The mpa6 is a 6 degree of freedom micropositioner.
It provides a positioning range of 2.5 mm in each of the 6 axes,
with bandwidth typically 100-300 Hz in each axis. Each axis provides
closed loop control with force feedback.
The system is designed to actively align single
fibers or fiber arrays. It will search for a signal on one or
two fibers using programmable search algorithms. When the signal(s)
is found the controller will switch modes and then use a gradient
search algorithm to peak the signal(s). Automatic alignment in
5 of the six degrees of freedom is possible. Local control is
designed to actively align a single fiber or fiber array. The
system may also be controlled using a joystick, when active alignment
is not required.
Although the system is designed for fiber alignment
it can be configured to position any low mass component to sub
micron accuracy. (for instance alignment of ccd arrays to each
other or lcd projector panels to each other). The system communicates
with a PC using the parallel port; however, after configuration,
it can operate autonomously using local control inputs.
