Agilent/Keysight N1230A

The N1230A is a PCI bus board for three-axis laser interferometer position monitoring. It acquires data from three external sample inputs - one per axis - and outputs associated position and velocity registers plus hardware status signals. The board delivers software sample rates up to 10 kHz across all three axes, with internal position data updates at 20 MHz and external asynchronous sample uncertainty of ±50 ns.

When integrated with plane mirror optics, the N1230A achieves 0.15 nm measurement resolution with maximum velocity tracking of ±2800 mm/s (also limited by the laser head). An x1024 extension option is available for enhanced resolution applications. The board includes six threshold compare registers capable of generating interrupt requests on error, sample, or threshold conditions, enabling real-time event-driven measurements.

Technical Specifications

• Architecture: PCI-compliant interface, single-board design


• Measurement Axes: Three independent axes per board


• External Inputs: Three individual axis sample inputs with dedicated position and velocity registers


• Resolution (Plane Mirror Optics): 0.15 nm base; x1024 extension available


• Maximum Velocity: ±2800 mm/s


• Internal Update Rate: 20 MHz position data


• Asynchronous Sampling Uncertainty: ±50 ns external


• Software Sample Rate: 10 kHz (three axes) or up to 5 kHz (position and velocity combined) and 10 kHz (position or velocity only) via PCI bus


• Physical Dimensions: 98 × 312 mm


• Power Supply: +5 Vdc at ~2.8 A; +12 Vdc at ~50 mA; -12 Vdc at ~50 mA

Key Features

• Six threshold compare registers with interrupt request generation


• IRQ capability on error, sample, and threshold conditions


• Hardware status outputs for system integration


• Windows-compatible programming API

Typical Applications

• Precision position monitoring in laser-based measurement systems


• Multi-axis coordinate measurement platforms


• Real-time motion control feedback


• Industrial metrology and alignment systems

Compatibility & Integration PCI bus compliant. Requires Windows-compatible host system with available PCI slot.