Piezomechanik

Piezomechanik · Dr. Lutz Pickelmann GmbH 

Amplifiers 

D/A Converters 

Electronic HV-Switches 

for Piezoactuators

Table of Contents 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

Electro-Mechanical relations of piezoelectric actuators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Practical aspects of dynamically operated piezoactuators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Selection guide for amplifiers/supply electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

Special features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Useful formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Data of amplifiers 

SQV analog amplifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Low voltage analog power amplifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

High voltage power amplifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Bimorph amplifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

D/A Converters, Computer-Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

2 Amplifiers, D/A Converters, Electronic HV-Switches for Piezoactuators http://www.piezomechanik.com

Amplifiers, D/A Converters, Electronic HV-Switches for piezoactuators 

1. Introduction 

Piezoelectrical actuators are innovative driving systems, 

which show increasing application potential for highly sophisticated 

driving/positioning tasks in a great variety of technological 

fields. The main areas of interest include 

• the extreme positioning sensitivity, enabling such 

systems to handle dimensions in the atomic scale 

• extreme force generation resulting for example in high 

acceleration rates during dynamic operation. 

For some applications no practicable alternative to piezoactuators 

exist 

• Piezoelectric actuators are used for the ultraprecise positioning 

of components and mechanical setups ranging 

from low weight optical elements, up to heavy loads such 

as tooling machines. The newest scanning microscope 

General considerations for electronic supplies for piezoactuators: 

In the simplest case a piezoactuator should move according 

to an external signal i.e. from a sinewave generator, or other 

source. In most cases, this original signal cannot be applied 

directly to the piezoactuator because voltage and power 

usually do not match the actuator’s requirements. An amplifier 

has to be used to convert the signal to result in sufficient 

travel and dynamics of the actuator. 

This is an important aspect of actuator’s application: 

The adaptation of a piezoelement to a distinct task is determined 

only in part by its mechanical properties and geometrical 

size. Equally important for the system’s performance 

are the properties of the driving electronics. 

The same actuator can be used for completely different 

operating profiles depending only on the choice of the supply 

electronics: 

signal 

generator 

elec. signal 

function generator 

feedback control electronic 

computer 

amplifier 

pulser 

Fig. 1: 

Schematic representation of an actuator system 

When designing a piezoactuated system the designer 

has to deal simultaneously with actuator and supply to 

get the optimum matching. A step-by-step definition 

whereby the actuator is first-chosen and then a sub- 

matching 

electronics 

technologies such as STMs, AFMs etc. require precise 

handling of probe tips with sub-nanometer precision, 

which can only done in a reasonable way by using piezomechanical 

elements. 

• The high acceleration rates/short reaction times predestinate 

piezoelements for the control of fast processes in 

valve technology, fuel injection application, mechanical 

shaking excitation for test purposes with time periods/risetimes 

in the microseconds range. 

• Piezoactuators are very attractive candidates for active 

vibration control and cancellation even in heavy and extended 

mechanical structures such as vehicles, airplanes, 

helicopters, ships. A special feature is the dual effect of 

piezoelectricity, which can be used both for sensing and 

actuating. Single element can therefore be used as smart 

transducers acting simultaneously as sensor and actuator. 

Slow cycling of an actuator requires only a small low power 

supply, whereas pulsed operation i.e. generating mechanical 

shocks, needs supplies with peakpowers in the kilowatt 

range. 

Computer control of actuators comprises an additional step: 

the computer data has to be converted by a D/A converter of 

sufficient speed and resolution, and the low voltage signal is 

than amplified to the actuator’s requirements. 

piezo 

actuator 

mechan. 

reaction 

sequent selection of the supply may lead to costly and 

ineffective approaches. 

http://www.piezomechanik.com Amplifiers, D/A Converters, Electronic HV-Switches for Piezoactuators 

3

2. Electro-Mechanical relations of 

piezoelectric actuators 

2.1. Principle structures of piezoactuators 

Generally, all piezoelectric devices/transducers such as 

stacks, bimorphs, tubes can be described as a kind of capacitor 

with an electromechanically active dielectric medium: 

the PZT ceramic. Therefore, the electrical capacitance of 

such devices is an important operating parameter, especially 

when adapting the supply electronics for dynamic operation. 

The electrical capacitance of piezoactuators is shown in the 

data sheet. 

The strain within the PZT-medium is related to the internal 

electrical field strength when a voltage is applied to the element. 

An important consequence for practical consideration 

is, that the thinner the PZT-layers are, the lower can be the 

driving voltage. Furthermore the degree of lamination determines 

the electrical capacitance of piezoactuators. 

ceramic endfaces 

piezoceramic 

layers 

electrical 

connection 

Fig. 2a: 

Schematic representation of the capacitive layer structure of a 

piezostack 

Fig. 2b: 

Discretely built-up piezoelectric stack (high voltage type), external 

contact electrodes visible 

Low voltage actuator types are operated with maximum 

voltages ranging from 50 V to 150 V, whereas the high 

voltage elements require hundreds of volts up to 1000 V (and 

more). For standard stacks the achieved maximum strain is 

about 1–1.5‰ of the stack length. There exist highstrain 

stacks based on optimized PZT-materials showing a strain of 

2‰ and more at fieldstrength of 3 kV/mm. 

2.2. Polarity of piezoelectrical elements 

For piezoelectrical components an electrical polarity is 

usually defined. Piezoelectrical actuators e.g. stacks can only 

achieve their maximum response by applying the maximum 

voltage with correct polarity. Operation with counterpolarity 

voltage although possible is limited to remarkably lower 

ratings. A stack actuator shrinks under these conditions, 

increasing thereby to some extent the total moving range of 

the stack (see brochure “piezomechanical stackactuators”). 

Bare piezostacks without casing are usually electrically insulated 

at the mechanical mounting points. They are supplied 

with pigtails showing the polarity by red(+) and black(–) insulation. 

Such elements can be combined therefore with positive 

or negative voltage supplies without difficulty. The situation 

changes, when actuators with casing are used. Here, the 

ground is defined by the coax-cable and therefore the polarity 

of the supply voltage is fixed. 

Piezoactuators with casing and the supply electronics from 

PIEZOMECHANIK are designed for positive polarity both for 

low voltage and high voltage actuators. This supports the 

easy combination of higher voltage actuators with lower 

voltage supplies, which is an important aspect for dynamic 

operation of actuators (see section 2.5.). 

