XPOW-8AX-CV-U

SPECIFICATION SHEET AND MANUAL

2021

Series XPOW-8AX-CCVCV-U
Version: 10.0
Date: 28 September 2021

Important Notice and Disclaimer:

No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means (including electronic storage and
retrieval or translation into a foreign language) without prior agreement written consent from Nicslab. No
responsibility is assumed by Nicslab for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third
parties that may result from its use. Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.

This product is designated for skilled user. You are entirely responsible for (1) choosing the appropriate
Nicslab products for your operation, (2) designing, validating and testing your operation, (3) ensuring
your operation meets applicable standards, and any other safety, security or other requirements.

Copyright © 2021, Nicslab.

Series XPOW-8AX-CV-U 1
Safety Note

Do not operate this product in any manner not specified by Nicslab. Failure to comply with these precautions
or with specific warnings or instructions elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards of design,
manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. Nicslab assumes no responsibility for any damage caused
by mishandling that is beyond normal usage defined in this manual of this product.

Before Applying DC Power Supply

Verify that DC power supply is good condition and safe to use. The input voltage is no more than 38 V or it
can impair this product. Make all connections to the unit before applying power.

Do Not Discard the Instrument Cover

Only authorized personnel from Nicslab should remove the instrument cover.

Do Not Alter the Instrument

Do not put any unauthorized parts or modify the instrument without Nicslab approval and warranty.

Caution
This symbol indicates hazard of any operating procedure, practice, or the like that, if not correctly performed
or adhered to, could result in damage to the product or loss of important data.

2 Copyright @ Nicslab
Contents

List of Tables 4

List of Figures 4
1. Introduction 5

2. Hardware 7
Specification Conditions 7

Hardware Requirement 7
Box Descriptions 8

XPOW-8AX-CV-U Specifications 10
Hardware Installation 11

3. Software and Graphical User Interface (GUI) 12

Software Requirement 12

Software Installation 12
Graphical User Interface (GUI) 12

Find the COM Port (Windows) 12

Initializing the GUI 14

Constant Voltage (CV) Mode 15

Set Limit Setting 16

Value Increment Setting 16

Upload and Save 17
Sequence Automation 18
Record 18
V Range 19
4. Operating XPOW through SCPI command 20
Python Installation (Example) 20
4.1 Run Python Code (Example) 21
Python Function (Example) 22
SCPI Commands 24
5. Troubleshooting 27
6. Warranty 28

7. Contact 28

Series XPOW-8AX-CV-U 3
List of Tables

Table 1. Checklist Items 6

Table 2. Specification Conditions 7

Table 3. DAC Voltage Performance Specification 11

Table 4. Troubleshooting 27

List of Figures

Figure 1. XPOW-8AX-CV-U System Diagram 6

Figure 2. Product Dimension 8

Figure 3. Front, Back and Top View 9

Figure 4. GUI 13

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1. Introduction

Nicslab XPOW-8AX-CV-U system is a versatile multichannel source measurement system. The XPOW-
8AX-CV-U supports multiple voltage sourcing and voltage/current measurement. The system is
suitable for sourcing and measuring low power applications from simple electronic circuits to complex
photonic integrated circuits.

The XPOW-8AX-CV-U provides independent 8 channels controlled by GUI and SCPI through USB port.
The system has single mode: Constant Voltage (CV) ranging from unipolar 0 – 5 Volt, 0 – 10 Volt, 0 –
20 Volt and 0 – 36 Volt with maximum 300 mA/channel (please check your feature selection).

The features for XPOW-8AX-CV-U in details are:

• 16-bits voltage control.

• Enable voltage range configuration through software (technology that enables the
user to select the output range with software without losing control of the high-
resolution feature).

• Intuitive GUI.

• Maximum power output per channel 10 Watt.

• Real time voltage and current reading.

• Save function to create database.

• Upload function to generate the registrable voltage pattern.

• Sequence function for continuous voltage.

• Short circuits protection.

• SCPI command support (Python, C# and LabVIEW).

• SCPI Library (Premium Upgrade).

• Windows, Mac, and Linux support.

• USB port with USB line termination, filtering and ESD protection.

• Bi-directional EMI filtering prevents noise from entering/leaving the system.

• Compliance with IEC61000-4-2 ESD Protection for USB Port.

