External Triggering Options Instructions
Overview
Ocean Optics USB2000, USB2000+, USB4000, HR2000, HR2000+, HR4000, Jaz, Maya, QE65000, NIR
Series, NIRQuest Series, S2000, and S1024DW Spectrometers provide several methods of acquiring data
(see table below). In the Normal mode, the spectrometer is “free running.” That is, the spectrometer is
continuously scanning, acquiring, and transferring data to your computer, according to parameters set in
the software. In this mode, however, there is no way to synchronize the scanning, acquisition, and transfer
of data with an external event. However, trigger pulses for synchronizing an external event with the
spectrometer are available.
To synchronize data acquisition with external events, other modes of acquiring data are available. Each
mode involves connecting an external triggering device to the spectrometer and then applying an external
trigger to the spectrometer before the software receives the data. The length of the integration time and
the source for the integration clock depend upon the mode chosen. All other acquisition parameters are set
in the software.
For spectrometers with FPGA firmware versions of 3.0 or higher, and for spectrometers not covered by
this document, see
Version 3.0 and Above. Also see the HR4000 and USB4000 Shutter Mode Performance in Hardware
Trigger Mode for more information on external triggering with these spectrometers.
New External Triggering Options Instructions for Spectrometers with Firmware
Triggering Mode Description Applicable Spectrometer(s)
Normal Spectrometer acquires spectra continuously. All
External
Software
External
Hardware
External
Synchronization
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Integration time is set in the software. Software
receives a trigger event and transmits spectra obtained
in the data acquisition cycle in which the trigger
occurred.
Integration time set via chip in spectrometer (USB
Series/Jaz/HR Series/S2000 D Series) or jumpers
(S2000 series). Spectrometer waits for a sharp rise in
voltage on the trigger input pin, and then acquires
spectra until the voltage is removed.
Spectrometer acquires data from an external trigger
event (such as a push button) until the next time the
trigger is activated, at which time the spectrometer
ceases spectral acquisition and beg ins a new
acquisition. Integration time cannot be set, since the
trigger can fire at random intervals.
All
USB2000/USB4000/Jaz/
HR2000/HR2000+/HR4000/
S2000/S1024DW
S2000/S1024DW
External Triggering Options Instructions
Triggering Mode Description Applicable Spectrometer(s)
Quasi-Real Time
Acquisition
Mode
The integration clock is set to 4ms, which is the time
required to completely read out all the pixels. When the
software (user) requests a spectrum, the integration
clock waits for the current period to expire, changes to
the desired integration time set via software
commands, and then returns to 4ms. With this
approach, the start of the integration peri od wi ll alw a ys
be within 4ms of the time when the request for a
spectrum is issued. No trigger signal is required to
operate in this mode.
QE65000, Maya2000,
Maya2000 Pro
IMPORTANT: Volt age Regulati on
The maximum recommended voltage on the Triggering Pin is 5.5 V. If your triggering device exceeds
this voltage, you must regulate or condition the signal (via transistor buffering, transformer isolation or
opto-isolation, for example) or isolate the signal from the spectrometer.
Note
To use one of the External Triggering options, you must know the specifications and
limitations of the triggering device. The design of the triggering device may prevent you
from using one of the external triggering modes as it is described in these pages.
Consult the following images and table for information on which pin to connect to the triggering device
when using each triggering mode on the spectrometer.
