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.

../_images/vs_horizontal.jpg

The VS-10 provides:

  • Configurable ranges from 10 V to 10 mV

  • Separate AC and DC ranging

  • Configurable current limit

../_images/VS-10.png

Figure 4.1 Module equivalent diagram

The settings for the VS-10 can be configured on the page for the module:

../_images/VS_settings.png

Figure 4.2 VS-10 settings

Range

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 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

Sine

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