Ocean Optics RaySphere 1700 User Manual
E-mail:
Info@OceanOptics.com
(General sales inquiries)
RaySphere Solar Analysis System (RaySphere and RaySphere 1700)
Installation and Operation Manual
Document Number RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304
Offices: Ocean Optics, Inc. World Headquarters
830 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, FL, USA 34698
Phone 727.733.2447
Fax 727.733.3962
8 a.m.– 8 p.m. (Mon-Thu), 8 a.m.– 6 p.m. (Fri) EST
Orders@OceanOptics.com (Questions about orders)
TechSupport@OceanOptics.com (Technical support)
Ocean Optics EMEA
Additional
Offices:
Ocean Optics Asia
137 Xianxia Road, Suite 1802, Changning District, Shanghai, PRC. 200051
Phone 86.21.5206.8686
Fax 86.21.5206.8686
E-Mail Sun.Ling@OceanOptics.com
Geograaf 24, 6921 EW DUIVEN, The Netherlands
Phone 31-(0)26-3190500
Fax 31-(0)26-3190505
E-Mail Info@OceanOptics.eu
Regional Headquarters
Maybachstrasse 11
73760 Ostfildern
Phone 49-711 34 16 96-0
Fax 49-711 34 16 96-85
E-Mail Sales@Mikropack.de
Copyright © 2012 Ocean Optics, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retriev al system, or tr ansmitted, by any means, elec tronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from Ocean Optics, Inc.
This manual is sold a s part of an order and subject to th e cond ition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or
otherwise circula ted without the prior consen t of Ocean Optics, Inc. in any form of b inding or cover other than that in which it is published.
Trademarks
All products and services herein are the tradem arks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service m arks of their respective owner s.
Limit of Liability
Ocean Optics has made every ef fort to mak e t his manual as complete and as accurate as p o ssible, but n o wa rranty 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.
Important Safety Notices
1. Read the instructions first to avoid any damages.
2. Store your RaySphere system at above -10 °C and below 50 °C to avoid any damages.
3. This is a calibrated measurement device. Handle the system with care. The calibration precision may
be lost if any dust or other pollutant enters the integrating sphere. When the system is not in use, store
it with a dust protector. When removing the dust protector, be sure to keep pollutants from entering
the integrating sphere aperture.
4. Recalibration is recomm ended after one year of use or sooner is the measurements do not seem to be
accurate. More frequent recalibration may be needed of the RaySphere has suffered any heavy
shocks or is being used in a dusty environment.
5. The RaySphere is heavy. Take care to keep it from falling.
6. If the seal on the screws is broken, then the calibration is no longer valid.
7. To ship the RaySphere, pack it in the Pelican case, which is optimized for transport. Hand carrying if
the RaySphere is recommended for all traveling.
8. Contact your Ocean Optics regional headquarters for questions about RaySphere.
9. Be sure to follow all safety instructions for your solar simulator.
10. Do not cover vents.
11. Do not cover the holes at the top of the RaySphere main body.
RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304 i
Table of Contents
About This Manual ......................................................................................................... v
Document Purpose and Intended Audience .............................................................................. v
Document Summary .................................................................................................................. v
Product-Related Documentation ............................................................................................... vi
Upgrades ....................................................................................................................... vi
Chapter 1: Introduction ..................................................................... 1
Description .................................................................................................................... 1
Photocurrent Recording ............................................................................................................. 2
Calibration.................................................................................................................................. 2
RaySphere Software ................................................................................................................. 2
Shipment Components .............................................................................................................. 2
Chapter 2: Installation and S e t-up .................................................... 5
Overview ....................................................................................................................... 5
RaySphere Components ............................................................................................... 5
Installing Software ......................................................................................................... 6
Assembling RaySphere ................................................................................................. 8
Chapter 3: Software Operation ......................................................... 9
Overview ....................................................................................................................... 9
Software Structure ......................................................................................................... 9
System Tab ............................................................................................................................... 10
Photo Current/Trigger Settings Tab .......................................................................................... 11
Spectrometer Tab ...................................................................................................................... 15
Classification Tab ...................................................................................................................... 18
Warni ngs and Status Inf ormation ................................................................................... 19
Chapter 4: File Types and Data Files ................................................ 21
Overview ....................................................................................................................... 21
Calibration Files ............................................................................................................. 21
Parameter File ............................................................................................................... 22
RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304 i
Table of Contents
Stray Light Correction Matrix ......................................................................................... 22
Saved File Types ........................................................................................................... 22
Chapter 5: Operation ......................................................................... 25
Overview ....................................................................................................................... 25
Triggering and Measurement Modes ............................................................................. 25