2.3. Operating characteristics of piezoactuators 

The expansion of piezoelectric actuators is illustrated by 

voltage/expansion diagrams showing the well-known 

hysteresis (fig.3). 

rel. 

expansion 

rel. voltage 

Fig. 3: 

Relative voltage/expansion diagram of a free running piezoactuator for 

different voltage reversal points 


Actuators are normally classified by the maximum applicable 

voltage for maximum stroke, and characterised as low 

voltage and high voltage types. For newcomers in piezotechnology, 

this sometimes gives the impression, that the voltage 

rating of an actuator is the sole criterion for selecting a 

proper electronic supply. This is however not correct. 

For any application of piezoactuators the electrical power/ 

current balance for charging and discharging the piezoactuator’s 

capacitance has to be kept in mind. The variety of 

electrical supplies on offer is due mainly to the different 

power/current ratings of these devices. 

The charge/current balance during operation is related to 

the capacitive nature of actuators as shown below: 

Basic capacitor equation 

Q(t) = C U(t) C actuator’s capacitance 

Q actual electrical charge 

U applied voltage 

Obviously the expansion of an actuator is also related to 

the quantity Q of electrical charge stored in the actuator’s 

capacitance C, when a voltage U is applied. 

From this charge balance, the kinetic parameters of motion 

like speed and acceleration can be derived. These relations 

are the base for specifying the necessary current/power for 

distinct driving conditions. 

Actuator’s position l ~ charge = Q(t) 

. 

Speed v ~ current I = dQ/dt = Q(t) 

.. 

Acceleration b ~ variation of current = dI/dt = Q(t) 

The generation for example of a sine-wave oscillation by 

a piezoactuator requires a defined supply current depending 

on actuator’s capacitance and moving amplitude. 

Therefore an amplifier has to be selected for both criteria: 

voltage and current. 

Another consequence of the above is that, during a 

steady state of the actuator (constant position, constant 

force) no current is flowing, therefore no power is required. 

When a charged actuator is disconnected from 

the supply, it holds its position. This is an important 

difference to electromagnetic systems, where a constant 

position requires constant electrical power due to the 

sustaining current. 

The speed of an actuator cannot be increased infinitely even 

by very high currents, but is limited by the elastic properties 

of the stack. The maximum speed of stacked elements is in 

the range of a few m/sec. 

Because of the very limited moving range of piezoactuators 

the generation of above speeds requires high acceleration 

rates up to 10 4 –10 5 g. 

During operation of a piezodriven mechanical setup for highly 

dynamic application, it has to be verified that the mechanics 

coupled to the actuator shows a sufficiently high stiffness/ 

resonant frequency, otherwise the mechanics cannot follow 

actuator’s motion and it is fruitless to optimize the drive for 

high speed/acceleration. 

2.4. Peak current, average current 

Piezoactuators require electrical power/current only during 

dynamic operation. Expansion and contraction are characterized 

by charging/discharging currents. 

The short term available maximum peak current of a supply 

determines the minimum risetime/maximum speed of an 

actuator. Amplifiers of the series LE provide a special booster 

stage for high peak currents to get minimum risetimes. 

The average current of a supply determines the longterm 

cw-repetition rate of charging/discharging an actuator. 

For cw sine oscillation of an actuator, the required peak and 

average currents show a fixed ratio of approx. 3:1. Therefore, 

the selection of a supply to obtain a distinct cw-actuator frequency 

has to consider both, peak and average current data. 

2.5. Power efficiency 

This section will lead on the first glance to the (surprising) 

result, that it is sometimes very reasonable and necessary to 

combine a high voltage actuator with a low voltage supply, 

where only a fraction of the actuator’s maximum amplitude 

can be achieved. 

The reason for this strategy are twofold: 

• optimizing power efficiency of a dynamically operated 

actuator system 

• minimizing selfheating of a dynamically operated actuator. 

The basic idea is easily demonstrated with the following 

example, where the task requires the generation e.g. of a 

+/–2,5 µm sine oscillation with a distinct frequency: 

The first example uses an actuator type PSt 500/5/5, where 

500 V has to be applied to get the full stroke of 5 µm. 

A second example is to use the longer stack PSt 500/5/15 

capable for a 15 µm motion at 500 V, showing an actuator’s 

capacitance 3 times larger than in the 1st case. 

The important fact is, that with the longer stack only 150 V 

are needed to get the desired 5 µm stroke. 

Comparing the actuators’ energy content 1/2 CU 2 respectively, 

despite its larger capacitance the longer stack is 

favoured regarding power efficiency as only 1/3 of the power 

necessary to drive the shorter PSt 500/5/5 with full strain is 

required. It is obvious, that a 150 V system’s total power efficiency 

is further improved by using a 150 V supply showing 

higher current output compared to a 500 V supply operated 

at reduced voltage rating. 

In the above described strategy, the problem of selfwarming 

under dynamic operating conditions is minimized by the 

reduced power input and by distribution of the dissipated 

energy over a larger volume/surface of the longer actuator. 

This is a powerful method to extend the application range of 

piezoactuators to high frequency cw-operation without the 

risk of overheating. 

This strategy of dynamic operation of actuators with reduced 

strain shows restrictions in other operating parameters: A 

longer stack has a lower stiffness and resonance, and it has 

to be determined, whether this is acceptable for a distinct 

application. 

Finally, an important contribution to the overall power 

efficiency of an actuator system is the use of recharger 

amplifiers (switched amplifiers). 

In most applications, piezoactuators display mainly a reactive 

load, where the energy content of a charged actuator flows 

back to the amplifier during the discharging cycle. Switched 

amplifiers RCV are able to recycle this energy with high efficiency, 

so that the needed linepower for a dynamically operated 

system has only to cover the (much smaller) active part 

of the power balance. 

This active power is drawn from the system as mechanical 

power or dissipated by the selfheating of the actuators. 

This technique shows the optimum of systems’s overall 

power efficiency, and favours actuator applications, where 

high power levels are required e.g. for active vibration cancellation 

in heavy mechanical structures (vehicles, airplanes 

etc.) or anywhere, where the power consumption from the 

power supply is restricted i.e. battery operated systems. 

Power efficiency � is defined as 

� = (P r–P al) Pr = reactive power output from amplifier 

� = (P r) Pal = active power consumption from line 

An ideal amplifier without internal losses shows an efficiency 

1. 


5

2.6. Frequency response 

The performance of an amplifier is characterized by its frequency 

response, describing what cw-frequency/amplitude 

relations that can be achieved for a defined capacitive load. 

The achievable maximum frequencies of an actuator/supplysystem 

depend both on the output power of the supply, the 

capacitance of the driven actuator and the oscillation amplitude. 

To make the selection of an amplifier/actuator combination 

with respect to frequency response easier, some response 

curves for different capacitive loads are shown in the 

data sheet for distinct amplitudes. The response for intermediate 

capacitances are achieved by simple interpolation. 

