Command list for Vue-LV-15 controllers

adi?

Read current A/D

Reads the current sense A/D and returns the result. Normally this is the laser current, but on the TEC controller it senses the TEC current. On products that have multiple current sensors (HC and HCV), this command returns the sum of the individual sensor readings. In such cases the maximum returned value is 4095 * the number of sensors. See commands adi1? and adi2? (HC and HCV), and adi3? and adi4? (HCV).

Return type: int range: 0-4095 (but see description)

adixc?

Get external current control ADC

Returns the reading on the external current control ADC.

Return type: int range: 0-4095

adlt?

Read primary temperature A/D

Reads the primary temperature A/D converter and returns the result. The conversion of this result to temperature is calibration dependent, but the result in degrees C can be always be obtained in a system-independent manner by the t0? command.

Return type: int range: 0-65535

adp?

Read laser power A/D

Reads the laser power A/D converter and returns the result. Conversion of this number to power is dependent on calibration, which is a customer setting. The calibrated power can be read by means of the p? and pa? commands.

Return type: int range: 0-4095

adref?

Read ADC reference channel

Reads the CPU's voltage reference channel. By design this number of counts always represents 1.205 plus or minus 0.005V.

Return type: int range: 0-4095

adtcpu?

Reads the CPU temperature A/D converter

Reads the CPU temperature analog/digital converter channel. On HV, MV-21 and MV-40 systems this command reads a thermistor mounted on the control board, and the temperature conversion formula used is:
degreesC = -counts * 2.5 / 4095 * 42.9019 + 79.26541

On LV-15 and LV-30 this command reads a thermistor mounted on the control board, and the conversion formula is:
degreesC = 109.5628 - 98.0553V + 42.0291V2 - 7.7364V3, where V = 3.3 * counts / 4095

.

On TEC controllers this command reads a temperature monitor built into the CPU and the conversion formula is:
degreesC = 359.117 - (counts * 3.0 / 4095) / 0.00435

On other products this reads a signal internal to the CPU chip, and the temperature conversion formula is:
degreesC = (0.650 - (counts * 2.5 / 4095)) * 500.0 + 25.0

On all products the tcpu? command performs the correct conversion and returns a result in degrees C.

Return type: int range: 0-4095

adv?

Read laser voltage A/D

Reads the laser voltage A/D converter and returns the result. The conversion of this result to voltage is system-dependent. The command v? always returns the properly scaled laser voltage.

Return type: int range: 0-4095

advin?

Read input voltage A/D

Reads an A/D converter that senses the input voltage. The number returned is proportional to input voltage, but the conversoin factor of counts to volts is product-dependent.

Return type: int range: 0-4095

apc?

Get amps per count

Returns the current calibration constant in amps per DAC count. This is set at the factory and cannot be changed in the field. On the TEC controller this command has no meaning and is present only for compatibility.

Return type: float

as

Enable/disable Autostart

Sets the state of the Autostart power-on enable feature. When this feature is enabled, Autostart will run each time the power supply is turned on.

Argument type: int range: 0-1

as0

Abort Autostart

Aborts the Autostart regardless of its current state. Allows control of the unit using all the other commands.

as1

Restart Autostart

Begins the Autostart procedure as if the unit was just turned on.

as?

Return the power-on Autostart setting

Returns 1 if Autostart is programmed to run the next time the controller is turned on, 0 if it is not.

Return type: int range: 0-1

ascdrh

Set the CDRH compliance state of Autostart

Sets the safety time delay (CDRH) compliance mode of Autostart. A non-zero argument turns the feature on.

Argument type: int range: 0-1

ascdrh?

Get the CDRH compliance state of Autostart

Returns the safety time delay (CDRH) compliance mode of Autostart. A return value of 1 indicates that the feature is on.

Return type: int range: 0-1

asi

Set Autostart operating current

Sets the value of the current (in Amps) that Autostart will use as a final operating state. On systems where constant power operation is available, this value is ignored if Autostart is set to constant power (see the asm and asm? commands). Regardless of whether Autostart is in constant current or constant power mode, the value sent by this command is stored in nonvolatile memory and retained by the controller until it is changed by a subsequent asi command.

Argument type: float

asi?

