The PI Software Suite C-990.CD1 is a comprehensive motion control software package from Physik Instrumente (PI) designed for the setup, optimization, and operation of high-precision positioning systems and controllers. Core Capabilities and Architecture
The suite is built on a platform-independent concept, ensuring a uniform user experience across various hardware. It utilizes the General Command Set (GCS), a standardized command language that allows users to control different PI hardware—from piezo controllers to motorized stages—using the same syntax. Key Integrated Tools
The C-990.CD1 package typically includes the following primary utilities:
PIMikroMove: The central graphical user interface for controlling axes, managing motion profiles (step, sine, trajectory), and visualizing system data in real-time. pi software suite c-990.cd1
PITerminal: A console-based tool for experts to send low-level GCS commands directly to the controller.
PIFRF-Analyzer: A specialized tool for frequency response analysis, used to identify system resonance and optimize controller parameters.
Scan & Alignment Tools: Optimized software like the C-990.FA1 for complex tasks such as silicon photonics alignment. Technical Specifications Software Suite - PI-USA.us The PI Software Suite C-990
Based on the identifier c-990.cd1, this appears to reference a specific media disc or software component from the PI Software Suite (often associated with OSIsoft’s PI System, now part of AVEVA). However, c-990.cd1 is not a standard public-facing feature name.
Assuming this is an internal or legacy installation disc label for the PI Suite, here is a plausible feature set for Disc 1 (cd1) of a mid-to-large PI System deployment:
The most critical component included in the C-990.CD1 is the General Command Set (GCS) infrastructure. "MOV 1 50")
If you are writing code to move a stage, you don't want to write Move_Axis_X(10mm). You want to send a GCS command. GCS is PI’s universal language. Whether you are talking to a stepper motor or a piezo actuator, the command syntax remains logically consistent.
The C-990.CD1 installs the GCS DLLs that act as translators. Your computer sends a high-level command (e.g., "MOV 1 50"), and the suite handles the RS-232, USB, TCP/IP, or GPIB translation to the controller.
For high-performance applications where every microsecond counts, direct DLL calls are preferred. The suite provides PI_GCS2_DLL.dll. The documentation included in the CD (usually a massive PDF or integrated help file) details every function signature. The C-990.CD1 versions of the DLLs are generally thread-safe, which is critical for modern multi-threaded applications.
The suite ships with programming samples in:
.vi files for instrument drivers)