Ocean Optics NeoFox User Manual

and NeoFox Sport

Installation and Operation Manual

Document Number 013-20000-009-02-201203

Offices: Ocean Optics, Inc. World Headquarters

830 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, FL, USA 34698

Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]

8 a.m.– 8 p.m. (Mon-Thu), 8 a.m.– 6 p.m. (Fri) EST

E-mail: [e-mail] (General sales inquiries)

[e-mail] (Questions about orders)
[e-mail] (Technical support)

Additional
Offices:

Ocean Optics Asia

137 Xianxia Road, Suite 1802, Changning District, Shanghai, PRC. 200051

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]
E-Mail [e-mail]

Ocean Optics EMEA

Geograaf 24, 6921 EW DUIVEN, The Netherlands

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]
E-Mail

Copyright © 2010 Ocean Optics, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from Ocean Optics, Inc.
This manual is sold as part of an order and subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or
otherwise circulated without the prior consent of Ocean Optics, Inc. in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

Trademarks

All products and services herein are the trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks of their respective owners.

Limit of Liability

Ocean Optics has made every effort to make this manual as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The
information provided is on an “as is” basis. Ocean Optics, Inc. shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to
any loss or damages arising from the information contained in this manual.

[e-mail]

Important Safety Notices

WARNINGS

1. Intense UV radiation is emitted from the NeoFox LED. Do not look directly at the

LED output with the naked eye once the SMA cap is removed. To verify there is
power to the instrument, place a white piece of paper in front of LED 1.

2. Do not open the instrument case. High voltage is present. There are no

serviceable parts inside. Return the instrument to the factory for service.

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Important Safety Notices

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Table of Contents

About This Manual .......................................................................................................... vii

Document Purpose and Intended Audience.............................................................................. vii

What’s New in this Document ................................................................................................... vii

Document Summary.................................................................................................................. vii

Product-Related Documentation ............................................................................................... vii

Safety and Compliance .............................................................................................................vii

Chapter 1: Introduction ......................................................................1

NeoFox System Overview ............................................................................................... 1

NeoFox ......................................................................................................................................1

NeoFox Sport ............................................................................................................................ 2

Features..................................................................................................................................... 2

Oxygen Sensor Probes ................................................................................................... 2

Software .......................................................................................................................... 3

Applications ..................................................................................................................... 3

Shipment Components.................................................................................................... 3

NeoFox ......................................................................................................................................3

NeoFox Sport ............................................................................................................................ 4

Additional Recommended Equipment ............................................................................. 4

Chapter 2: Installation ........................................................................7

Overview ......................................................................................................................... 7

Software Installation ........................................................................................................ 7

Hardware Installation....................................................................................................... 10

Installing NeoFox Hardware Drivers................................................................................ 12

Installing Hardware Drivers Using Windows XP ....................................................................... 12

Installing Hardware Drivers Using Windows Vista ....................................................................14

Chapter 3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software................17

Overview ......................................................................................................................... 17

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Table of Contents

Entering a New Event...................................................................................................... 18

Data Logging ................................................................................................................... 18

Advanced Settings .......................................................................................................... 19

Setup .........................................................................................................................................20

Status......................................................................................................................................... 21

Advanced Status ....................................................................................................................... 22

Advanced Settings..................................................................................................................... 22

Sensor Type Selection .................................................................................................... 24

APD Voltage.................................................................................................................... 24

Calibrating the Probe....................................................................................................... 25

Multipoint Calibration ................................................................................................................. 25

Two-Point Calibration ................................................................................................................27

Single Point Reset........................................................................................................... 30

Single Point Reset Control ........................................................................................................ 32

Saved Settings ................................................................................................................ 33

Saving Data..................................................................................................................... 35

NeoFox Communication Interfaces ................................................................................. 36

Saving/Restoring Chart Layouts...................................................................................... 36

Saving Settings.......................................................................................................................... 37

Resetting Saved Settings .......................................................................................................... 37

