This website details the design methodology and motivations for the High Precision Temperature Controller for Infrared Systems Development. The device described is customized to control Infrared Systems Development's black body heat sources via a nested PID algorithm. This controller is capable of interfacing with two different heat sources, which vary in temperature range and temperature sensor types. Users are able to determine a temperature set point on the controller's interactive touch panel display, and also are in constant view on the current heater temperature. The output of this device will be a varied PWM pulse train, designed to protect the heater from burn-out damage. In addition to the touch panel user interface, users are able to communicate with the controller via USB, Ethernet, RS232 and RS485. Using the Ethernet communications, users are also able to monitor the heater status remotely through a computer user interface which has also been custom developed for Infrared Systems Development.
Infrared Systems Development
The High Precision
Temperature Controller Project is a senior design project sponsored by Infrared Systems Development. Infrared Systems is a privately owned company located in Winter Park, Florida. The company's specialty is mainly in development of black body heat sources used for scientific research and military applications. Infrared Systems currently uses a commercial, off the shelf controller to control their black body sources, but were intending to develop their own. The company approached one of their interns, Martin Trang, to come up with a design for the controller and to implement it with new hardware.
