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Laser controller actions

Introduction

As you may know, a procedure can include actions, some of which can affect a laser controller - these are detailed below.

Actions

Activate laser controller

Sets the laser controller to its active state. If the controller is set to output a pulse train, this will start the pulses. If the laser controller is set to output for a given duration, then it will automatically deactivate after the appropriate time. If the controller is already active, and it is set to output for a given duration, this action will start timing the duration again. For example, if the output should remain active for 5s and it has already been active for 4s when it is activated again, then it will remain active for ANOTHER 5s.

Deactivate laser controller

Sets the laser controller to its inactive state. If the controller is already inactive, this action has no effect. If the laser controller is set to output for a specific duration, but this duration has not yet passed, then this action will deactivate the controller (and cancel the duration timing). If the controller is set to output a pulse train, this will end the pulses immediately, even if this is in the middle of a pulse.

Set laser controller output to pulse train

Changes the output of the laser controller to be a pulse train rather than a continuous output. This action will not activate (or deactivate) the laser controller. If the controller is currently active, either outputting a continuous signal or a pulse file, then the output will immediately switch to a pulse train.

Set laser controller output to continuous

Changes the output of the laser controller to be a continuous (DC) output rather than a pulse train. This action will not activate (or deactivate) the laser controller. If the controller is currently active, either outputting a pulse train or a pulse file, then the output will immediately switch to a continuous (DC) output.

Set laser controller output to pulse train file (played once)

Changes the output of the laser controller to be the pulse sequence defined in the pulse train file specified in the laser controller's settings. This action will not activate (or deactivate) the laser controller. If the controller is active and outputting a pulse train or a continuous (DC) output, then the output will immediately switch to playing the pulse sequence specified in the pulse train file. This pulse sequence will be played once, and then the laser will be turned off.

If no pulse train file has been specified for this sequence, then a procedure error will be logged, and this action will have no effect.

Set laser controller output to pulse train file (played continuously)

Changes the output of the laser controller to be the pulse sequence defined in the pulse train file specified in the laser controller's settings. This action will not activate (or deactivate) the laser controller. If the controller is active and outputting a pulse train or a continuous (DC) output, then the output will immediately switch to playing the pulse sequence specified in the pulse train file. After the pulse sequence has been played, the sequence will be started again immediately, and will repeat until the laser is turned off, the laser source is changed again, or the test ends.

If no pulse train file has been specified for this sequence, then a procedure error will be logged, and this action will have no effect.

Set laser controller frequency

Changes the frequency of the pulses of a pulse train to the value specified as the action's parameter. The parameter is in Hertz. If the laser controller is not set to output a pulse train, this action will have no effect. This action will not activate (or deactivate) the laser controller. If the controller is active and outputting a pulse train, then the pulse train frequency will change on-the-fly.

Set laser controller duty cycle

Changes the duty cycle of a pulse train to the value specified as the action's parameter. The parameter is in percent, and represents the amount of a single cycle for which the laser controller will be ON. If the controller is not set to output a pulse train, this action will have no effect. This action will not activate (or deactivate) the laser controller. If the controller is active and outputting a pulse train, then the duty cycle will change on-the-fly.

Set laser controller duration

Changes the duration for which the laser controller will be active to the value specified as the action's parameter. The duration can be any time value, and can include units of ms (milliseconds), s (seconds), min or m (minutes), h (hours) and d (days); if no units are specified, seconds are assumed. If the laser controller is already in the middle of an existing output duration when a new duration is set, the new duration will be applied immediately and will effectively re-start. For example, let's say that you have already performed an action to set the output duration to 4 seconds. After 2 seconds have elapsed, you set the duration to 3 seconds; the laser controller will start to output for 3 seconds, thus giving you 5 seconds of output in total.

Set laser controller intensity

Changes the intensity of the laser controller's output. This value is in Volts. This action will not activate (or deactivate) the laser controller. If the controller is currently active, then the intensity will change on-the-fly.

ANY-maze help topic T0252