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.

013-20000-009-02-201203 i

Important Safety Notices

ii 013-20000-009-02-201203

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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Table of Contents

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.

013-20000-009-02-201203 vii

. 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.

viii 013-20000-009-02-201203

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:

2 013-20000-009-02-201203

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

013-20000-009-02-201203 3

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.

013-20000-009-02-201203 7

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\.

8 013-20000-009-02-201203

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.

013-20000-009-02-201203 9

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.

10 013-20000-009-02-201203

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.

12 013-20000-009-02-201203

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:

013-20000-009-02-201203 13

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.

14 013-20000-009-02-201203

2: Installation

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

013-20000-009-02-201203 15

2: Installation

16 013-20000-009-02-201203

Chapter 3

Using NeoFox with NeoFox

Viewer Software

Overview

When you first display the NeoFox Viewer software, the basic NeoFox Viewer screen appears.

This screen’s controls enable you to perform the following actions:

 Insert comments into the exported data file using the Enter New Event textbox. See Entering a

New Event

 Set scans to average

 Select the sensor type

013-20000-009-02-201203 17

for more information.

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

 Select Automatic or Manual Gain

 Start/Stop Data Logging (see Data Logging

)

Entering a New Event

The Enter New Event text box at the top of the screen enables you to insert your comments into a file

containing exported data. Your comment will appear in the Events column at the far right end of each row
of data.

You may enter multiple comments. Each comment is time stamped with the instant you clicked on the

Enter New Event field.

When you create the export data file, your comment(s) will appear on the row of data that most closely
corresponds to the time you created your comment.

► Procedure

To enter a new comment:

1. Click the Enter New Event field at the top of the screen.

2. Enter your message into the text field.

3. Press the Enter key.

Data Logging

You can save a .csv file (useful for Microsoft Excel) via data logging. When you click the Start/Stop
Data Logging button on the main NeoFox Viewer screen, the Data Logging Control Panel screen

appears.

18 013-20000-009-02-201203

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

When you click Start Logging, samples are exported from that point onward and continue until you
click Stop Logging and then click Save Settings and Close Window.

Note

User-defined events entered in the Enter New Event field on the basic NeoFox Viewer screen

are not written to the data logging export file.

Field Description

Start Logging

Stop Logging

Specify Output File

Specify Logging Interval

Choose Columns to
Export

Close Window Without
Saving Changes

Save Settings and Close
Window

Initiates data logging process. Actual data logging does not start until you

click Save Settings and Close Window.

Click this button to stop data logging. Data logging does not actually stop

until you click Save Settings and Close Window.

Click Choose to select the file to which the data will be exported. If the file

already exists, you will be asked if you want to overwrite its contents.

Select how frequently you want data records to be written to the log file.

Select to export one of the following data types:

All Columns: Exports all available types of data

Standard: Exports a limited subset of the available data types (O

Tau, temperature, pressure)

Closes this window. None of the changes that you have made will take
effect or be saved.

All changes that you have made on this window are saved. If you have

clicked Start Logging, data logging will start the moment you click Save
Settings and Close Window. If you have clicked Stop Logging, data
logging will stop the moment you click Save Settings and Close Window.

2

%,

Advanced Settings

The NeoFox Viewer software provides a lot of information and features. However, most users will
probably only use these functions:

 Oxygen reading: Use the pick list above the Oxygen Reading to select to display oxygen as O

P (torr), pO

(torr), DO (ppm or mg/L), or DO (µmol/L).

2

 Sensor type selection: FOXY, HIOXY or FOSPOR

 Calibration

 Salinity Correction

This screen is available from the View | Advanced Settings menu.

013-20000-009-02-201203 19

2

%,

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

NeoFox Viewer Advanced Settings Window

Note

If the controls on the right side of the screen seem to be disabled, stuck, or if they say Error even
after clicking the Manual Gain button (

software versions are not compatible. You will then need to install the appropriate software
version onto your computer to use NeoFox. See Software Installation

Maintenance

The Advanced Settings window contains the following tabs (bottom right corner of screen):

 Setup
 Status
 Advanced Status
 Advanced Settings

for more information.

), the problem is likely that the firmware and

and Appendix B:

Setup

Setup allows you to perform such functions as Sensor Type Selection, adjusting the APD Voltage (for

firmware versions below 4.00), and Calibrating the Probe.

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3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

Status

Clicking on the Status tab displays the status information shown below.

013-20000-009-02-201203 21

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

Advanced Status

The Advanced Status tab displays the values of parameters such as Oxygen (base and converted), Tau,

etc. as shown below.

Advanced Settings

This tab displays the advanced settings shown below for sensor waveform, decay waveform, FFT and
salinity correction.

22 013-20000-009-02-201203

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

Setting Salinity Correction

NeoFox Viewer provides you with the capability to change the salinity correction setting from its default
setting of 0. Salinity correction applies to dissolved oxygen for PPM and µM/L; it does not apply to
percentage.

► Procedure

To change the salinity setting:

1. Double-click on the Salinity Calibration value (default is 0).

2. Type the new salinity value.

3. Press Enter.

013-20000-009-02-201203 23

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

Sensor Type Selection

Before using the software, you must select the appropriate sensor type from the three buttons in the

Sensor field on the right side of the screen. Choose FOXY, HIOXY, or FOSPOR.

APD Voltage

APD voltage is the voltage applied to the APD detector, which determines the detector’s sensitivity
towards converting photons to electrical signal. This can be manually adjusted for firmware versions
below 4.0 if the signal level of the sensor appears to be low. For firmware versions 4.00 or above, this
parameter is set at the factory and cannot be changed.

► Procedure

To manually adjust the signal level:

1. From the Basic View screen, select View | Advanced Settings to display the Advanced View

screen. Make sure that the Setup tab (lower right corner) is selected.

24 013-20000-009-02-201203

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

2. Click the

3. Slide the APD Voltage selector to the desired level.

4. Click the

button in the Gain field.

button in the Gain field.

Calibrating the Probe

When you access the software for the first time, the Oxygen field will be blank. To see an oxygen value,
you must first enter calibration information for the probe. This calibration information is unique for each
oxygen sensor probe itself, but is independent of the NeoFox hardware unit. Therefore, a new calibration
must be loaded each time a new sensor is added or before first use.

