Gentec-EO S-LINK User Manual

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 i

WARRANTY

The Gentec-EO PC S-Link has a one-year warranty (from date of shipment) against material and/or
workmanship defects, when used under normal operating conditions. The warranty does not cover
damages related to battery leakage or misuse.

Gentec-EO Inc. will repair or replace, optionally, any PC S-Link that proves to be defective during the
warranty period, except in the case of product misuse.

Any attempt by an unauthorized person to alter or repair the product voids the warranty.
The manufacturer is not liable for consequential damages of any kind.
In case of malfunction, contact your local Gentec-EO distributor or nearest Gentec-EO Inc. office to obtain

a return authorization number. The material should be returned to:

Gentec Electro-Optics, Inc.

445, St-Jean-Baptiste, Suite 160

Québec, QC

Canada G2E 5N7

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

Website: www.gentec-eo.com

CLAIMS

To obtain warranty service, contact your nearest Gentec-EO agent or send the product, with a description
of the problem, and prepaid transportation and insurance, to the nearest Gentec-EO agent. Gentec-EO
Inc. assumes no risk for damage in transit. Gentec-EO Inc. will, at its option, repair or replace the
defective product free of charge, or refund your purchase price. However, if Gentec-EO Inc. determines
that the failure is caused by misuse, alterations, accident or abnormal conditions of operation or handling,
you will be billed for the repair and the repaired product will be returned to you, transportation prepaid.

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 ii

SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not use the PC S-Link with the S-Link if the device or the detector looks damaged, or if you suspect
that the S-Link is not operating properly.

Appropriate installation must be done for water-cooled and fan-cooled detectors. Refer to the specific
instructions for more information. The user must wait for a while before handling these detectors after
power is applied. Surfaces of the detectors get very hot and there is a risk of injury if they are not allowed
to cool down.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital

device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communication. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, we
suggest taking one or more of the following steps to correct the interference:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the distance between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment to an outlet that is on a different circuit than the receiver.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Caution: Changes or modifications not expressly approved in writing by Gentec-EO Inc. may

void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

SYMBOLS

The following international symbols are used in this manual:

Refer to the manual for specific Warning or Caution information to avoid any damage

to the product.

DC, Direct Current

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

1. THE S-LINK DUAL CHANNEL LASER POWER/ENERGY METER

WARRANTY ................................................................................................................................................... I

CLAIMS .......................................................................................................................................................... I

SAFETY INFORMATION .............................................................................................................................. II

SYMBOLS ..................................................................................................................................................... II

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS .......................................................................................................................... IV

THE S-LINK DOUBLE CHANNEL LASER POWER/ENERGY METER ....................................................... 1

1.1 INTRODUCTION ................................ ................................................................................................ ............... 1

1.2 SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 2

1.3 CONNECTOR DESCRIPTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 4

GETTING STARTED .................................................................................................................................... 6

1.4 QUICK POWER AND ENERGY MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE ............................................................................... 6

1.5 USER INTERFACE ...................................................................................................................................... 8

1.5.1 Start the PC S-Link software on the PC. Click Start / Programs /GENTEC-EO/ PC S-Link. .............. 8

1.5.2 Make a connection with the S-link ......................................................................................................... 8

1.5.3 The Real time Display ............................................................................................................................ 9

1.5.4 The Status Window .............................................................................................................................. 10

1.5.5 Selecting the Channel to display .......................................................................................................... 10

1.5.6 Adjusting the Windows Display ........................................................................................................... 11

1.5.7 The Graphic ......................................................................................................................................... 12

1.5.8 The graphic mode option after a load file............................................................................................ 13

1.5.9 Restarting the Lineplot, statistics and Histogram ................................................................................ 14

1.5.10 Making an acquisition ......................................................................................................................... 15

1.5.11 Pausing the Statistics and line plot ...................................................................................................... 15

1.5.12 Making a Zero offset ............................................................................................................................ 15

1.5.13 Ratio mode ........................................................................................................................................... 16

1.5.14 Detecting missing laser pulses. ............................................................................................................ 17

1.5.15 Recommended PC ................................................................................................................................ 19

INSTALLATION AND COMMUNICATION .................................................................................................. 21

1.6 INSTALLATION .............................................................................................................................................. 21

1.6.1 To Install USB drivers for Windows™: ............................................................................................... 21

1.7 SETTING UP COMMUNICATION TO THE S-LINK ............................................................................................. 22

1.7.1 Verify COM Port .................................................................................................................................. 22

