Gentec-EO U-LINK User manual

U-LINK User Manual Revision 1.0 i
WARRANTY

U-LINK User Manual Revision 1.0 ii
The Gentec-EO U-LINK Single Channel Laser Power/Energy Meter carries a one-year warranty (from date
of shipment) against material and/or workmanship defects when used under normal operating conditions.
The warranty does not cover recalibration, or damages related to misuse.
Gentec-EO will repair or replace at our option any U-LINK which proves to be defective during the warranty
period, except in the case of product misuse.
Any attempt by an unauthorized person to alter or repair the product will void the warranty.
The manufacturer is not liable for consequential damages of any kind.
In the case of a malfunction, contact your local Gentec-EO distributor or the nearest Gentec-EO office to
obtain a return authorization number. Return the material to the address below.
Contacting Gentec Electro-Optics Inc.
Gentec Electro-Optics, Inc.
445, St-Jean-Baptiste, Suite 160
Québec, QC
Canada, G2E 5N7
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: gentec-eo.com
CLAIMS
To obtain warranty service, contact your nearest Gentec-EO agent or send the product, with a description
of the problem, transportation and insurance prepaid, to the nearest Gentec-EO agent. Gentec-EO Inc.
assumes no risk for the damage in transit. Gentec-EO Inc. will, at its option, repair or replace the defective
product free of charge or refund your purchase price. However, if Gentec-EO Inc. determines that the
failure is caused by misuse, alterations, accident or abnormal condition of operation or handling, you will
be billed for the repair and the repaired product will be returned to you, transportation prepaid.

U-LINK User Manual Revision 1.0 iii
SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use the U-LINK if the device or the detector looks damaged, or if you suspect that the U-LINK is not
operating properly.
Appropriate installation must be done for water-cooled and fan-cooled detectors. Refer to the specific
instructions for more information. The user must wait for a while before handling these detectors after
power is applied. Surfaces of the detectors get very hot and there is a risk of injury if they are not allowed
to cool down.
Note: 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 case the user will be required to correct
the interference at his own expense.
Caution: Changes or modifications not expressly approved in writing by Gentec Electro-Optics Inc.
may void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
SYMBOLS
The following international symbols are used in this manual:
Refer to the manual for specific Warning or Caution information to avoid any damage to
the product.

U-LINK User Manual Revision 1.0 iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. U-LINK Single Channel Laser Power and Energy Meter...................................1
1.1. Introduction.......................................................................................................... 1
1.2. Included with your U-LINK................................................................................... 1
1.3. Specifications......................................................................................................2
1.3.1. External trigger timing requirements .......................................................................................3
1.4. Connections ........................................................................................................4
2. Operating Instructions.........................................................................................7
2.1. Installing the USB Driver .....................................................................................7
2.2. Quick Measurement Procedure...........................................................................8
3. User Interface .......................................................................................................9
4. Serial Communication .........................................................................................9
4.1. Description .......................................................................................................... 9
4.2. Setting up Communication to the U-LINK............................................................9
4.2.1. Verify the COM Port ................................................................................................................9
4.2.2. Connect the U-LINK ................................................................................................................9
4.3. Serial Command Format ................................................................................... 10
4.4. Binary Mode output Format............................................................................... 11
4.5. List of Serial Commands for the U-LINK ........................................................... 12
4.6. Detailed Description of the Serial commands For U-LINK................................. 14
4.6.1. Display...................................................................................................................................14
4.6.2. Data Acquisition.....................................................................................................................17
4.6.3. Setup.....................................................................................................................................21
4.6.4. Control...................................................................................................................................23
4.6.5. Instrument and Detector Information.....................................................................................30
4.7. Error Messages................................................................................................. 34
5. Declaration of Conformity .................................................................................35
Appendix A –WEEE Directive....................................................................................37

U-LINK User Manual Revision 1.0 v
Table of Figures
Figure 1 Valid External Trigger Window .......................................................................................................4
Figure 2 U-LINK USB Front Panel................................................................................................................4
Figure 3 U-LINK RS232 Front Panel ............................................................................................................4
Figure 4 U-LINK USB and RS232 Rear Panel..............................................................................................5
Figure 5 DB9: View looking into female connector on RS-232 U-LINK Cable .............................................6
Figure 6 Opening U-LINK for Recycling Disposal.......................................................................................37
Table of Tables
Table 1 Table of Specifications.....................................................................................................................2
Table 2 Multi-Function Port Feature Availability ...........................................................................................5
Table 3 RS-232 P-Link Cable Pinout............................................................................................................6
Table 4 U-LINK COM Port Settings ............................................................................................................10
Table 5 Serial Commands...........................................................................................................................12
Table 6 Measurement Scale Indices...........................................................................................................14
Table 7 STS Data Structure........................................................................................................................31
Table 8 ST2 Data Structure ........................................................................................................................32
Table 9 Product Standards .........................................................................................................................35
Table 10 Performance Criteria....................................................................................................................36