Optical Triggering ...................................................................................................................... 25
External Triggering .................................................................................................................... 28
Manual Triggering ...................................................................................................................... 29
Signal Path of Trigger .................................................................................................... 31
Timing and Delays ......................................................................................................... 32
Chapter 6: Using Preconfigured Configuration Files ...................... 35
Overview ....................................................................................................................... 35
How to Use Configuration Files ..................................................................................... 35
Contents of a Configuration File .................................................................................... 36
How to Create a Configuration File ................................................................................ 37
Chapter 7: Classifying the S olar Simulator and Displaying the Results
............................................................................................................ 39
Overview ....................................................................................................................... 39
Saving Results .............................................................................................................. 40
Validating a Solar Simulator .......................................................................................... 40
Using RaySphere with a Flash Solar Simulator ........................................................................ 40
Using RaySphere with a Continuous Solar Simulator ............................................................... 41
Validating the Test Results ........................................................................................................ 42
Chapter 8: Test Report ...................................................................... 43
Overview ....................................................................................................................... 43
Chapter 9: Nonlinearity Correction and Calibration ........................ 45
Overview ....................................................................................................................... 45
Nonlinearity Correction .............................................................................................................. 45
Wavelength Calibration ............................................................................................................. 45
Absolute Irradiance Calibration ................................................................................................. 45
Uncertainties Calculation ............................................................................................... 45
ii RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304
Table of Contents
Uncertainty for Spectral Match Test .......................................................................................... 49
Uncertainty of Repeated Measurements ................................................................................... 52
Quantitative Uncertainties ......................................................................................................... 52
How to Estimate the Uncertainties for the Spectral Match Test ............................................... 53
Appendix A: Components Technical Notes ..................................... 55
Overview ....................................................................................................................... 55
QE65000 Spectrometer ................................................................................................. 55
NIRQuest Spectrometer ................................................................................................ 55
Trigger Electronics ......................................................................................................... 55
USB-Hub ....................................................................................................................... 56
Appendix B: Specifications and Mechanical Diagram .................... 57
Mounting Options for RaySphere Main Body ................................................................. 58
Index ................................................................................................... 61
RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304 iii
Table of Contents
iv RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304
About This Manual
Document Purpose and Intended Audience
This document provides you with a detailed description of the RaySphere and Ray Sphere 1700 systems,
including installation and operating instructions. Quick start instructions are available for users who are
just interested in testing a solar simulator with RaySphere. See Product-Related Documentation
What’s New in this Document
This version of the RaySphere Solar Analysis System Installation and Operation Manual updates
specification information.
Document Summary
.
Chapter Description
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Installation and Set-up
Chapter 3: Software Operation
Chapter 4: File Types and Data Files
Chapter 5: Operation
Chapter 6: Using Preconfigured
Configuration Files
Chapter 7: Classifying the Solar Simulator
and Displaying the Results
Chapter 8: Test Report
Contains a description of the RaySphere system.
Provides installation instructions for RaySphere hardware
and software.
Provides software operation instructions for RaySphere.
Provides information on the calibration files, the stray
light correction matrix and the saved file types.
Contains instructions for operating the RaySphere
system using triggering.
Provides information on using preconfigured
configuration files, including how to create them.
Provides procedures for using RaySphere with solar
simulators and how to validate your results.
Describes a typical test report.
Chapter 9: Nonlinearity Correction and
Calibration
Appendix A: Components Technical Notes
RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304 v
Contains nonlinearity correction and calibration
information as they pertain to RaySphere.
Lists technical notes for the RaySphere components.
About This Manual
Chapter Description
Appendix B: Specifications
Contains product specifications.
Product-Related Documentation
• RaySphere Quick Start Instructions
• NIRQuest Near Infrared Spectrometer Installation and Operation Manual
• QE65000 Scientific-grade Fiber Optic Spectrometer Installation and Operation Manual
• SpectraSuite Spectrometer Operating Software Installation and Operation Manual
• External Triggering Options for Firmware Versions 3.0 and Above
You can access documentation for Ocean Optics products by visiting our website at
http://www.oceanoptics.com. Select Technical → Operating Instructions, then choose the appropriate
document from the available drop-down lists. Or, use the Search by Model Number field at the bottom
of the web page.