1.7.2 Reducing the Latency Timer Setting .................................................................................................... 22

1.7.3 Connecting the PC S-Link to the S-Link .............................................................................................. 22

1.7.3.1 Download the PC S-Link file and execute it .................................................................................... 22

1.7.3.2 Installation ....................................................................................................................................... 22

1.7.4 Running PC S-Link .............................................................................................................................. 22

1.7.4.1 Start the PC S-Link .......................................................................................................................... 22

1.7.4.2 Ensure that the correct COM port is selected................................................................................... 22

1.7.4.3 Exit the PC S-Link program ............................................................................................................ 23

1.7.5 Connect to the S-Link ........................................................................................................................... 23

1.7.6 To echo commands............................................................................................................................... 24

1.7.7 Test the connection .............................................................................................................................. 24

1.7.8 HyperTerminal settings shortcut................................................................................................ .......... 24

1.7.9 Serial Commands ................................................................................................................................. 24

1.7 S-Link Serial commands .......................................................................................................................... 24

2 MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................................... 31

2.1 USB INSTALLATION FOR THE S-LINK ........................................................................................................... 31

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 iv

2.2 FREE SOFTWARE UPGRADE .......................................................................................................................... 31

3 ETHERNET INSTALLATION PROCEDURE ....................................................................................... 32

3.1 INSTALL THESE FILES FROM THE CD. ............................................................................................................ 32

3.2 CREATE A COM PORT ................................................................................................................................... 32

3.3 ROUTE THE IP ADDRESS TO THE NEW COM PORT.......................................................................................... 34

3.4 SETTING UP A 2-NODE NETWORK WITH A WINDOWS-BASED COMPUTER AND S-LINK ................................... 35

3.4.1 Configure TCP/IP protocol on your computer. ................................................................................... 35

3.4.2 Setting the IP address in the S-Link ..................................................................................................... 39

3.4.3 Setting the Ethernet undefault values in the S-Link ............................................................................. 42

4 TROUBLESHOOTING. ........................................................................................................................ 45

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ........................................................................................................... 46

5 APPENDIX A ....................................................................................................................................... 47

5.1 ATTENUATOR/DIFFUSER CALIBRATION PROCEDURE.................................................................................... 47

6 APPENDIX B ....................................................................................................................................... 49

6.1 RECYCLING AND SEPARATION PROCEDURE................................................................................................... 49

6.2 SEPARATION: ................................................................................................................................ ................ 49

6.3 DISMANTLING PROCEDURE: .......................................................................................................................... 49

7 APPENDIX C ....................................................................................................................................... 50

7.1 FIX COM PORT PROCEDURE ........................................................................................................................... 50

8 APPENDIX D ....................................................................................................................................... 53

8.1 S-LINK-2 BINARY MODE DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................. 53

8.1.1 DESCRIPTION ................................................................ ................................................................ .... 53

8.1.2 CODIFICATION .................................................................................................................................. 54

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FIG 1.1 PC S-LINK USER’S INTERFACE ............................................................................................................. 1

FIG. 1-2 S-LINK-ETHERNET CONNECTORS ........................................................................................................ 4

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 1

THE S-LINK DOUBLE CHANNEL LASER POWER/ENERGY METER

1.1 Introduction

To obtain full performance from the S-Link and the PC S-Link, we recommend that you read this manual
carefully.

The PC S-Link software transforms your PC screen into a large S-Link screen enabling you to control and
see your information from a distance and transfer data to a PC for sophisticated data analysis.

The S-Link is a microprocessor-based power and energy meter that uses the latest technology to provide
a multitude of options in a user-friendly environment. It is a complete power and energy meter that can
provide a statistical analysis of your measurements.

There is no need to enter the head specifications when connecting the new Gentec-EO power or energy
detector heads, for head version 5 and above. The S-Link is already internally set up to accept all the
Gentec-EO Hi power wattmeter and joulemeter heads with a DB-15 connector of head version 5 and 6.
The S-Link accepts the QE-xx-x-MT or a XLE-4.