Get Autostart operating current

Returns the value of the current (in Amps) that Autostart will use as a final operating state. On systems where constant power operation is available, this value is ignored if Autostart is set to constant power (see the asm and asm? commands).

Return type: float

asiclr

Enable/disable automatic interlock clear

Sets the state of automatic clear interlock feature. If this is enabled (1) and the controller is operating in autostart mode, an interlock fault will be cleared automatically as soon as the fault condition is removed. If this is disabled (0), then an interlock fault must be cleared by sending the clear fault command ("cf") before laser operation can resume.

Argument type: int range: 0-1

asiclr?

Get the enable/disable state of the automatic interlock clearfeature

Gets the state of automatic clear interlock feature. If this is enabled (1) and the controller is operating in autostart mode, an interlock fault will be cleared automatically as soon as the fault condition is removed. If this is disabled (0), then an interlock fault must be cleared by sending the clear fault command ("cf") before laser operation can resume.

Return type: int range: 0-1

ast?

Get the current Autostart state

Returns the state of the Autostart. The reply is a small integer whose meaning varies from one product to another. Consult the product manual for the list of Autostart states for your specific product.

Return type: int

aswcw

Enable/disable the Autostart CW warmup feature

Sets the "Autostart warm-up CW feature." When this feature is enabled and the Autostart enters its warm-up state, the laser will automatically switch to CW operation, regardless of the previous state of the pulsing logic. The state of the pulsing logic will be restored when warm-up is finished.

Argument type: int range: 0-1

aswcw?

Is the Autostart CW warmup feature enabled?

Returns the state of the "Autostart warm-up CW feature." See the aswcw command.

Return type: int range: 0-1

aswi

Set the Autostart warmup current

Sets the value of the Autostart warmup current. This sets the laser diode current, in amps, that will be used during the warmup period.

Argument type: float

aswi?

Get the Autostart warmup current

Returns the value of the Autostart warmup current. This is the laser diode current, in amps, that will be used during the warmup period.

Return type: float

cf

Clear fault

Clears any active fault. If the laser was shut down because of a fault condition, this command will allow it to operate again. A Laser On command (l1) is required to resume laser operation.

cfg?

Get configuration

Returns configuration data. On MV systems this returns the system type as follows: 0 = MV-12, 1 = MV-15, 2 = MV-21, 3 = MV-40. On other products this command is reserved for future use.

Return type: int range: 0-3

do?

Return the current offset

Returns the size of the current offset in counts. This is part of the current calibration. It is factory set and can not be changed by the user.

Return type: int

f?

Get operating fault

Returns a small integer indicating the presence of a system fault. A zero return indicates that the system is working properly. A non-zero return indicates that the system has shut off the laser because of a fault condition. The meaning of the fault code varies from one product to another.

Return type: int

fdesc?

Get fault description

Returns a text description of the active fault, which often contains more details than the fault code. If there is no fault then the returned text will be "No fault", which will be always the case when fc? returns 0.

Return type: string

hrs?

Get system operating hours

Returns the total system operating hours.

Return type: float

i

Set laser amps

Sets the laser current in amps.

Argument type: float

i?

Get laser amps

Reads the laser current in amps.

Return type: float

ic?

Get next cached current

Get next cached current. Not intended for customer use.

Return type: string

ierr?

Get the current servo error

Returns the signed difference between the measured current and the current set point, in units of A/D counts.

Return type: int

ioff

Enable/disable external current offset

Enables or disables the external analog current control feature.

Argument type: int range: 0-1

ioff?

Is external current offset enabled?

Returns the state of the external analog current control feature.

Return type: int range: 0-1

isysmax?

Get system maximum current

Returns the allowed system maximum current (in amps). A factory setting.

Return type: float

it

Set and track current

Sets the current in amps and triggers current caching. Not intended for customer use.

Argument type: float

itarg?

Get current servo target

Returns the current servo target: the count on the current sense ADC which the constant current servo is trying to achieve.

Return type: int range: 0-4095

l0

Disable laser

Turns the laser off. The operating current (if in constant current mode), or the light power (if in constant power mode) is saved in volatile memory. When the "laser on (l1)" command is issued the laser will restart at the stored setting.

l1

Enable laser

Turns the laser on at the last current or light power setting. When the controller is first powered on, the operating conditions default to current control at 0.0 amps.

l?