You have the option of purchasing a factory calibration for your Oxygen Sensor Probe (FOXY-CAL,
HIOXY-CAL, FOSPOR-CAL). If you have a factory calibration, follow the instructions for Multipoint

Calibration

. If you do not have a factory calibration, follow the instructions for a Two-Point Calibration.

Multipoint Calibration

Follow these instructions if you purchased a factory calibration file for your sensor. This file can be found
on the NeoFox CD. To retrieve it, select Calibration from the Options menu.

013-20000-009-02-201203 25

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

► Procedure

1. From the Main screen, select Options | Calibration.

2. Click the Setup tab. The Setup screen appears.

3. Under Select Sensor Calibration Method, choose Multi-Point Calibration.

4. Under Select How Temperature Is Measured, choose Use NeoFox Temperature Sensor.

5. Under Enter Sensor Type And Optional Data, choose the type of sensor and add the serial number
and any notes needed.

Note

Normalized decay time = τ0/τ.

6. Click the button, then browse to the location of the factory calibration file on the
NeoFox CD.

7. Select the Multi-Point Calibration tab. The uploaded calibration table appears on the left side of

the screen. The curve-fitted graphs appear on the right side of the screen.

26 013-20000-009-02-201203

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

8. Click on

Calibration Constants table fills in on the bottom left corner of the screen.

9. Click the
Confirmation screen appears.

10. Click Yes to confirm the download and continue.

11. Proceed to the Single Point Reset

button on the bottom right corner of the screen. The Computed

button to use the coefficients for oxygen calculation. A Download

.

Two-Point Calibration

If you want to do your own calibration instead of using a factory calibration, follow these Two-Point
Calibration instructions.

► Procedure

1. From the Main screen, select Options | Calibration.

2. Click the Setup tab. The Setup screen appears.

013-20000-009-02-201203 27

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

3. Under Select Sensor Calibration Method, choose Two-Point Calibration.

4. Under Select How Temperature Will Be Measured, choose None (Two point calibration only).

5. Under Enter Sensor Type And Optional Data, choose the type of sensor and add the serial

number and any notes needed.

6. Select the Two-Point Calibration tab. You need two known concentrations of oxygen to perform

this calibration, one being the 0% oxygen concentration.

28 013-20000-009-02-201203

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

7. Expose your oxygen sensor to 0% oxygen and let the Tau value stabilize. You can observe the
Tau value on the bottom of the screen to determine when it stabilizes.

8. Click on the Use Current Tau for Point #1 box once the tau value is stable.

9. Expose your oxygen sensor to the second known concentration of oxygen. You can expose the
probe to ambient conditions in air, which is 20.9% oxygen.

10. Enter the known oxygen value in the O2% box for point #2.

11. Once the Tau value is stable, click on the Use Current Tau for Point #2 box.

12. Now that you have the two points of calibration, click anywhere in the graph chart displayed on
this screen. The two points will appear on the graph (circled in red on the figure above), which

will Compute Constants m and b.

13. To use this calibration for oxygen measurement, click the

button. A Download

Confirmation screen appears.

14. Click Yes to confirm the download and continue. The main NeoFox Viewer window will now

display oxygen measurements.

013-20000-009-02-201203 29

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

Note

Normalized decay time = τ0/τ.

Single Point Reset

A Single Point Reset must always be done after a Multipoint Calibration table is uploaded.

CAUTION

If any settings in the experimental setup change (APD gain, voltage, probe geometry, etc.), it
is strongly recommended that you do a Single Point Calibration to offset these changes. This
includes any gain setting changes or switching between NeoFox electronics units.

30 013-20000-009-02-201203

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

► Procedure

To perform a Single Point Reset,

1. From the Main screen, select Options | Calibration.

2. Click the Setup tab.

3. Under Select Sensor Calibration Method, choose Single Point Calibration.

4. Under Select How Temperature Will Be Measured, choose Use NeoFox Temperature Sensor.

5. Select the Single Point Calibration tab. The Single Point Calibration screen appears.

6. Single point calibration is always performed within the calibration range. This is usually done in
ambient conditions at room temperature. Enter the known oxygen concentration the sensor is

exposed to in the Oxygen field. Enter the known temperature reading from the oxygen sensor in
the Temperature field. (The NeoFox temperature reading can be observed on the main NeoFox

Viewer window.)

7. Once the sensor is in stable condition with a stable Tau value, click on Use Current Tau.

8. To use this calibration for oxygen measurement, click on the graph, then click the
button. A Download Confirmation screen appears.

9. Click Yes to confirm the download and continue.

013-20000-009-02-201203 31

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

Si

ngle Point Reset Control

Newer versions of the NeoFox hardware have a S
Single Point Reset without a computer. This con
unit. The control button itself is inside the recession so you will need a pointed object to reach it.

Before beginning a Single Point Reset using the hardware control, you must tell the device what percen
oxygen to calibrate against once you are in the field. By default, NeoFox will use the last percent o
value from a Single Point Reset, so the following procedure simulates a Single Point Reset to save that
value.

ingle Point Reset control that allows you to perform a

trol is located in the center of the back of the NeoFox

xygen

Note

You must perform this setup procedure every time you change any of the device’s calibration
settings because the Viewer may reset the SPR values to their defaults.

► Procedure

In the lab:

1. Connec

2. Select Options | Calibration to open the calibration screen.

t NeoFox to a computer and open the NeoFox Viewer software.

t

3. If you have not already downloaded your multi-point calibrat

Calibration button, then clicking the Download button.

4. Click the Single Point Calibration button. A new tab will appear at the top of the window.

5. Click the new Single Point Calibration tab.

6. In the Oxygen field, enter the percent oxygen

the field. For most users, this will be ambient
ATM.

7.

You do not necessarily need to enter tau and temperature to actually perform the single point
reset, b

8. Click the Download button.

9. Verify the Single Point Reset
then following the field proce
value.

In th

1. Place you

ut you should do so if possible.

oxygen value was saved correctly by cycling power to the device,

dure below and verifying that the oxygen changes to the set oxygen

e field:

r temperature and oxygen probes into your single point reset conditions.

that you will be using for your single point reset in

air and the percent oxygen will be 20.9% of 1

ion, do so now by clicking the Open

32 013-20000-009-02-201203

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

2. Wait long enough for the temperature and tau values to settle – this amount of time will vary
based on the probe type and the number of averages parameter. You should wait at least one
minute.