An additional figure for an amplifier’s performance is the 

achievable minimum risetime, which is tabulated for some 

load capacitances (see section 2.4.). 

2.7. Voltage stability, noise 

One of the most striking features of piezoactuators is their 

unlimited positioning sensitivity, which explains the sub-nanometer 

resolution for example scanning tunnel microscopes: 

A infinitely small voltage step Æ U is transformed into infinitely 

small mechanical shift Æ l. 

Æ l = l Æ U/U l = actuator’s shift for signal voltage U 

Neglecting external influences, the positioning sensitivity of 

an actuating system is limited only by the stability of the 

electronic supply (noise). 

Example: 

The amplifiers SQV 150 show a noise of approx. 1 mV equivalent 

to a S/N ratio of about 10 5 . A 100 µm actuator such as 

the PSt 150/7/100 VS 12 operated with the SQV 150 shows a 

variation in position of only 1 nm. 

2.8. Pulsed operation of piezoactuators 

An important feature of piezoactuators is their capability to 

produce extreme forces and acceleration rates, which can be 

used for fast switching of valves or to produce mechanical 

shocks. In such cases, the actuator should switch in as short 

time as possible between 2 distinct levels, whereas the exact 

motion profile between these levels is not important. 

The minimum risetime of an actuator can derived from its 

elastic properties: 

A short electrical pulse excites the resonant oscillation of the 

actuator and the minimum risetime Tp can be estimated by 

Tp Å Tr/3 Tr = period time of actuator’s resonance 

Tp = minimum risetime in pulsed operation 

Example: 

A systems’s resonant frequency of 3 kHz results in a minimum 

mechanical risetime of about 100 µsec. 

A simple calculation shows, that above shown pulse generation 

requires peak powers up to the kilowatts range with currents 

of 10 to 100 Amperes. In these cases it is reasonable 

not to use analogue amplifiers but electronic pulse switches. 

The common design of a HV-pulse generator consists of a 

high voltage supply, which continuously charges at a defined 

low power (i.e. 50 Watt) a large internal charge storing 

capacitor. 

This capacitor delivers short term the very high currents to 

the external piezoactuator capacitance, when it is switched 

by transistors via a load resistor R. The load resistor R acts 

as current limiter to avoid electrical overpowering and 

defines the time constant RC of the pulser (rise/fall-time) 

according the well-known relation 

Ua = U o (1-e -t/RC ) 

R = internal load resistor of switch 

C = capacitance of external load (piezoactuator) 

Ua = voltage level at actuator 

Uo = supply voltage from internal charge storing capacitor 

For the operation of the HVP’s 3 time constants have to be 

distinguished: 

• Switching time of output transistors: 

order of magnitude: 1 µsec 

defines the minimum electrical pulsewidth 

• Time constant RC: 

Defines the signal/voltage risetime at the actuator. 

Pulsewidths shorter RC lead to a partial charging of the 

actuator and thereby to intermediate positions between 

“low” and “high” 

• Period time of actuator/actuated system (fig. 4.): 

This time constant defines the minimum mechanical 

rise/fall-time of the system. 

To excite the minimum mechanical risetime Tp of an actuator, 

the RC time constants of the pulsersystem has to be 

shorter than Tp. 

voltage step 

Fig. 4: 

Excitation of a mechanical pulse by a voltage step 0V/Uo; lo final static 

position of actuator 

2.9. Feedback controlled systems 

Piezoelectric actuators are well-suited for setting up electronically 

controlled systems for fast and precise handling of 

mechanical parameters such as position, speed and force. 

Because of the hysteretic and slightly nonlinear behaviour of 

piezoactuators, and nonpredictable external influences, this 

has to be done by feedback control. A sufficiently fast and 

sensitive transducer picks up the actual position or other 

parameter of interest and the signal is evaluated by feedback 

control electronics, producing the control signal for the 

actuator. 

The overall efficiency e.g. precision of such a system is 

determined by the transducer and electronics and not by the 

actuator. The high performance of feedback controlled 

systems is demonstrated by the atomic resolution of the 

scanning tunnel microscopes (STMs). 


A further application is the active stabilization of mechanical 

arrangements e.g. laser resonators against misalignment due 

to thermal drifts or mechanical shocks (see “feedback controlled 

stabilization PiStab 2”). 

3. Practical aspects of dynamically operated 

piezoactuators 

3.1. Preloading, reset mechanisms 

Piezoceramic is sensitive to tensile stress, it shows a damage 

strain of only 1‰. 

Note, that this tensile stress can be created externally and 

also internally by dynamic operation. This fact is easily seen 

in Fig 4/sec. 2.8., where the application of an electric pulse 

leads to overshooting of the actuator relative to the steady 

state position. This overshooting can cause tensile stress 

and thereby damage to the actuator when the relevant forces 

are not compensated by other means. 

To prevent damage by tensile forces the following strategies 

are commonly applied: 

• passive preloading/reset of actuators 

This technique is mostly applied to stack actuators: 

An elastic spring compresses the piezostack with a defined 

force shown in fig. 5a, b. A preloaded stack is less sensitive 

to externally applied tensile stress for several reasons, i.e. a 

reduction in stacklength is achieved by the preload force. A 

Fig. 5a: 

Mirror tilter with passive prestress/reset 

Fig. 5b: 

Linear stackactuator with passive prestress/reset 


piezostack 

tilting 

prestress spring 

piezostack 

mirror surface 

prestress/reset 

spring 

7

eal tensile stress is acting on the ceramic only, when the 

external force lengthens the stack beyond the original (loadfree) 

state. 

Furthermore, the elastic counterforce slows down the moving 

mass in the overshoot phase during dynamic operation. 

So, the applied preload force can be chosen according the 

tilting 

Fig. 6a: 

Mirror tilter with active (push-pull) reset 

piezostack piezostack 

Fig. 6b: 

Linear push-pull arrangement of piezostacks for active reset 

simple mass acceleration law to accommodate the accelerated 

masses within the desired short rise/fall-times. 

The standard preloading VS of PIEZOMECHANIK actuators 

cover a wide range of applications. It is possible to apply 

higher preload forces, which can be supplied on request or 

can be applied externally (see brochure “piezomechanical 

stackactuators”). 

• active reset 

(push-pull mode, antagonistic configuration) 

mirror surface 

A more sophisticated reset mechanism for compensating 

dynamic forces is the arrangement with two complementary 

working actuators shown in fig. 6a, b. The advantages 

include a symmetric force balance for both directions of 

motion, and higher resonance frequencies compared with 

passive preloading. 

