TEC-Feature: Temperature Estimator TEC-Feature: Driver Channel Splitting

TEC-Feature: Cascade Temperature Control

This paid feature Cascade Temperature Control for all TEC Controllers of Meerstetter Engineering significantly improves the precision and speed of applications with thermal ramping, especially in PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) systems. This advanced control system utilizes a cascade control loop to improve the temperature transition and stability, providing faster, more accurate cycling performance.

Read more about the Cascade Temperature Control feature in this white paper about improving thermal cycler for PCR with cascade control loops. This example is representative for similar thermal applications.

When purchasing a new TEC Controller from Meerstetter Engineering (or after loading FW v6.20 into an older one), all features are free for trial for the first 150 operating hours. Licenses can be obtained from Meerstetter Engineering by leaving a comment in the RFQ or order for a TEC Controller, or by contacting the sales team directly. Please be sure to include the following information: the serial number and TEC Controller type (S/N _____ and TEC-XXXX).

Please note: The TEC Configuration Software is free of charge. Only certain advanced features such as Cascade Temperature Control require a license after the free trial period.

Read more about license handling and prices below under the tab "Price / License".

Detailed Description

Traditional temperature control systems often struggle with issues like temperature overshooting or slow stabilization, which can lead to inaccurate results and prolonged cycle times. The Cascade Temperature Control feature addresses this by introducing an additional control loop that decouples the Peltier cell’s time constant from the rest of the system. This helps to prevent temperature fluctuations during critical temperature transitions, leading to quicker stabilization at target temperatures.

What sets Cascade Temperature Control apart is its ability to separately manage the temperature of the Peltier element and the sample block, thus optimizing the heat transfer process. This innovation results in more efficient temperature ramping. This control loop is designed to manage overshoot and undershoot on demand in order to shorten temperature transition times.

The Cascade Temperature Control feature works best together with the Meerstetter Temperature Estimator feature, which compensates for the difficulty of directly measuring the temperature of the target. By accurately estimating the target temperature, the system maintains the desired conditions without relying on contactless or invasive sensors that might interfere or mislead the measurement, optimizing both speed and precision.

In essence, the Cascade Temperature Control feature improves efficiency and the number of cycles per hour of the thermal system, enabling faster results while keeping the target temperature within the desired limits.

Price model - License handling

By purchasing a new TEC Controller from Meerstetter Engineering (or after loading FW v6.20 into an older one), all features are free for trial for the first 150 operating hours.
If you need more testing hours, ask us for a prolonged trial license.
After trial period, the feature can be permanently unlocked by loading a license key into the device.
Licenses can be obtained from Meerstetter Engineering by leaving a comment in the RFQ or order for a TEC Controller, or by contacting the sales team directly.
New devices ordered with specific feature(s): The license is already installed on new TEC Controllers.
License ordered for an existing device at the customer: The license is an alphanumeric string, that is sent by e-mail and must be copied into the “Key” field (in the TEC Configuration Software: Tab “View” -> “License”) for each device separately. Pay close attention to the license status and if the expected feature is enabled after loading the license (further down in the “License” window). If the license does not match the device, it will not work.

Be aware, that the license is only valid for a specific device. Therefore, please make sure you provide the correct information: the serial number and TEC Controller type (TEC-XXXX).