Chapter 4: Using NeoFox Sport.........................................................39

Overview ......................................................................................................................... 39

NeoFox Sport Features ................................................................................................... 39

NeoFox Sport Menu ........................................................................................................ 40

Setting Up the NeoFox Sport .......................................................................................... 43

Performing a Single Point Reset in the Field................................................................... 44

Data Logging / Saving Data ............................................................................................ 45

Logging Data ............................................................................................................................. 45

Viewing the Data Log File Name............................................................................................... 46

Setting the Data Logging Interval .............................................................................................. 46

Data Log File Format................................................................................................................. 46

NeoFox Sport Saved Settings ......................................................................................... 47

Low Battery Detector....................................................................................................... 47

Appendix A: Specifications................................................................48

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Appendix B: Maintenance..................................................................50

Updating Firmware .......................................................................................................... 50

Updating Software........................................................................................................... 50

Troubleshooting............................................................................................................... 51

Appendix C: Analog Output...............................................................54

Analog Output Connector................................................................................................ 54

Configuring Analog Voltage Output Channel with NeoFox Viewer ........................................... 54

Configuring the Analog Current Output Channel with NeoFox Viewer ..................................... 55

Selecting a Data Source............................................................................................................ 56

Selecting a Data Range............................................................................................................. 57

Saving the Analog Output Settings ........................................................................................... 58

Analog Output Pinouts .................................................................................................... 58

Analog Output Parameters List ....................................................................................... 59

Analog Output Specifications .......................................................................................... 59

Interfacing to the 4-20mA Output .................................................................................... 60

4-20 mA Loop Voltage Supply......................................................................................... 60

4-20 mA Isolation ............................................................................................................ 61

Resistor / Volt Meter........................................................................................................ 62

Appendix D: Calculating Drift Per Sensor ........................................64

Index .....................................................................................................66

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Table of Contents

vi 013-20000-009-02-201203

About This Manual

Document Purpose and Intended Audience

This document provides the users of the NeoFox and NeoFox Sport with instructions for setting up,
calibrating and performing experiments with their equipment.

What’s New in this Document

This version of the NeoFox Installation and Operation Manual updates for the firmware version 4.0
release.

Document Summary

Chapter Description

Chapter 1: Introduction Contains descriptive information about the NeoFox. It also

provides a list of system requirements, interface options, and
shipment components.

Chapter 2: Installation Provides installation instructions.
Chapter 3: Using NeoFox Contains steps to operate NeoFox Viewer software with the

NeoFox hardware. Also contains steps for restoring screen
defaults.

Chapter 4: Using NeoFox Sport Contains the menu structure and operational information for

the NeoFox Sport.

Appendix A: Specifications Lists NeoFox specifications.
Appendix B: Maintenance Contains information for updating firmware and software and a

troubleshooting table.

Appendix C: Analog Output Provides information about NeoFox’s analog output connector.

Product-Related Documentation

You can access documentation for Ocean Optics products by visiting our website at

http://www.oceanoptics.com

document from the available drop-down lists. Or, use the Search by Model Number field at the bottom

of the web page.

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. Select Technical → Operating Instructions, then choose the appropriate

About This Manual

 Jaz Installation and Operation Manual

 Detailed instructions for the Oxygen Sensor Probes are located at:

http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/NEW OOISensors FOXY Manual.pdf

Engineering-level documentation is located on our website at Technical → Engineering Docs.

 NeoFox Calibration Engineering Note
 NeoFox Communication Interfaces Engineering Note

You can also access operati

ng instructions for Ocean Optics products from the Software and Technical

Resources CD that ships with the product.

Safety and Compliance

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 when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment
in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.

WARNING: The authority to operate this equipment is conditioned by the requirement that no

modifications will be made to the equipment unless the changes or modifications are expressly approved
by the manufacturer.