3.2. Selfheating 

Another aspect of dynamically operating piezoactuators is 

their selfheating. Due to the ferroelectric nature of PZT ceramics, 

the electrical operating power transferred to the actuator 

is partially dissipated as heat. For example an actuator 

PSt 150/5/15 with full amplitude operation heats up to the 

operating temperature limit at about 600 Hz. Higher temperatures 

will shorten an actuators lifetime. A further increase of 

frequency therefore requires cooling or an equivalent reduction 

of amplitude (see sec. 2.5). 

Simple surface cooling results in limited success for large 

volume actuators, because PZT ceramics have poor thermal 

conductivity. Furthermore measuring the actuator’s temperature 

on its surface does not reflect the internal conditions. A 

good parameter for checking the volume temperature is the 

temperature dependence of the electrical capacitance of the 

actuator leading to a shift of the current balance. 

Fig. 7: 

Temperature dependence of the electrical capacitance of a typical 

piezoactuator (relative to capacitance at roomtemperature) 


3.3. Vibration control, acoustical noise 

Every dynamic excitation of a piezoactuator attached to a 

mechanical structure acts back on this structure. Pulsed or 

oscillating actuators generate vibrations in the mechanical 

structure. In case of a resonance a large amplitude response 

can emerge even for small excitation levels, which can interfere 

with the regular function of the structure. Therefore, 

dynamically operated structure have to be designed for sufficiently 

large resonant frequencies, and include sufficient 

damping to avoid these unwanted side effects at the driving 

frequency. 

Vibration suppression can be done in passive or active ways. 

An example for active pulse compensation is shown in fig. 8, 

where a counteracting piezostack compensates for the 

repulse of the original stack, e.g. shifting a mirror. 

Generally, piezoelements are powerful tools for vibration 

control, both for generating vibrations (shakers) and for cancellation 

(active vibration isolation and damping). Active com- 

static suspension 

mirror compensating 

mass 

piezostack piezostack 

impulse 0 

Fig. 8: 

Mechanical impulse compensation 

pensation can be done in feedback controlled systems, 

where a transducer detects an incoming vibration, and 

excites an antivibration with proper amplitude and phase 

relation via an actuator. 

From ergonomic aspects, it must be kept in mind, that 

actuator vibrations can produce acoustical noise which may 

be very uncomfortable for the operator. 

4. Selection guide for amplifiers/supply electronics 

PIEZOMECHANIK offers a wide range of supply electronics 

to obtain the optimum solution for different applications 

of piezoactuated systems. 

For specifying dynamically operated actuator/amplifier 

systems the power/current requirements are determined 

by the actuator’s capacitance. Note that the actuator’s 

capacitance can vary up to 50% (e.g. see section 3.2.) 

leading to correspondingly elevated power/current 

ratings. 

The supply electronics and actuators from PIEZO- 

MECHANIK are set to positive polarity for both high 

voltage and low voltage components, so that widest 

compatibility is achieved e.g. for power efficient 

arrangements according sec. 2.5. 

On request PIEZOMECHANIK supplies piezocomponents 

for negative operating polarity. 

4.1. SQV amplifiers 

The range of SQV amplifiers comprises the 3 main voltage 

ranges, where piezoactuators are offered namely 150 V 

(+200 V), 500 V and 1000 V. The output power is a few watts, 

which is sufficient for most applications. Smaller volume 

actuators can be operated even with higher dynamic/frequencies. 

SQV amplifiers show low noise and are therefore 

best suited for positioning tasks with highest positioning sensitivity. 

SQV amplifiers are available as 3-channel versions e.g. for 

optomechanical xyz adjusters. 

4.2. LE amplifiers 

LE amplifiers are used, when the power/current requirements 

cannot be covered by the SQV amplifiers. The LE series 

includes current boosters for optimum system power efficiency, 

when e.g. a high frequency sinoidal oscillation has to 

be excited, or to get short rise/fall-times for a rectangular 

signal. 

The LE amplifiers are available for power levels up to hundreds 

of watts. 

Due to these elevated power levels, selfheating of actuators 

according sec. 3.2. should be considered. 

4.3. RCV recharging amplifiers 

The RCV switched amplifiers are designed for driving 

large volume/large capacitance piezoactuators with high 

currents and powers up to the kilowatt range beyond the 

levels of the LE analog amplifiers. This situation occurs for 

example with the active excitation and cancellation of 

vibrations in heavy mechanical structures e.g. vehicles, 

airplanes etc. 

Because the design of RCV amplifiers has to be adapted to 

some extent to the operated load, there are no standardized 

devices. In principle, RCV amplifiers can also be designed for 

lower power ratings. Please contact us for details. 

4.4. Bipolar amplifiers 

Usually piezoactuators such as stacks are operated unipolar 

or asymmetrically bipolar to get maximum displacement. 

Some applications exist, where piezoelements are operated 

symmetrically bipolar, but to avoid depolarization of the PZT 

ceramic, the electrical field strength and thereby actuator’s 

efficiency has to be held sufficiently low. 

Reasons for bipolar operation include simple electrical driving 

conditions e.g. of piezobenders (bimorphs), shearmode 

actuators or enhancement of stack actuators lifetime e.g. 

within feedback control loops for position stabilization. In this 

case, the middle position is defined by 0 V, no offset is required 

for symmetric positioning range. This leads to long- 


9

term low electrical fields preventing materials degradation by 

charge carrier diffusion. 

Nevertheless, bipolar amplifiers can also generate unipolar or 

asymmetric output by applying a proper signal. 

4.5. BMT, AGV antagonistic amplifiers 

The AGV/BMT amplifiers are designed to drive push-pull 

(antagonistic) stack arrangements or piezobenders (“Bimorphs”) 

described in section 3.1. By electrical preloading, 

the full operating range of the ceramics can be used without 

the risk of depolarization which may happen during simple 

bipolar operation. The modulation of the antagonistic piezoelements 

is done by a single driving signal, complementary 

action is achieved by different static offsets shown in fig. 9a, 

b, c. This strategy ensures forced synchronization of motion 

of the 2 elements even under high dynamic driving conditions. 

For an antagonistic setup, the actuators have to show potential 

free design, meaning that the operating ground of the 

AGV/BMT 

Fig. 9a: Push-pull-stack arrangement with schematic electronic supply 

configuration 

Fig. 9b: 

Operation of a parallel-bimorph with electrical preloading 

AGV/BMT amplifier 

Fig. 9c: 

Equivalent circuit to piezoactuator arrangements 9a, 9b 

AGV/BMT 

amplifier 

piezoelements has to be separated from general ground of 

the arrangement. 

4.6. HVP high voltage switches for pulse operation 

HV-pulse generators are used when currents beyond the 

level of common amplifiers are necessary and where a 

steady movement of an actuator is not required, but only 

defined levels should be set within short times or where 

mechanical shocks have to be produced. 