You can also access operating instructions for Ocean Optics products on the Software and Technical
Resources CD included with the system.
Engineering-level documentation is located on our website at Technical → Engineering Docs.
Upgrades
Occasionally, you may find that you need Ocean Optics to make a change or an upgrade to your system.
To facilitate these changes, you must first contact Customer Support and obtain a Return Merchandise
Authorization (RMA) number. Please contact Ocean Optics for specific instructions when returning a
product.
vi RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304
Chapter 1
Introduction
Description
RaySphere is a calibrated high-performance measurement device. It is designed for testing the spectral
distribution of all types of Solar Simulators and for validating the Simulator for the spectral match test in
accordance with the international standard IEC 90604-9: Solar Simulator Performance Requirements.
The RaySphere series of products consists of RaySphere and RaySphere 1700. They provide the
following features:
• Intuitive graphical interface
• Graphical and table display of classification results by wavelength bin
2
• Output of actual spectra in mW/cm
/nm
• Output of actual measurement and triggering timing with +/-44 µs resolution
• Printable classification report
RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304 1
1: Introduction
RaySphere contains one QE65000 spectrometer, while RaySphere 1700 contains two spectrometers
(QE65000 and NirQ512) and a trigger unit to control the measurement procedure and a hub. The trigger
sources can be a flash from the solar simulator, an electrical trigger pulse (high level with +5 V or +24 V)
or a measurement can be generated manually at any time.
RaySphere software allows full control during the testing and generates a test report with the
classification of the simulator.
Photocurrent Recording
A unique innovation for test control is the function photocurrent recording. A photodiode detects the
integral light intensity of the environment. The sudden increase of intensity is interpreted by the
electronics as a measurement event and the complete flash signal is recorded up to 160 ms flash duration.
The time-dependent photocurrent is displayed and the time interval in which the spectrometer has
recorded light from the solar simulator is indicated. The user can adjust delays to make sure that the
recording time of the spectrometer was at the stable flash phase and maximum control for the testing
procedure is given to minimize any kind of mismeasurement.
Calibration
The calibration is tested by an independent certificated optical calibration laboratory. The inaccuracy for
the spectral match as described in IEC 90604-9 is typically on the order of 2 %. Uncertainty has been
minimized to achieve highest precision. A detailed description about calibration and uncertainty is given
in this document.
RaySphere Software
The RaySphere software allows intuitive operation of the system and automatically generates a test report
with classification of the simulator. The software was especially designed for the requirements of the
solar industry.
Shipment Components
The RaySphere package consists of the following items:
• Pelican case: The transport box for the complete RaySphere System
• RaySphere main body
• Power Supply
• Four Power Cables, one each for USA, Europe, U K, and Australia
• Power Supply Connection Cable [SubD-type, 3 meters length]
• USB cable (USB-CBL-1): Connects RaySphere to a computer’s USB port, 3 meters length
• RaySphere CD: Contains RaySphere software and calibration files and manual
2 RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304
1: Introduction
• Software and Technical Resources CD: 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 (version 7.0 is included on
the CD). Documentation is also available on our website at
http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/operatinginstructions.asp.
• Calibration documents
RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304 3
1: Introduction
4 RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304
Installation and Set-up
Overview
This chapter contains information for assembling your RaySphere unit.
RaySphere Components
The following figures show the parts of the RaySphere main body.
Chapter 2
RaySphere Body
RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304 5
2: Installation and Setup
RaySphere Components
Installing Software
Caution
Install the software BEFORE connecting the spectrometer to your PC. The RaySphere
software installs the drivers requir ed for spe ctr ome ter ins tallat ion. I f you do not insta ll
RaySphere software first, the system will not properly recognize the spectrometer.
RaySphere includes special software for operating your RaySphere system. This software is located on
the Software & Technical Resources CD. The installation instructions are included below.
In addition, if you have purchased and are using SpectraSuite with the RaySphere for controlling the
spectrometers, follow the instructions in the SpectraSuite Spectrometer Operating Software Installation
and Operation Manual for software install at io n instruction s (see Product-Related Documentation
).
