Sigma C4 - Manuals

13 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 1.5.3 Firmware Uploads When new firmware is available for your C4, you can easily upload it into the controller using the controller’s serial port. The procedure requires only a diskette bootable PC and a serial cable and takes only about ten minutes. Firmware updates, when av...

16 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 1.5.13 Program Mode Step Insert & Delete Program steps may now be deleted from or inserted into programs. See Sections 6.5 & 6.6. 1.5.14 Program Mode Any Step Points to Step 100 Any program step may now point to step 100 (program end) as the next step to execute. 1.5.1...

17 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 1.5.18 Remote Mode EIA-232 Port Initialization The CC-3 required that to use the EIA-232 port, the port had to be initialized by switching the mode switch to SETUP before switching to REMOTE mode. The C4 eliminates this requirement. The EIA-232 port is initialized each time th...

19 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 2. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION The SIGMA SYSTEMS Model C4 Controller fits into an area 3.5" x 5.5" x 9.5" long. Connection to the chamber or platform is made through an umbilical cable with a 12 pin connector that is standard for all SIGMA chambers and thermal platforms. ...

20 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 COOL indicator lights when cooling is active, typically during the time the cryogenic valve is open on cryogenically cooled units. HEAT indicator is pulsed along with the on and off function of the heaters. These indicators are active in all modes of operation. RUN indicator s...

22 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 2.2 Rear Panel Connections At the rear panel of the controller, a cable is provided to connect to the power, cooling solenoid, mechanical refrigeration and heaters of the chamber. In addition, a six lug screw terminal block (J1) is provided for eyelet terminal connection of th...

23 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 3. GENERAL OPERATION & ERROR CONDITIONS 3.1 Startup Displays 3.1.1 Model Number and Firmware Version Number Display The C4 identifies itself upon power up. It will display the model number for 1 second, then the firmware version number for 2½ seconds as follows: c3-5 rel 7...

24 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 3.1.3 Serial Number Display The controller serial number can be displayed at startup by pressing <DISP/CTRL> while the model number ( c3-5 or c4 ) is displayed. The serial number will be displayed in the format: 4-0 3276 The first digit (either a 3 or 4 ) indicates wheth...

25 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 3.2.1 Upgrading Firmware by PROM Replacement Before starting, be certain that you have a properly grounded antistatic surface and a grounding strap to prevent damaging the C4 components during disassembly and reassembly. Remove the C4 from its cabinet or rack, then remove the ...

26 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 Use a DOS bootable diskette and a PC type computer to load the new firmware through the C4's serial port. You can obtain the required diskette from Sigma Systems for a fee, or you can provide your own DOS bootable diskette and obtain the necessary files for the upload process ...

27 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 uploads so that you can upload to one controller while connecting and disconnecting the other. Starting the upload on the C4 When the PC is ready, turn the C4 controller on. During the 1 second display of the model number, rapidly press <CLEAR/PROG> three times. The disp...

29 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 3.4 Fahrenheit Operation The C4 can use either Celsius or Fahrenheit temperature scales. Celsius is the default mode. When the controller is operating in Celsius mode it’s behavior is identical to the model CC-3 controller. When the controller is operating in Fahrenheit mode, ...

30 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 3.5 System Operating (Temperature) Range The C4 controller operates within the limits of the system devices. There are 3 pairs (low-high) of temperature limits that constrain the range of operations. 1. The range of the C4 as it is set at the factory 2 The range of the control...

32 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 The Probe Out of Range Shutdown condition can be cleared by pressing <START/STOP> in Local or Program mode, by rotation the mode switch on the front panel to a different position, or by issuing a Device Clear in Remote mode. 3.7 Internal Error Shutdown Conditions The C4 ...

33 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 The mode switch must be subsequently turned to the SETUP position to clear the display and resume normal operations. Be sure you remember to restore any setup parameters that have been changed by the system reset. 3.7.3 Setup parameter integrity checking Each time the system m...