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Chapter 1

Introduction

NeoFox System Overview

The NeoFox is a device for measuring fluorescence lifetime, phase and intensity. It uses LED excitation
and photodiode detection with filter-based wavelength selection for easy experimental set-up and control.
Because the unit is self-contained, it is invariant to fiber bending and stray light, and has a wide dynamic
range of optical intensity as well as low optical and electronic crosstalk, and low drift and phase noise.
Therefore, the NeoFox is especially useful for oxygen sensing applications where stability and sensitivity
to drift is important and where sample set-ups must be left undisturbed for long periods of time.

NeoFox

NeoFox is available as a compact, self-contained,
benchtop unit.

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1: Introduction

NeoFox Sport

NeoFox Sport is available as a handheld oxygen­sensing system with a phase fluorometer, an
onboard microprocessor with OLED display and a
battery module, or as part of the Jaz community of
stackable, modular and autonomous component
modules (limit of one sensor module per stack).

Features

NeoFox is a fluorescence-sensing detector for our optical sensors line and provides a viable alternative to
traditional chemical sensing devices. Our optical sensors consist of transducer materials, applied to the
tips of optical fibers or to substrates such as patches or cuvettes, which change optical properties in
response to specific analytes in their immediate environment.

Additional features that are available to NeoFox Sport users include:

 Battery-powered operation

 Real-time display of temperature and oxygen in various measurement units:

 Gaseous oxygen partial pressure as a percentage of 1 ATM.

 Gaseous oxygen partial pressure in Torr.

 Dissolved oxygen partial pressure in ppm (parts per million)

 Dissolved oxygen concentration in um/L (micromoles per liter)

 Data logging of temperature and oxygen readings in units listed above.

 In-field single point reset (also available on desktop NeoFox)

Oxygen Sensor Probes

The NeoFox is used with Ocean Optics’ NeoFox software and custom probes (priced separately). Ocean
Optics oxygen sensor probes are low-power, portable devices that offer high sensitivity, reversibility, and
stability. Their small size is useful for remote monitoring. What's more, the thin film used in the probe
tips consumes no oxygen, allowing for continuous contact with the sample. Ocean Optics oxygen sensors
offer other key advantages: they're ideal for viscous samples and are immune to interference caused by
pH change or from changes in ionic strength, salinity, and biofouling. The NeoFox supports the following
Ocean Optics sensors:

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1: Introduction

 FOXY – Ocean Optics’ standard oxygen sensors designed for monitoring oxygen partial pressure

in gas and aqueous solutions. FOXY is a fiber optic fluorescence probe with proprietary oxygen­sensing thin-film coating on the tip.

 HIOXY – Designed for monitoring oxygen partial pressure in nonaqueous vapors and solutions.

The sensor coating chemistry is compatible with oils, alcohols, and hydrocarbon-based vapors
and liquids.

 FOSPOR – A new generation of highly sensitive sensor coating for monitoring traces of oxygen

in gas and liquids.

See

http://www.oceanoptics.com/products/probes.asp for more information on probes

available from Ocean Optics.

The NeoFox connects to a PC via USB connection and saves your data in an easy-to-use Microsoft Excel
format. NeoFox can be configured with single-channel LED excitation and detection, and modulation
frequencies to 100 kHz. The on-board pressure transducer measures atmospheric pressure.

Software

The NeoFox standalone module uses NeoFox Viewer software to display oxygen measurements on a
connected Windows XP PC. The NeoFox Sport can also use NeoFox Viewer software when connected to
a Windows XP PC, or it can be untethered from a computer and display some Oxygen measurements on
its OLED screen. See Chapter 4: Using NeoFox Sport
NeoFox Sport.

for more information on the functionality of the

Applications

Typical applications include the following:

 Bioprocess monitoring

 Environmental applications (such as waste water management)

 Life science

 Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

Shipment Components

NeoFox

The following equipment and information ships with the standalone NeoFox:

 NeoFox Unit

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1: Introduction

 5V Power Adapter
 Mini USB Cable
 Software and Technical Resources CD

Each order ships with the Ocean Optics Software and Resources CD. This disc contains software,
operating instructions, and product information for all Ocean Optics software, spectrometers, and
spectroscopic accessories. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader version 6.0 or higher to view these
files. Ocean Optics includes the Adobe Acrobat Reader on the Software and Technical Resources
CD.