Push the

3. Single Point Reset button for at least five seconds. The Single Point Reset control button
is recessed in the center back of the NeoFox unit.

After five seconds, NeoFox will use the following three values to perform the single point reset:

 Tau will be the current value of Tau measured from the probe.

 Temperature will be either the current temperature reading from

fixed temperature depending on which temperature source you h
If no temperature is selected, the SPR will not occur.

 Percent oxygen will be the value that was set during the setup phase in the lab.

Once the Single Point Reset has been performed, NeoFox saves your settings. This m
of the parameters listed in Saved Settings

will be saved in their current states.

Saved Settings

The following parameters are save
are saved, the saved values will be loaded when the device turns on:

Measurement Parameters:

 Duty Cycle Seconds o

 Duty Cycle Seconds off

 Number of Averages

 Oxygen Units

 Salinity Correc

Calibration Settings:

tion Factor

d onboard the NeoFox in its non-volatile memory. When the settings

n

the temperature probe or the

ave selected for your device.

eans that all

 Temperature Se

 Temperature Sourc

 Fixed Temperature V

 Calibration Method

 Sensor Type

 Single Point R

 Single Point – Tau

 Single Point – Oxyg

 Single Point – Tempera

013-20000-009-02-201203 33

ttings

e

alue

eset Settings

en

ture

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

 Two Point Calibration Settings

 Two Point – Tau0

 Two Point – Tau1

 Two Point – Oxygen 0

 Two Point –

Oxygen 1

 Two Point – Slope

 Two Point – Offset

 Two Point – Temper

 Multipoint Calibration Settings

 12 Multipoint Original Calib

T1, T2

 12 Singl

e Point Adjusted Calibration Coefficients: A0, A1, A2, B0, B1, B2, C0, C1, C2, T0,

T1, T2

n tings:

alog Output SetA

 Analog Voltage Ou

tput So

 Analog Voltage Lower Bound

 Analog Voltage Upper Bound

 Analog Current Output

 Analog Current Lower Bound

 Analog Current Upper bound

CJaz ommunication:

ature

ration Coefficients : A0, A1, A2, B0, B1, B2, C0, C1, C2, T0,

urce

Source

rfac

 Enable Jaz Inte

e

Serial and USB Communication:

 RS232 Divisor Latch

 RS232 Divisor Add V

alue

 RS232 Divisor Mul Value

 RS232 Enable

 Uart Data Copy

Type

 Uart Data copy Mode

 Uart Transmission Mod

e

 Uart Send Alerts

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3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

Saving Data

You can save your NeoFox
in a .csv file, which is comp
it to stop or the application is shut down.

Procedures for saving both types of files are described below. See Data Logging for more information on
saving a .csv file.

data in either a .fxy file, which can be opened in a NeoFox Viewer window or

atible with Microsoft Excel. NeoFox saves data to a disk file until you request

► Procedure

To save the measure

1. Select File | Save. A window appears displaying a file name with the date and the time the file

st saved.

was la

2. Select the desired location to save the file.

ment data in a .fxy file,

► Procedure

To save the measure

1. Click the Start/Stop Data Logging… button from
Panel screen appears.

ment data in a .csv file,

the main screen. The Data Logging Control

2. Click the Start Logging button.

3. Select the desired location to save the file.

4. Specify the logging interval.

013-20000-009-02-201203 35

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

5. Choose the data columns to export, either Standard or Extended (wide range of data). Standard
(recommended setting) includes the following:

 Tim
 Pressure
 Temperature
 Tau
 % O2
 Conv

6. Click Save Setting

e stamp (to tenth of a second)

erted O2

s and Close Window to save the data.

NeoFox Communication Interfaces

You may wish to write programs to interface directly to the NeoFox withou
There are a number of ways to do so: Through the NeoFox DLL, through the NeoFox RS232 port (only
NeoFox-GT units with an
communications), or through custom USB drivers. See the NeoFox Communication Interfaces

Engineering Note for more information.

F or later in the third digit of its serial number support RS232

t using the NeoFox Viewer.

Saving/Restoring Chart Layouts

NeoFox Viewer allows you to save and restore the lay
can be saved and then restored:

out of the displa

yed charts. The following settings

 X-axis duration

 Vertical height se

 Y-axis scale settings

 Type(s) of data being

ttings

displayed on multiple plotting areas within the chart window

Saving a Chart Layout

► Procedure

1. Select View | Save Graph Layout

2. Specify the name of the file where the settings will b

Res r

to ing a Chart Layout

► Procedure

1. Select View | Restore Gra

ph Layout from the menu.

from

the menu.

e saved.

36 013-20000-009-02-201203

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

2. Enter the name of the file containing the saved setting(s).

Saving Settings

► Procedure

To save these values in

1. Navigate to the Advanced Settings sc

2. Set the Flash Write parameter to Enabled. It

reverting to Disabled.

3. rough the NeoFox Sport, select Save Settings from the O2 Setup Menu.

To save these settings th

the NeoFox Viewer,

reen.

will remain displayed as Enabled briefly before

Note

When the device saves a parameter through a rite, it must save ALL of its savable settings
at the same time. Therefore, actions which ma r to save specific settings to memory will
actually save the entire set of savable parameters. Those actions include downloading calibration
data, performing a single point reset, or manually prompting a flash write by setting the Flashed

Write parameter to Enabled in the Advanced Settings Panel.

flash w

y appea

Resetting Saved Settings

You can reset the saved settings to their origin

al state.

► Procedure

1. Open the device in the NeoFox Viewer and navi

2. Set the value of the Flash Reset parameter to Enabled. This value may revert to disabled

thereafter. When the device is reset, the saved values revert to their factory settings.

3.

Download your calibrations again after resetting the flash memory.

gate to the Advanc

ed Settings screen.

shortly

Note

For devices with firmware version 4.00 or above, the APD Bias Voltage (displayed as DAC-APD
Gain) setting value persists through a flash reset.

