ORIC® Piezo Inertia Stage Controller

- Open- and Closed-Loop Operation Available
- High Positioning Resolution Up to 10 nm
- Piezo Inertia Linear and Rotation Stages Supported
- Multiple Controllers can be Linked to Drive Multiple Stages
PDXC
Software Package Provides GUI, Drivers, and Third-Party Programming Support

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Front and Back Panel Views of the PDXC
(See the Pin Diagrams Tab for More Information)
Features
- Supports Both Open- and Closed-Loop Operation
- SMC and 15-Pin D-Sub Ports Available
- Piezo Inertia Linear and Rotation Stages Supported
- Modular Linear Amplifier Paired with High-Power Power Supply Outputs Peak Current of 10 A
- High Current Coupled with Optimized Waveforms Stably Drive Stages at Up to 20 mm/s
- High Positioning Resolution Up to 10 nm
- Optimized PID Parameters Provide ±2% Speed Deviation in Closed-Loop Mode
- Stage Stays at Any Precise Position Within a 10 nm Range With Dynamic Adjustment in Closed-Loop Mode
- Supports Daisy-Chain Mode where Several Controllers Work Together to Simultaneously Control Multiple Stages
- Low Time Delay Between Devices When in Daisy-Chain Mode
Thorlabs' ORIC® Piezo Inertia Stage Controller is designed to drive our PDX1(/M) piezo inertia linear translation stage with encoder, which connects to the controller via a 15-pin D-Sub port on the front panel, in both open- and closed-loop modes. The controller also has two SMC ports on the front panel that allows it to drive our open-loop PD1(/M) single-axis and PD1D(/M) dual-axis translation stages and PDR1(/M) rotation stage. Up to two PD1(/M) or PDR1(/M) stages can be driven simultaneously with the same step size and in the same direction.
Embedded software allows this unit to be fully operated using the on-unit buttons, LCD display, and knob or using external trigger signals. For convenient local control, the unit can switch between D-Sub and SMC output modes and switch between open-loop and closed-loop operations as well as perform homing and encoder calibration using the LCD display without being connected to a PC. A general HID mouse can also be connected to the USB port on the front panel to control the stage movement by scrolling the wheel back and forth. The controller can also support remote PC control with our available software platform via the USB or RS-232 ports on the back panel.
Daisy-chain mode, which can be activated by connecting multiple controllers with RJ-45 cables between them, allows multiple controllers to move multiple stages at very low delay. External I/O control for stages with an encoder is also supported via a 9-pin I/O port, including analog input and outputs for the stage position and trigger input and output signals. An I/O cable comes included to breakout the Trigger In, Trigger Out, Analog In, and Analog Out pins to BNCs. There are several built-in external trigger modes to support either single- or multi-channel operation, thus enabling applications that require more than one axis of motion, such as raster scanning.
The unit comes with a compatible region-specific power cord. For all applications, use an IEC320 compatible power cord fitted with a plug appropriate for your particular power socket. Ensure the line voltage rating marked on the rear panel agrees with your local power supply and that the appropriate fuses are installed. The PDXC controller is compatible with 100 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz power sources.

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PDXC Mechanical Drawing. Please See the Pin Diagrams Tab for More Information.
Performance Specificationsa | ||
---|---|---|
SMC Port | Number of Ports | Two |
Voltage | 0 to 40 V | |
Frequency | 20 kHz Max | |
D-Sub Port | Number of Ports | One |
Voltage | -10 to 50 V | |
Frequency | 20 kHz Max | |
Max Current Limit | 10 A | |
Front USB | Type A, USB Host 2.0 | |
Back USB | Type B, USB Device 2.0 | |
I/O Port | Voltage of Analog In/Out | -10 to 10 V, ±2% |
Voltage of Trigger In/Out | 0 to 5 V, TTL | |
Daisy Chain Ports | Two RJ-45 Ports | |
Dimensions (L x W x H) | 314.2 mm x 150.0 mm x 83.7 mm (12.37” x 5.91” x 3.30”) |
|
Weight | 5 kg | |
Operating Temperature | 10 - 35°C | |
Input Power | 100 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz | |
Compatible Stages | PDX1(/M) PD1(/M)b PD1D(/M)b PDR1(/M)b |
PDXC Front Panel
15-Pin D-Sub
For PDX1(/M) Stage