The HVP high voltage pulse generators from PIEZOMECHA- 

NIK show some interesting features enabling the user to 

drive piezoactuators in a more sophisticated way than the 

simple “high”, “low” procedure with common switches. 

Beside the levels “charging = high”, “discharging = low” 

there exist a third level “neutral”, where the output is set to 

high resistance, so that the charge content (= position) of the 

actuator is kept constant. Thus the system can be set and 

held in intermediate positions. This is achieved by applying 

signal pulses with width less the time constant RC of the 

system, leading to only a partial charging of the actuator’s 

capacitance corresponding an intermediate position. 

A general approach for pulsed actuator operation is not to 

oversize current specs for a distinct application, because too 

powerful pulses may cause unnecessary mechanical and 

electrical stress to the system. On the other hand the 

mechanical reaction time cannot be infinitely improved by 

increasing the pulsepower (see sec. 2.8.). 

4.7. Computer interfaces 

For computer control of piezoactuators a lot of designs and 

arrangements for interfacing exist. The selection of the 

proper interface for a distinct application depends on the 

basic hardware/software the user can provide, and the 

flexibility he wants to achieve with his setup. 

• Computer with internal D/A converter: computer output is 

an analog signal 

The supplies low voltage analog signal output (e.g. 0 V to 

+10 V) is applied directly to the analog amplifiers etc. from 

PIEZOMECHANIK. 

• HV-PC-card: The computer output is an analog signal. This 

card is inserted in the computer and produces immediately 

an analog-HV-signal for voltages up to +150 V or +500 V 

also in multichannel configuration. The power range is 

similar to the SQV or lower power LE amplifiers. This signal 

is directly applicable to the piezoactuator. Space saving 

configuration. 

• External D/A Converters: The computer output is digital 

data. 

In this case, the digital data has to be transferred via a 

serial or parallel interface similar to any other peripheric 

device for a computer e.g. a printer. 

The data is then converted by a D/A stage into an analog 

signal with subsequent amplification by usual analog 

amplifiers. 

The low voltage D/A converting unit can be a stand-alone 

device, or can be integrated to the amplifiers cabinet. In all 

these cases, the analog functions of the amplifiers remain 

active e.g. a manual setting of an “offset” voltage is possible, 

which is useful for adjusting setups before starting 

computer control. Multichannel systems are available. 


5. Special features 

Analog amplifiers from PIEZOMECHANIK show some special 

features, which are very useful for the operation of piezoactuators: 

“Offset” 

The amplifiers are provided with a potentiometer where a 

DC-output voltage can be manually set over the full operating 

range. In this mode, the amplifier can be used as an 

adjustable voltage supply without the application of an 

external signal. 

When an external signal is amplified, the “Offset” voltage is 

superimposed automatically. This is useful, when the signal 

generator produces only bipolar signals which have to be 

shifted to get the unipolar signal required to drive piezoelements 

effectively. 

“Amplitude” 

Using this potentiometer, the input signal can be adapted to 

the working range of the amplifier. It is possible to use signal 

levels 5 V as well as 10 V (e.g. from standard D/A converting 

units). 

Current booster 

Higher power amplifiers such as the LE types are provided 

with a current booster, which enable the amplifier to produce 

a much higher current (for a limited time) than the long term 

average current. In this mode, the amplifier is optimized for 

high power efficiency when a capacitive load such as a 

piezoactuator is operated. 

The current booster reduces further the risetime, when 

rectangular signals are applied. 

For these amplifiers the risetimes for a variety of loads are 

tabulated in the datasheet. 

Monitor output 

The average output voltage is shown on the front display of 

the amplifiers. 

Realtime signal monitoring is done by the “Monitor”-output, 

which represents the actual power output status by a 1:100 

ratio low power signal. The monitor-output is used for realtime 

representation via an oscilloscope. Further it can be 

used as a signal source for any control arrangement (feedback 

control, voltage limitation), where information about the 

current status of the actuator is needed. 

6. Safety Instructions 

• During operation of piezoactuators voltages and electrical 

currents are present which may be harmful to the 

operator 

• Installation and operation of actuators and electronics 

supplies must be carried out by authorized personal 

only 

• All electrical installation of electric supplies, cables and 

connectors must be carried out according to standard 

safety regulations 

• Piezoactuators can show large electrical capacitances, 

and charged actuators can store electrical charge at 

high voltage levels, even for long times after being disconnected 

from the power supply. 

When large volume actuators are not in use, discharge 

them carefully, and hold them shortcircuited. 

• Piezoactuators can generate electrical charge at high 

voltage levels, when varying load or temperature is 

acting on actuators with open leads. 

When large volume actuators are not in use, discharge 

them carefully, and hold them shortcircuited. 

• Take care when opening amplifiers and pulsegenerators. 

High voltage levels can be held for a long time 

after disconnecting the devices from line due to large 

capacitance internal capacitors. If these devices must 

be opened, wait at least 15 minutes after disconnecting 

them from line. Complete discharge of the internal 

capacitors has to be ensured by shortcircuiting via a 

proper resistor. 

http://www.piezomechanik.com Amplifiers, D/A Converters, Electronic HV-Switches for Piezoactuators 11

7. Useful formulas 

Notice: the following relations are dealing with ideal capacitors, where the capacitance is invariable under the driving conditions. 

But piezoactuators show to some extent deviations from this ideal behaviour due to their ferroelectric nature. Their 

capacitances depend on electrical fieldstrength (voltage level), temperature and other parameters and may exceed the nominal 

values by 50%, which are stated in the data sheet. 

General: 

capacitor relation C = Q/U 

charging/discharging current 

I(t) = C dU/dt 

Average current l, t repetition rate, U o maximum voltage 

Sinuoidal excitation 

Unipolar signal 

Current 

U o max. supply voltage 

f frequency 

C actuators capacitance 

Peak current 

Average current 

I a = U oC/t 

U(t) = U o/2 (1-cos 2 p ft) 

I(t) = U o C p f sin (2 p ft) 

I p = p U max C f 

I a = U max C f 

Peak current exceeds average current by factor p. 

Current booster needed for optimum power efficiency. 

Symmetric triangular signal 

Peak current 


I p = U maxCf 

I a = U maxCf 

No current booster necessary. 

Pulse excitation 

Operating voltage Ua(t) of actuator: 

Charging current Ic(t) 

Ua(t) = U o (1-e –t/RC ) 

Ic(t) = (U o-Ua(t))/R 

R load resistor of pulse generator (see sec.2.8.) 

