
PTC-01
Software for MLX90215
PTC-01 Programmer User’s Manual Rev 1.2 15/NOV/2001 Page 11
Manual Calibration Action Buttons
The action buttons are specialized functions for the MLX90215. There are four actions available in the man-
ual calibration mode. These include Load, Read back, Measure, and Zap. The functions can be executed by
clicking the button or by the action menu.
Load
The Load function sends the digital waveform, or vector, to program the MLX90215. The Load action will also
set the programmable supply. The load command should be executed every time before making a meas-
urements and after a parameter has been changed. Refer to the Preferences window for information on
automatic load setting.
Measure
The Measure function reads the ADC measurement of different channels in the programmer. The measure
command will read the Vdd, Vout, and Idd measurements from the programmer. The results of a measure
are displayed in results sections.
Read Back
This functions loads a special set of vectors to read the contents of the MLX90215 ROM. The contents of the
ROM is read by loading the read back waveforms and measuring the supply current, Idd. Any additional cur-
rent from additional components measured on the supply line may give false results. The read back func-
tions also returns all zeros when the Memlock bit is set in ROM. Results from the read back function appear
under the ROM column.
Zap
The Zap function outputs the waveforms, or vectors, needed to permanently program bits into the MLX90215.
The term “zap” is used because it describes the physical process of setting a bit in the MLX90215 ROM.
This action is permanent. Once a bit has been set or zapped it can not be reset. When the Zap action is
executed the device parameters under the RAM column will be permanently programmed into the device.
This function should be performed after the sensor has been calibrated and the user is satisfied with the
results obtained in RAM.
Attention: In the event incorrect bits are zapped the device cannot be reworked and may need to be dis-
carded
Warning: Erroneous zapping can render a device useless.
Results
The results section contains 8 display blocks separated into two columns. The columns are labeled abso-
lute and ratiometric. The absolute results are the actual measurements made by the programmer. The ra-
tiometric results are measurements made by the programmer and compensated for an ideal supply voltage
of five Volts. Ratiometric measurements help eliminate error from minor deviations in the supply voltage.
All of the Voltage measurements are displayed in units of Volts unless otherwise stated. The %Vdd result
displays the output voltage (Vout) as a percentage of the supply. The Idd result displays the measurement of
supply current in units of mA.
There are two displays in the results section under the heading relative. By using the Zero button the user
can make relative measurements of the output voltage. To do this execute the Measure function to measure
the sensors output. Press the zero button to set this value as the reference. Adjust the sensor and measure
again. The results in relative section will display the output voltage relative to the previous reference. The
values are displayed in units of Volts and are shown as both absolute and ratiometric. This feature is useful
for measuring the voltage span of the sensor.