For open- and closed-loop operations, with a resolution up to 10 nm and speed up to 20 mm/s.
Pin(s) | Voltage Range | Name | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1 | -7.5 to +12.5 V | Encoder_B_N | Encoder B- |
2 | -7.5 to +12.5 V | Encoder_B_P | Encoder B+ |
3 | 0 V | GND | Digital Ground |
4 | -7.5 to +12.5 V | Encoder_A_N | Encoder A- |
5 | -7.5 to +12.5 V | Encoder_A_P | Encoder A+ |
6,7 | - | - | Reserved |
8 | +5 V | +5 V | 5 V Power |
9 | -7.5 to +12.5 V | Encoder_Z_N | Encoder Z- |
10 | -7.5 to +12.5 V | Encoder_Z_P | Encoder Z+ |
11 | -10 to +50 V | SigOut2 | Piezo Output 2 |
12 | 0 V | PGND | Power Ground |
13 | -10 to +50 V | SigOut1 | Piezo Output 1 |
14 | 5 V TTL | EEPROM | 1-Wire EEPROM |
15 | - | - | Reserved |
CH1 & CH2
SMC Male
For PD1(/M), PD1D(/M), and PDR1(/M) Stages

0 to 40 V
The SMC ports can be used to control open-loop stages.
USB (Type A)

Connects a general HID mouse to control the stage movement by scrolling the wheel back and forth. When the device is set in open-loop operation, it will move a set number of pulses with each scroll, while in closed-loop operation it will move at a set step distance with each scroll.
PDXC Back Panel
Two RJ-45 Ports

Connects to another PDXC device either using the IN or OUT port with the included ethernet cable. Up to 12 devices can be connected in series.
I/O Port

An I/O cable is provided to breakout the Trigger In, Trigger Out, Analog In, and Analog Out pins to BNCs.
Pin | Voltage Range | Name | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 5 V TTL | Ext_Sync_p | Daisy-Chain Clock |
2 | 5 V TTL | Ext_Sync_n | Daisy-Chain Clock |
3 | - | N.C. | Not Connected |
4 | 0 V | GND | Ground Pin |
5 | 0 V | GND | Ground Pin |
6 | - | N.C. | Not Connected |
7 | -10 to +10 V | RS_485_p | Positive Differential Signal of Daisy-Chain |
8 | -10 to +10 V | RS_485_n | Negative Differential Signal of Daisy-Chain |
Pin | Voltage Range | Name | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1 | -10 to +10 V | Analog In | Input a New Target Position |
2 | 0 V | GND | Ground Pin |
3 | 0 to 5 V | Trigger In | Trigger to Update New Target Position |
4 | 0 V | GND | Ground Pin |
5 | - | - | Reserved |
6 | -10 to +10 V | Analog Out | Output to Reflect the Actual Position |
7 | 0 to 5 V | Trigger Out | Trigger When Actual Position is on Target |
8 | 0 V | GND | Ground Pin |
9 | - | - | Reserved |
Computer Connections
USB (Type B)

The USB port connects to a computer for software or command-line control.
RS-232

Connects to a computer for command-line control.
Pin(s) | Voltage Range | Name | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1 | - | N.C. | Not Connected |
2 | -15 to +15 V | TXD | Transmits Data |
3 | -15 to +15 V | RXD | Receives Data |
4 | - | N.C. | Not Connected |
5 | 0 V | GND | Ground Pin |
6,7,8,9 | - | N.C. | Not Connected |
The following accessories are included with each PDXC Controller:
- 2 m Ethernet Cable, Male Cat5e Connector to Male Cat5e Connector
- 0.5 m I/O Cable, Female 9-Pin D-Sub Connector to 4 Male BNC Connectors
- 2 m USB Cable, Male Type A Connector to Male Type B Connector
- 1.5 m Power Supply Cable (Region Specific), Male NEMA 5-15-P Connector to Female IEC 320 C13/C14 Connector
Software
PDXC Version 1.2.0
The PDXC Software Package, which includes a GUI, drivers, and LabVIEW™/C++/Python SDK for third-party development.
Thorlabs offer a PDXC software package to control the PDXC Piezo Stage Controller. This controller is designed to drive our PD1(/M) and PD1D(/M) Piezo Inertia Linear Translation Stages, PDX1(/M) Piezo Inertia Linear Translation Stage with an Optical Encoder, and PDR1(/M) Piezo Inertia Rotation Stage. The software package allows two methods of usage: graphical user interface (GUI) utilities for direct interaction with and control of the controllers 'out of the box', and a set of programming interfaces for third-party development of custom-integrated positioning and alignment solutions to be easily programmed in the development language of choice (LabVIEW™/C++/Python SDK).
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