4.1. VS-10
The VS-10 is a DC and AC voltage source that provides a high precision voltage output. The VS-10 provides voltage up to 10 V and 100 mA.
The VS-10 provides:
Configurable ranges from 10 V to 10 mV
Separate AC and DC ranging
Configurable current limit
Figure 4.1 Module equivalent diagram
The settings for the VS-10 can be configured on the page for the module:
Figure 4.2 VS-10 settings
Ranging
The range determines the largest voltage that can be sourced by the module. In general, the lowest range that can be used will provide the best performance. See instrument specifications for the performance characteristics of each range.
The VS-10 has the capability to use different ranges for the AC and DC signals. This can be used to combine low level AC excitation with a larger DC excitation.
If auto is selected, the M81-SSM will select the lowest voltage range that will support the amplitude and offset each time they are configured.
The available ranges are 10 V, 1 V, 100 mV, and 10 mV.
Current Protection Level
A hardware current protection level can be configured to limit the amount of current that the VS-10 will provide. This is a DC current limit and cannot limit high frequency (>100 Hz) outputs.
By definition, a voltage source will adjust the current it provides in order to maintain a constant voltage across a load. When the current protection level is reached, the source acts as a constant current source. The source will remain in this state until the output voltage is reduced, or the load resistance is increased.
Interface Command: SOURce#:CURRent:PROTection[:HIGH]
High and low voltage output limits
The voltage output limits are software limits preventing the user from entering an output that could potentially damage the module’s load.
When the shape is not DC, the limit is applied to the sum of the offset and amplitude. Low voltage output limit is the minimum voltage that a user will be allowed to enter, while the high voltage output limit is the maximum voltage the user will be allowed to enter. Both voltage limits are bound between -10 V and 10 V with the expectation that the lower voltage output limit must be a lower value than the high voltage output limit.
Interface Command: SOURce#:VOLTage:LIMit:HIGH Interface Command: SOURce#:VOLTage:LIMit:LOW
Default Settings
The table below lists the settings of the VS-10 upon initial power on or after settings are reset. For more information about default settings see the Default settings section.
Setting |
Default state |
|---|---|
Shape |
DC |
Frequency |
1 kHz |
Amplitude |
0 mV |
Offset |
0 mV |
Ranging |
Auto |
AC range |
Auto, 10 mV |
DC range |
Auto, 10 mV |
Current protection level |
100 mA |
Sync |
Disabled |
Sync source |
S1 (or S2 if module is S1) |
Sync phase shift |
0 degrees |
Dark mode |
Disabled |
High voltage output limit |
10 V |
Low voltage output limit |
-10 V |