Peak current at pulse onset: 


Ic max = U o/R 

I a = U oCw 

w repetition rate, U o supply voltage 

Power balance 

Energy content E of a charged capacitance 

E = 1/2 CU o 2 

Average power consumption P A during cycling with repetition 

rate w 

P A = 1/2 CU o 2 w 

Dissipated power (selfheating problem) 

During the charging/discharging cycles, the transferred 

power is partially dissipated into heat according 

P dis = tand CU o 2 w 

tand dissipation factor 

5–10% of total power with common PZT actuator ceramics 


SQV analog amplifiers (low voltage/high voltage types) 

SQV 1/150 single channel amplifier 

+150 V output 

Special features: see chapter 5. 

Potentiometer “Offset” 

Potentiometer “Amplitude” 

Input 

Input: +/–5 V (+/–10 V see chapter 5) 

Input resistance: 10 kOhm 

Input connector: BNC 

Output: 

Voltage range: –10 V thru +150 V 

Max. peak current/average current: approx. 60 mA 

Gain: 30 

Noise: approx. 1 mVpp with capacitive load (actuator) 

Connector: BNC 

Display: LCD, 3 digits 

Dimensions: WxDxH 165x210x70 mm 

Weight: approx. 1.7 kg 

SQV 3/150 triple channel device 

3 independent channels 

Performance data /channel equiv. SQV 1/150 

LC-voltage display, channel selection by dial 

Dimensions: WxDxH 215x210x70 

Weight: 2.4 kg 

Option: 

Amplifier for 200 V output: on request 

open 

output: 

U max/2 >20 kHz 

Frequency response 

Risetimes: 

(for square wave input signal) 

Load risetime 

capacitance to 100 V/150 V 

22 µF 40 msec /80 msec 

4.2 µF 8 msec /18 msec 

1.2 µF 2 msec / 5 msec 

330 nF 0.5 msec /1.2 msec 



+500 V output 




Input 




Output: 

Voltage range: 0 V thru +500 V 


Gain: 100 












open 

output: 



Risetimes: 


Load risetime 


1.2 µF 20 msec / 42 msec 

660 nF 10 msec / 22 msec 

330 nF 5 msec / 11 msec 

100 nF 1.5 msec / 3.5 msec 

30 nF 0.5 msec / 1.2 msec 



+1000 V output 




Input 




Output: 



Gain: 200 

Connector: LEMOSA OS.250 (BNC adaptor available) 











open output 



Risetimes: 


Load risetime 


1.2 µF 70 msec /140 msec 

330 nF 20 msec /35 msec 

100 nF 6 msec /10 msec 

30 nF 1.8 msec / 3 msec 


Low voltage analog power amplifiers 

LE 150/025 single channel amplifier 

+150 V output 


Potentiometer “Offset”, “Amplitude”, Current Booster, 


Input 




Output: 


Max. peak current: approx. 250 mA 

Max. average current: approx. 70 mA 

Gain: 30 

Noise: approx. 15 mVpp 




Weight: approx. 4 kg 

Options: 

Multichannel arrangements: on request 


Computer interfaces: 

Optionally, the amplifier LE 150/025 can be equipped by a serial or parallel (CENTRONIX) computer interface (designation as 

LE 150/025-S or/-P respectively) for digital control by a fast data transfer and D/A conversion. Up to 3 channels can be operated 

simultaneously. 

All analog functions of the amplifier remain active. By using ”offset” the amplified signal can be superimposed by a DC-voltage 

and the operating voltage range can be varied by ”amplitude” for easy adaption to a distinct application. The resolution is 

12 bit. 

Order code 

LE 150/025 analog amplifier 

LE 150/025-S with additional serial interface 

LE 150/025-P with additional parallel interface 

open 

output: 



Risetimes: 


Load risetime 


22 µF 10 msec/50 msec 

4 µF 2 msec/ 3 msec 

1.2 µF 0.5 msec/ 0.8 msec 

330 nF 120 µsec/180 µsec 


LE 150/100 single channel power amplifier 

+150 V output 

Special features: see chapter 5 



Input 

Input: +/–5 V (+/–10 V) 



Output: 


Max. peak current: approx. 1200 mA 


Gain: 30 




Dimensions: WxDxH 330x260xl55 


Options: 


amplifier for 200 V output: on request 


Risetimes: 


Load risetime 


47 µF 3 msec/7 msec 

22 µF 1.8 msec/4 msec 

4 µF 330 µsec/500 µsec 

1.2 µF 90 µsec/130 µsec 




LE 150/100-S or/-P respectively) for digital control by a fast data transfer and D/A conversion. Up to 3 channels can be operated 

simultaneously. 

All analog functions of the amplifier remain active. By using “offset” the amplified signal can be superimposed by a DC-voltage 

and the operating voltage range can be varied by “amplitude” for easy adaption to a distinct application. The resolution is 

12 bit. 

Order code 




open 

output: 


Amplifier system LE 150/200 

(formerly LE 150/2) 

Modular arrangement of up to 3 independent channels. 

For operation of large volume/high capacitance piezoactuators. 

The technical data are similar to the LE 150/100 amplifier 

except for higher peak current. 

Technical data valid per channel. 


Potentiometer “Offset”, “Amplitude”, Current Booster 

Input 




Output: 


Max. peak current: 2000 mA 


Gain: 30 




Dimensions: Single channel version LE 150/200-1 

BxWxD 340x350x180 

Weight: 10 kg 

Options: 




Risetimes: 


Load risetime 





1.2 µF 60 µsec/150 µsec 


Computer interface: 

The amplifier system LE 150/200 is available with a computer interface module for both types of data transfer serial and parallel 

(CENTRONIX). Up to 3 channels can be operated simultaneously. All analog functions of the amplifier modules remain 

active. By “offset” the amplified digital signal can be superimposed by a DC-voltage and the operating voltage range can be 

varied by “amplitude” for easy adaption to a distinct application. The resolution is 12 bit. 

Order code: D/A-LE 

Analog amplifier LE 150/300 

Single channel power amplifier 

Output: Voltage range –10 V thru +150 V 

Max. peak current: 3 A 

Max. average current: 1 A 

open 

output: 

Analog amplifier LE 150/100 bp 

Bipolar amplifier system with +/–150 V output. 



Max. average current: 200 mA 


High voltage power amplifiers 


+430 V output 




Input 




Output: 




Gain: 85 


Connector: LEMOSA 0S.250 (BNC adaptor available) 




Options: 



Risetimes: 


Load risetime 


1.2 uF 2 msec/3 msec 

660 nF 1 msec/1.4 msec 

330 nF 0.5 msec/0.7 msec 


30 nF 70 µsec/l00 µsec 



LE 430/015-S or/-P respectively) for digital control by a fast data transfer and D/A conversion. Up to 3 channels can be 

operated simultaneously. 