Get laser enable state

Return type: int

limax

Set maximum laser amps

Sets the maximum allowed laser current in amps. This command allows the user to set the current ceiling for a particular laser device. The value must be less than or equal to the system maximum current. This value is stored in non-volatile memory, and will remain in effect until the next "limax" command is issued.

Argument type: float

limax?

Get maximum laser amps

Returns the maximum allowed laser current. See "limax" for further information.

Return type: float

p?

Get laser watts

Reads the calibrated laser power in watts.

Return type: float

pc

Enable/disable pulse counting

Enable or disable the "pulse counting" feature. LV: If this is enabled and the controller is set to pulsed mode, the controller begins to count pulses as soon as the laser is turned on. When the count is reached (see "pcn" command) the laser is shut off. It is also possible to terminate pulse counting with a falling edge applied to the trigger pin; to enable this feature use the "pcf" command. HCT: If this is enabled and the controller is set to internal pulsed mode, this feature takes control when the "pcs" (pulse count start) command is received. The controller will produce a pre-programmed number of output pulses and then shut off. See the "pcl" command which sets the pulse count, and the "pcd" command which sets a delay before the first pulse.

Argument type: int range: 0-1

pc?

Is pulse counting enabled?

Gets the enable/disable state of the pulse counting feature.

Return type: int range: 0-1

pcf

Enable/disable "terminate on falling edge"

Controls whether or not pulse counting will be terminated by a falling edge applied to the pulse trigger pin. See the command "pc" for a full explanation.

Argument type: int range: 0-1

pcf?

Can pulse counting be terminated by a falling edge?

Return type: int range: 0-1

pcn

Set the pulse count limit

Sets the pulse count that will turn off the laser in pulse counting mode. See "pc" for full information.

Argument type: int range: 0-2^31

pcn?

Get pulse count limit

Return type: int range: 0-2^31

pl

Enable/disable pulsing

Sets the pulse enable state, either enabled (1) or disabled (0, CW operation).

Argument type: int range: 0-1

pl?

Is pulsing enabled?

Returns the pulse enable state, either enabled (1) or disabled (0, CW operation).

Return type: int range: 0-1

plm

Set internal/external pulsing

Sets the pulse mode. 0 selects internal operation wherein the pulse repetition rate and pulse width are set by the controller. 1 selects external operation wherein an applied logic signal determines the repetition rate and pulse width.

Argument type: int range: 0-1

plm?

Get external/internal pulsing

Returns the pulse mode. 0 indicates internal operation wherein the pulse repetition rate and pulse width are set by the controller. 1 indicates external operation wherein an applied logic signal determines the repetition rate and pulse width.

Return type: int range: 0-1

plpt?

Get true pulse period

Returns the true pulse period. Accounts for the fact that the pulse period and pulse length must sometimes be rounded off due to limited precision of the timing hardware.

Return type: int

plrr

Set repetition rate

Sets the pulse repetition rate in pulses per second. Applies to internal pulse mode only. The upper limit of the repetition rate varies from one product to another, and can be determined with the plrrm? command.

Argument type: float

plrr?

Get repetition rate

Returns the pulse repetition rate in pulses per second. The value is only meaningful in internal mode, although the command always returns the last set value.

Return type: float

plrrm?

Get maximum repetition rate

Returns the maximum allowed repetition rate, which is system type dependent. This is set at the factory.

Return type: float

plw

Set pulse width

Sets the pulse width in seconds. Applies only to internal mode. The maximum possible value is the inverse of the repetition rate (plrr/plrr? commands).

Argument type: float

plw?

Get pulse width

Returns the pulse width in seconds. The value is only meaningful in internal mode, although this command always returns the last set value.

Return type: float

plwt?

Get true pulse width

Returns the true pulse width. Accounts for the fact that the pulse period and pulse length must sometimes be rounded off due to limited precision of the timing hardware.

Return type: int

prod?

Get product name

Returns a string describing the product type.

Return type: str

pwm?

Get the PWM setting

Returns the PWM drive signal, a number proportional to the duty cycle of the PWM that controls the current generation circuitry. The value ranges from 0-7200 on the LV3, 0-14400 on the LV6, and -673 to +673 on the TEC (negative = cooling, positive = heating).

Return type: int

pwme?

Is the PWM enabled?

