Furthermore the system behavior is displayed graphically in easy-to-understand diagrams and allows fast and easy optimization of the operating parameters such as P-I-D terms, notch filter frequencies and slew rate limit.

Comprehensive System Optimization
The functions described above are especially useful when the mechanical properties of the system calibrated at the factory are changed, e.g. by applying a higher load.
In such a case,the adjustment of parameters like control-loop amplification (P-Iparameters), notch filter frequency or the zero-point of the integrated sensors, can optimize response behavior and system stability. In addition, NanoCapture™ supports numerous controller specific properties, like, for instance the Wave Generator, which offers synchronized operation of multiple axes with mathematically defined curves, or with arbitrarily costomized functions.

Macros Ease Recurring Tasks
PIMikroMove™ considerably simplifies the creation of macros for recurring tasks. Execution of a macro, consisting of a previously stored list of GCS commands, can be commanded over the interface or, if supported by the controller, run automatically on power-up, with or without a host PC connected.


Controllers without their own macro facility, like the C-843, can be commanded by host macros which PIMikroMove™ edits and stores in the host PC. Host macro execution can be triggered with digital I/O lines and support multiple axes connected to different controllers. With the position pad, two or more independent axes can be moved by a mouse or joystick as an XY stage, also in vector moves.


1D/2DScan and AutoFind
Scan 1D/2D can measure an input source while moving up to two axes. Moved axes and input source need not be controlled by the same controller. The input source to be measured can be an analog input, an axis position or a raw position sensor value. The measured data is visualized and can be saved to a file on the host PC. AutoFind tries to find the maximum of an intensity signal by modifying the position of two axes.


FFT, Profile Generator, Data Recorder
PIMikroMove™ also supports controller-specific features. Data recorder: record various motion and system parameters, run FFT (fast Fourier transformation) on the data as well as export it to programs like Microsoft Excel (CSV format). Profile Generator: synchronize motion of several axes along multi-order, mathematically defined curves or customized arbitrary functions.



PIMikroMove integrates scan and automated alignment routines for fiber optics components, etc.

Full Support for NI DAQ Boards
The same LabVIEW programs (virtual instruments, VIs) that are available for PI digital controllers (e.g. set and read voltages and positions, velocity, etc.) can be used in conjunction with a National Instruments DAQ (data acquisition) board to operate positioning systems based on analog PI controllers. Furthermore, the patented HyperBitTM technology is available under LabVIEW for these systems. HyperBit™ allows attaining position resolution many times better than the resolution of the DAQ board used.

Quick and Easy System Setup
For commissioning a positioning system, the special Configuration Setup VI is executed once. This VI gathers all necessary system information for LabVIEW, including:

• Communication parameters
• Connected controller(s)
• Types & configurations of the connected stages/axes and performs all necessary initialisation steps.

Integrate & Customize Configuration Setup Vis
With its connectors, the Configuration Setup VI can be customized completely to meet the application requirements; it is implemented as an initialization VI directly in the LabVIEW application. After it has been run, all command VIs and highlevel routines of the system

Maximum flexibility
The drivers which are provided support all current programming languages (see inset) and all positioning systems from PI. Since the drivers are based on the uniform PI GCS command set (see page 3), GCS functionality can be included directly in external programs. In addition to direct GCS commands, the driver sets also make more complex functionalities—with their own graphical interfaces— available to external programs. It is thus possible, for example, to use a DLL function call to include the Wave Editor or Profile Generator, complete with operator dialogs, in an external program.

Languages Supported by PI

• MATLAB
• Visual Basic, Delphi
• C, C++, Python
• µManager
• Epics
• MetaMorph
• LabVIEW
• All programming languages that support loading of DLLs