Fig 1.1 PC S-Link user’s interface

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 2

Power meter specifications S-Link

Power Range

1 uW to 10 kW

Power Scales
(thermal head)

15 scales: 300uW, 1 mW, 3mW, 30mW, 100mW,
300mW, 1W, 3W, 10W, 30W, 100W, 300W, 1kW,
3kW, 10kW

Resolution (digital)

Normal mode: Current scale/2048
Ascii mode: Current scale/32768

Wattmeter mode Accuracy

±0.75 % 2.5 µV from 10% to full scale1

Response Time
(accelerated)2

1 sec

Sampling Frequency

100 Hz

Statistics

Current value, Max, Min, Average, Std Dev., RMS
stability, PTP stability, Time

1

2

Unpacking

Each Gentec-EO S-Link is thoroughly tested and calibrated prior to shipment.
Visually inspect every S-Link unit after removing it from the shipping containers. If you see any damage,

retain all packaging materials and shipping receipts. Any damage claim should be made promptly to the
transportation company. Notify the nearest Gentec-EO representative concerning the claim, so that any
repair or replacement can be arranged as soon as possible.

You can download the latest software version for the PC S-Link (and install it on your PC) and for the S­Link (and install it on the S-Link) with the serial interface anytime from our website www.gentec-eo.com.

You can download the PC S-Link program from our website. Go to the Downloads section of our
website: www.gentec-eo.com. Click on the file name and download it to your PC. The specific actions
necessary vary between browser and browser settings. After it is transferred, open the file on your PC
and follow the instructions to uncompress and install it. You may also consult the download instructions
document that is also in the download section of our website.

1.2 Specifications

The following specifications are based on a one-year calibration cycle, an operating temperature of 18 to
28ºC (64 to 82ºF) and a relative humidity not to exceed 80%.

Table 1-1 List of Specifications

The 2.5µV bias can introduce an error into low power measurements with low sensitivity detectors. It is
essential to use the Zero Offset to rezero the S-Link before making a measurement in these conditions. It
is always good practice to use the Zero Offset. See section 2.2.

Varies with detector head.

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 3

Energy meter specifications S-Link

Energy Range

0.08µJ to 20 kJ

Energy Scales

20 scales: 10uJ, 30uJ, 100µJ, 300µJ, 1mJ, 3mJ,
10mJ, 30mJ, 100mJ, 300mJ, 1J, 3J, 10J, 30J, 100J,
300J, 1kJ, 3kJ, 10kJ, 30kJ

Resolution (digital)

Normal mode: Current scale/4096

Ascii mode: Current scale/32768

Accuracy3

1.0 %50 µV < 500 Hz

2.0 %50 µV 500 Hz to 1.2 kHz
3%50 µV 1.2 kHz to 6 kHz

6%50 µV 6kHz to 10 kHz

Average Power accuracy

Frequency Accuracy error + Joulemeter accuracy.

Frequency Accuracy

0.1 to 1000 Hz : 1%±0.1 Hz5

1000 to 2000 Hz : 2%±0.1 Hz5

5000 to 10000 Hz : 3%±1 Hz5

Default Trigger Level

2 %

Software Trigger Level

0.1% to 99.9%, 0.1% resolution

Real Time Data Transfer

10 kHz/Channel in Normal mode no missing point with

USB 2.0 or Ethernet and recommended PC.

Statistics

Current value, Max, Min, Average, Std Dev., RMS
stability, PTP stability, Pulse #, Repetition Rate, Avg
Power

Data Storage

Limited to PC hard drive free space

General Specifications S-Link

Digital Display

Computer screen

Display Rate

3 Hz in Real time mode.

15 Hz in Graphic mode.

Data Displays

Real time, Ratio, Line plot, Histogram, Statistics and

3D Histogram.

User input correction factors

1 multiplier and 1 offset (7 digits floating point)

3

Including linearity.

5

With the recommended PC, no graphic display, usb latency set to 1ms and no other applications
running. The rep rate is much lower over the RS-232 link (5.7 Khz@115200, 480 Hz @9600, the rep rate
is divided by 2 if two channel is used).

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 4

Positive External trigger

3 to 24 V @ 13 mA, optically isolated.

External trigger pulse width

2 us minimum, no maximum time.

Internet Upgrades

Yes (USB only)

PC Serial Commands

Yes

Dimensions
(connectors included)

147 (L) x 106 (W) x 34 (H) mm

Weight

0.424 kg

Power Over USB

Yes

External Power Supply for S­Link –Ethernet and S-Link –
RS232

Input: 100/240 VAC 50-60 Hz, Output 9 VDC 1.66 A

S-LINK-2

2 Channels

1.3 Connector Descriptions

Fig. 1-2 S-Link-Ethernet Connectors

1- ETHERNET INTERFACE CONNECTOR (optional on S-Link):

This interface allows remote control and data transfers between the S-Link and a computer via
an Ethernet network, a wireless router or a direct connection.