34 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 U1 2.3 C1 0 U2 99 C2 100 The C4 will then calculate a new slope and offset for the entire probe curve. All temperatures reported by the corrected probe will be adjusted by applying this new slope and offset to the raw temperature data reported by the probe. Note: Software prob...

35 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 Some errors, especially those unique to the C4, are only defined in the Error/Status String. In the event of one of these errors, bit 1 of the Error Byte (this bit was not used by the CC-3) is set to indicate an extended error. The Status Byte and SRQ are thus set as well. The...

37 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 4. INTELLIGENT 2 PROBE CONTROL (Probe Averaging) (Not in this release. Available in next release, without charge. Contact SigmaSystems to receive a revised firmware EEPROM.) Intelligent 2 Probe Control allows the internal temperature of the UUT (Unit Under Test) to be used in ...

38 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 4.1 How Intelligent 2 Probe Control functions Intelligent 2 Probe Control takes advantage of the fact that increasing the temperature differential between two objects increases the rate of heat transfer between them. For instance, if a thick and heavy object is to be heated fr...

39 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 than cold, or visa versa. To properly protect your object you need to be able to constrain the air temperature in the chamber (and thus the surface temperature of the object) such that the difference between surface temperature and the core temperature does not exceed some dif...

40 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 air stream temperature, based upon this 60 / limit, would not be allowed to drop to -100 / until the UUT core temperature had reached -40 / The same rules hold true for the high end of the UUT range except that the high differential limit (F30) is applied at the high limit of ...

41 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 5. LOCAL MODE ( Basic Operation ) The C4 Local mode of operation provides simple control of the chamber or platform through the front panel controls. In this mode, a single setpoint is entered from the front panel and the controller will attempt to have the chamber or platform...

42 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 probe mode, n can be 1 or 2 as the temperature display toggles between probe 1 and probe 2 with each press of the Display Temperature <DISP/TEMP> key. If Intelligent 2 Probe Control is implemented (probe number set to 0), the display will rotate from probe 1 to probe 2 t...

43 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 4. Enter a setpoint temperature using the numeric, decimal point and sign keys. Numbers may be entered with a maximum of 1 decimal place. Pressing the sign <+/-> key will toggle the value between positive and negative. Positive values will have no indication, negative va...

44 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 5.4 Compressor Control (mechanically refrigerated unit control only) The compressor of a system employing mechanical refrigeration can be manually toggled at any time during local mode controlling operation by pressing the <REFER> button. The REFER LED on the front panel...

45 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 6. PROGRAM MODE The Program Mode allows more complicated front panel control than the Local Mode. The Program Mode allows a temperature control program to be entered into the controller memory for subsequent execution as required. Up to 100 program steps may be entered. Multip...

46 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 6.1.1 Format of a Program Step FORMAT OF A STEP substep )))))), step )))0, * -----------data------------ ** * 00.0 -TTT.T - temp (setpoint) 00.1 HH.MM - ramp time 00.2 HH.MM - hold time 00.3 NNN - next step 00.4 P - control probe where: step is the current program step number ...

48 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 6.2 Clearing Program Memory (Reinitializing program steps) When the controller is shipped from the factory, all program steps are initialized to their default values as shown below. To create a usable program for the controller to run, the user enters replacement values in tho...

49 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 6.4 Entering or Changing a Program Step There is no difference between entering a program step and modifying an existing one. To change any part of the program, first display the current step by pressing <DISP/CNTL> . If you wish to make changes to a step other than the ...

50 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 6.6 Delete Program step 1. Enter the step number to be deleted and press <DISP/CNTL> 2. Press <CLEAR/ENTRY> . 3. Press <CLEAR/ENTRY> again. The display shows “ del nn”, where nn = step number to be deleted. 4, Press <ENTER> to delete the step and move a...

52 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 No Probe 2 Error If a program step calls for control by probe 2 when setup parameter F1 = 1 (number of probes) the C4 will generate a No Probe 2 Error. Example 007 nop2 You must either remove the step that calls for probe 2 or enable probe 2 with setup parameter F1 (See Sectio...

