Help for DigiPID
Version 2017-11-10

Overview

The webpage is in four sections: at the top are the operating parameters, in the middle is the setup (which probably never change once set), below that is a graph with a snapshot of current conditions, at the very bottom is a place to upload an output transfer curve.

In the middle (setup section), select which mode the unit is for: DC to run a external AOM driver or a laser driver, or RF for an external AOM amplifier. If RF output, set the VCO frequency. Select the VCO with the narrowest range which can work at the desired frequency.

Although possibly unclear, in Run box, the Target box shows as a voltage. Similarly, the graph showing output in RF output mode will show as voltage. IN DC output, these are obvious, voltage is voltage. In RF output it is less clear. The internal RF modulator runs between ±7.25V, approximately, where -7.25V is zero RF output and +7.25V is 100% RF output.



Webpage
Web verHTML, JS and CSS version
Embedded Left: embedded, right: HDL
Saves Number of times configuration was saved (max 20,000)
Configure - Monitor Monitor:Shows current state
Configure: Client changes parameters, must click Apply to implement
Apply Appears in Configure, click to implement as shown
Save as default If checked, will save as default power-up state, otherwise lost if unit is rebooted
Green/Red Circle Green means connected to unit, red disconnected. Number shows how many clients currently connected
Run P gain Proprotional gain, normalized to 100%
I gain Integral gain, normalized to 100%
D gain Derivative gain, normalized to 100%
Target1 The voltage which the whole system is trying to maintain, often zero
Currently The current output level
Manual When Manual mode is selected, the output level, can also adjust on the unit directly
Stop When Stop mode is selected, the output level
Pulse2 Frequency When Pulse mode is selected, the frequency of the pulse output
Duty cycle When Pulse mode is selected, the duty cycle of the pulse output
Saturation Input When lit, indicates an analog input saturation, reduce analog gain
Output When lit, indicates an output saturation, reduce main gain
Integrator When lit, indicates error integrator saturation, reduce I gain
Input
Parameters
Gain Analog input gain, increase until input saturates then reduce gain
Bandwidth Analog input bandwidth, also affects the processing rate (2.5 times oversampled)
Resistance Analog input resistance, with 50Ω do not exceed 3Vrms for >1 second
Output Mode DC The DC output is active, all applicable parameters are in V (RF output is disabled)
RF The RF output is active, all applicable parameters are normalized in % (DC output is still active)
DC
Output
Limits
Max DC output only, the highest output voltage allowed, can be +ve or -ve but must be more positive than Min
MinDC output only, the lowest output voltage allowed, can be +ve or -ve but must be more negative than Max
RF Frequency Set The target frequency for the RF output, when Active Lock selected
Meas. The measured RF output frequency
Control The control for the RF frequency. Manually set when Manually Set selected
Lock?3 Either Actively Lock to find and keep the Target frequency, or adjust manually
Chart None No chart
Output A snapshot of the current output, analog DC or RF level as applicable
Input A snapshot of the current analog input
Transfer4 The output transfer curve in use
Output
Transfer
Curve4
Choose File4 Select the ASCII text file defining the output transfer curve
Force Linear Check to revert to a linear output transfer curve
Note 1:  The Run Target is approximately <target input voltage> * Input Gain * 2
Note 2:  In DC output, the pulse output swings between DC Output Min and Max, in RF output between 0% and 100%
Note 3: When Active Lock, the RF frequency will constantly adjust slightly up and down around the Target frequency
Note 4: See the following section on the Output Transfer Curve for details

Output Transfer Curve File

The output transfer curve defines the relationship between the calculated output and the actual output. It is only applicable in Run mode but applys to both DC and RF outputs. Use this to linearize a nonlinear element such as a RF or optical modulator. For example, if a modulator has a low response at low levels then the transfer curve can be used to bump up the output at those low levels. A linear output transfer curve gives a 1:1 calculated to output relationship: e.g. double the calculated output level gives double the actual output level. A nonlinear curve must be defined by a text file. The file rules are:
Following is the contents of a short sample file which has several discontinuities defined. Note that although "0 0;" is defined, it is implied and not necessary. The last line overrides the default "1023 65535;".
0    0;
512  32768;
750  50000;
1023 65000;