A new version of the DI processor board, with a completely different power supply section. Specifically developed as a low-noise variant for use in RF amplifier systems.
A new main board has analog input impedances of 100Mohm. New model available as an option - designated CNA-4
New I/O boards introduced for the CNA and DNA modules.
SCA2 - the 8 output relays are SPCO (form C) - output terminal blocks are now 4 position to handle extra pin.
SCM - Designed for use with the Group3 analog Hall probe, when instituting closed loop magnetic field control. - has power supply for Hall probe, and brings signals from probe back to the appropriate inputs. Also rows of terminal blocks replaced with 3 'D' connectors - permitting use of pre-assembled wiring harnesses for OEM use.
Corrected analog Hall effect transducer - absolute accuracy better than 0.05%. Use as field feedback sensor, with a CNA or DNA, to institute closed loop magnet control.
A small power supply module with connectors matched to the Group3 HPC. 24 volt in, isolated +/-15V out
LabVIEW drivers for LabVIEW version 5.1. Available for Win95, Win98, and WinNT.
The Group3 DNA - DeviceNet compatible multi-function I/O module, offering 16 bit analog resolution.
8 opto-coupled digital inputs, 8 relay contact digital outputs, 2 16 bit analog inputs, 1 16 bit analog output.
A library of C++ routines that greatly speeds up the development of C++ applications, for users who wish to write their own interface programs. Handles the entire interface to the Group3 Loop Controller, and leads to the fastest running applications.
Group3 has developed a DDE server for the control products to run under Windows NT, allowing them to be run by InTouch for NT.
The CNA module now has a PID algorithm embedded in it, that can be invoked to allow the module to run closed loop control. The user sends a desired set-point to the module, and the module then alters its analog output so as to achieve the desired signal on the feedback sensor.
Group3 Control can now be run from LabVIEW 4 for Windows NT. Group3 has developed a memory driver to allow access to the dual port memory on the Group3 Loop Controller card when running under Windows NT. A library of VIs allows easy control and monitoring from LabVIEW. The NT specific VI is a drop-in replacement for the relevant Windows 3.1 VI, allowing easy conversion of existing LabVIEW applications to run under NT.
A rugged low-cost replacement for the existing CN1-A.
A combination Digital and Analog module offering :-
8 Digital inputs - opto-isolated.
8 Digital outputs - relay contacts.
2 Analog inputs - 16 bit resolution, bipolar 10 volt range.
1 Analog output - 16 bit resolution, voltage or 4-20 mA signal.
It is housed in an aluminium extrusion case, size 30x90x150 millimetres. The optional I/O signal conditioning board is mounted on the DI case itself, and provides screw terminals for all wiring, increased transient protection on all I/O, and includes optocouplers on digital inputs and relay contacts on the digital outputs.
Control two loops of up to 16 DIs each from a single slot in a CAMAC crate. This offers an easy way to significantly expand an existing control system based on CAMAC crates, without having to add further expensive CAMAC hardware. Group3 Control adds the advantages of fiber optics to an older system.
The new CN3 and CN1 DI enclosures are of welded steel construction, and are epoxy powder coated. The new case incorporates a break-out area to allow use of the glass fiber optic ST connectors that are an option on the new processor board.
A new stainless steel DIN rail clamp has been developed for CN3 and CN1 enclosures. This automatically grounds the DI case, and offers strong, positive locking onto the DIN rail.
Processor - Option of Glass fiber optic transmitter/receiver devices added.
A board - Digitals can now handle 40 volts on pins.
B board - Digitals can now handle 40 volts on pins.
C board - General layout enhancements.
D board - General layout enhancements.
F board - now has RS232 ports, in addition to the fiber optic ports.
16 bit Analog Out - two channels of precision analog output.
GPIB / IEEE488 - full controller, talker, and listener capabilities. Easy integration of GPIB capable instruments and devices into a Group3 Control system, taking advantages of all the benefits offered by fibre optics.
A new range of signal conditioners has been designed, offering increased transient protection. These single board units are available for I/O boards of type B, C, D, E, and K. All offer clamping and suppression of electrical transients picked up by signal wiring, and have rows of screw terminals for individual signal wiring.
Two Device Interfaces can be set to talk to each other over fiber optic cables - providing isolated and noise free transmission of many analog and digital signals. (See end of main Group3 Control System page for details)
All the features of the Diagnostic Port on the DI can now be operated from the control computer. Now inputs can be simulated, outputs controlled, ranges changed etc. from the control computer, while the DI is operating at high voltages. These diagnostic port actions are completely independent of the main interface software running on the control computer.
The Device Interface configuration information can be uploaded over the fiber optic loop to the control computer, and stored in a detailed configuration file. Later this configuration information can be downloaded back to the same DI, or a replacement DI. This can greatly speed up field replacement of DIs.
Two Group3 Loop Controllers can be set to talk to each other, providing a fiber optic data communications channel between two computers. High voltage isolation and long distance transfer of data are easily achieved using this system. The two LCs, one in each computer, continually exchange data held in defined areas of their memories. The computers can be of the same type (PC to PC) or of different types (PC to VME crate for example). The LC to LC protocol thus provides an isolated communication channel between different computer plaforms.
The Loop Controller has two more communication modes:
1) Group3 Teslameter loop. - The loop controller can be set to talk directly to a loop of Group3 Digital Teslameters, continually and automatically gathering from them the latest magnetic field readings, which are then placed in memory. The control computer can then get the latest field readings simply by reading the memory area defined.
2) General purpose serial communication. - In this mode a message string deposited by the computer in shared memory is sent out by the fiber optic transmitter on the Loop Controller. Similarly, a message received by the loop controller from an external device is placed in shared memory. This use of the Group3 LC card allows a computer to communicate with various instruments, using fiber optic cables.The computer simply reads and writes to memory, while the LC looks after all the formatting and sending of serial strings.