The XPOW-8AX-CV-U is connected with DC Power then you can plug into the Device-Under-Test
(DUT). The voltage/current can be controlled through GUI or SCPI command via USB port.

Series XPOW-8AX-CV-U 5
 The system diagram is as follow:

Figure 1. XPOW-8AX-CV-U System Diagram

The package should include the following items:

No Item Qty (pc) Checklist

1 XPOW-8AX-CV-U Box 1

2 DC power line cord 1

3 USB 3.0 type B 1

4 USB flash disk 1

Inside USB flash disk:

a. GUI
b. Specification & Manual
c. Test Report
5 d. Serial key (Upgrade) 1
e. XPOW key
f. Software Library (Premium)
g. Template Excel (upload, demo
sequence)
Table 1. Checklist Items

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2. Hardware
Specification Conditions
The operating and measurement conditions are under the following conditions:
Items Conditions
Room Temperature 0 ~ + 40ºC

Humidity 5 ~ 80% (No Condensing)

Power Supply Input DC Supply Max 38V (potential at red & black DC
in).
Required headroom 1.4 – 2 V.
For example, if you need 12 Volt output per
channel then the DC input is minimum 14 V.
Waterproof/Dustproof To be operated under room condition
Calibration period 2 years

Table 2. Specification Conditions

Hardware Requirement
The requirements for the PC/Laptop to be used for this product installation are:

• Resolution Min. 1024 x 768 pixel

• Hard disk Min. 500 MB of available free space (32-bit and 64-bit operating system)

• USB Port Min USB 2.0

• RAM Min. 2 GB

• CPU 2.4 GHz or faster

Series XPOW-8AX-CV-U 7
Box Descriptions
The box size is 106 (W) x 164 (L) x 61.1 (H) mm, as the pictures below:

Figure 2. Product Dimension

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 The details of front, back and top panel of the box are described below:

Figure 3. Front, Back and Top View

Series XPOW-8AX-CCVCV-U 9
 Note:

A1 Power Switch Turns the instrument on or off.

A2 Pin Output (8 To connect to Device Under Test (DUT) using

channels) cable.

A3 Reset Button To reset the system when the initialization failed,

system freeze or finding COM port.

A4 Indicator Light Red and Yellow -> Power Indicator.

Green -> Port Connection Indicator.

Blue -> Serial Transfer Data Active.

Caution
A5 Input DC Max 38 V
Please follow the safety notice on your DC power
supply. The DC input is no more than 38 V.

A6 GPIO You may use for external control and monitoring

direct to microprocessor.

A7 USB Connector Use the cable type min. USB 2.0.

A8 Airflow For air circulation inside the box.

XPOW-8AX-CV-U Specifications
The performance specifications of Digital Analog Converter (DAC) voltage are listed in the table 3
below:

No Parameter Min Typ Max Unit Test conditions/comments

1 Resolution 16 Bits
2 Integral nonlinearity (INL) -1 ± 0.5 1 LSB All ranges, except 0 to 40
3 Differential Nonlinearity -1 ± 0.5 1 LSB Specified 16-bit monotonic
(DNL)
4 Total unadjusted error -0.1 ± 0.01 0.1 %FSR All ranges
5 Unipolar offset error -0.03 ± 0.015 0.03 %FSR All unipolar ranges
6 Unipolar zero-code error 0 0.04 0.1 %FSR All unipolar ranges
7 Full-scale error -0.2 ± 0.075 ± %FSR All ranges
0.2
8 Gain error -0.1 ± 0.02 0.1 %FSR All ranges
9 Unipolar offset error drift ±2 ppm of All unipolar ranges
FSR/oC
10 Gain error drift ±2 ppm of All ranges
FSR/oC

