The Model 3000 Control/Data Acquisition Unit (M3000) is a flight-quality controller for control and data gathering functions associated with quartz crystal microbalances. The Model 3000 was designed to meet the growing need for a cost-effective, yet efficient means of interfacing various QCM mass sensors (MK10, MK16, MK17, MK18, MK19, MK20, MK21, MK24, and MK26) for flight operations.

The M3000 communicates over an industry standard RS-232 or RS-422 serial link. It accommodates both Si-diode and PRT temperature sensors, and will drive wire wound heaters, PRT heaters, and single, dual and 3-stage thermoelectric elements. Additionally, it is able to power an external heater, such as is used for an effusion cell.

While autonomously controlling the temperature, both temperature and frequency data for each channel are sent over the serial link and as output analog voltages (0 to 4.096V). The temperature settings and data have a range of -128°C to +128°C and a resolution of 0.0625°C. The frequency sampling rate can be user customized to meet the application’s needs providing programmable sampling period of 25msec. to 1.275sec ±5msec and summing of 2 to 4095 sample periods or 50msec to 1:27:02.125 hours. Frequency data sent in hertz and is counted up to 65,535 during each sample period. Modular in design, it can be stacked to power 2 to 8 QCMs. It can be designed to run on regulated or unregulated power.

System housekeeping is provided for a variety of parameters including CPU temperature, 5V power supply, TQCM amplitude, duty cycle, and PRT current. An analog health bit is provided as are three servo controls to customize system operation.

The system is capable of driving QCM cable lengths of up to 75 ft. (23 m).