013-20000-009-02-201203 37

3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

38 013-20000-009-02-201203

Chapter 4

Using NeoFox Sport

Overview

The NeoFox Sport is a field-portable extension of the NeoFox oxygen measurement system. Users of the
NeoFox Sport have the ability to make real-time measurements in the field without a computer or external
power supply. To do this, the NeoFox Sport system uses the same NeoFox measurement hardware as the
desktop NeoFox system, but also includes a battery (to supply power) and a data processing unit (to
provide a user interface).

Because the NeoFox Sport uses the same measurement hardware as the standalone NeoFox, user
experience such as setup and measurement are common between both systems. Both systems can be
connected to a PC via USB and controlled through the NeoFox Viewer software. In fact, the user
interface for the desktop NeoFox and the NeoFox Sport are exactly the same.

This chapter contains information for using NeoFox Sport without the NeoFox Viewer software.

NeoFox Sport Features

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 µm/L (micromoles per liter)

 Gaseous oxygen concentration as a percentage of total pressure in Mole%

 Atmospheric pressure from the on-board pressure sensor (in units kPa)

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

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

013-20000-009-02-201203 39

4: Using NeoFox Sport

NeoFox Sport Menu

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4: Using NeoFox Sport

013-20000-009-02-201203 41

4: Using NeoFox Sport

Menu Tree Description

Menu Item Description

Sensor
Readout

Enables you to view the sensed values for Time, O2, temperature and Tau. The
values displayed refresh every time a new sample is uploaded from NeoFox with the
appropriate values.

Prs Displays the atmospheric pressure measured by the on-board pressure sensor on the

NeoFox Sport.

O2 Displays the oxygen unit label and the current oxygen value.

Temp (°C) Displays the algorithm temperature in degrees Celsius

Tau (µs) Displays the value of tau (fluorescence lifetime)

Sensor Setup

Single Pnt

Reset

Allows you set the parameters shown below.

Allows you to set the following parameter settings to be used when a single point
reset is performed:

 Mole %: Default = 20.90%; Range = 000.00 – 100.00%

 Temperature: Default = algorithm temperature; Range = 000.00 – 200.00 °C

 SPR – Pressure (kPa): Default = On-board pressure sensor

 Tau: Default = current value of Tau; Range = 00.000 – 50.0000

A message displays informing you that the single point reset has completed.

NOTE: NeoFox must be configured to Single Point mode through NeoFox Viewer.

Data Logging Allows you to enable datalogging to an SD card, set the datalogging interval and see

the filename used for the stored data. Default = current datalog interval. Range =
1000 – 99,999,999 ms

Oxygen Units Enables you to set the units in which the O2 data is displayed. Choose from %

%, ppm , torr and µmol/L, mole%

PPO

2

Temperature Allows you to set the source of the temperature, either none, the sensor temperature

or a fixed temperature in degrees Celsius (Default = current value of fixed
temperature variable; Range = 0.0 – 200.0 °C).

Pressure Allows you to set the source of the pressure: either none, the sensor pressure or a

fixed pressure in kPa (Default = current value of fixed pressure variable; Range = 0 –
200 kPa)

Averaging Set the running average of the measurements. Default = current value of variable.

Range = 1– 300.

Duty Cycle Set the duty cycle time in seconds. Range = 1 – 999. Set Off time to 0 to make it

always run.

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4: Using NeoFox Sport

Menu Item Description

Flashing On/Off Set the flashing status of the probe LED.

Save Settings Select Accept to save your settings or Cancel to discard them.

Sensor Info

Displays sensor information: module ID, FPGA, controller and PCB revision level.

Setting Up the NeoFox Sport

Before using the NeoFox Sport in the field, you must download the appropriate sensor calibration to the
NeoFox device. This must be done with your NeoFox device connected to a computer.

► Procedure

1. Connect the power supply to the DPU power jack (not the NeoFox auxiliary power jack).

2. Press the red power button (

3. Connect the USB cable between the USB port on the NeoFox module (not the DPU) and the
computer.

4. Start the NeoFox Viewer software. See Chapter 3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software

5. Perform a calibration. See Calibrating the Probe

6. Select the sensor type as appropriate.

7. Verify that the calibration has been downloaded to memory by cycling power to the device and
then taking a measurement.

) to turn the device on.

.

.

Note

Once you are in the field, you will not be able to update this calibration. However, you will be
able to do a Single Point Reset.

013-20000-009-02-201203 43

4: Using NeoFox Sport

The following additional steps must be taken once after a flash reset has been performed. These steps are
required to let the device know that it should communicate with the NeoFox Sport DPU.

► Procedure

1. In the NeoFox Viewer software, Select View | Advanced Settings.

2. Click on the Advanced Settings tab in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.

4. Scroll down to the Enable Jaz Interface parameter and set it to Enabled.

5. Set the Flash Write parameter to Enabled. It will remain displayed as Enabled briefly before
reverting to Disabled.

Performing a Single Point Reset in the Field

Once the calibration has been downloaded and the device is in the field, you should always perform a
Single Point Reset before beginning a measurement.

44 013-20000-009-02-201203

4: Using NeoFox Sport

CAUTION

If any settings in the experimental setup change (APD gain, voltage, probe geometry, etc.), it
is strongly recommended that you do a Single Point Calibration to offset these changes. This
includes any gain setting changes or switching between electronics units.

► Procedure

1. On the NeoFox Sport, navigate to the Oxygen Sensor menu. This is the first screen that displays
when you power-on the unit.

Note

If there is an SD card with a boot application in one of the device’s SD card slots, the device will

boot to that application. In this case, simply navigate to the root menu and select Oxygen Sensor

to bring up the correct oxygen sensor home screen.

2. Navigate to Sensor Setup | Single Pnt Reset.

3. Place your probe and temperature sensor in your sample and press the Accept button (

4. Proceed through the Single Point Reset screens. A message appears to tell you that your single
point reset has completed.

).

Data Logging / Saving Data

NeoFox Sport provides you with the following functionality for logging/saving data:

 Log data to an SD card

 View the file name of the data log

 Set the data logging interval

Logging Data

The NeoFox Sport allows you to log data to an SD card via the Oxygen Sensor | Sensor Setup | Data

Logging menu. When you select Turn datalog on from this menu, a log file is created on the SD card

and NeoFox Sport begins logging data automatically. The name of this log file is automatically generated
when the data log begins in the format nf_xxx.tsv, where xxx is a 3-digit number for a filename that does
not already exist in the NeoFox directory.

