Model RS-DAQ Instrument Controller User Manual Version 1.0 C&L Instruments, Inc. 314 Scout Lane Hummelstown, PA 17036 Phone: 717-566-3642 Fax: 717-566-3643 E-mail: support@fluorescence.com Web site: http://www.fluorescence.com Table of Contents Chapter 1: Overview..............................................................................................................................2 Chapter 2: Setup ....................................................................................................................................3 Cable Connections.............................................................................................................................................. 3 Chapter 3: Using the Controller ...........................................................................................................4 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 Power on considerations..................................................................................................................................... 4 Filter Wheels ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 Filter Wheel Type .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Filter Wheels Modes and Data Acquisition Modes ....................................................................................... 5 Spin Mode ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 Fixed Mode .................................................................................................................................................... 5 Mixed Mode ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Shutters............................................................................................................................................................... 6 Monitor Output................................................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 4: Programming the Controller.............................................................................................7 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Switching between Panel Control and RS-232 Control Modes.......................................................................... 7 Programming using the Keypad ......................................................................................................................... 7 Toggling between filter wheel and neutral density positions....................................................................... 12 Using the TTL trigger Input ............................................................................................................................. 13 Manual Shutter Control .................................................................................................................................... 13 Programming using the RS-232 Interface ........................................................................................................ 13 Control Language and Syntax ..................................................................................................................... 13 Acquisition of Fluorescence Data..................................................................................................................... 18 Acquisition of Analog Data.............................................................................................................................. 18 Chapter 5: Maintenance and Service .................................................................................................19 System Controller............................................................................................................................................. 19 Power supply .................................................................................................................................................... 19 Service.............................................................................................................................................................. 19 Chapter 6: Agreement, License and Warranty.................................................................................20 Agreement and License .................................................................................................................................... 20 Definitions: .................................................................................................................................................. 20 Copyright notice .......................................................................................................................................... 20 Term............................................................................................................................................................. 20 Limited Warranty ............................................................................................................................................. 21 Limitation of remedies ................................................................................................................................. 21 United States Federal Government Restricted Rights ................................................................................. 22 General ........................................................................................................................................................ 22 RS-DAQ Instrument Controller User Manual (version 1.0) Page 1 Chapter 1: Overview Chapter 1: Overview Thank you for purchasing the C&L Instruments Model RS-DAQ Instrument Controller. This controller not only provides microprocessor based control for the C&L Instruments Dye Fluorometer system and components, but it can also function as a complete fluorescence and analog data acquisition system. The Controller can be programmed either by the front panel keypad or by ASCII commands through the RS-232 port. The unit includes a BNC input for photon counting photomultiplier tubes having TTL output signals (20 nsec minimum pulse width) and auxiliary BNC inputs for 8 channels of A/D conversion, 0-5VDC. Please follow the instructions provided in this manual. Proper care of the RS-DAQ will insure peak-performance throughout the life of the instrument. RS-DAQ Instrument Controller User Manual (version 1.0) Page 2 Chapter 2: Setup Chapter 2: Setup Cable Connections There are 9 types of electrical connections to the Model RS-DAQ Controller. The cables you use will depend upon your system configuration. These are: 1. A power cord from the desktop power supply. 