Implementation of Multi-Channel TEC Temperature Control System

This paper develops a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) temperature control system based on the field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Multi-channel analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) acquire temperature data from the temperature sensors, with resolution of 0.002°C. The noises of the acquired data are processed and reduced using the principle of noise correlation, which is realized in an integrated Digital Signal Processing (DSP). Temperature control algorithm is implemented in the FPGA. Control signals are sent to multi-channel digital to analog converters (DACs) to control the current amplifiers, which drive multiple thermal actuators to heat or cool a temperature-sensitive plant. An ARM microcontroller is used to exchange data between DSP and FPGA. Such a system can be used for temperature control of a micro-positioner.