When you select Oxygen Sensor | Sensor Setup | Data Logging | Turn data log off, then the file will be

closed. A new file is created the next time you select Turn data log on.

013-20000-009-02-201203 45

4: Using NeoFox Sport

Viewing the Data Log File Name

You cannot set the file name, but you can view the name of the current log file by selecting Oxygen
Sensor | Sensor Setup | Data Logging | Data log filename.

Setting the Data Logging Interval

You can also set the data logging interval via the Oxygen Sensor | Sensor Setup | Data Logging | Data log
interval menu selection. This can be used to reduce the size of the log file. The minimum data log interval
is 1 second.

Data Log File Format

The datalog file is formatted as a tab separated value file. This file can be easily imported into Microsoft
Excel or comparable spreadsheet programs. A single sample in the data log is formatted as follows.

millisecond count <tab> upload date <tab> upload time <tab> oxygen
<tab> oxygen unit label <tab> algorithm temperature <tab> sensor
temperature <tab> tau <tab> algorithm pressure <tab> sensor pressure

Where:
Millisecond Count = The millisecond counter of the NeoFox device at the time of the actual sample.
Because this value is stored at the actual sampling time, this value is a more reliable timing metric than
the “upload date” and “upload time” fields.

Upload Date / Upload Time = These fields represent the date and time that the sample was uploaded to
the DPU.

Oxygen = The oxygen measurement (in whatever units are currently selected).

Oxygen Unit Label = The oxygen unit label; either “ppm”, “%”, “Torr”, or “um/L”

Algorithm Temperature = The temperature that was used to perform the conversion from Tau to Oxygen.

If the NeoFox’s temperature source parameter is set to:

Sensor temp, then this is the sensor temperature.
Fixed temp, then this is the fixed temperature value.
None, then this is 200.

Sensor Temperature = The sensor temperature (in degrees C).

Tau = The tau value (in microseconds).

Algorithm Pressure = The temperature that was used to perform the conversion from partial pressure of

Oxygen to concentration or mole%.

If the NeoFox’s pressure source parameter is set to:

Sensor Pressure, then this is the sensor pressure.
Fixed Pressure, then this is the fixed pressure value.
None, then this is 101 – 325.

Sensor Pressure = The pressure (in kPa).

46 013-20000-009-02-201203

4: Using NeoFox Sport

NeoFox Sport Saved Settings

Most of the parameters that can be set through the NeoFox Sport’s user menus can be saved to the
NeoFox Sport module’s flash memory, which allows those settings to be restored the next time that the
device is powered on. See Saved Settings

To save the flash write settings, navigate to the Sensor Setup | Save Settings menu. Note that this saves

ALL of the savable parameters in their current state. Also, performing a Single Point Reset through the
DPU menu may result in all of the savable parameters being overwritten.

for a list of settings that can be saved.

Low Battery Detector

The NeoFox Sport contains a low battery detector that prevents inaccurate readings in low battery
conditions. When the device detects that battery conditions are too low for reliable operation, its tau and
oxygen measurements will be set to 0 or -1. NeoFox disables its measurements shortly before the device
itself turns off.

013-20000-009-02-201203 47

Appendix A

Specifications

Specification Value

Parameters Measured Gasseous oxygen partial pressure, dissolved oxygen concentration,

temperature, pressure (via onboard pressure transducer)

Control Software Windows 2000/XP/Vista (32 and 64-bit) and Windows 7 (32-bit) control

software with data logging capability; controls include: modulation
frequency, data rate, signal averaging, APD gain, analog gain, LED
intensity

Sampling Rate Acquires data samples every 0.1 second

NOTE: This is not the response speed of the probe, just the rate at which
the probe is digitally sampled

Thermistor Probes Closed-end stainless steel tube with thermistor sensor mounted in tip; liquid

immersible rugged design; 1/8” NPT fitting; temperature range 0 to 75 °C

Pressure Measurement On-board pressure transducer monitors atmospheric pressure

Input Power Approximately 2.5W @ 5V

Communications USB, 0-5V analog output; 4-20mA analog output. RS232 is available on the

NeoFox GT model with an F or greater in the third digit of its serial number.

NeoFox Sport

Upload Interval The NeoFox Sport uploads data from the NeoFox module at least once per

second in the Sport configuration. Alternate configurations may have lower
data rates.

Battery Life In the NeoFox Sport configuration, a fully charged, gently used battery will

last for approximately three hours.

013-20000-009-02-201203 48

4: Using NeoFox Sport

013-20000-009-02-201203 49

Updating Firmware

Do not unplug the device while the firmware is updating.

Caution

Appendix B

Maintenance

Do not download a firmware version that predates the version you received with your
NeoFox unit.

► Procedure

1. Download the new NeoFox firmware image from

www.oceanoptics.com/technical/softwaredownloads.asp

2. Run Neofox Viewer and select Options|Firmware Update.

3. In the firmware update dialog, select Download, then choose the file that you just downloaded.

Updating Software

You can overwrite the previous installation.

► Procedure

1. Download the installer for the latest version of the Neofox Viewer from the Ocean Optics
Software Downloads page:

2. Unzip the directory and then run the “Setup.msi” installer wizard.

013-20000-009-02-201203 50

www.oceanoptics.com/technical/softwaredownloads.asp

B: Maintenance

Troubleshooting

Problem Possible Cause Suggested Solution

Clicking Download during a
Two-Point Calibration does not
change the measured values of
oxygen.

At startup, the device’s controls
appear disabled, no values
display, or the device shows
other signs of not uploading
data.

During hardware installation,
the Found New Hardware
Wizard” can’t find the driver or
.sys file for the NeoFox.

After running a VI that calls the
Neofox DLL, LabView crashes
when that VI is closed.

The Two-Point Calibration
was not performed correctly.

After scanning the tau values
a single click on the graph
area was not performed

The NeoFox drivers and
firmware versions are
incompatible.

The NeoFox directory isn’t
included in search.

The VI passes a function in
the library an uninitialized
string.

Follow the Two-Point Calibration

instructions in this manual exactly as
written.

Update the NeoFox firmware and

NeoFox Viewer software. See Error!

Reference source not found., as

well as Updating Software

information.