53 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 6.8 Special Commands There are special commands that use the substep data within a step for different purposes than normal. These commands are (6.8.1) Creating controlled loops, and (6.8.2 - 6.8.5) External port controls. In each case only some of the substeps are used. To enh...

55 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 When the Probe (substep 4) is specified as 7, the program step turns the optional load control port off. Substeps 0 - 2 are ignored. Upon power up and changing the rotary switch this port will be on. At start and end of program execution, this port will be automatically set to...

59 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 7.4 System Information Queries 7.4.1 QV Query Firmware Version This command returns the current internal firmware release number in ASCII text in the following format: QV<space> nnn.nnn.nnn <CR><LF> Where nnn is the number of each part of the release number, ...

60 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 7.4.3 QR Query Controller Temperature Range This command returns the controller temperature range in ASCII text in the following format: QR<space> thhhh-lll <CR><LF> where t = C or F hhh = high limit lll = low limit\ Example: For standard range controller in ...

61 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 7.4.5 QF, QFA Query Setup Parameter Value This command returns the current (SRAM) value of a setup parameter field. QF requests the data to be returned in binary form, QFA requests the data to be returned in ASCII text form. The syntax of the command is: QF nn <CR><LF...

62 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 these working values in SRAM have modified by Remote Mode setup commands (See Section 7.6) they will not be the same as the non volatile EEPROM copy unless an UP command was subsequently used to permanently store the SRAM values to EEPROM. Upon exiting Remote mode, including b...

63 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 7.5 Operation Information Queries & Commands 7.5.1 RS, RSA Request Status Byte These commands retrieve the status byte. See Section 7.8.1. If RS is used, the status byte is returned as a one byte binary value imbedded in an ASCII text string as follows: RS<status byte&g...

69 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 Note: Software probe correction is done separately for each probe. The following table shows the U1, C1, U2, C2 setup parameter assignments: Probe 1 Probe 2 U1 F17 F21 C1 F18 F22 U2 F19 F23 C2 F20 F24 The syntax for the SC command is ASCII text as follows: SC n <space>U1...

71 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 7.6.4 SL Set UUT Temperature Limits The SL command sets the lower UUT limit (setup parameter F27) and the upper UUT limit (setup parameter F28). For a detailed explanation of the effect of these parameters, see Sections 3.5 and 4. The command sets the lower and upper temperatu...

72 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 7.7 System Operation Commands 7.7.1 SI Select Immediate Mode This command selects the immediate mode of operation. In immediate mode, a command is executed immediately when it is received over the interface. If a previous command is executing, it is canceled. Query or status c...

75 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 7.7.9 QU Quit Controlling The QU command stops the C4 from controlling. All heating and cooling is turned off, the blowers are set to the mode determined by setup parameter F15 (Blower Shut-off Mode). The command syntax is: QU<CR><LF> After a QU command, the displa...

Field # Field Purpose Permitted Field Values Factory Setting 83 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 25 Chamber/Platform Lower Operating Temperature Limit -200 / C -327.9 / F As required Default = -100 26 Chamber/Platform Upper Operating Temperature Limit 500 / C 932 / F As required Default = 200 27 Unit Under Test ...

84 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 8.2 Changing the Value of a Setup Field A field may be changed with the following procedure: 1. Display the field to be changed using the <DISP/CNTL> key as detailed in 8.1. 2. Press <CLEAR/ENTRY> to clear the current value. 3. Enter the new value Note: For setup p...

87 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 If the values entered do not comply with the rules as defined above, the displaywill show cor err . None of the data will have been stored in this case and the process must be begun again with data that complies with the rules.

91 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 9.1.2 Using shortcuts to shorten program entry time Shortcuts can make program entry easier and faster if the program step memory to be used for the new program contains the values that you need. Default reinitialization values are stored in every program step when program mem...