 NeoFox CD

This CD contains this manual and the NeoFox Viewer software.

 Packing List

The packing list is inside a plastic bag attached to the outside of the shipment box (the invoice
arrives separately). It lists all items in the order, the shipping and billing addresses, and any items
on back order.

NeoFox Sport

The following equipment and information ships with the NeoFox Sport:

 Jaz stack with the NeoFox Sport module(s)

See your Jaz manual for more information about what ships with Jaz (refer to Product-Related

Documentation

 SD card containing the neofox.cal calibration file
 Software and Technical Resources CD
 NeoFox CD
 Packing List

).

Additional Recommended Equipment

 NeoFox Viewer Software
 Temperature Probe
 FOXY, HIOXY or FOSPOR Oxygen Sensor Probe
 RedEye

4 013-20000-009-02-201203

®

Patches (FOXY, HIOXY and FOSPOR)

1: Introduction

 FOXY-CAL, HIOXY-CAL, FOSPOR-CAL

This is an optional factory calibration service for environments from 0 to 80ºC.

 Bifurcated Fibers
 21-02 SMA Splice Bushing

This in-line adapter connects the probe to the fiber assembly.

013-20000-009-02-201203 5

1: Introduction

6 013-20000-009-02-201203

Chapter 2

Installation

Overview

There are two steps to completely installing the NeoFox system onto your computer.

 First, you must install the NeoFox Viewer software. This is done by running the NeoFox-Viewer

Setup.msi installer program for XP systems or the NeoFox-Vista.msi installer for Vista systems.

 The second step is to properly install the NeoFox hardware drivers. To do this, plug in the device

and wait for the new hardware wizard to run.

You must install the NeoFox Viewer software application prior to connecting the NeoFox unit to the
computer to install the drivers required for the hardware. If you do not install the software first, the
system will not properly recognize the NeoFox hardware.

CAUTION

Do not connect the NeoFox unit to the PC prior to installing the NeoFox Viewer software.

Software Installation

You can install the NeoFox Viewer software from either the CD that came with your NeoFox unit or from
the Ocean Optics website.

Use the following procedure to install NeoFox Viewer software on a Windows XP PC. The process on
Windows Vista machines is very similar. The important thing to note is to make sure to install the driver
from the specific location within the NeoFox Viewer\USB Driver directory.

Note

You may be prompted to install .NET runtime libraries if you do not already have them installed
on your computer. You can select to install them from the Internet, or you can run the vc-redist­setup.exe program located on your NeoFox installation CD. However, this installation program
will also need to connect to the Internet to download the necessary files.

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2: Installation

► Procedure

To install the NeoFox software,

1. Close all other applications running on the PC.

2. Start the software installation process.

Installing from CD:

a. Insert the CD containing the NeoFox Viewer software.

b. Select the drive on your computer with the software CD.

c. Double-click on the NeoFox-Viewer Setup.msi installer program for Windows XP or the

NeoFox-Vista.msi installer for Vista computers. The installation wizard appears.

Installing from the Web:

d. Go to

http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/softwaredownloads.asp.

e. Right-click on NeoFox Viewer Software and select Save Target As… to download the

executable to your machine.

f. Click Save. The installation begins.
g. Click Run. The NeoFox Viewer Setup screen appears.

3. Click Next. The Select Installation Folder screen appears. The default location is C:\Program

Files\Ocean Optics\NeoFox-Viewer\.

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2: Installation

4. Click Next to select the default location, or browse to the desired location and click Next. You

are now ready to install the software.

5. Click Install. The Neofox Viewer installs at the selected location. This process can take several

minutes. When the software has successfully installed, the final Install Wizard screen appears.

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2: Installation

6. Click Finish. Go to Hardware Installation

Hardware Installation

WARNING

.