When prompted, choose to install
from a specific location, then include
the NeoFox installation directory in
your search. This directory is located
at “C:\Program Files\Ocean
Optics\Neofox Viewer” by default.
The drivers can be found in the USB
Drivers directory located here.

The library functions generally
assume that any strings passed are
already initialized. Therefore, be
sure to pass only initialized strings.
Better error handling for this error
was added in DLL version 1.89, but
you should still use this convention
to avoid unnecessary complications.

for more

After setting the display units to
anything other than ppm, the
display will not return to percent
oxygen.

Percent oxygen is above 100 or
below 0.

A fatal error or critical error
warning message appears at
startup and prompts to continue
or exit the application. After
continuing, the FFT view does
not seem to work.

013-20000-009-02-201203 51

Previous software version. This problem was resolved in

version 1.92 of the Neofox Viewer.
Contact Ocean Optics if you see this
error in a more recent software
version. Previously, this problem
was solved by reinstalling the
NeoFox Viewer software.

Sensor probe has been
calibrated incorrectly.

This problem seems to occur
when the application starts
with the FFT View Window
active.

Recalibrate the sensor probe.

Select Continue, then select the
waveform or decay form view. Close
the application and then restart. The
problem should not occur again. If
the problem persists, reinstall the
NeoFox Viewer software.

B: Maintenance

Problem Possible Cause Suggested Solution

A Single Point Reset was
performed, but the %O

reading

2

appears to be incorrect, even
when the same Tau value is
used in the Single Point Reset.

The HIOXY automatic
frequency setting defaults to 45
KHz instead of 100 KHz.

HIOXY calibrations performed
prior to 31 AUG 2009 yield
incorrect results on NeoFox
devices with updated firmware.

The temperature probe reading
appears erratic or is drastically
incorrect.

When performing the Single
Point Reset, the temperature
may have been set to 0 even
though a valid temperature
was entered in the
Temperature field. This is a
known issue with NeoFox
Viewer release 2.10 when
used with Firmware Version

2.0401.

In Firmware Releases 2.03
and greater, the HIOXY
probe’s automatic frequency
setting has been changed
from 100 KHz to 45 KHz.
Using HIOXY probes
calibrated at 100 KHz will
produce incorrect results.
Using older NeoFox units
with new calibrations will
also produce incorrect
results.

Known issue with units
manufactured prior to August

2009.

After entering the desired value in
the Temperature field, click in one of
the other fields (Oxygen or Tau)
before clicking the click the

button.

If this does resolve the issue, retry
the Single Point Reset.

If your HIOXY probe was calibrated
before 01 SEPT 2009, return it to
Ocean Optics for a full recalibration
at 45 KHz. Or, you can use firmware
version 2.02 available here:

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

.
Or, you can enter the frequency
setting manually, although this is not
recommended.

Contact Ocean Optics Technical
Support.

The waveform windows or
settings / status windows are
displayed as popups instead of
being docked on the side of the
Main window

N/A All utility windows can be docked or

undocked by double-clicking the title
bar of the utility window.

52 013-20000-009-02-201203

B: Maintenance

013-20000-009-02-201203 53

Analog Output

Analog Output Connector

The Analog Output connector is located on the rear panel of the NeoFox unit.

Appendix C

There are two user programmable analog outputs available on the NeoFox as follows:

 4-20 mA current source

 0-5V voltage source

Analog threshold settings can be saved by the user to allow a NeoFox unit to operate in a stand alone
mode, outputting analog signals without input from a computer.

Configuring Analog Voltage Output Channel with NeoFox Viewer

► Procedure

1. Select the Advanced Settings tab on the Advanced View screen to view the advanced settings.

013-20000-009-02-201203 54

C: Analog Output

2. In the Advanced Settings tab, select an appropriate data source from the dropdown box located to
the right of the “Voltage Output Source” setting. For more info on valid sources, please see

Selecting a Data Source

3. Select a valid lower bound for your represented data range by typing a number into the box
located to the right of the “Analog Voltage Lower Bound” setting. In some versions of the
Viewer software, this setting may be called “Voltage Limit Minimum”. For more information on
selecting a lower bound for your voltage, see Selecting a Data Range

4. Select a valid upper bound for your represented data range by typing a number into the box
located to the right of the “Analog Voltage Upper Bound” setting. In some versions of the Viewer
software, this setting may be called “Voltage Limit Maximum”. For more information on
selecting an upper bound for your voltage, see Selecting a Data Range

You can save your settings by enabling the “Flash Write” setting momentarily.

.

.

.

Configuring the Analog Current Output Channel with NeoFox Viewer

► Procedure

1. Select the Advanced Settings tab on the Advanced View screen to view the advanced settings.

013-20000-009-02-201203 55

C : Analog Output

2. Select an appropriate data source from the dropdown box located to the right of the Current
Output Source setting. For more info on valid sources, see Selecting a Data Source

3. Select a valid lower bound for your represented data range by typing a number into the box
located to the right of the “Analog Current Lower Bound” setting. In some versions of the Viewer
software, this setting may be called “Current Limit Minimum”. For more information on selecting
a lower bound for your voltage, see Selecting a Data Range

4. Select a valid upper bound for your represented data range by typing a number into the box
located to the right of the “Analog Current Upper Bound” setting. In some versions of the Viewer
software, this setting may be called “Current Limit Maximum”. For more information on
selecting a upper bound for your voltage, see Selecting a Data Range

You can save your settings by enabling the Flash Write setting momentarily.

.

.

.

Selecting a Data Source

There are six potential data sources that can be driven by the NeoFox. The pressure mode is not currently
supported as an analog data source.

56 013-20000-009-02-201203

C: Analog Output

Mode Meaning

0 Off

This mode does not actually turn the current source off. Instead it sets the current source to 4
mA and the voltage source to 0 V. It does not reduce the unit’s power draw.

1 Oxygen

This is the standard percent oxygen mode. The data source will be percent oxygen, not a
converted unit such as ppm or torr. See Mode 5 for more information on these alternate units.

2 Temperature

Temperature (in degrees Celsius)

3 Pressure

Not yet supported

4 Tau

In microseconds

5 Alternate O2 Units

In this mode, the dimensionless value of the alternate O2 value is compared with the lower
and upper bound parameters.

