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CTL503 User Manual (using EPIC 21 software) - work in progress

10 / 24

Installation sequence

Please install the EPIC software and the associated USB driver software BEFORE
connecting your device to a computer.

You do not need to remove a previous copy of EPIC, the new copy will overwrite the
necessary existing file(s).  The "settings.txt" file will only be created if it is not present.

When EPIC is first started, it will build a number of files (unless they are already there from
a previous installation) in the installation directory.

If upgrading from EPIC V21.009 or earlier please be aware that the

new program EXE is called either EPIC32.EXE or EPIC64.EXE and that

previous shortcuts might not work or will link to previous EPIC.EXE

Summary of Contents for CTL503

Page 1: ...Copyright 2018 2021 Electron Plus Design Limited All Rights Reserved CTL503 User Manual using EPIC 21 software work in progress ...

Page 2: ... System requirements 5 Getting help 6 Introduction 7 Welcome 7 Before you start 8 New in Software 9 Installation sequence 10 Installing the Software 11 Installing the USB driver 12 Earthing for function and safety 13 Operation 14 Selecting Instrument 14 Selecting Serial COM Port 15 Connecting Instrument 16 Check for updates 17 Calibration loading 17 Control Ribbon 19 Auto Capture 20 Auto Test 21 M...

Page 3: ...ntre Manor Lane Stutton Suffolk IP9 2TD UK Hereafter referred to as Electron Plus Notes We frequently update our manuals and add new features and improvements as they available please ensure that you check our website for an updated version of this document especially if updating your Electron Plus software We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this manual s contents If you find any error...

Page 4: ...accessories Please pay particular attention to any section with a warning symbol Safety warnings Warnings cautions and notes are colour coded through out this manual These are divided into several categories and are described below WARNING Pay special attention to anything written here this is for your safety and continued protection and is critical information CAUTION Damage may occur to your equ...

Page 5: ...both 32 bit and 64 bit from the Electron Plus website 1x USB 2 0 type A common for connection to the instrument at 0 0A Screen resolution of at least 1440 W x 900 H it will work with others but you risk some of the CONTROL RIBBON items not being visible EPIC uses the PC sound card for various alerts although it will operate correctly without sound Technical Note We test EPIC builds mainly on Windo...

Page 6: ...port electron plus from UK 01473 327100 international telephone 44 1473 327 100 If you are experiencing an issue with EPIC please email a copy of the following files see below found in the EPIC installation folder along with a description of the problem log txt bugreport txt This will help us understand your problem and provide a quicker fix ...

Page 7: ... Welcome Congratulations and thank you for purchasing an Electron Plus product Please take a few minutes to read the Before You Start section of this manual especially as misusing this product can result in damage to it your device under test or potentially place you in danger ...

Page 8: ... you will risk damaging the instrument If you wish to make a permanent safety connection to EARTH read Earthing for function and safety section Like most old style curve tracers the CTL503 is capable of generating voltages in excess of 100V users are expected to be fully aware of the risks posed by these higher voltages and the precautions and procedures required to maintain the safety of personal...

Page 9: ...Bug fixes ASA addition of manual mode V21 011 Bug fixes CTL503 Vgs vs Id at fixed Vds mode added CTL503 updates to status display CTL503 removal of DEVTEST button function V21 010 Bug fixes Addition of version compiled for 32 bit systems CTL503 added to EPIC ASA200 240 addition of SIGNAL COMMON to EDIT page V21 009 Bug fixes SPA100 added to EPIC REF50X added to EPIC V21 008 Bug fixes ...

Page 10: ...copy will overwrite the necessary existing file s The settings txt file will only be created if it is not present When EPIC is first started it will build a number of files unless they are already there from a previous installation in the installation directory If upgrading from EPIC V21 009 or earlier please be aware that the new program EXE is called either EPIC32 EXE or EPIC64 EXE and that prev...

Page 11: ...updates and bug fixes 1 Select which variant you wish to use go ahead and download it typically by double clicking on the ZIP file named something like Install_EPIC21010_64 ZIP 2 Open the downloaded file typically Windows will recognise the ZIP format and open the file and display the contents like a folder double click the EXE file typically called Install_EPIC21010_64 exe 3 Follow the on screen ...

Page 12: ... PC via USB using an WCH CH340 bridge IC A copy of the official WCH device driver is available from the SOFTWARE section of our website www electron plus software device drivers can also be downloaded directly from WCH s website www wch ic com downloads category 30 html The driver we use with Windows machines is CH341SER and is available as EXE or a ZIP ...

Page 13: ...earthing wire using either ring terminal or spade terminal If in doubt please contact Electron Plus for further details Caution USB 0V rear panel front panel casing and any external power supply 0V are all the same potential and connected via low impedances PCB metalwork etc Avoid creating ground loops with your setup Note Some earlier production ASA100 units may have a TORX T10 headed stainless s...

Page 14: ...When EPIC is first installed it will initially start in ASA100 mode To change this INSTRUMENT CHANGE INSTRUMENT and select the actual instrument you wish to use you will then have to close and reopen EPIC for this to take effect Technical Note Variable used in settings txt ActiveInstrument ASA100 ...

Page 15: ...ndow will appear Follow the on screen prompts in sequence for either Method 1 or Method 2 to find and select the appropriate COM port and save your selection When you have finished either close the pop up window or click the main window the pop up will close automatically Technical Note Each Electron Plus instrument type that uses a COM serial port has it s own entry in settings txt e g CTL_ComPor...

Page 16: ... connect or DISCONNECT to disconnect or An error message will be displayed if EPIC cannot open a serial port to the instrument this can be caused by the following 1 Not having the serial port driver installed or 2 Wrong or no serial port COM number being selected or 3 No instrument attached or powered on Ensure the correct driver is installed the correct COM port is selected Selecting Serial COM P...

Page 17: ...urrent revision of EPIC also the current revision for each product where a change update has been made Calibration loading When the CTL503 is first connected during an EPIC session it will automatically download all the necessary calibration coefficients This happens in the background and the user need not think about it The status of the background download from the CTL503 is displayed in the Sta...

Page 18: ...CTL503 User Manual using EPIC 21 software work in progress 18 24 overwrite CTL_cal txt with the new data and then check it again ...

Page 19: ...CTL503 User Manual using EPIC 21 software work in progress 19 24 Control Ribbon ...

Page 20: ...CTL503 User Manual using EPIC 21 software work in progress 20 24 Auto Capture ...

Page 21: ...CTL503 User Manual using EPIC 21 software work in progress 21 24 Auto Test Menu Bar ...

Page 22: ...CTL503 User Manual using EPIC 21 software work in progress 22 24 File ...

Page 23: ...CTL503 User Manual using EPIC 21 software work in progress 23 24 New topic ...

Page 24: ...CTL503 User Manual using EPIC 21 software work in progress 24 24 Technical ...

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