Ensure that the plastic caps are covering the two SMA connectors on the front of the
NeoFox unit. Intense UV radiation is emitted from the LEDS when the unit is powered-up.
Do NOT look directly at the LED output with the naked eye.

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2: Installation

► Procedure

1. Unpack the equipment and verify that you have all the necessary components (see Shipment

Components

and Additional Recommended Equipment).

2. Connect power cord from the power supply that came with your NeoFox unit from back of unit to

an AC outlet. Do NOT look directly at the light being emitted with the naked eye.

Caution

Use only the power supply that came with your NeoFox unit. Using a different power supply
could damage your equipment.

3. Connect power cord from the power supply that came with your NeoFox unit from back of unit to

an AC outlet. Do NOT look directly at the light being emitted with the naked eye.

Note

On the NeoFox Sport hardware, there is a difference between the power connector on the DPU
module and the power connector on the NeoFox module. The external power connector on the
NeoFox module is the auxiliary power connector. It provides power only to the NeoFox module
itself. It will not charge the battery or provide power to the DPU. Very few users will ever need to
use the NeoFox module’s auxiliary power connector.

4. Connect the NeoFox unit to your computer using the USB cable. See Installing NeoFox

Hardware Drivers

.

Note

On the NeoFox Sport hardware, there is a difference between the USB connector on the DPU
module and the USB connector on the NeoFox module. The USB connector on the NeoFox
module is the NeoFox Sport’s primary USB connector. When the USB cable is attached to the
NeoFox module and the stack power on, you can interact with the NeoFox module through the
NeoFox Viewer software. The USB connector on the DPU is the unit’s auxiliary USB connector.
You will not be able to interact with the device in NeoFox Viewer if you have plugged the USB
cable into the DPU module. You will only want to use this USB port if you need to update the
DPU firmware.

5. Connect the temperature probe (if you have one) to the rear panel of the NeoFox unit.

6. Locate the bifurcated fiber that came with the system. This optical fiber assembly has a “Y”

shaped design.

7. Connect one arm (it doesn’t matter which one) of the bifurcated end of the probe fiber to LED

connector and the other arm to the Detector connector on front of unit.

013-20000-009-02-201203 11

2: Installation

8. If you are using an Oxygen probe, locate the 21-02 SMA Splice Bushing that came with the

probe. This item is a 0.75" screw with two female ends. Screw one end of the splice bushing into
the SMA 905 connector on the end of the probe. If you are using the RedEye Patch, you don’t
need the splice bushing.

Installing NeoFox Hardware Drivers

When you connect NeoFox to a computer for the first time using the USB cable, you must then install the
appropriate hardware drivers. This procedure differs, depending on whether you are using Windows XP
or Windows Vista as the operating system.

Installing Hardware Drivers Using Windows XP

The following Found New Hardware wizard appears when you first attach NeoFox to computers running
the XP operating system.

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2: Installation

► Procedure

1. From the first hardware wizard screen, select "No, not this time". Click Next. The next hardware

wizard screen appears.

2. Select “Install the software Automatically (Recommended).” Click Next. The system installs the

necessary driver software to operate your NeoFox device. The next hardware wizard screen
appears.

3. When the hardware driver installation completes successfully, the following screen appears:

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2: Installation

Installing Hardware Drivers Using Windows Vista

The following Found New Hardware wizard appears when you first attach NeoFox to computers running
the Vista operating system.

► Procedure

1. From the first Vista hardware wizard screen, select Locate and install driver software
(recommended). The next hardware wizard screen appears.

2. Select Don’t search online. The next hardware wizard screen appears.

3. Select I don’t have the disc. Show me other options. The next hardware wizard screen appears.

4. Select Browse my computer for driver software (advanced). The next hardware wizard screen

appears.

5. Highlight the driver_support directory (located beneath C:\Program Files\Ocean Optics\NeoFox­Viewer) and click OK followed by Next. The next hardware wizard screen appears.

6. If the following screen appears, select Install this driver anyway.

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