ICE - THE POWER OF ETHERNET CONTROL

Today, while Ethernet use is widespread, and the ease, speed and reliability of Internet communication is taken for granted, the impact of both technologies on laser and optoelectronics instrumentation is largely still to be felt. Photonics control systems today - such as laser controllers, ATE systems, or data loggers - are often single-use designs dedicated to a single application.

These dedicated designs typically require a redesign or even a fresh start (adding significant product development time and cost) when the systems they control are changed, or new products are introduced. In addition, these systems commonly use RS232, USB or venerable GPIB connections for remote or system control. These older communication protocols, however, limit speed and functionality; devices can only communicate with each other via dedicated software running on a control computer, and control is predominantly one way - from the computer to the device.

The performance and reliability of laser and photonics systems today depend critically on the performance and reliability of the electronics that underpin them. Recognizing that a next-generation approach was needed, M Squared has developed a range of compact rack mount, or standalone ICE-BLOC® photonic controllers. This expanding range includes diode drivers, temperature controllers, photodiode monitors, data-loggers, and actuator drivers.

At the core of the ICE-BLOC concept is modularity and 'Instrument Control by Ethernet' (ICE) functionality. As the name suggests, all ICE-BLOC modules are controlled - and communicate with each other - entirely via a fast Ethernet connection. The power and ubiquitous nature of Ethernet  means ICE-BLOC modules can be controlled, monitored, or diagnosed from across the room, just as easily, from an Internet-linked computer halfway around the world.

Ethernet control offers significant advantages over RS232, USB or GPIB, including: ease of use; speed; distance; peer-to-peer communication; lower cost; security; easy expansion; and reliability. Ease of use is assured by standardized connections, and operator interfacing via a standard Internet browser, without the need to install dedicated software drivers on the control computer. Ethernet is also inherently much faster than older protocols (up to 100Mb/s, about one thousand times faster than RS232).

Ethernet is not only fast, but it also beats its rivals for distance, providing direct connections of up to 100m, and essentially no range limit with Internet Protocol (IP). In stark contrast, USB is limited to 5m between repeaters. Ethernet with IP is also intrinsically peer-to-peer, allowing a simple connection from any device in a network or system to any other device simultaneously. This is particularly useful for system building; no single ICE-BLOC module need be singled out as a master commander.

ICE-BLOC modules bring new capabilities to photonic control systems. Compared to other communication protocols, Ethernet is faster, simpler, cheaper, standardized, networked, highly reliable and Internet ready. With a growing range of ICE- BLOC modules, users can reap many benefits from this significant step forward in photonic instrumentation technology.