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 11 Output voltage drift over 5 Ppm of TA = 40oC, Full-scale code, 1900
time FSR hours
DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
12 Output Voltage Settling 12 µs ¼ to ¾ and ¾ to ¼ scale setting
Time time to ± 1 LSB, ±10V range, RL =
5kW, CL = 200pF
13 Slew Rate 4 V/µs All range except 0 to 5V
14 Power-on glitch magnitude 0.3 V Power-down to active DAC output,
Midscale code, RL = 5kW, CL =
200pF
15 Output noise 15 µV p-p 0.1Hz to 10Hz, Midscale code, 0 to
5V range
16 Output noise density 78 nV/⎷Hz 1 kHz, Midscale code, 0 to 5V range
17 AC PSRR 1 LSB/V Midscale code, frequency = 60Hz,
amplitude 200 mVpp superimposed
on VDD, VCC or VSS
18 DC PSRR 1 LSB/V Midscale code, VDD = 5V, VCC = 20V
±5%, VSS = 20V
19 Code change glitch 4 nV-s 1 LSB change around major carrier,
impulse 0 to 5V range
20 Channel to Channel AC 4 nV-s 0 to 5V range. Measured channel at
crosstalk midscale. Full-scale swing on all
other channels.
21 Channel to Channel DC 0.25 LSB 0 to 5V range. Measured channel at
crosstalk midscale. All other channels at full-
scale.
22 Digital feedthrough 1 nV-s 0 to 5V range, Midscale code, FSCLK
= 1MHz
Table 3. DAC Voltage Performance Specification

Hardware Installation
This section describes how to install XPOW-8AX-CV-U and how to connect your Device Under Test
(DUT) to the output terminals.

The steps are as follow:

1. Precondition step: connect to the DC power supply (max 38 V). Make certain that DC
power supply is always ‘ON’.

2. Connect a USB cable to your workstation (PC/Laptop) via USB port.

3. Connect XPOW output to your Device Under Test (DUT).

4. After you install the software/GUI (see the Software Installation section), then the XPOW
is ready to use by switching the ON/OFF button at the front panel.

Series XPOW-8AX-CV-U 11
3. Software and Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Software Requirement
The GUI software is suitable with the following operating systems:

• Windows® 7 (32-bit, 64-bit).

• Windows® 10 (32-bit, 64-bit).

• macOS Big Sur.

Software Installation
First step is to check whether there is Arduino driver in your computer. If NO, then please download
and install from https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software.

Next step is to copy the GUI file into your hard disk. For Mac, the GUI and Arduino have to be copied
inside the ‘Application’ folder.

Double click to launch the GUI. The icon is as below:

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Start the XPOW by pressing the ON button, then you can control it by GUI, the display details are on
the next page.

Note: You can also launch the GUI through language programming such as Python, C#, LabVIEW and
Java.

Find the COM Port (Windows)

1. Click Start . Type “Device Manager”, and then click Device Manager.

2. Find Ports (COM & LPT).

3. When XPOW connects to the computer then it will show the port number on Arduino Leonardo. In this
case, is COM 8 (red box below).

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 Figure 4. GUI

Series XPOW-8AX-CV-U 13
 Note:

Callout Component Description

B1 Port Selection

B2 ON/OFF Switch

B3 Save File Button

B4 Upload File Button

B5 Auto Feature: Upload Table Button | CV Mode

B6 Auto Feature: Run Button

B7 Record Data Button

B8 Set Limit Button

B9 Increment Settings

B10 ON/OFF Button per Channel

B11 Enable/Disable (Lock) Channel Controller

B12 Voltage Value

B13 Current Value

B14 Voltage Value Based on Increment Setting

B15 Voltage Settings Slider

B16 Notes

B17 V Range (16-bit precision for every range of voltages: 5, 10, 20, 40 V)

B18 Upgrade Button

Initializing the GUI

This section shows how to initialize the GUI:

1. Launch the program by double clicking the GUI icon.

2. Select the USB port (B1) according the XPOW-8AX-CV-U USB name. For Windows: COM#,
and for MAC: /DEV/CU.USBMODEM#####.

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 3. Press switch button (B2) on GUI to connect it with the XPOW.

Constant Voltage (CV) Mode

This section shows how to do CV mode:

1. To do CV mode, you need to put value on B17 or open current slider (B18) before setting the voltage
value (B15 & B16).

Important note: When you input manually the values, always press ‘Enter’.

2. To save the data, then click the ‘save’ button (B3).

Series XPOW-8AX-CV-U 15
 3. Write the file name.

4. The file will be automatically existing in the same folder as XPOW’s GUI (.csv file).

Set Limit Setting

In this setting you may set the limit of voltage and current values slider according to your needs.

1. Click the Set Limit button (B9).

2. The display to set the limit will open (see the picture on the next page for setting maximum
current value) and input the value.
B9
Important note: When you input the values, always press ‘Enter’.