2. A female DB-15 for control of the excitation (illuminator) filter wheel. 3. A female DB-15 for control of the neutral density (illuminator) wheel. 4. A female DB-15 for control of the emission (detector) filter wheel. 5. A female DB-9 for the Monitor output. 6. A female DB-9 for RS-232 communication. 7. A BNC input for TTL signals from the detector photomultiplier. 8. A BNC input for TTL trigger signals to toggle filter wheel filter changes. 9. Eight BNC connectors for input for auxiliary Analog Data input. Attach the supplied power cable to the connector located on the end of the desktop power supply. The power supply is of universal type, and should operate from 95-250 VAC and 47-63 Hz. The power supply is supplied with a power cord for operation in either North America or Europe. In the event that the supplied power cord is incompatible with your electric utility, you may have to obtain either an adapter or a power cord locally. The power entry module is a standard IEC type. Attach the low voltage connector to the power input of the RS-DAQ Controller. This connector is located on the right side of the controller. The 15 pin connectors used with the RS-DAQ controller will depend upon your system configuration. Attach one end of one of the supplied 15 pin molded cables to the connector located on the back panel of the Instrument Controller labeled EXCITATION. The other end is attached to a similarly labeled connector on the Model S48D Illuminator. Attach a second supplied 15 pin molded cable to the connectors marked NEUTRAL DENSITY on the Illumination Source and the RS-DAQ Controller in a similar fashion. If your application includes a detector, attach another 15 pin molded cable to the Detector module and the connector labeled EMISSION on the RS-DAQ Controller. If your application includes analog inputs, attach BNC cables to the auxiliary inputs on the RS-DAQ. Input voltages should be restricted to the range of 0-5 VDC. TTL inputs are provided to trigger filter wheel changes by the RS-DAQ Controller and to collect data from TTL-output photon counting systems. The Model RS-DAQ can be used with several illumination and detection components offered by C&L Instruments. For more information about the RS-DAQ Controller that is not contained in this manual, please contact C&L Instruments or visit our web site. RS-DAQ Instrument Controller User Manual (version 1.0) Page 3 Chapter 3: Using the Controller Chapter 3: Using the Controller Overview The Model RS-DAQ Controller is designed to operate the Model S48D Illuminator and the Model D48 Detector and other hardware devices manufactured by C&L Instruments. The Illumination source contains an arc lamp assembly, a filter wheel and a neutral density wheel, motor controllers, a shutter and power supplies. The Detector contains a filter wheel, motor controller, shutter, power supply and a photon counting photomultiplier (PMT). The filter wheels are used for wavelength selection and the neutral density wheel is used to attenuate the light intensity of the illuminator output. The reader is referred to the manuals provided with the Illumination Source and Detector for more information about the operation of these instruments. The RS-DAQ Controller also has complete data acquisition capability. It can collect photon count data from a photon-counting photomultiplier having a TTL output. It also can collect analog data using eight separate analog input channels. The data is obtained from the Controller using the supplied RS-232 interface. This manual describes the general operation of the RS-DAQ Controller and how it is programmed. To use the RSDAQ as a data acquisition system, contact C&L Instruments to obtain the appropriate software. Power on considerations To use your RS-DAQ Controller safely and as a component of other equipment from C&L Instruments, a specific sequence should be followed when turning the equipment on and off. Please follow these steps: 1. Always turn the Illumination System on before turning on the Controller, computer or any other components. This is a good practice to follow if C&L Instruments, or any other manufacturer supplies other equipment you plan to use with the Controller. It is unlikely, but it is possible that the initial illumination of an arc lamp assembly can damage other components due to electromagnetic discharge. 2. After igniting the arc lamp assembly, all other components can be turned on. The power switch on the RS-DAQ is located on the right side of the unit. 3. If you are using a computer with your RS-DAQ, it should be turned on last. Filter Wheels Filter Wheel Type The Illuminators and Detector manufactured by C&L Instruments utilize filter wheels for wavelength selection. Your fluorometer may be configured with either one or two filter wheels. The complete C&L Instruments Dye Fluorometer uses two filter wheels to select the excitation and emission wavelengths. One is in the excitation path and one is in the emission path. Depending on the particular type(s) of filter wheels purchased with your RS-DAQ Instrument Controller User Manual (version 1.0) Page 4 Chapter 3: Using the Controller instrument, the filter wheels can contain either four 1-inch diameter filters or eight ½-inch filters. Filter Wheels Modes and Data Acquisition Modes The RS-DAQ Controller allows the user to control the operation of an excitation filter wheel, an emission filter wheel and a Neutral Density (ND) wheel. The features for each of the wheels can be controlled separately. Both the excitation and emission filter wheels can be operated in three different operation modes: Spin, Fixed and Mixed. When used with accessory data acquisi ...