US 2019/0056710 A1 · Positioning System, Method, And Stage Serial Interface Board

Abstract

Disclosed is a positioning system having at least one axis of movement and a serial interface board and method for use therewith. The system includes at least one controller and at least one positioning stage. The at least one positioning stage is in communication with the at least one controller and includes a first positioning stage. The first positioning stage includes a first carriage and a first motor configured to displace the first carriage along a first positioning axis or rotate the first carriage about the first positioning axis. The first positioning stage also includes a first serial interface that is configured to connect to a source of power and receive first-stage sensor signals from one or more stage sensors associated with the first positioning stage. The first serial interface is also configured to communicate at least a portion of the first-stage sensor signals to the at least one controller.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A positioning system having at least one axis of movement comprising:

at least one controller configured to communicate stage-positioning control signals;
at least one positioning stage in communication with the at least one controller and comprising a first positioning stage, the first positioning stage configured to receive the stage-positioning control signals from the at least one controller and comprising:
a first carriage;
a first motor configured to displace the first carriage along a first positioning axis or rotate the first carriage about the first positioning axis;
and
a first serial interface comprising an integrated circuit, at least one stage sensor connection, and a first data connection, the first serial interface being configured to:
connect to a source of power;
receive first-stage sensor signals from one or more stage sensors associated with the first positioning stage;
and
communicate at least a portion of the first-stage sensor signals to the at least one controller via the first data connection.

7 more elements

A serial interface board for use in or on one or more positioning stages of a positioning system controlled by at least one controller, the serial interface board comprising:

a connection to a source of power;
at least one data connection interface configured to be communicatively connected with other serial interface boards or the at least one controller;
at least one stage sensor connection interface configured to receive stage sensor signals from one or more positioning stage sensors;
and
an integrated circuit communicatively connected to the at least one data connection interface and the at least one stage sensor connection interface, the integrated circuit programmed or configured to:
receive stage sensor signals from the one or more positioning stage sensors;
and
communicate the stage sensor signals to the at least one controller.

5 more elements

A method of operating a positioning system having at least one axis of movement and comprising at least one controller configured to send control signals and receive sensor signals, and at least one positioning stage in communication with the at least one controller and comprising a first positioning stage having a first serial interface, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting the first serial interface to a source of power;
relaying stage sensor signals from one or more positioning stage sensors associated with the at least one positioning stage to the at least one controller;
and
communicating at least a portion of the stage sensor signals to the at least one controller.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Positioning System, Method, And Stage Serial Interface Board

Life of this patent

Positioning System, Method, And Stage Serial Interface Board

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20