All analog functions of the amplifier remain active. By “offset” the amplified signal can be superimposed by a DC-voltage and 

the operating voltage range can be varied by “amplitude” for easy adaption to a distinct application. The resolution is 12 bit. 

Order code: 




open 

output: 








Input 




Output: 




Gain: 200 






Options: 


open 

output: 

Unipolar amplifier LE 500/070 

Output voltage 0 V thru +500 V, peak current appr. 700 mA, mean current approx. 250 mA 

Bipolar amplifier LE 500/035 bip 

Output voltage +/–500 V, peak current approx. 350 mA, mean current approx. 100 mA 


Risetimes: 


Load risetime 

capacitance to 1000 V 

200 nF approx. 0.5 msec 

1 µF 3 msec 

5 µF 15 msec 







Input 

Input: +/–5 V (+/–10 V see chapter 5.) 



Output: 




Gain: 200 






Options: 


open output: 

Unipolar amplifier LE 500/200 

Output voltage 0 V thru +500 V, peak current appr. 2000 mA, mean current approx. 700 mA 

Bipolar amplifier LE 500/100 bip 

Output voltage +/–500 V, peak current approx. 1000 mA, mean current approx. 300 mA 


Risetimes: 


Load risetime 

capacitance to 1000 V 

200 nF approx. 0.2 msec 

1 µF 1 msec 

5 µF 5 msec 


High efficiency power recharger amplifiers 

RCV 

The basic philosophy of switches recharging amplifiers is 

described in sec. 4.3. 

PIEZOMECHANIK offers recharging amplifiers for average 

powers of 500 Watts up to the kWatt range. 

Because recharging amplifiers have to be adapted to some 

extent to the capacitance of the actuator and the desired 

driving conditions, a detailed offer is made after receipt of 

specifications and requirements. 

Generally, the device can be matched to an application 

within the below stated limits: 

Example: 

E.g. RCV amplifiers have been developed for active vibration 

cancellation showing following data 

Load capacitance: approx. 20 µF 

Operating frequency: up to 400 Hz 

Voltage range: +/–200 V 

Max. peak current: 10 A 

Risetime for a 200 V voltage step at 5 µF load: 100 µsec. 

If you are thinking about recharging amplifiers for your 

application, contact us. 

Voltage range: –600 V to +600 V 

Peak currents: up to 10 A 

Peak power: 2 kW 

Average power: 500 W 

Ripple/noise by switching mode: approx. 200 mV 

Power efficiency with loss-free capacitive load: > 95 % 

(definition see sec. 2.5.) 


Power pulsers HVP 

(see sec. 2.8.) 

The HVP switches/pulsers show 3 operational levels 

positive square wave = charging of actuator 

negative square wave = discharging of actuator 

zero level = output neutral: no charge transfer = steady state 

of actuator. 

The internal supply (source) voltage of the HV pulser can be 

set by a potentiometer and is shown on the front panel LC 

display. The specified peak currents are achieved for max. 

supply voltage setting. 

General data 

Input: 

signal “high” = charging of actuator: > +3 V 

signal “low” = discharging of actuator: < –3 V 

signal “neutral” no charge transfer: 0 V 


Output: 

Voltage/currents see listing 

Average power: 50 Watts 

Minimum pulse width: approx. 3 µsec 

Repetition rate: up to 50 kHz 

Connectors: LEMOSA 0S.250 and 2 banana pin plugs 

Types max. voltage peak Load time constant RC/ 

currents resistors for load capacitance 

V A Ohms 

HVP 200/50 +200 50 4 40 µsec / 10 µF 

HVP 200/100 +200 100 2 20 µsec / 10 µF 

HVP 500/20 +500 20 25 25 µsec / 1 µF 

HVP 500/50 +500 50 10 10 µsec / 1 µF 

HVP 500/100 +500 100 5 5 µsec / 1 µF 

HVP 1000/10 +1000 10 100 50 µsec /0.5 µF 

HVP 1000/20 +1000 20 50 25 µsec /0.5 µF 

HVP 1000/50 +1000 50 20 10 µsec /0.5 µF 

Options: HVP can be supplied for altered source voltages 

altered current ratings 

higher average powers 

Power resistor box PRB: 

The peak current of a HVP switch can be reduced by using the external resistor box PRB e.g. for adaption to a lower capacitance 

actuator. It contains 3 power resistors of different ratings and is connected between HV-switch and actuator. 

The resulting peak current is determined by the total resistance of the arrangement: 

internal resistor of switch (see listing) + the external resistor. 

The box is equipped with one input coax cable/LEMOSA 0S.250 plug. Each resistor has its individual output connector and is 

selected thereby. 

PRB I: 1 resistor 2 Ohms 

1 resistor 5 Ohms 


PRB II: 1 resistor 10 Ohms 



Input/output connectors: LEMOSA 0S.250 (BNC adaptors 

available). 

Display: 3 1 /2 digit LCD 




Amplifiers for push-pull actuator configuration 

Bimorph amplifiers 

(see sec. 3.1./4.5) 

BMT 60 bimorph amplifier 

For the philosophy of driving multilayer bimorph actuators 

under electrically preloaded conditions check brochure 

“piezoelectric bending elements”. In this case, the ceramic is 

operated with permanently forward polarized voltage and 

thereby prevented from depolarization, so the maximum 

mechanical performance is achieved. 

The bimorph amplifier BMT 60 has been designed to drive 

multilayer-benders elements in the above described optimum 

way with high dynamics. 

Because of the analogy of the electrical operation of antagonistic 

piezostacks configuration and bimorphs, the BMT 60 

can also drive complementary acting push-pull stack 

arrangements (sec. 3.1.) 

Special features: 




Input 




Output: 

3 pole connector for ground 0 V, 

fix voltage U F +60 V 

Signal voltage U S 0 V thru +60 V 

Max. peak current: 280 mA in each branch 

Gain: 12 


Connector: 3 pole connector LEMOSA 

(1 m cable with suitable plug is included) 




output 

connector 


AGV 150/013 amplifier 

This amplifier has been designed to operate low voltage 

stack push-pull configurations in the electrically preloaded 

mode (see sec. 4.5.). Because of the analogy in the electrical 

driving scheme, also bimorph elements can be operated by 

this amplifier with high efficiency. 

Special features: Potentiometer “Offset”, “Amplitude”, 

Current Booster, Monitor output 

Input 




Output: 





Max. average current: 70 mA in each branch 

Gain: 30 


(1 m cable with suitable plug is included) 





AGV 430/08 amplifier 

This amplifier has been designed to operate high voltage 

stack push-pull configurations in the electrically preloaded 

mode (see sec. 4.5.). Because of the analogy in the electrical 

driving scheme, also bimorph elements can be operated by 

this amplifier with high efficiency. 

