Ocean Optics SAD500 User Manual

SAD500 Serial Port Interface

The SAD500 SERIAL PORT INTERFACE is a microprocessor-controlled A/D converter for serial port connection or
stand-alone operation. It can be used to interface to desktop or portable PCs, PLCs, and other devices that support
the RS-232 communication protocol. Directions for setting up your SAD500 follow. Because A/D converter
installation goes hand-in-hand with software installation, directions for installing OOIBase32 Spectrometer Operating
Software are also included.

Interface the SAD500 to your PC

1. If you ordered your SAD500 mounted onto your spectrometer, simply connect the 6-pin DIN end of the serial
cable to the SAD500 and the DB9 end to your PC. If you ordered your SAD500 in its own housing, attach the
25-pin conductor ribbon cable from the spectrometer to the SAD500. Then connect the 6-pin DIN end of the
serial cable to the SAD500 and the DB9 end to your PC.

2. For either configuration, note the serial port number (also called COM Port ) on the PC to which you are
interfacing. (Older PCs may not have numbered ports.)

3. Plug the +12VDC wall transformer into an outlet and connect it to the SAD500.

Install OOIBase32

Before installing OOIBase32, make sure that no other applications are running.

1. Execute Setup.exe. At the “Welcome” dialog box, click Next>.

2. At the “Destination Location” dialog box, accept the default or choose Browse to pick a directory. Click Next>.

3. At the “Backup Replaced Files” dialog box, select either Yes or No. We recommend selecting Yes. If you select
Yes, accept the default or choose Browse to pick a destination directory. Click Next>.

4. Select a Program Manager Group. Click Next>. At the “Start Installation” dialog box, click Next>.

5. Follow all prompts regarding the Spectrometer Configuration diskette that came with your system. For more on
the Spectrometer Configuration diskette, see the

Note below. (If you downloaded OOIBase32 from the Ocean

Optics web site, you will not have this diskette. Select No when first asked about the diskette.)

6. At the “Installation Complete” dialog box, choose Finish>. Restart your computer, when prompted.

Note:

In your spectrometer shipment box, you received a Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet wrapped around a
floppy diskette. The Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet and the spectrometer configuration file on the floppy
diskette contain the same information, which is unique to your spectrometer. When you install OOIBase32, you
are prompted to insert this diskette into your computer so that this data is installed with the software. However,
if the diskette is ever lost, or if you downloaded OOIBase32 from the our web site and did not receive a
diskette, you can use the data on the Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet to enter into OOIBase32 fields.

Run OOIBase32

After you restart your computer, navigate to the OOIBase32 icon and select it. The first time you run OOIBase32
after installation, you must follow several prompts before you can begin taking measurements.

Operator and Serial Number Dialog Box

First, a prompt to enter a user name and serial number appears. Certain data files will include this information in the
header. (If, at a later date, you wish to change the operator name and serial number, select Edit | Settings from the
menu and then choose the Registration tab.) Click OK.

Installation Instructions: SAD500 (for all Windows Users)

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Default Spectrometer Configuration File

Next, the following message appears:

This appears to be the first time OOIBase32 has been executed. Please select a spectrometer configuration
file from the following screen. This spectrometer configuration file will be used each time OOIBase32 is started.

A file open dialog box then appears. Navigate to the OOIBase32 directory, and choose the default spectrometer
configuration file -- the file with .spec as the extension, preceded by the serial number of your spectrometer. (A
default spectrometer configuration file will be named something similar to

I2J613.spec.)

Configure Hardware Dialog Box

Next, the Configure Hardware dialog box opens. The parameters in this dialog box are usually set only once -- when
OOIBase32 is first installed and the software first runs.

1. Under Spectrometer Type, choose your
spectrometer.

2. Under A/D Converter Type, choose SAD500.

3. Under Serial Port, choose the COM port number
your computer is using to interface to your
SAD500. See the Troubleshooting section to
determine the COM Port.

4. Under Baud Rate, select the speed at which the
SAD500 will operate. (We recommend using
115,200 baud rate.)

5. Under SAD Pixel Resolution, enter resolution
values from 1 to 500. This value specifies that
every n

th

pixel of the spectrometer is transmitted
from the SAD500 to the PC. Your resolution
value depends on your experiment. By
sacrificing resolution, you gain speed. The
transfer of one complete spectra requires ~0.4
seconds when communicating at 115,200 baud
rate. If you need your information in <0.4
seconds, increase the resolution or enable data
compression (see below).

6. Enable the Compress SAD500 Data function to

minimize the amount of data transferred over the RS-232 connection. Transmission of spectral data over the
serial port is a relatively slow process. Enabling this function ensures that every scan transmitted by the
SAD500 will be compressed, greatly increasing the data transfer speed of the SAD500.

7. For your setup, only these parameters apply to your system. (Ignore the other settings; they apply to other A/D

converters.) Click OK. You can always change these settings once OOIBase32 is fully operational by selecting
Spectrometer | Configure | A/D Interface.

!!

If you do not see the “Configure Hardware” screen, exit the software. Then select Start | Run, and type

C:\windows\ooidrv.ini for Windows 95/98 systems or c:\winnt\ooidrv.ini for Windows NT

systems. Notepad will open. Edit this file for our device driver by finding the “Initialized” entry and making
sure this line reads Initialized=0. Save the OOIDRV.INI file and exit Notepad. Restart OOIBase32. You
should now see the “Configure Hardware” dialog box.

Spectrometer Configuration Dialog Box

Now that OOIBase32 is running, you need to configure your system. Select Spectrometer | Configure from the
menu. Go through each page in the Spectrometer Configuration dialog box to set system parameters. (See the

OOIBase32 Spectrometer Operating Software Manual for details.)

Installation Instructions: SAD500 (for all Windows Users)

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