Returns 1 if the current drive is enabled, 0 if it is not.

Return type: int range: 0-1

sn?

Get serial number

Returns the system's serial number, a 32-bit unsigned integer. This is set at the factory and cannot be changed in the field.

Return type: int

t0?

Read temperature at Thermistor 0

Measures the signal on thermistor input 0, converts it to a temperature using the previously stored thermistor calibration constants, and returns the result in degrees C. For a complete description of thermistor coefficients and how to use them, see the appnote "Temperature Control and Measurement".

Return type: float

t0a

Set thermistor A coefficient

Sets the "a" coefficient of thermistor #0. For a complete description of thermistor coefficients and how to use them, see the appnote "Temperature Control and Measurement".

Argument type: float

t0a?

Get thermistor A coefficient

Reads the "a" coefficient of thermistor #0. For a complete description of thermistor coefficients and how to use them, see the appnote "Temperature Control and Measurement".

Return type: float

t0b

Set thermistor B coefficient

Sets the "b" coefficient of thermistor #0. For a complete description of thermistor coefficients and how to use them, see the appnote "Temperature Control and Measurement".

Argument type: float

t0b?

Get thermistor B coefficient

Reads the "b" coefficient of thermistor #0. For a complete description of thermistor coefficients and how to use them, see the appnote "Temperature Control and Measurement".

Return type: float

t0c

Set thermistor C coefficient

Sets the "c" coefficient of thermistor #0. For a complete description of thermistor coefficients and how to use them, see the appnote "Temperature Control and Measurement".

Argument type: float

t0c?

Get thermistor C coefficient

Reads the "c" coefficient of thermistor #0. For a complete description of thermistor coefficients and how to use them, see the appnote "Temperature Control and Measurement".

Return type: float

t0cold

Set cold temperature threshold

Sets the "cold" operating limit in degrees C below which the laser output is disabled.

Argument type: float

t0cold?

Get cold temperature threshold

Gets the "cold" operating limit in degrees C below which the laser output is disabled.

Return type: float

t0d

Set thermistor D coefficient/Set thermistor defaults

On MV and HC systems, sets the "d" coefficient of thermistor #0 (requires a floating point argument). For a complete description of thermistor coefficients and how to use them, see the appnote "Temperature Control and Measurement".

On DPSS systems, this command sets the default coefficients for thermistor 0. This command takes no argument.

Argument type: float

t0d?

Get thermistor D coefficient

Reads the "d" coefficient of thermistor #0. For a complete description of thermistor coefficients and how to use them, see the appnote "Temperature Control and Measurement".

Return type: float

t0en

Enable/disable temperature checking (most products) or enable/disable temperature servo (TEC)

On most products: Enables/disables temperature checking of the laser based on the value of thermistor #0. If this feature is enabled, a fault is produced when the laser temperature falls above a maximum value (set by t0hot) or below a minimum (set by t0cold).

On TEC controllers this command engages/disengages the temperature servo, i.e., enables/disables active control of the load temperature.

Argument type: int range: 0-1

t0en?

Is temperature checking enabled?

Returns the enable/disable state of the laser temperature checking.

Return type: int range: 0-1

t0hot

Set hot temperature threshold

Sets the "hot" operating limit in degrees C above which the laser output is disabled.

Argument type: float

t0hot?

Get hot temperature threshold

Gets the "hot" operating limit in degrees C below which the laser output is disabled.

Return type: float

t0v?

Returns measured voltage on Thermistor 0 input

Returns the measured voltage the first thermistor (t0) input. This voltage is converted to temperature according to the thermistor calibration.

Return type: float

tcpu?

Get CPU temperature

Returns the temperature of the CPU chip in degrees C. A temperature reading greater than 65 degrees will shut off the system with a fault.

Return type: float

te

Talk enable unconditionally

Activates any controller receiving the message. This is only relevant for systems that utilize RS-485 communication, and on other systems is retained for compatibility.

v?

Read laser voltage

Reads the calibrated laser voltage and returns the result.

Return type: float

ver?

Get firmware version

Returns the firmware version number.

Return type: int

wpv

Set watts per volt

Sets the calibration constant for laser power readings. This value is stored in non-volatile memory.

Argument type: float

wpv?

Get watts per volt

Returns the calibration constant for laser power readings.

Return type: float