Selecting a Data Range

The data ranges of the analog outputs are fully adjustable through the lower bound and upper bound
settings in NeoFox Viewer. These settings are simply unitless values that are compared to the unitless
value of the data source.

Analog Voltage Boundaries

The analog voltage lower bound represents the value of the data source that corresponds to a 0 volt analog
output. The analog voltage upper bound represents the value of the data source that corresponds to a 5
volt analog output. Intermediate values are linearly scaled across this region to produce the appropriate
output. Values of the data source that fall outside this region result in output voltages that are either 0
volts or 5 volts depending on whether the value of the data source exceeds the upper bound (resulting in 5
V) or falls short of the lower bound (resulting in 0V).

013-20000-009-02-201203 57

C : Analog Output

Analog Current Boundaries

The analog current lower bound represents the value of the data source that corresponds to a 4 mA analog
output. The analog current upper bound represents the value of the data source that corresponds to a 20
mA analog current output. Intermediate values are linearly scaled across this region to produce the
appropriate output. Values of the data source that fall outside this region result in output currents that are
either 4mA or 20 mA depending on whether the value of the data source exceeds the upper bound
(resulting in 20 mA) or falls short of the lower bound (resulting in 4 mA).

Analog Data Range Example

As an example, consider the following. A user who is interested in using the analog voltage output to
monitor oxygen in the range from 4.5 ppm to 7 ppm would select the following settings. The result would
be that any ppm values below 4.5 ppm would result in an output of 0 volts and any values above 7 ppm
would result in 5 volts. In this case, 6.3 ppm would produce an analog voltage output of [(6.3 - 4.5) / (7 -

4.5)] * 5 = 3.6 volts.

 Analog Voltage Source: 5 – Alternate O2 Units

 Analog Voltage Lower Bound: 4.5

 Analog Voltage Upper Bound: 7.00

 (Oxygen Units) – “DO – ppm – Water”. (Selection of ppm as alternate O2 units)

Saving the Analog Output Settings

To save the analog output settings, open the “Advanced Settings” control panel and then select “Enabled”
from the dropdown box located to the right of the “Flash Write” setting. This box will momentarily
continue to display “enabled”, but will switch back to “disabled” when the unit has processed the
command.

Analog Output Pinouts

Caution

Be careful when wiring. Incorrect wiring could cause permanent damage to the unit.

View of Connector on Back of NeoFox Unit

1 = RS232 Rx
2 = 0-5V – V+
3 = Current 4-20 - V- (Iout)
4 = Current 4-20 - V+
5 = RS232 Tx
6 = 0-5V / RS232 GND

This is the view looking at the connector on the back of the NeoFox, with power plug on the right
and the USB plug on the left. The connector is a standard PS-2 connector.

58 013-20000-009-02-201203

C: Analog Output

Analog Output Parameters List

NeoFox Viewer Parameter Potential Values

Voltage Output Source 0 – Disable analog output

1 – Oxygen

2 – Temperature (not supported)

3 – Pressure (not supported)

4 – Tau

5 – Alternate O

Current Output Source 0 – Disable analog output

1 – Oxygen

2 – Temperature (not supported)

3 – Pressure (not supported)

4 – Tau

5 – Alternate O

2

Units

2

Units

Analog Voltage Lower Bound (or Voltage
Limit Minimum)

Analog Voltage Upper Bound (or Voltage
Limit Maximum)

Analog Current Lower Bound (or Current
Limit Minimum)

Analog Current Upper Bound (or Current
Limit Maximum)

<floating point value> - This floating point value represents

the “lower bound” of the represented range of the input
data. Must be < UBOUND and ≥ 0.

<floating point value> - This floating point value represents

the “upper bound” of the represented range of the input
data. Must be > LBOUND.

<floating point value> - This floating point value represents

the “lower bound” of the represented range of the input
data. Must be < UBOUND and ≥ 0.

<floating point value> - This floating point value represents

the “upper bound” of the represented range of the input
data. Must be > L

Analog Output Specifications

Name Min Typ Max Conditions

4-20 mA Loop Voltage 11 V -- 24V R

4-20 mA Output Accuracy -- < 160 μA -- 25°C, V

Loop

= 2 Ω

Loop

= 12V, R

Loop

= 2 Ω

0-5V Output Accuracy -- < 50mV -- 25°C

0-5V Output Resistance -- -- 250 Ω --

013-20000-009-02-201203 59

C : Analog Output

A

Interfacing to the 4-20mA Output

The NeoFox includes a non-isolated 4-20 mA current sink that can be used to transmit oxygen,
temperature, or tau data. It is extremely important that you set up the interface for this output correctly, or
else irreparable damage to the NeoFox unit can occur.

The figure below shows a complete 4-20 mA loop and its 3 main components: the NeoFox unit, an
ammeter, and a voltage supply. In the diagram, the NeoFox unit is shown on the left and the customer’s
interface circuitry (voltage supply and ammeter) is on the right. Although they are drawn close together,
the NeoFox unit and the customer’s interface circuitry may be physically located far apart, connected by a
2-wire cable.

PIN 4

Loop
Voltage
Supply

Neofox
Unit

Ammeter

PIN 3

Typical 4-20 mA Interface

4-20 mA Loop Voltage Supply

As a simple current sink, NeoFox does not provide its own power for the current loop. The user must
provide an isolated power supply between 11 V and 30 V (measured at the input to the NeoFox unit) to

power the loop. This power supply must be
the grounds of the Neofox and the supply cannot be connected together

Most customers will use separate AC adapters to power their NeoFox unit and their interface circuitry.
Usually this will result in the two circuits floating with respect to each other so that the circuit will work
properly. However, it is important to note that NeoFox has a grounded metal case that is connected to its
circuit ground and its USB shell. Hence, customers who connect the NeoFox’s case ground to their
interface circuit’s case ground will find that the measurements are not correct. Some common situations
that could lead to unintended ground connections are the following:

completely separate from the NeoFox and its power supply;

.

60 013-20000-009-02-201203

C: Analog Output

 Mounting both devices on a common metal surface (such as a DIN rail)

 Connecting both devices to a single computer or USB hub

 Using the same measurement device to measure the 0-5V output and the 4-20mA output. (The 0-

5V output is referenced to the NeoFox circuit ground.)

