PI C-663.12 Mercury Step Motor Controller

6. Non volatile macro storage and auto start macros

Mercury Step is equipped with a powerful macro command language, allowing users to write complex motion sequences, logical judgments, and I/O control programs, which are stored in the non-volatile memory of the controller. By setting the auto start macro, the system can run independently after power on, without the need to connect to the upper computer. This feature is particularly critical for embedded automation devices such as small sorting machines and automatic sample injectors.

Rich interfaces and flexible network topology

1. Communication interface

Both USB and RS-232 can be used as command interfaces. USB provides high-speed and convenient connections, suitable for laboratory environments; RS-232 is suitable for long-distance or industrial sites.

Controller Network (Daisy Chain): Through dedicated network cables, up to 16 Mercury Step controllers can be connected in series (USB mode) or 6 (RS-232 mode), sharing the same host interface. This daisy chain topology significantly reduces the wiring complexity of multi axis systems, and each controller can be independently addressed, achieving distributed motion control.

2. Sensors and I/O

Encoder input: Supports A/B orthogonal signals, TTL or RS-422 levels, with a maximum input frequency of 60 MHz. This allows the use of high-resolution optical encoders or magnetic grid rulers to achieve nanoscale position feedback.

Limit switch: 2-channel TTL input, programmable polarity, used for forward/reverse limit protection.

Reference point switch: 1-channel TTL input, used for home operation.

Index pulse input: 1 RS-422 input, used to receive the Z-phase index signal of the encoder, achieving high repetition accuracy reference point regression.

Universal I/O cable: 4 analog/digital inputs (0-5V/TTL), 4 digital outputs (TTL). These I/O can be used to control external relays, read sensor status, trigger cameras, or handshake with other automation devices.

3. Manual control interface

Simulated joystick: supports connecting two-dimensional joysticks through Y-shaped cables to achieve manual pulse control. This is very intuitive in applications such as manual alignment and microscope stages.

Button box: Optional button box for jog, step, and reset operations.

Software Ecology and Programming Support

Mercury Step uses PI General Command Set (GCS) as the standard command set. GCS is a unified text instruction language defined by Physical Instruments (PI) company, which is easy to read, cross platform, and package. Users can directly send commands through terminal software such as PiTerminal, or integrate them into custom applications through advanced programming interfaces.

1. Official software tools

PIMikroMove: A graphical user software suitable for system configuration, manual movement, macro editing, and data recording. Most control tasks can be completed without programming.

PiTerminal: A command-line tool used for debugging and sending GCS commands.

2. Drivers and development libraries

LabVIEW driver: Provides complete VIs, making it easy to quickly build measurement and control systems in the NI LabVIEW environment.

Windows and Linux dynamic libraries: support language calls such as C/C++, C #, Python, etc., enabling cross platform application development.

MATLAB library: suitable for scientific computing and algorithm prototype verification.

3. Macro language and independent running

Macro command language supports advanced functions such as conditional jump, loop, variable operation, and waiting for I/O. Users can write complex motion sequences, such as: returning to zero → moving to multiple positions → reading external sensors at each position → judging and branching → outputting results. Macros can be stored in EEPROM and set to run automatically upon startup, enabling the controller to have independent intelligence at the level of a microcontroller.

Compatible sports platforms and application scenarios

The Mercury Step controller is designed specifically to drive two-phase stepper motors, making it compatible with a large number of precision positioning platforms driven by commercially available stepper motors. The document lists the following related product lines (all from physical instrument companies), covering a wide range of needs from micro displacement tables to high load linear actuators:

1. Linear platform and actuator

L-239 high load linear actuator: suitable for high thrust, long stroke industrial positioning.

L-402 miniature linear displacement table: compact in size, suitable for integration into optical or semiconductor devices.

L-406 compact linear displacement table: balancing stroke and external dimensions.

L-509 precision linear displacement table: high rigidity, suitable for general laboratory positioning.

L-511 high-precision linear displacement table: using ball screw and cross roller guide rail, the positioning accuracy can reach sub micron level.

M-126 high-resolution translation stage: With extremely high resolution, it is suitable for applications such as fiber alignment.

M-228/M-229 high-resolution linear actuator (stepper motor): directly connected screw, compact structure.