Pi Software Suite C-990.cd1 -

PI Software Suite C-990.CD1 is the standard, comprehensive software package provided by Physik Instrumente (PI)

for the configuration, optimization, and operation of their motion control systems and nanopositioning controllers. Physik Instrumente Core Functionality

The suite serves as a unified platform for managing PI hardware, designed to bridge the gap between initial hardware setup and complex automation. Setup and Startup:

Includes tools to identify connected controllers, configure axes, and define system parameters. System Optimization: Features utilities like the PIFRF-Analyzer

for frequency response analysis and parameter tuning to ensure optimal stability and performance for specific applications. Motion Control:

Provides intuitive graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to execute motion commands, scan routines, and alignment tasks without requiring custom programming. Simulation & Emulation:

Includes tools to simulate motion ranges and force permitted, allowing for development and testing even when physical hardware is not present. Key Components & Tools pi software suite c-990.cd1

The suite is not a single program but a collection of specialized utilities: PIMikroMove:

The primary GUI for controlling axes, managing macros, and monitoring system status. PI Terminal:

A text-based input program for experts to send direct commands using PI’s standardized General Command Set (GCS) Drivers and APIs:

Comprehensive support for third-party integration via libraries for C++, Python (PIPython), MATLAB, and LabVIEW Configuration Tools:

Utilities for firmware updates and low-level controller settings. Physik Instrumente Specifications & Compatibility Current Version:

3.1.0 (as of September 2025), with a file size of approximately Operating Systems: Full support for Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11. PI Software Suite C-990

Supported via PITerminal, GCS2 shared objects, and PIPython. Available upon request for specific drivers and DLLs. Target Hardware:

Compatible with a wide range of PI controllers, including the

digital piezo controller and various motorized stage systems. Physik Instrumente

Detailed documentation, including datasheets and manuals, is available through the Physik Instrumente Knowledge Center like Python or MATLAB using this suite? Software Suite - Physik Instrumente

Compatibility Matrix: Which Controllers Work?

The C-990.CD1 suite is not universal. Use this table to verify your hardware:

What is the PI Software Suite C-990.CD1?

The term C-990.CD1 refers to a specific part number and distribution medium—originally a CD-ROM—containing a curated collection of software tools for PI’s older generation of motor and piezo controllers.

Before the era of cloud downloads and unified platforms like PI’s modern PIMikroMove or PIOne 2.0, PI distributed its drivers, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), and demo applications via physical media. The C-990.CD1 is a master suite designed to interface with controllers such as:

The C-862 Mercury series (DC motor controllers)
C-843 (PCI-bus card for piezo mechanisms)
C-702 (Piezo controller)
Various C-848 and E-816 legacy models

Feature: PI Suite Core Installation & Archive Recovery (C-990.CD1)

4. Example Code Libraries

The suite ships with programming samples in:

LabVIEW (.vi files for instrument drivers)
C/C++ (Console applications showing closed-loop servo control)
Visual Basic 6.0 (Legacy automation interfaces)

LabVIEW

For LabVIEW users, C-990.CD1 is a godsend. It installs a massive library of Virtual Instruments (VIs) located in the LabVIEW instr.lib folder. These VIs are wrappers for the GCS DLLs.

Old Way: You had to use Call Library Function nodes and manually wire error codes.
C-990.CD1 Way: You drop a "PI Move Absolute.vi" onto your block diagram. It handles the open/close connection state automatically and provides standard LabVIEW error clusters.

Step-by-Step for Modern Use

Do not autorun: Insert the CD or mount the ISO. Manually browse the contents.
Copy the folder: Create C:\PI_Legacy and copy DLLs, Include, and Examples.
Register the DLL manually: Open an admin Command Prompt. Navigate to the DLL folder and run regsvr32 PI_GCS_DLL.dll.
Use a VM for the Terminal: The PITerm.exe often fails on 64-bit due to outdated COM port controls. Run it inside a Windows XP Mode virtual machine (VirtualBox/VMware) for reliable serial communication.

Why this matters for C-990.CD1 specifically:

Older PI drivers often hard-coded communication protocols. The C-990.CD1 suite introduced a more abstracted "Controller" class in its API. This means you can write a Python script that connects to a generic PI device. If you swap the hardware tomorrow from a C-863 Mercury controller to a C-884.4D Galvo controller, your code often requires zero changes—the C-990.CD1 suite handles the hardware abstraction.