Pinout Diagrams for Ocean Optics Spectrometers
J2 (D-SUB-15) Accessory Connector on NIR
Series, S2000 and S1024DW Spectrometers
Pinout Diagram of 22-pin Connector on
USB2000+, USB4000, Jaz and HR2000
Spectrometers (be sure to also use Ground
Pin 6 when triggering)
Pinout Diagram of 10-pin Connector on USB2000
Spectrometer
Pinout Diagram of 30-pin Connector on HR2000+,
HR4000, JazNIRQuest Series, and QE65000
Spectrometers
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External Triggering Instructions
Trigger Input Pin Information for Ocean Optics Spectrometers
Trigger Input Pin
Trigger Mode
External
Software
External
Synchronization
External
Hardware
S2000
S1024DW
8
5
4
QE65000
10
Not
Available
Not
Available
USB2000
USB2000+
USB4000
HR2000
Jaz
7 10 10
Not
Available
7 10
HR4000
HR2000+
Not
Available
NIR Series
NIRQuest
Series
Not
Available
Not
Available
Description
Asynchronous Mode Integration time specified in
software
Synchronous Mode - User
provides integration clock
Synchronous Mode Integration fixed by jumpers
External Triggering vs. Triggering an Exter nal Event
There could be some confusion between the concepts of External Triggering and triggering an external
event. The following sections explain each of these concepts.
External Triggering
In External Triggering, an event outside the sampling system (such as a push button, lever activation, or
laser pulse) triggers the voltage level on the spectrometer’s trigger pin and instructs the spectrometer to
begin spectra acquisition.
Triggering an External Event
When triggering an external event, the spec tr ometer instructs an external device (typically a lamp such as
the PX-2 or the LS-450) to illu minate immediately prior to spectral acquisition.
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External Triggering Options Instructions
Level Triggering and Edge Triggering
In External Triggering, there are two modes of triggering available. The trigger mode in use determines
the kind of triggering that the system will use.
Level Triggering
Level triggering mode is only available when using External Software Triggering mode. In this mode, the
software monitors the A/D converter for an increase in the voltage level applied to the trigger pin. When
the appropriate increase in voltage is received (5 volts), the software instructs the spectrometer to acquire
spectra.
In this mode, the A/D converter will acquire data in intervals based on the integration time set in the
software. Thus, if a trigger occurs in the middle of an integration period, the software will retrieve the
spectra obtained for that entire integration period (before AND after the trigger event). Similarly, if a
trigger occurs immediately prior to the end of an integration period, the software will still retrieve the
spectra obtained during that integration period.
For example, if the integration time is 50 ms and the trigger event occurs 48 ms into the integration cycle,
the 2 ms following the trigger will be acquired, and the 48 ms prior to and including the trigger will be
acquired.
Edge Triggering
Edge triggering mode is available when using External Hardware and External Synchronization
Triggering modes. In both of these modes, the spectrometer monitors the trigger input pin for rapid rise
in the voltage (which may or may not reach the 5 volt plateau) applied to the trigger pin. When this
voltage rise is received and the spectrometer “sees” the voltage peak caused by the increase, the
spectrometer acquires spectra and transmits the spectra to the software.
In External Hardware Triggering mode, the spectrometer begins an acquisition upon receiving trigger and
acquires for one integration cycle. In External Synchronization Triggering mode, however, data
acquisition continues until the next rise in voltage is “seen” by the spectrometer.
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External Triggering Instructions
Integration Times Available with Ext ernal Triggering
The following table illustrates the integration times available with External Triggering modes:
Spectrometer External
Software
USB2000/HR2000 Set in Software 50 msec Cannot Manually
USB4000/USB2000+/Jaz/HR2000+/HR4000 Set in Software Set in Software Input by software
NIR Series Set in Software Not Available Not Available
NIRQuest Series Set in Software Not Available Not Available
S2000/S1024DW Set in Software Set on Jumpers Cannot Manually
S2000 D-Series Set in Software 55 msec Cannot Manually
QE65000 Set in Software Not Available Not Available
External
Hardware
External
Synchronization
Set
Set
Set
Software Support
The following table details External Triggering support capacity in all Ocean Optics software products:
Product Supported Not Supported
SpectraSuite
OOIBase
OOIBase32
OOIBase32 Platinum
OOIColor
OOI Driver Products
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All Modes --
All Modes --
All Modes --
All Modes --
External Software and External Hardware External Synchronization
All Modes --
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