Design Features

Network drives through a high-speed serial interface to coordinate up to ten axes of motion
Coordinate motion using up to five independent tasks
Drive and control linear or rotary brushless, DC brush servo, and micro-stepping motors
Command various motion types including: point-to-point, linear and circular interpolation, electronic gearing, and velocity profiling
Program in AeroBasic, Microsoft .NET (C#, VB.NET, C, and C++/CLI), LabVIEW, and MATLAB
Remotely command drives over Ethernet, USB, or RS-232 with an ASCII interface available for both Windows and non-Windows programs (including Linux)
Diagnose, tune, and program through an advanced Windows-based interface
CE approved and NRTL safety certification; follows the 2011/65/EU RoHS 2 Directive
Fully compatible with EPICS set of software tools and applications, making Ensemble ideal for use in synchrotron and general laboratory facilities
Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP interface provides full integration with the Ensemble; program the Ensemble directly from RSLogix 5000

The Ensemble^® is Aerotech’s next-generation, multi-axis controller for moderate- to high-performance applications. Versatility, power, and affordability make the Ensemble ideal for applications from basic laboratory experimentation and general-purpose positioning to advanced OEM systems.

Versatile, Flexible, Stand-Alone Multi-Axis Control

Network multiple Ensemble HPe/CP/MP combination controllers/drives for up to ten axes of coordinated motion, and seamlessly mix and match amplifiers (PWM) and motor types (brush, brushless, and stepper) within the same positioning system using a common programming and control platform. High-accuracy linear motor air-bearing stages can be controlled along with lower precision stages with servo or stepper motors. Each controller/drive can be reconfigured to accept different motors and feedback devices, allowing customers to adapt to changing system needs. Optional on-board encoder interpolation provides programmable axis resolution, including the ability to change interpolation (multiplication) values through software.

Powerful and Intuitive Programming

Monitor and control all aspects of the positioning system, no matter how complex, through the Ensemble GUI Integrated Development Environment software. An Autotuning utility minimizes startup time by allowing easy optimization of motion axes. Functional programs that can be modified and used in customer applications are included in the online Help. Pre-coded LabVIEW^® VIs, AeroBasic™ programming functionality, MATLAB^® library, .NET tools for C#, VB.NET and C++/CLI or C make the Ensemble even easier to use. See the Ensemble Control home page for detailed information on software capabilities and ordering options.

Advanced DSP Control

The processing power of a 225 MHz double precision, floating-point DSP supplies exceptional performance in a variety of applications including point-to-point motion, linear and circular interpolation, multi-axis error correction, 2D error mapping, direct commutation of linear and rotary brushless servomotors, and on-board servo autotuning. High-speed interrupts and data logging capabilities provide a real-time link to external systems. The Ensemble HPe/CP/MP controller/drive combination also offers highspeed position latching capability and single-, dual-, or triple-axis PSO (Position Synchronized Output), depending on model. Whether the requirement is simple point-to-point motion or complex velocity-profiled contours with output on the fly, Ensemble ensures peak performance for critical operations.

Enhancing a Legacy of Success

Ensemble carries forward a legacy of success that originated in Aerotech’s A3200 and Soloist™ controllers. Enhanced capabilities make it an obvious choice for aggressive motion control applications. The Ensemble motion control architecture builds upon the Soloist™ intuitive graphical user interface, while improving multiaxis control through advanced features.

Allen-Bradley Interface

Combine proven PLC with proven motion control for easier integration, startup, and maintenance of medium- and high-end automation projects. The Aerotech EtherNet/IP™ interface enables AB PLCs (MicroLogix, CompactLogix™, or ControlLogix) to be integrated directly with the Ensemble. Motion can be directly programmed in the RSLogix 5000 environment or separate programs can be written on the controller and triggered from the AB PLC. Aerotech has two interfaces: ASCII and Register. Choose the PLC, motion controller, and interface that best fits your application needs.

EPICS Drivers

Each Ensemble installation includes full compatibility with the EPICS open source distributed control system. EPICS is used worldwide at leading light source (synchrotron) facilities and other government laboratories, allowing Ensemble to seamlessly integrate into applications at all major research institutions.

Ensemble PWM

Specifications

Ensemble MP Specifications

Ensemble MP	Units
Motor Style		Brush, Brushless, Stepper⁽¹⁾
Motor Supply	VDC	10-80
Control Supply⁽²⁾	VDC	24-80
Bus Voltage⁽³⁾	VDC	10-80
Peak Output Current (1 sec)⁽⁴⁾	A_pk	10
Continuous Output Current⁽⁴⁾	A_pk	5
Digital Inputs		N/A
Digital Outputs		N/A
Analog Inputs		One 16-bit Differential; ±10 V
Analog Outputs		N/A
Dedicated Axis I/O on Feedback Connector		Three Limit Inputs (CW, CCW, Home); Three Hall Effect Inputs (A, B, C); Three High-Speed differential Inputs (sin, cos, mkr for encoder); Motor Over-Temperature Input
Dedicated I/O on Auxiliary Feedback Connector		N/A
I/O Expansion Board⁽⁵⁾		8/8 Digital Opto-Isolated; 1 Analog In (±10 V, 12-bit Differential); 1 Analog Out (±5 V, 16-bit); sin, cos, mkr for Aux Enc; Aux Enc can be used for PSO Output
High Speed Data Capture		Yes (50 ns Latency)
Automatic Brake Control		Optional⁽⁶⁾
Emergency Stop Sense Input (ESTOP)⁽⁶⁾		Standard; 24 V Opto-Isolated
Position Synchronized Output (PSO)		Optional⁽⁵⁾
Can Output Multiplied Encoder		No
Can Output Square Wave Encoder		Yes
Primary Encoder Input Frequency		200 kHz Amplified Sine Wave Standard (for onboard multiplier); 40 MHz TTL Square Wave
Secondary Encoder Input Frequency		32 MHz Square Wave
Encoder Multiplication		Up to x4096 (MXU)
Resolver Interface		N/A
Internal Shunt Resistor		N/A
External Shunt		N/A
Ethernet		Yes
USB		No
RS-232		Yes
FireWire		No
Fieldbus		Modbus TCP; Ethernet/IP
Current Loop Update Rate	kHz	20
Servo Loop Update Rate	kHz	1 to 20
Power Amplifier Bandwidth	kHz	Selectable Through Software
Minimum Load Inductance	mH	0.1 @ 80 VDC
Operating Temperature	°C	0 to 50
Storage Temperature	°C	-30 to 85
Weight	kg (lb)	0.45 (1.0)
Standards		CE approved, NRTL safety certification, 2011/65/EU RoHS 2 Directive

For stepper motors only, one-half of bus voltage is applied across the motor (e.g., 80 VDC supply results in 40 VDC across stepper motor).
"Keep Alive" supply.
Output voltage dependent upon input voltage.
Peak value of the sine wave; rms current for AC motors is 0.707 * A_pk.
Requires I/O option.
Requires external relay to remove motor supply power.