About MatchBox Combiner
The MatchBox Combiner is a configurable turnkey emitter/detector system for life sciences, sorting and particle analysis applications. It has a standard MatchBox footprint and is compatible with a rich set of MatchBox accessories.
Features
- 4 individually controllable laser diode drivers
- Ultra-compact All-in-One design*
- Thermally stabilized optics
- Monolithic design for hands-free opertion
- Fiber coupling and beam shaping options
- Automatic current control
- QC3.0 and QC2.0 compatible USB-C power input (in breakout box)
Customization
- Desired set of 4 emitters/detectors
- Customer specified set of dichroic mirrors, clean-up and blocking filters
- Common output beam shaper, such as line generator, DOE, focusing optics, etc.
- Fiber end collimators and beam shapers
- Pre-programmed modulation patterns
- Customer specified beam diameter and divergence
- Customer specified fiber pigtail
- Amplifier circuits for avalanche photodiodes
Novel Product Concept
The MatchBox laser combiner includes 4 laser diode drivers and digital control electronics, which allows smart control and diagnostics of the complete module.
The laser unit is designed as an integration-ready electro-optics unit, which can be connected to a control mainboard and power supply of an instrument. This way the laser/detector unit provides unprecedented compactness and functionality. Thus mass production of multi-wavelength instruments becomes much easier and faster.
For scientific installations and various experimental setups, the laser combiner is provided with a quick-start breakout box, which has conventional ports for control, power and safety arrangements.
Communication protocol
MatchBox series lasers (2nd edition) feature a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) controller interface. The pinout of MatchBox Combiner is an expanded version of standard MB2 pin-out. The lower row of pins is the same as for single-wavelength lasers, while the second (upper) row is added for individual TTL modulation of each laser diode installed in the combiner.
Breakout Box
A 'breakout box' is used for converting UART into USB or RS232 protocols. The converter chip for USB is 'Silicon Labs CP2102' and for the RS232 it is 'MAX232'. Aditionally, the breakout box of MatchBox combiner is equipped with necessary circuit for communication with QC2.0 and QC3.0 power supplies.
Pins for Tight Integration
10 pins at the back of the laser combiner provide full access to complete functionality of the combiner.
Pins are located at the back side of the enclosure and distributed in a way, which allows to implement a mechanical reverse lock.
Prerequisites for such integration are a microcontroller mainboard supporting UART communication, 9V (or QC2.0 or QC3.0 compliant) power supply and 4 TTL channels for individual on/off modulation (or fast PWM power control) of each laser diode.
Pin-out Explained
- L0 on/off diode TTL, 5V tollerant
- L1 on/off diode TTL, 5V tollerant
- GND ground connected to the laser body
- L2 on/off diode TTL, 5V tollerant
- L3 on/off diode TTL, 5V tollerant
- GND ground connected to the laser body
- Prog. pin needs to be programmed to set 9V voltage, if a QC3 or QC2 compliant USB power supply is used. Another use of this pin is to control fan of a heatsink, based on laser body temperature.
- Rx UART communication, 5V tolerant
- Tx UART communication, 5V tolerant
- Vcc 9V or QC3.0 compliant power supply.**
** for communication with QC3.0 compliant power supply, the programmable pin needs to be configured for communication with the power supply.
Breakout Box Explained
The Breakout Box contains UART-USB converter circuit and conventional connection ports in a plastic housing.
- Data USB (left) is used for communication with a PC
- Interlock occupies two pins. When the pins are shortened with an interlock loop, the laser can be operated
- L0, L1, L2, L3 are all TTL modulation pins for corresponding LD channels or read-out pins for photodetectors, depending on product configuration.
- Power USB-C (right) connector is used for connection to a QC2.0 and QC3.0 compatible power supply.
- FAN ctrl. connector (not visible, on the right side of the breakout box) is compatible with all our fan cooled heat sinks.
Software Interface
The MatchBox laser control software is used for checking preset parameters, such as the max. laser diode current, target temperatures for TEC1 and TEC2 and actual measured values of these parameters, as well as the load percentage of the Peltier elements.
This is very helpful for laser diode age tracking and other troubleshooting actions. Also the software indicates if the laser is working in ACC (Automatic Current Control) or APC (Automatic Power Control) mode.
Device information shows key information about a laser, which is connected. Firmware, serial number, product code, operational hours and turn-on counter. In the software, it is possible to set if the laser should auto-start once connected to a power supply.
Advantages
- Easy to integrate (smallest enclosure on the market)
- Convenient to arrange in the proximity of a working area (use of fiber pigtails is often not necessary)
- Standard Package (MatchBox Series)
- User-friendly software with multiple parameter control and monitoring
- Low power consumption in standby-mode (important for battery-powered applications)
- Excellent beam pointing angle and beam position accuracy
- High cooling capacity for large operational temperature window
- Rugged enclosure
- Operational hours counter
- On/Off cycle counter
- Smart over-heat protection
- USB power
- Variety of accessories
- Space saving pinhead connector
What's in the Box?
- Laser Source (integrated power electronics in the same enclosure)
- Breakout Box (for USB communication and power)
- Data/power cable (USB, DC)
- 1 g of thermal greasew
- 2 screws of M2.5x20mm for fixing the laser to a mounting plate. Tightening torque 0.25 - 0.35 N·m
- Hex key: 1,5 mm; BN:1169; DIN:911