 Using the same measurement device to communicate with NeoFox via RS232 and to measure the

output of the 4-20 mA output. (RS232 is only available in NeoFox GT models with an F or
greater in the third digit of its serial number, which are available by request).

Users should be aware of any possible connections between NeoFox and their interface circuits
when setting up their hardware.

4-20 mA Isolation

Some users (especially those in industrial settings) may need to use an isolated 4-20 mA loop.
Unfortunately, the current sink on the NeoFox unit is not isolated and is not suitable for use in
environments which may cause the loop voltage to exceed 30V. However, there are a number of third­party products available that can convert the output of the NeoFox into an isolated 4-20 mA loop
transmitter.

Some suitable products include:

 LPI-1

 Manufacturer: A Pi (

 Suggested Vendor: Mod-tronic. (

 Part Number: LPI-1

 Datasheet:

 931S-A1A1N-IP1

 Manufacturer: Rockwell Automation

 Suggested Vendor: Varies by geographic region

 Part Number: 931S-A1A1N-IP1

 Datasheet:

http://www.ab.com/en/epub/catalogs/12768/229240/229268/10202439/10202445/tab3.ht
ml

 931S-C1A2D-OP*

 Manufacturer: Rockwell Automation

 Suggested Vendor: Varies by geographic region

 Part Number: 931S-C1A2D-OP

http://www.api-usa.com/pdf/api/api_lpi-1_lpi-2.pdf

http://www.api-usa.com)

http://www.mod-tronic.com)

 Datasheet:

http://www.ab.com/en/epub/catalogs/12768/229240/229268/10202439/10202445/tab9.ht
ml

*This part can be used to convert the 0-5V output of the NeoFox into a 4-20mA signal.

013-20000-009-02-201203 61

C : Analog Output

Resistor / Volt Meter

If an ammeter is not available, as is the case with many data acquisition systems, a voltmeter can be used
instead (see following figure). To use a voltage measurement system, users should select a low­impedance resistor and a high-impedance voltage measurement instrument.

Be aware that there will be a voltage drop across the resistor that “substracts” from the loop voltage
supply. The voltage drop can be calculated as resistance times current. For example, a 100 Ohm resistor at
20 mA would have a 2 volt drop across it. If the power supply was 12 V, then the loop voltage would
actually measure under 10V and the system would be outside of specification (11V is the minimum
specified loop voltage). It is important to select a resistor that will not “subtract” too much from the loop
voltage.

62 013-20000-009-02-201203

C: Analog Output

013-20000-009-02-201203 63

Appendix D

Calculating Drift Per Sensor

Drift differs depending on the sensor formulation (FOXY, FOSPOR or HIOXY). See the table and
example below.

Stability (Continuous LED):

Lifetime Stability
(Tau):
Oxygen Stability %: 0.01% HR 0.005% HR 0.007% HR

Example: Calculate drift for a FOXY sensor probe while measuring a sample every 2.5 hours for 100

hours with the LED being lit for 1 minute:

Newdrift=reporteddrift*dutycycleon/dutycycleoff


Newdrift=0.01%/hr*(1min/(2.5hr*60min/hr))2.5*60convertshoursintominutes,
soastocanceloutthedimensions
Newdrift=0.01%/hr*(1min/150min)
Newdrift=0.01%/hr*(.0066)
Newdrift=0.000066%/hr



To run the experiment for 100 hours:


Newdrift=0.000066%/hr*100hrs

Newdrift=0.006%

FOXY Formulation FOSPOR Formulation HIOXY Formulation

0.0006 usec/ HR 0.003 usec/ HR 0.0002 usec/HR

013-20000-009-02-201203 64

C: Analog Output

013-20000-009-02-201203 65

A

Adobe Acrobat Reader, 4
advanced settings, 19
Advanced Status tab, 22
analog current boundaries, 57
analog data range selection, 57
analog output, 53

connector, 53
parameters, 58
pinouts, 57
saving settings, 57
specifications, 58

Analog Output

configuring current output channel, 54

configuring voltage output channel, 53
analog voltage boundaries, 56
APD voltage, 24
applications, 3

B

battery detector, 46

C

Index

data source

selecting, 55

document

audience, vii
purpose, vii
summary, vii

E

enter new event, 17
Enter New Event field, 18
equipment

included, 3
recommended, 4

event

entering new, 18

F

features, 2

NeoFox Sport, 39
fiber, 5
firmware

updating, 49
FOSPOR, 3
FOXY, 3

calibration, 5

multipoint, 25
probe, 25
two-point, 27

chart layout

restore, 36
save, 36

Communication Interfaces, 36

hardware, 10
hardware drivers

installation, 12

Windows Vista, 14

Windows XP, 12
HIOXY, 3

D

data

saving, 35
data log file format, 45
data logging, 18

NeoFox Sport, 44
data range

selecting, 56

013-20000-009-02-201203 66

Install

from CD, 8
from Web, 8

installation

hardware, 10
hardware drivers, 12
software, 7

H

I

isolation

4-20 mA loop, 60

C: Analog Output

S

log, 18
loop voltage supply, 59

menu

NeoFox Sport, 40
menu description

NeoFox Sport, 41

NeoFox

overview, 1
NeoFox Sport, 39

data logging, 44

features, 39

menu, 40

menu description, 41

saved settings, 46

setup, 42

single point reset, 43
NeoFox Viewer, 3, 19
new event

entering, 18

L

M

N

safety warnings, i
salinity correction, 23
save

chart layout, 36

saved settings, 33

NeoFox Sport, 46

sensor

oxygen, 2, 4
select type, 24

setup

NeoFox Sport, 42
Setup tab, 20
shipment components, 3
single point reset

NeoFox Sport, 43
Single Point Reset

control button, 32
single-point reset, 30
software, 3, 7, 19

NeoFox Viewer, 3

updating, 49
Software and Resources Library CD, 4
specifications, 47
Status tab, 21

T

O

oxygen sensor probes, 2, 4

P

probe

calibrating, 25
oxygen sensor, 2, 4
temperature, 4

product-related documentation, vii

R

recommended equipment, 4
RedEye, 4
reset

single point, 30

restore

chart layout, 36

013-20000-009-02-201203 67

tab

Advanced Status, 22

Setup, 20

Status, 21
troubleshooting, 50

U

updating, 49

W

what's new, vii