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HF2LI-RT / HF2IS-RT
Real-time
Zurich
Instruments
HF2 Embedded Programming Environment
Product Specification
Release date: February 2011
Key Features
• User programmability for embedded processor
• 32-bit processing unit at 64 MHz, a 32-bit floating-point
unit, 64 Mbyte of RAM
• Real-time system reaction time better than 10 μs
• Extensive development kit in C
• File I/O support for writing files on the host PC
• Access to all settings of the HF2 Instrument
• Automatic synchronization of settings between
user interface and real-time program
Summary
The Zurich Instruments HF2LI-RT / HF2IS-RT real-time
options enable the user to implement and run software
directly on the embedded processor inside of the HF2
Instrument. This transforms the HF2 Instrument into a
versatile programmable measurement device. The main
purpose of doing that is to rapidly react on changing
inputs of the instrument and to change the signal outputs
according to a custom algorithm. Since this software
directly resides inside the measurement instrument, it is
ideally placed to secure very low reaction latency, for
most applications below 10 microseconds.
The real-time is available as an option for the HF2 Series.
Typical applications are in control and monitoring.
Description
Zurich Instruments HF2 Series allows implementation of
custom algorithms at two places: either on the host PC, or
on the processor embedded in the Instrument.
In case of tight latency requirements of below 50 ms, the
scientist and the engineer benefit from the HF2LI-RT /
HF2IS-RT options. It allows having custom code run
directly and free of interrupts on the embedded processor
with guaranteed timing and deterministic run-time
behavior.
The attainable latency varies with the complexity of the
algorithm, but for most applications latency is below 10
microseconds and the attainable loop update rate is
around 100 kSample/s - a performance level that is hard
to beat even with expensive real-time computers.
Programs can read all inputs and outputs of the HF2
Instrument as listed in the following table.
Table 1 - Supported Inputs & Outputs
Inputs
demodulator outputs (X, Y), or (R, Phi),
frequency (F), time (T) for up to 8
channels, auxiliary analog inputs,
digital I/O port
Outputs
stdio via USB and ziServer, auxiliary
analog outputs, high-frequency
outputs, digital I/O port
Custom functionality with loose timing constraints of
more than 50 ms are sensibly implemented on the host
PC. LabVIEW or any another programming language like
C, C++ or Delphi are suitable for such implementation.

Software
The HF2LI-RT / HF2IS-RT options can be programmed
based on Windows XP, Vista, and on Linux computers. The
delivered package includes:
• A C compiler that generates code that can be
downloaded to the embedded processor inside the
HF2 Instrument
• ANSI C standard stdlib library for general purpose
functions like memory allocation, process control,
conversions and others
• ANSI C standard math library for mathematical
operations
• ANSI C standard stdio library for functions and
types used for various input and output operations,
in particular files
• Support for the API for communication between
software running on the host computer and
real-time program (ziAPI)
• Programmer and host computer tools
Table 2 - Software Implementation Comparison
Algorithm
implementation
on
host computer
Programming language LabVIEW, C,
C++,
Delphi, etc.
Ease of implementation + -
Complex algorithms + =
Debugging + -
Latency - ++
User friendliness = +
Example Applications
Embedded
processor
with
HF2LI-RT /
HF2IS-RT
The applications include system control in scanning
probe microscopy, PLL applications, multi-frequency and
MEMS oscillations, periodic measurements, and
high-throughput measurements.
C
Table 3 - Application Comparison
Algorithm
implementation
on
host computer
PLL with time constant > 50 x
ms
PLL with time constant < 50
ms
Oscillation control for MEMS
Q > 100
Spectral or octave analysis x
Multi-mode oscillators
Spectral analysis with
real-time trigger and latency
< 50 ms
Phased array recording
x
High-throughput
measurements /
semiconductor
characterization
Specifications
Table 4 - Processor Details
processor type
processor floating point unit
processor performance
processor memory
processor cache
Embedded
processor
with
HF2LI-RT /
HF2IS-RT
x
x
x
x
MicroBlaze, 32-bit RISC
processor with Harvard
architecture (separate
code and data memory
buses)
32 bit in hardware
64 MHz
64 MB
16 kB instruction, 16 kB
data
Table 5 - Timing & Performance
typical latency (depends on 10 μs
complexity of algorithm)
get/set parameter rate 500 kHz
PLL loop rate (example) 120 kSample/s
PID loop rate (example) 120 kSample/s
x
Zurich Instruments
Technoparkstrasse 1
CH-8005 Zurich
Switzerland
Phone +41-44-5150410
Fax +41-44-5150419
Email info@zhinst.com
Web www.zhinst.com
About Zurich Instruments
Technology-leader Zurich Instruments (ZI) designs and manufactures high performance dynamic signal
analysis instruments for advanced scientific research and leading industrial applications. ZI products include
lock-in amplifiers, instruments for electrical impedance spectroscopy, and application specific pre-amplifiers.
Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, ZI is a technology spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
(ETH Zurich). ZI customers are scientists and engineers in leading research labs and organizations worldwide.
Disclaimer
The contents of this document are provided by Zurich Instruments, 'as is'. ZI makes no representations nor
warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this publication and reserves the
right to make changes to the specification at any time without notice. All trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.