Value Increment Setting

In this setting, the value of the voltage and current can be incrementally changed from minimum 0.01 to
5. Adjust the arrow to increase and decrease the value increment (B10).

Decrease Increase

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Upload and Save
The Excel file (.csv) resulted from the Save function can be uploaded again through the Upload button.
You can also input your own current and voltage values (.csv template provided) and later be uploaded.

To save the data, then click the ‘save’ button (B3).

Write the file name.

The file will be automatically existing in the same folder as XPOW’s GUI (.csv file).

You can upload the saved .csv file or your voltage and current setting values (.csv file template provided)
by clicking the ‘Upload’ button.

Series XPOW-8AX-CV-U 17
Sequence Automation
Sequence is the setting that automates the determined values of current (mA) or voltage (V) given the
certain Delay Time (in millisecond).

1. The template of Sequence is given, then you need to input your intended values of CC Sequence
(from 0 to 300 mA), CV Sequence (from 0 to 40 V) and Delay Time (in millisecond). Set the delay time
more than 2 seconds to have more accurate values. To have faster response (switching time)
A you can
set via SCPI command (see Operating XPOW through SCPI command).

Note:
A. Template given for CC and CV sequences.
B. Input your intended values according to the modes (CC: 0 - 300 mA, CV: 0 - 40V)

2. Choose the sequence mode that you will use, either CV Sequence (B5) or CC sequence
(B6). When you click, say CC sequence you need to open the Excel sequence file (.csv) and
then click Run (B7).

Record
Record keeps data of voltage and current values. The record starts by the time you click the Record button
and finish until you click again the same button. The Excel file (.csv) will be created automatically in the
same folder as XPOW’s GUI file.

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V Range
You can choose the voltage range (B20) to limit the voltage values (slider included, B15 and B16), the
range of voltages are 5 V, 10 V, 20 V, and 40 V. Each range has 16-bit precision.

Series XPOW-8AX-CV-U 19
4. Operating XPOW through SCPI command
This section set guidelines to help you develop program for any language suits you best. The example
language program is written in Python.

Python Installation (Example)

Please follow steps below for dynamic programming using SCPI command through Python via serial.

The following Python and packages need to be installed:

1. Python 2.7 or Python 3.X (download and install the latest version from www.python.org). *Tested
with Python 3.7.

2. PyCharm 2017.3.4 or the latest version (download and install the latest version from
https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/).

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4.1 Run Python Code (Example)
To run the Python code please follow the steps below:

1. Open PyCharm software and open file example (e.g XPOW-8AX-CCvCV-U.py)

2. Configure Python interpreter see figure below by clicking Configure Python Interpreter link on the
top right-hand corner of the code, or in File >> Settings >> Project Interpreter in Windows or
Preference >> Project Interpreter in Mac. Select Python 2.7 or Python 3.X in Project Interpreter list.

3. Install additional packages: enum34, pip, pyserial, setup tools by clicking + button, search and install
all the packages.

Series XPOW-8AX-CV-U 21
 4. Select Python Configuration and choose the file name.

5. Run the file by clicking the green arrow button on the top right corner to test the XPOW
(Please refer to the code and SCPI commands references)

Python Function (Example)

1. Set ON for single channel

setChannel(channel, voltageVal, currentVal)

channel (int): channel number

voltageVal (float): 0 – 40 V

currentVal (float): 0 – 300 mA

2. Set ON for all channels

setVoltageAllChannels(AllVValues)

AllVValues (float array): voltage values in array (V)

setCurrentAllChannels(AllCValues)

AllCValues (float array): current values in array (mA)

Example:

AllCValues = [100, 150, 100, 50, 200, 10, 10]

AllVValues = [20.1, 2.5, 13.0, 4, 5, 10.5, 9.5, 22]

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 3. Set OFF for single channel

setOff(channel)

channel (int): channel number

4. Set OFF for all channels

setOffAllChannels(maxChannel)

maxChannel (int): maximum number of channels in XPOW

5. Read real-time value for single channel

readChannel(channel)

channel (int): channel number

6. Read real-time value for all channels

readCommand(maxChannel)

maxChannel (int): maximum number of channels in XPOW

7. Automatic Setting for One Channel

Change and record the value in one channel for every duration time. The result will be saved as
CSV file.

sweepOne(channel, seqValueV, seqValueC, duration)

channel (int): channel number

seqValueV (float array): values for the voltage (V) for one channel in array.

seqValueC (float array): values for the current (mA) for one channel in array

duration (int): waiting time to change to next value in second

Example:

channel = 1

seqValueV = [20.1, 2.5, 13.0, 4, 5, 10.5, 9.5, 22]

seqValueC = [100, 150, 100, 50, 200, 10, 10]

duration = 5

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SCPI Commands
The XPOW can be controlled using Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) with
115200 baud rates.

