimum of 50 ms; after this time it turns oif the overload condition has ceased.
There are five BNC connectors in the SIM918, three on the front panel and two at the rear.
Shield Shield program voltage, Output
bias voltage, signal ground
Bias Center Bias voltage Input
Shield Float, power ground
Output Center Output voltage Output
Shield Signal ground Output
Shield Chassis ground
Ref Clock Sync Center Reference clock Input, output
Shield Chassis ground Input, output
Table 1.1: BNC connections in the SIM918.
For a further discussion of grounding, see Section 2.2.1. The SIM interface connector is discussed in Section 1.6.1.
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
1.4 Power-On 1 – 9
1.4 Power-On
The instrument retains the following settings in non-volatile mem­ory:
1. The power line frequency (FPLC): 60 Hz or 50 Hz.
2. The gain.
3. Autozero on/o.
4. Input selection (on, open).
5. Input shield selection (program, bias, ground.)
6. Bias selection (on, ground).
7. Bias shield selection (float, ground.)
8. Whether or not the phase-locked loop (Section 2.5) stays active when autozero is o.
9. Calibration values.
The power-on configuration of the remote interface is detailed in Section 3.3.1.
3
1.5 Restoring the Default Configuration
The default configuration of the SIM918 is:
1. Gain 106V/A.
2. Autozero on.
3. Input connected.
4. Input shield at ground.
5. Bias at ground.
6. Bias shield at ground.
7. Reference clock direction is input.
8. The phase-locked loop (Section 2.5) is inactive when autozero is o.
To reset the module into this configuration, turn the SIM900 Main­frame power on while holding a front-panel button of the SIM918 for at least 2.0 seconds. The same configuration can also be reached from the remote interface by issuing the *RST command.
SIM918 Precision Current Preamplifier
3
FPLC equals the principal rejection frequency of an internal analog-to-digital converter used to measure the input oset trim. See the command OFST.
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