6 RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304
2: Installation and Setup
Caution
Do not run SpectraSuite and RaySphere software at the same time on the computer.
► Procedure
To install RaySphere software from the RaySphere CD,
1. Close all other applications running on the computer.
2. Load the RaySphere CD. The CD contains the calibration data, fundamental settings and the
software for operating the RaySphere on a 32-bit or 64-bit computer.
3. Select the Setup CD folder.
4. Select the installation file for either a 32- or 64-bit system. The setup process begins and the
following screen appears:
5. Click the Install button. Then follow the prompts in the installation wizard.
RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304 7
2: Installation and Setup
Note
If the following screen appears during the installation, select Repair:
6. Click Close when the installation is completed. It is not necessary to restart your computer.
Assembling RaySphere
Follow the steps below to set up your RaySphere for use.
► Procedure
1. Connect the power cable to the power supply.
2. Connect the RaySphere unit to the power supply with the SubD cable.
3. Switch on the power supply.
4. Connect the RaySphere to your computer using a USB cable.
Caution
Be sure to switch on the power supply before connecting the RaySphere to your computer.
Your RaySphere is now ready to use after 20 minutes of warm-up time.
8 RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304
Chapter 3
Software Operation
Overview
The RaySphere software is designed for requirem ents of the solar industry and related applications. The
operation and functions are as intuitive as possible and the functions are designed with the needs of the
user in mind.
Software Structure
The software consists of four main functions tabs for controlling RaySphere settings and operation:
• System
• Photocurrent Trigger / Settings
• Spectrometer
• Classification
RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304 9
3: Software Operation
The four functions appear in the upper command line of the main screen. Pressing one of the controls
changes the background of the function name to green. The section becomes active and the page with the
function details appears.
System Tab
The system tab allows you to load and save data.
Load All
Load All ( ) lo ads the fo llow ing file types with the na me you specify:
• Classification_Date_time_Name.txt
• Configuration_Date_Time_Name.cfg
• PDcurr_Date_Time_Name.cfg
• Report_Date_Time_Name.pdf
• Spec_merge_Date_Time_Name.txt
• Spec_NR_Date_Time_Name.txt
• Spec_QE_Date_Time_Name.txt
• Spectrum4000-1100_Date_Time_Name.txt
See File Types and Data Files
for more information.
Load Config
Load Config ( ) loads a configuration file to operate RaySphere under conditions defined in the file.
Save All
Save All ( ) saves all data as one of the following file types:
• Classification_Date_time_Name.txt
10 RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304
3: Software Operation
• Configuration_Date_Time_Name.cfg
• PDcurr_Date_Time_Name.cfg
• Report_Date_Time_Name.pdf
• Spec_merge_Date_Time_Name.txt
• Spec_NR_Date_Time_Name.txt
• Spec_QE_Date_Time_Name.txt
• Spectrum4000-1100_Date_Time_Name.txt
See File Types and Data Files
for more information.
► Procedure
To save data,
1. Click the Save All icon (
2. Select or create the folder where the data is to be saved.
3. Assign a name to the file. It is recommended to use the serial number of the solar simulator or
anything specific which clearly identifies the tested solar simulator.
4. The date and time is added from your computer settings. Ensure that your computer is using the
correct date and time.
). The Save Data dialog box opens.
Save Config
Save Config ( ) saves the actual RaySphere confguration in one file.
Photo Current/Trigger Settings Tab
The Photo Current/ Trigger Settings tab enables you to control the settings for photo current and
triggering of the RaySphere. The maximum sample time for the photocurrent is 160 ms.
RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304 11
3: Software Operation
Connect Pd
Connect Pd connects RaySphere photocurrent and trigger unit electronics to the computer when the Start
) button is pressed.
(
Icon Meaning
The computer has no connection to RaySphere’s photocurrent and trigger unit.
The computer is connected successfully to the RaySphere electronics.
Sets the system to ready status for taking a measurement.
Disables the ready status to allow changes to photocurrent and trigger settings. See Changing
Photocurrent and Trigger Settings.
Displays the Photocurrent/ Trigger Settings dialog box to allow changes to the photocurrent
and trigger settings.
Changing Photocurrent and Trigger Settings
► Procedure
To change photocurrent and trigger settings,
1. Click the Setting button (
12 RAYSPHERE-1700-02-201304
). The Photocurrent/Trigger Settings dialog box appears.
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