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DIGITAL REMOTE
CONTROL INTERFACES
TTi programmable power supplies offer a wide range of bus interfaces for remote control and readback. These include
RS-232, USB, GPIB (IEEE-488) and LAN (Ethernet).
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RS-232
RS232 is a low speed serial interface designed primarily for single PC
to peripheral communication. It was widely used for instrument control
applications in the past but is rarely used for new systems.
Most modern PCs do not have an RS232 port.
RS-232 (and its +/-5V equivalent RS-423) is still in fairly wide use.
Its low speed is not an issue for power supply control because of the
small amount of data that is sent.
RS-232 is included in all current programmable power supplies from TTi. |
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ARC (Addressable RS232 Chain)
Because RS-232 is a one-to-one communication system, it was not suited
for the control of multiple instruments from a single RS-232 port. ARC
is a TTi developed system that enables multiple ARC enabled instruments
to be operated from a single port.
Most TTi programmable power supplies still support ARC, but it is not
recommended for new systems because USB and LAN represent better
solutions. |
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USB
USB has become the standard method of connection between a PC and its
peripherals. It is a high speed interface which is well suited to
instrument control particularly in smaller systems which do not require
instrument specific extensions.
USB is included on the QL-P, QPX and New PL-P series. |
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GPIB (IEEE-488)
GPIB remains the most widely used interface in larger instrument
systems. GPIB is relatively fast and includes many instrument specific
capabilities. Its main disadvantages are that it requires a dedicated
controller and uses expensive and bulky cabling.
GPIB is available on all TTi programmable power supplies either as
standard or as an option (except for EL302P and EX355P). |
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ETHERNET (LAN)
Ethernet is the standard interface for Local Area Networks (LANs). It is
provided as standard on most PCs and uses cheap and flexible cabling. It
can be easily and cheaply extended to communicate with multiple devices
through routers and switches.
Ethernet is a high speed interface potentially well suited to large
instrument systems.
Ethernet (LAN) is included on the QPX and New PL-P series. |
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LAN with LXI Support
LXI is the LAN-based successor to GPIB, combining the advantages of
Ethernet with the simplicity and familiarity of GPIB.
The LXI Standard has already been adopted by many of the best known test
and measurement companies as the natural successor to GPIB, and others
are currently in the process of adopting it.
LXI support is included on the QPX and New PL-P series.
Read more about LXI  |
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ANALOG REMOTE CONTROL
Analog remote control is still widely in use and is a highly flexible
way of controlling multiple power supplies. Typically a voltage of oV to
10V is used to define voltage or current between zero and full scale.
Analog remote control is included on the New PL-P series (single output
models) and on the QPX1200. |
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RACK MOUNTING
Rack-mount kits are available for both bus programmable and standard bench power supplies. TSX and CPX models use a 3U rack capable of taking one or two units. QL models use a 4U rack. Up to three QL singles can be mounted side by side or one single plus one triple.
New PL series models are 3U high but use a 4U rack to provide
ventilation top and bottom, up to 4 single output units (or a
combination of singles and duals) can be mounted in a single rack width.
QPX models use a 3U rack mount. |
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