92 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 Step Number Displayed Step . Substep Keys to press Description of entry 0 00.0 CLEAR/ENTRY 45.2 ENTER Go to 45.2 / C 00.1 CLEAR/ENTRY 5 ENTER Use 5 minute ramp time 00.2 CLEAR/ENTRY 2 ENTER Hold temperature for 2 minutes 00.3 DISP/CNTL Accept default value of 1 00.4 DISP/CNTL ...

93 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 9.1.3 Local Program Example Using the Special Commands The following temperature test routine uses program looping commands and the special port control commands: Turn chamber or platform (or auxiliary load) on Do the following loop 5 times Using probe 2 for control... Turn co...

Step Number Displayed Step . Substep Keys to press Description of entry 95 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 7 07.0 DISP/CNTL Accept default value 07.1 DISP/CNTL Accept default value 07.2 DISP/CNTL Accept default value 07.3 DISP/CNTL Accept default value of 8 07.4 CLEAR/ENTRY 7 ENTER Turn aux/power control port o...

97 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 9.3 Sigma Systems C4 Programming Worksheet (O.K. to copy) Date: Program Name: Page of Step Sub- Step Substep Data Notes/Comments Step Sub- Step Substep Data Notes/Comments .0 .0 .1 .1 .2 .2 .3 .3 .4 .4 .0 .0 .1 .1 .2 .2 .3 .3 .4 .4 .0 .0 .1 .1 .2 .2 .3 .3 .4 .4 .0 .0 .1 .1 .2 ...

98 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 9.4 Sample Command Structure for IEEE-488 GPIB Operation All sample commands are written in BASIC for a Hewlett Packard 85F computer and are representative of the required structure for proper operation of the C4's IEEE-488 interface. Assumptions: C4 address is set to 1. All o...

103 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 9.7 Troubleshooting 9.7.1 Servicing Considerations - Service WARNINGS WARNING : Sigma Systems C4 Controllers obtain power from the chamber or platform to which they are connected. The controllers do not have protective side covers on the chassis. It is imperative to disconnec...

104 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 train your users to use their finger to discharge the static potential they may have accumulated on something other than the C4 front panel. 9.7.4 Noise Immunity Noise can show up as lost or incorrect data sent over the bus. In extreme cases this noise can disrupt controller ...

105 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 Explicit Program End If you are observing behavior that indicates that the controller is continuing to control beyond the end of the steps you have in your program, check to be certain that you have a step at the end of your program that points to step 100 to end the process....

106 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 If you are having no success with bus communications, check to be certain that the correct bus (EIA-232 or GPIB IEEE-488) is selected using setup parameter F2. SI (Immediate Mode) or the default SP (Program Mode) are typically issued at the beginning of a program sequence. Ho...

107 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 unlikely that a problem will cause a bad load, but it is possible and it’s the easiest problem to fix, so try reloading first. Starting the C4 from PROM based firmware If reloading doesn’t work, you can try starting the controller from the older firmware that permanently resi...

108 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 Proportional term Setup parameter F0 Integral term Setup parameter F10 Differential term Setup parameter F11 Note that you will also find the in setup section of this manual a reference to the Integral Wind-up Limiter Term (Setup parameter F12). Do not alter this field. It is...

109 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 Before you change any of the PID terms in your C4, write down the existing values. It is not hard for inexperienced users to make enough changes that things get much worse. If this happens to you, you will want to have a list of the original settings so you can at least go ea...

110 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 There will always be some oscillation, but a proper setting of the integral term will keep these oscillations very minor and within the range of established control accuracy. When the C4 is shipped from the factory, the integral term is set such that it will work well for mos...

113 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 INDEX 2 probe control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Autostart mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80, 82 Aux/power control port Cont...

114 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 QC Query last command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 QE, QEA Query error/status string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 QF, QFA Query setup parameter value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

115 C4 Manual Rev 7.5.2 Fail-safe System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 101 COM port issues . . . . . . . . ....