Reverse Engineering the Instrutech ion gauge?

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ian_krase
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Reverse Engineering the Instrutech ion gauge?

Post by ian_krase »

Instrutech offers an instrumented enclosed ion gauge module, which is rebranded as the Kurt Lesker KJLC 351 and controller MGC-3000 series.


A number of the Instrutech module have come up on Ebay for Super Cheap. However, according to the vendor, you need both the controller and the gauge, even though the gauge has a built-in electrometer, uses a standard DB connector, and is claimed to talk over some form of serial interface.

To say the least, I smell reverse engineering potential. But not without having both ends of the system.

Does anybody know how these things talk, or have one of the Instrutech, KJLC, or other branded 3000 series controller?
John Futter
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Re: Reverse Engineering the Instrutech ion gauge?

Post by John Futter »

just because it is a DB connector it doesnot mean that it is serial comms
Edwards uses RJ45 connectors that are usually used for ethernet but there are only analog signals and power supplies present
ian_krase
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Re: Reverse Engineering the Instrutech ion gauge?

Post by ian_krase »

I am quite aware of that, but the manufacturer says that it talks serial to the controller.
The IGM400 interfaces with the B-RAX or the FlexRax controller using its own device specific serial communications
I bet that the controller still needs to generate the moderate voltages.
John Futter
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Re: Reverse Engineering the Instrutech ion gauge?

Post by John Futter »

Ian
what serial data
serial analog
Rs23
RS232 digital
RS485
Rs422
all the Rs types you will see on an oscilloscope
ian_krase
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Re: Reverse Engineering the Instrutech ion gauge?

Post by ian_krase »

I don't know, but I imagine my scope and logic analyser would tell me.

Thing is, without the controller I doubt one could learn much, and I haven't found any for sale.

I guess it could be a good source of dirt cheap metal envelope BA gauge tubes.
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