Basic Data Acquisition Module

The Basic Data Acquisition Module plugs into STEP to allow fully integrated acquisition of electromechanical response curves. All other data acquisition modules require the Basic Data Acquisition module, as all instrument drivers are provided by this module.

All instruments can be configured for quasi-static software-controlled measurements or true dynamic measurements. Quasi-static measurements can be performed with sample rates up to under 1 kHz. Dynamic measurements can be performed with instruments that store measured values, operate on a trigger, and with generate instruments that can produced paced output.

TASI Technical Software is actively adding instruments to the list of instruments supported by STEP. This version of STEP supports the following instruments that generate the four electromechanical measurement parameters:

Generation Instruments

Field	Polarisation	Strain	Stress
HP33120a
Computer Boards D/A Cards
Keithley 617
Keithley 6517

This version of STEP supports the following instruments that measure the four electromechanical measurement parameters:

Measurement Instruments

Field	Polarisation	Strain	Stress
HP54600b Oscilloscope	HP54600b Oscilloscope	HP54600b Oscilloscope	HP54600b Oscilloscope
HP34401a Multimeter	HP34401a Multimeter	HP34401a Multimeter	HP34401a Multimeter
Computer Boards A/D Cards	Computer Boards A/D Cards	Computer Boards A/D Cards	Computer Boards A/D Cards
Keithley 195a Multimeter	Keithley 195a Multimeter	Keithley 195a Multimeter	Keithley 195a Multimeter
Keithley 197 Multimeter	Keithley 197 Multimeter	Keithley 197 Multimeter	Keithley 197 Multimeter
Keithley 199 Multimeter	Keithley 199 Multimeter	Keithley 199 Multimeter	Keithley 199 Multimeter
Keithley 617 Electrometer	Keithley 617 Electrometer	Keithley 617 Electrometer	Keithley 617 Electrometer
Keithley 6517 Electrometer	Keithley 6517 Electrometer	Keithley 6517 Electrometer	Keithley 6517 Electrometer
		Melles Griot Lateral Effect Detector
		Zygo ZMI Interferometer

Temperature can be controlled directly, or simply monitored via a thermocouple. This version of STEP supports the following instruments that control and monitor temperature:

Temperature Control

Instrument	Control	Control Type
Keithley 195a	GPIB	passive thermocouple
Keithley 197	GPIB	passive thermocouple
Keithley 199	GPIB	passive thermocouple
Keithley 617	GPIB	passive thermocouple
Keithley 6517	GPIB	passive thermocouple or temperature sensor
Omega CN-2010	RS-232	direct control
Thermotron 2800	GPIB	direct control
Keithley 2001	GPIB	passive thermocouple
Delta 9000	GPIB	direct control
Honeywell UDC 1000	RS-485	direct control
Honeywell UDC 3000 Series	RS-485	direct control

Software Triggers

When performing dynamic measurements, digital hardware triggers can be used to synchronize instruments of the measurement. For instruments that require software control, a software trigger can be used to acquire data sets. Software triggers work by monitoring a voltage signal or trigger line put out by the generating instrument. Once the trigger has been satisfied, software-controlled measurements begin. This allows non software-controllable instruments to be used, and dynamic measurements to be performed using software-controlled instrumentation (provided a paced-output instrument is available).

The following instruments can be used with a software trigger:

Field	Polarisation	Strain	Stress
Computer Boards A/D Cards	Computer Boards A/D Cards	Computer Boards A/D Cards	Computer Boards A/D Cards
Keithley 195a Multimeter	Keithley 195a Multimeter	Keithley 195a Multimeter	Keithley 195a Multimeter
Keithley 197 Multimeter	Keithley 197 Multimeter	Keithley 197 Multimeter	Keithley 197 Multimeter
Keithley 199 Multimeter	Keithley 199 Multimeter	Keithley 199 Multimeter	Keithley 199 Multimeter
Keithley 617 Electrometer	Keithley 617 Electrometer	Keithley 617 Electrometer	Keithley 617 Electrometer
Keithley 6517 Electrometer	Keithley 6517 Electrometer	Keithley 6517 Electrometer	Keithley 6517 Electrometer

Scan Module

Also included with the Basic Data Acquisition Module is the Scan Module. This allows single data sets to be acquired, possibly at a specific temperature.

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