2- External trigger:

The Input connector is a Female BNC. The External trigger is TTL compatible. The monitor
detects a trigger on the rising side of the external trigger signal. To measure accurately, the
trigger must be just before the laser pulse, or just after. For Example

A QE12SP-S-MT has a 20uS rise time
The External trigger must be 4 us before or 19us after the laser pulse.

.

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 5

CAUTION

Permanent damage may occur to the optical meter if an external
power supply other than the GENTEC-EO 200960 SPU15A-104 is
used. Please call GENTEC-EO or your local distributor if extra
power supplies are needed for a particular setup.

3- USB INTERFACE CONNECTOR :

This interface allows remote control and data transfers between the S-Link and a computer
that has a USB communication port.

4- EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY INPUT JACK (S-Link with Ethernet option):

Input voltage required: 5-9 VDC/500 mA. If input voltage is between 15 and 25 volts the
monitor will switch to USB power or turn off. If the input power is above 26 volts either the
internal fuse will blow, or, depending on voltage level and waveform, it may damage the
monitor. When the S-Link is under power the green led will light-up. The S-link will work
under all conditions with 1 HP series high power head and all other supported Gentec-eo
heads. When you connect more than one HP series heads, you need to use the USB

power or a 5 volts- 500mA AC to DC power adapter to power the HP head.

5- PROBE INPUT JACK:

The S-Link uses a DB-15 female connector to mate with the detector heads (probes).
The S-Link can take advantage of our Personal wavelength correction™. It reads the

memory in the Smart Interface connector (version 5 and higher) to provide a wavelength
correction that is based on spectral data measured from that specific detector.

Energy detector heads prior to version 4 have a BNC connector. Contact your vendor for a

hardware upgrade.

Power detectors of version V4 and lower and Energy detectors of version V5 and lower

are not supported . Photodiodes are not supported.

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 6

Power detectors of version V5 and higher and Energy detectors of version V6 are

equipped with an “intelligent” DB-15 male connector that mates directly with the DB-15 female
connector. They do not require an adaptor.

WARNING: This DB-15 connector, though similar to that of the former TPM-310 and TPM-330

monitors, is incompatible with the power detector heads of PS-310 Series Version 1
and PS-330 Series Version 1. These heads used a different technology and do not
have the same pin-out configuration.

Any attempt to modify connectors of the early version heads to mate with the S-Link could

result in damage to the monitor.

6- RS-232 INTERFACE CONNECTOR (On the SLINK-1-RS-232 only):

This interface allows remote control and data transfers between the S-Link and a computer
that has a RS-232 communication port. The speed is factory selected. The connector is a
standard mini-USB.

Getting Started

This section contains important information concerning the installation and operation of the S-Link.
The S-Link is delivered ready to use. Just insert a detector head in the DB-15 Detector Input Jack,

insert the USB cable into the S-Link and into the PC, and start the software.

1.4 Quick power and energy measurement procedure

This section applies to all S-Link versions. It will show you the fastest way of making a laser power and
energy measurement with the S-Link and a Gentec-EO power or energy detector.

The monitor automatically recognizes all the Gentec-EO High power heads of versions ≥4 and energy
heads of versions ≥6. All custom technical data required for optimum operation of the detector will be
automatically downloaded from the EEPROM in the DB-15 connector. This data includes sensitivity,
model, serial number, version, wavelength correction factors, and time response.

The first 11 steps are for S-Link initialization, steps 12 to 14 refer to the PC S-Link:

1- Install the power or energy detector head on its optical stand.
2- Turn the S-Link off (unplug it) and connect a version 5 (or higher) power or energy detector

head to the S-Link using the Detector INPUT DB15. Turn the S-Link off before connecting a
new head in order to prevent any loss of information. The S-link only reads the EEPROM head
on a power cycle or on a Reset Device command, because the S-link keeps the last head
sensibility and configuration. To avoid any loss of information, be sure not to insert a head
while the S-link is being powered-up or while you send the Reset Device command.

3- Slide the latch to the left to lock the connector into place.

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 7

4- Switch the S-Link ON (plug it in).
5- Power heads will default the S-Link to power measurement; energy heads will default the S-

Link to energy measurement.

6- Remove the head’s protective cover.

Put the detector head into the laser beam path. The entire laser beam must be within the
sensor aperture. Do not exceed maximum specified densities, energies or powers. For the
most accurate measurement, spread the beam across 60% to 80% of the sensor area.

