Thomas Ales [M S E]
146 lines
4.6 KiB
Markdown
146 lines
4.6 KiB
Markdown
# Helios Laser Test Application
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A simple PyQt6 GUI application for testing and controlling the Helios pulsed laser system.
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## Features
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- **Connection Management**: Connect/disconnect to the laser via RS-232 serial port
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- **Frequency Control**: Set and query laser pulse frequency (16,700 - 125,000 Hz)
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- **Current Control**: Set and query pump diode current (0 - 7,000 mA)
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- **Pulse Mode**: Select from three pulse modes:
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- Single Pulse
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- Continuous Gating
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- Continuous Pulsing
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- **Laser Enable/Disable**: Control laser emission with dedicated buttons
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- **System Information**: Query and display controller and head serial numbers
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- **Power Monitoring**: Query and display output power in mW
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- **Message Log**: Real-time log of operations and responses
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## Usage
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### Starting the Application
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```bash
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/opt/scanengine-3/run_helios_test.sh
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```
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Or directly:
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```bash
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source /opt/srasenv/bin/activate
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cd /opt/scanengine-3
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python3 helios_test_app.py
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```
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### Connection
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1. **Select Serial Port**: Choose the appropriate serial port from the dropdown (e.g., `/dev/ttyUSB0`)
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2. **Refresh Ports**: Click "Refresh Ports" to update the list of available ports
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3. **Connect**: Click "Connect" to establish connection with the laser
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4. Once connected, the status will show "Connected to [port]" in green
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### Control Tab
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#### Frequency Control
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- Enter desired frequency (16,700 - 125,000 Hz)
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- Click **Set Frequency** to apply the setting
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- Click **Query** to read the current frequency from the laser
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#### Current Control
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- Enter desired pump diode current (0 - 7,000 mA)
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- Click **Set Current** to apply the setting
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- Click **Query** to read the current from the laser
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#### Pulse Mode Control
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- Select desired pulse mode from dropdown
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- Click **Set Mode** to apply the setting
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#### Laser Control
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- **Enable Laser**: Starts laser emission
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- **Disable Laser**: Stops laser emission
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- **Query Status**: Checks if laser is currently enabled/disabled
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### Monitor Tab
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#### System Information
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- **Query All**: Queries all available parameters from the laser
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- **Controller SN**: Displays controller serial number
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- **Head SN**: Displays laser head serial number
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#### Power Monitoring
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- **Query Power**: Reads output power in mW
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#### Messages
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- Real-time log of all operations and responses
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- Useful for debugging and verifying commands
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## RS-232 Communication Settings
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The driver uses the following settings (automatic, no configuration needed):
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- **Baud Rate**: 9600
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- **Data Bits**: 8
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- **Parity**: None
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- **Stop Bits**: 1
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- **Flow Control**: None
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- **Timeout**: 1 second
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## Command Reference
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The application uses the following Helios commands:
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| Command | Function | Range |
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|---------|----------|-------|
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| `FP=value` | Set frequency period (ns) | 8,000 - 60,000 |
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| `FP?` | Query frequency period | - |
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| `PC=value` | Set pump current (mA) | 0 - 7,000 |
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| `PC?` | Query pump current | - |
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| `PM=value` | Set pulse mode (0-2) | 0=Single, 1=Gate, 2=Continuous |
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| `LE=value` | Set laser enable (0/1) | 0=Off, 1=On |
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| `LE?` | Query laser enable status | - |
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| `PO?` | Query output power (mW) | - |
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| `SN?` | Query controller serial | - |
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| `HSN?` | Query head serial | - |
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## Safety Notes
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⚠️ **IMPORTANT**: Please follow these safety precautions when using the laser:
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1. **Door Switch**: Ensure the laser enclosure door switch is closed during operation
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2. **Laser Disable Pin**: The laser disable pin (pin 3) must be properly connected
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3. **Residual Emission**: The laser may emit when the door switch is open - always treat it as potentially dangerous
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4. **Start Low**: When setting current, start at lower values and increase gradually
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5. **Monitor Power**: Use the "Query Power" function to verify safe output levels
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## Troubleshooting
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### Cannot Connect
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- Verify the correct serial port is selected
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- Check that the USB-to-RS-232 adapter is properly connected
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- Ensure no other application is using the same port
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- Try clicking "Refresh Ports" to update the list
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### Commands Not Working
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- Verify the laser is connected (status shows green)
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- Check that the laser is not in error state
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- Review the message log for error details
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### Serial Numbers Not Showing
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- The laser may not respond if not properly powered
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- Check the serial connection
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- Try the "Query All" button to get diagnostic information
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## Files
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- `helios_test_app.py` - Main application
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- `run_helios_test.sh` - Launcher script
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- `hardware/helios_laser.py` - Helios driver
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- `docs/protocols/helios_comms_protocol.pdf` - Official Helios documentation
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## Requirements
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- Python 3.8+
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- PyQt6
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- pyserial
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- Helios laser with RS-232 interface
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- USB-to-RS-232 adapter (if using modern computer)
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