Description: Set output voltage for single channel

Format:

CH: [n]: VOLT:[BIT VALUES]

Example 1: Set output of channel to maximum or 65535 (16-bit max).

CH:1:VOLT:65535 (set output of channel 1 to max 40 V)

Example 2: Set output of channel 3 to half max or 32767

CH:3:VOLT:32767 (set output of channel 3 to 20 V)

Display real-time data for single channel

Format:

CH:[n]:VAL?

Description: Display voltage and current real-time value of channel n.

Example:

CH:1:VAL?

Result:

CH:1:VAL? >> Channel 1 = 6.101 V, 100.211 mA

Set output voltage for group of channels

Format:

CH:[m-n]:VOLT:[0-Vmax]

Description: Set output voltage of channel m to channel n to [0-65535].

Note: 1 <= m < n <= Channel Max

Example:
CH:1-10:VOLT:32767 (set outputs of channel 1 to channel 10 to 20 Volt)

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 Set pin GPIO

Input

Format:

GPIO:[PIN NAME]

Description: Read GPIO pin

Example:

GPIO:PD4

Result :

GPIO:PD4

Output - High

Format:

GPIO:[PIN NAME]:HIGH

Description: Set GPIO pin to high (5V)

Example:

GPIO:PF5:HIGH

Result : GPIO:PF5:HIGH

Output - Low

Format:

GPIO:[PIN NAME]:LOW

Description: Set GPIO pin to low (0V)

Example:

GPIO:PF5:LOW

Result :

GPIO:PF5:LOW

Retrieve device information

Format:

*IDN?

Description: Get information of the device.

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 Example:

*IDN?

Result :

*IDN? >> XPOW-8AX-CV-U, Nicslab.

Set range

Format:

CH: [n]: SVR:[0-3]

Note:

0 -> 5 V

1 -> 10 V

2 -> 20 V

3 -> 40 V

Default: 3

Example 1: Set range of channel to maximum.

CH:1:SVR:3 (set output of channel 1 to max 40 V)

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5. Troubleshooting
Please use the following guidelines to identify particular problem. If the solution does not rectify the
problem, contact us at [email protected].

Problem Cause Solution

Front end light off when Check USB connection to

No USB connection
switch turned on Laptop/PC
Restart the software / unplug -
Blue light off when software
Initialization failed plug USB connector/Press Reset
active or software freeze
Button

No channel output detected Check metal pad check point to

Connection failed
at device under test intended channel

Turn on the XPOW-8AX box

before running the application,
No USB port detected at and check USB connection
No USB connection
device manager Check the Arduino Driver if it is
installed in the computer.
Check to another USB port.

Unable to upload the file File format problem Make sure the file format is .csv

Check the file content, make

No value after upload the file File problem sure there is no blank space on
each row.

Check file format should be csv

Unable to use Auto Mode
File format problem file.
feature
Check content format

Serial Connection Change USB cable, use low

Display value unstable in GUI
Failed noise USB cable

Table 4. Troubleshooting

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6. Warranty
Nicslab warrants the hardware and software designed by Nicslab to work accordingly, fulfilling the highest
standard of quality product. Nicslab is not liable for consequential or incidental damages or for errors in
subject to misuse, neglect, accident, modification, use in critical operation, or has been soldered or altered
in any way outside stated by us or unauthorized maintenance.

Nicslab retains to change the material and technical data of this manual at any time without notice, in
future editions.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] if you would like to have more information
on warranty or return and refund policy.

7. Contact
United States

Nicslab Ops, Inc.

228 Hamilton Avenue, 3rd Floor, Palo Alto, Silicon Valley, CA 94301

Book Meeting here.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.nicslab.com.

28 Copyright @ Nicslab