Special features: Potentiometer “Offset”, “Amplitude”, 

Current Booster, Monitor output 

Input 




Output: 





Max. average current: 35 mA in each branch 

Gain: 85 



(1 m cable with suitable plug included) 




output 

connector 

output 

connector 


The optionally available interfaces which are integrated to 

amplifiers are described in the corresponding data sheet for 

the amplifiers e.g. LE 150/025-S. 

This basic range of interfaces is completed by the units 

described in the following section 

1. Stand alone D/A converter DAI-3: 

The DAI-3 unit corresponds to the interface option D/A-LE of 

the LE 150/200 amplifier system. It shows both serial and 

parallel (CENTRONIX) data input for handling up to 3 channels 

independently. The analog output is 0 V thru +10 V and 

can be plugged directly to the analog amplifiers described in 

this catalog. It is obvious, that the DAI-3 unit can be used to 

control any other system, requiring an analog input control 

signal. 

front 

D/A converters, Computer-Interfaces 

2. PC-plug in cards with analog HV-output 

The PC plug in-cards generate the analog HV-signal for 

immediate operation of piezoactuators or other loads. 

The advantages of the PC-AHV cards are the spacesaving 

arrangement within the computer cabinet, where no external 

additional amplifiers are needed and the speed and reliability 

of data handling. The cards show current boosters for 

elevated driving dynamics. 

They are available in single and triple channel versions. 

General data 

• PCI-Bus 

• 8 bit data bus 

• Setting of port address by a DIL switch 

• Voltage resolution 14 bit for unipolar output 

13 bit for bipolar output 

• Width 1 slot 

• PC board dimensions 

Interfaces: serial RS 232 

parallel (CENTRONIX) 

Resolution: 12 Bit 

Output signal: 0 V thru +10 V (other settings e.g. bipolar: on 

request) 

High modulation rate of output: up to kHz with parallel data 

transfer e.g. for fast feedback control systems. 

Line operation 

3 analog independent outputs 

26 Amplifiers, D/A Converters, Electronic HV-Switches for Piezoactuators http://www.piezomechanik.com 

rear

PC-AHV +150/1 single channel 

Output voltage: 0 V thru +150 V 



Resolution: 14 bit 

Noise: approx. 5 mV 

Output connector: LEMOSA 00.250 (BNC adaptors available) 

PC-AHV +150/3 triple channel 


Max. peak current: 75 mA/channel 

Max. average current: 25 mA (total for 3 channels) 


Noise: 5 mV 


PC-AHV 150bp/1 single channel 

Bipolar output voltage: –150 V thru +150 V 






Optionen: geänderte Leistungsdaten, Ausgangsbuchsen etc. auf Anfrage 

Feedback Control Stabilization PiStab-2 

Modern HiTechnologies often use physical effects, which are 

extremely sensitive in magnitude to any small deviation from 

the correct position of the mechanical components of the 

device. Any misalignment e.g. by thermal drifts can diminish 

the device performance e.g. the optical output power of a 

discretely setup laser resonator). Other examples are the 

coupling efficiency of freely coupled optical fibers, interferometers, 

sensor/transducer arrangements in microsystems, 

biological systems etc. 

To ensure a stable optimum operation the task is to detect 

the onset of mechanical misalignment and to readjust the 

Mirror mount with 2 piezocontrolled degrees of freedom and a PiStab-2 

feedback controlled electronics/supply 

PC-AHV 150bp/3 triple channel 

Bipolar output voltage: –150 V thru +150 V 






PC-AHV +500/1 single channel 




Resolution: l4 bit 


Output connector: LEMOSA 0S.250 (BNC adaptors available) 

PC-AHV +500/3 triple channel 






Output connector: LEMOSA 0S.250 (BNC adaptors available) 

components actively. For micro- and nanopositioning purposes, 

the first choice include all kinds of piezoactuated 

systems such as stacks, bimorphs, hybrid systems etc. 

The stabilization electronics PiStab-2 controls up to 

2 degrees of freedom for mechanical longterm stabilization of 

position sensitive effects. 

For more details please ask for brochure “PiStab-2”. 

Example: Stabilization of a laser resonator 

piezoelectric actuators x, y 

controlled end mirrow 

operating 

+ modulation input 

PiStab-2 

photodiode 

signal with 

modulation 

Arrangement for stabilizing an Ar laser for maximum output power 

against misalignment by tilting one of the resonator mirrors for 

2 degrees of freedom by 2 low voltage actuators in a mirror mount 


Accessories: 

PIEZOMECHANIK supplies a wide range of connecting 

systems, adaptors, extension cable to make the installation 

and compatibility of components as easy as possible. 

When a complete actuator/amplifier system is ordered, the 

actuators will be equipped with the plugs corresponding the 

amplifier’s connector. 

Further adaptors are available for the combination different of 

connector systems. 

Adaptors: 

Plug coupler 

BNC LEMOSA 00.250 (low voltage systems) 

BNC LEMOSA 0S.250 (high voltage systems) 

LEMOSA 00.250 BNC 

LEMOSA 0S.250 BNC 

Coaxial cable RG 178 with plug – one end free, length 1.5 m standard, other lengths on request 

LEMOSA plug 00.250 

LEMOSA plug 0S.250 

BNC 

Extension cables with plug and coupling end, length standard 2 m, other lengths on request 

LEMOSA 00.250 system 

LEMOSA 0S.250 system 

Extension cables combining different connector systems e.g. BNC-LEMOSA on request. 

Custom designed amplifiers 

If you cannot find the proper electronic supply to solve your actuating problem, please contact us. PIEZOMECHANIK can 

adapt the available standard devices to your needs (e.g. for 12 V, 24 V or other line voltages). 

On request custom designed electronics can be used. 

INNOTICS INC. 

#Rm1016, Sam-Poong B/D, 310-68, Eul-Gi-4Ga, Joon-Gu, 

100-849, Seoul, Republic of KOREA 

Tel. :+82-2-2276-1013 

Fax. :+82-2-2274-0469 

¤É¤Ñ¤Website : www.innotics.com 

E-mail : sales@innotics.com 

Piezomechanik · Dr. Lutz Pickelmann GmbH 

Berg-am-Laim-Str. 64 · D-81673 München · Tel. XX 49/ 89 / 4 3155 83 · Fax XX 49/89/4 31 6412 

¡¤§¤¤¿ 

e-mail: info@piezomechanik.com · http://www.piezomechanik.com Stand: November 1998

Piezomechanik

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