Attention: Power heads can be used with both CW and pulsed lasers.

- Energy heads can only be used with pulsed lasers.

7- For power heads (using the S-Link), go to step 8. For energy heads, go to step 11.

Adjusting the zero (steps 8 to 10)
8- Block off laser radiation to the detector.
9- The power read by the PC S-Link when no laser beam is incident on the detector may not be

exactly zero. The detector is either not thermally stabilized OR there was a heat source in the
field of view of the detector when you turned on the S-Link.

10- To reset the zero, wait until the reading has stabilized, right click and select Zero Offset. You

are now ready to make an accurate measurement.

Notes:

• Refer to specific power detector documentation for complete installation and operating
instructions.

• The power detectors are thermal sensors sensitive to temperature variations.

For high-precision measurements, we recommend:

• Allowing the power detector temperature to stabilize before zeroing the S-Link.

• Not touching the detector head when handling the power detector. Touch the stand.

• Avoiding forced airflow or drafts around the detector.

11- Apply the laser beam to the detector head. The laser beam average power or energy will be

displayed on the computer screen.

12- If the USB drivers and/or PC S-Link have not been installed, install the USB drivers (see 3.1.1)

then install PC S-Link (self-directed).
13- Start the PC S-Link software on the PC. Click Start / Programs /GENTEC-EO/ PC S-Link.
14- To connect the PC S-Link to the device, select the correct COM Port (see section 3.2.1) and

click Reconnect. You should see values pertaining to the current settings on the PC S-Link.
15- To replace a head, turn off the PC S-Link, unplug the S-Link, insert the new head, plug in the S-

Link, and restart the PC S-Link.

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 8

1.5 USER INTERFACE

1.5.1 Start the PC S-Link software on the PC. Click Start / Programs /GENTEC-EO/ PC S-Link.

1.5.2 Make a connection with the S-link

Select communication/open and select the com port, see section 1.7.

Communication image

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 9

1.5.3 The Real time Display

In Power mode

The Current value is updated at 3Hz.
The lower window shows the Scale, current offset value and wavelength. You can change the

scale using the quick arrows beside the scale value. When you change the scale, the acquisition
and all display modes will stop for a few milliseconds.

In Energy mode

The Current value is updated at 3Hz. But all data in the statistics are updated at up to 10 kHz in
real time. Single shot measurement is always good. When you change the scale you might have
a false measurement but the next measurement is accurate. There is no need for “Zero offset” in
energy mode because the S-link compensates for an analog drift.

The information bar at the bottom shows the scale and wavelength. The middle box is blank in
energy mode. You can change the scale using the quick arrows beside the scale value. When
you change the scale, the acquisition and all display modes will stop for a few milliseconds.

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 10

1.5.4 The Status Window

In the Status window you can select the channel, scale, wavelength, trigger level, correction
factor, file name, data sampling and external trig option. All acquisitions and measurements are stopped
while you are in the Status Window. To save your settings, select File/ save status. To load your setting,
select File/load status. You must not load a wattmeter status when using an energy detector or a
joulemeter status when using a power detector. PC-Slink will remember your last Status setting files
under File.

Status image

1.5.5 Selecting the Channel to display

Right click on the display window and select the channel you wish to display.

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 11

1.5.6 Adjusting the Windows Display

Select Display/Split with a right click on the window or from the menu bar. To save your layout, select
Layout, save layout. To load your saved layout, select Layout, load layout or the filename that appears at
the bottom.

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 12

1.5.7 The Graphic

To adjust the real time graphic double click on the left side of the y axis. The X-Axis minimum and
maximum settings are only available in the Load File option. You can use the mouse wheel to zoom in or
out. Left click on the graphic line to change the line position. Double click in the graphic window to
pause and get the numerical values in the graphic. The Time setting is in the Graphic display time menu
for the X axis.

S-LINK User’s Manual Revision 2.4 13

1.5.8 The graphic mode option after a load file

In the Status Menu, Select a file name for the file to save or to view.

To adjust the graphic axis, double click on the left side of the Y axis. Deselect the Auto mode to enter the
axis values. You can also use the mouse wheel to zoom in or out. You can zoom the X axis using the
mouse wheel while holding the Shift key. Left click on the graphic to change the line Y position. If you
are zooming the X axis, you can Left click on the graphic and move the center X position. Double click in
the graphic window to get the numerical values in the graphic.

To zoom the Y axis

+

To zoom the X axis in the Load File option