U-LINK User Manual Revision 1.0
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1. U-LINK SINGLE CHANNEL LASER POWER AND ENERGY METER
1.1.INTRODUCTION
To obtain full performance from U-LINK, we recommend that you read this manual carefully.
The U-LINK is a microprocessor-based power and energy interface that uses the latest technology to
provide a multitude of options in a user-friendly environment. It is a complete power and energy PC
interface, which can provide a statistical analysis of your measurements. Moreover, it can be updated over
the Internet by connecting the USB or RS-232 port to a personal computer.
The U-LINK USB and RS-232 versions have enhanced communication capabilities that take advantage of
the USB or RS-232 port for data acquisition and remote control depending on the U-LINK version. It can
transfer data to a PC for more sophisticated data analysis and respond to commands through the
communication interface.
Easy software upgrade
Keep in touch with the latest improvements to our user-friendly software. You can download the latest
software version anytime from our website www.gentec-eo.com and install it on your PC.
1.2.INCLUDED WITH YOUR U-LINK
USB
RS232
U-LINK USB
USB-Mini Cable
Calibration Certificate
U-LINK RS232
9V Power Supply (AC cable included)
Calibration Certificate

U-LINK User Manual Revision 1.0
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1.3.SPECIFICATIONS
The following specifications are based on a one-year calibration cycle, an operating temperature of 18 to
28℃(64 to 82℉) and a relative humidity not exceeding 80%.
Table 1 Table of Specifications
U-LINK
USB
RS232
Power Meter Specifications
Compatible Heads
XLP series, HP series, UP series, PH series, UM series, THz-D
series (New DB-15)
THz-B V2 Series
Power Range
4 pW to 100 kW
Power Scales2
(PH series photodetectors)
300 pW, 10nW, 30nW, 100nW, 300nW, 1µW, 3µW, 10µW,
30µW, 100µW, 300µW, 1mW, 3mW, 10mW, 30mW, 100mW,
300mW, 1W, 3W
Power Scales2
(UP, HP, XLP thermal detectors)
300uW, 1mW, 3mW, 10mW, 30mW, 100mW, 300mW, 1W, 3W,
10W, 30W, 100W, 300W, 1kW, 3kW, 10kW, 30 kW, 100kW
Power Scales2
(UM-B series pyroelectric detectors)
100µW, 300µW, 1mW, 3mW, 10mW, 30mW, 100mW, 300mW
Power Scales2
(THz-B series pyroelectric detectors)
300nW,3µW,10µW,30µW,100µW, 300µW, 1mW, 3mW, 10mW,
30mW
Resolution (digital)
Selected scale / 8388608 (power mode)
Selected scale / 3754 (energy mode, pyroelectric power mode
and fast power mode at 100Hz)
Monitor Accuracy
±0.5 % ±3 µV from 20% to full scale1
Response Time (accelerated)2
Head dependent
Accelerated: 1 second
Data transfer rate4
15 Hz at 24-bit resolution
100 Hz at 12-bit (fast power mode)
10Hz at 12-bit (pyroelectric detectors)
10Hz (THz-B V2)
1 reading per pulse (energy mode)
Statistics
Current Value, Max., Min., Average, Std. Dev., RMS stability,
PTP stability.
Data Storage
Continuous on PC hard drive
Energy Meter Specifications
Compatible Heads
QE series, UP and XLP in energy mode, PE series,
Calorimeters
Energy Range
2 fJ to 30 kJ
Energy Scales2
(PE series photodetectors)
300fJ, 1 pJ, 3 pJ, 10 pJ, 30 pJ, 300pJ, 1 nJ, 3 nJ, 10 nJ, 30 nJ,
100nJ, 300nJ, 1 uJ, 3 uJ,10uJ, 30uJ, 100µJ, 300µJ, 1mJ, 3mJ,
10mJ, 30mJ
Energy Scales2
(QE, UP thermal detectors)
10uJ, 300uJ, 3mJ, 10mJ, 30mJ, 100mJ, 300mJ, 1J, 3J, 10J,
30J, 100J, 300J, 1kJ, 3kJ, 10kJ, 30kJ
Resolution (Digital)3
Selected scale / 3754
Accuracy3
1.0% ±50 µV < 500 Hz
2.0% ±50 µV 500 Hz to 10 kHz
Default Trigger Level
2%
Software Trigger Level
0.1% to 99%, 0.1% resolution
Data Transfer Rate4
10kHz maximum
2.5kHz ASCII Mode
1kHz maximum
500Hz ASCII Mode

U-LINK User Manual Revision 1.0
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Specifications are subject to change without notice
1 Voltage bias can introduce an error into low power measurements with low sensitivity detectors. It is
essential to use the Zero Offset to re-zero the U-Link before making a measurement in these conditions. It
is always good practice to use the Zero Offset.
2Varies with detector head.
3Including linearity.
4This is PC dependent. The host PC must be fast enough to receive and process incoming data.
Recommended: Intel Duo Core processor with a 2.4GHz clock speed or better.
1.3.1. External trigger timing requirements
The beginning of the external trigger signal must arrive in a time window relative to the beginning of the
laser pulse. This window begins 20% of the rise-time before the laser pulse and ends one rise-time after
the beginning of the pulse minus the minimum trigger pulse width.
Example for QE12LP-H-MB Detector Head:
The following value is found in the Detector Head user manual.
Signal rise-time = 550 μsec
20% of rise-time = 550 X 20% = 110 μsec
Rise-time minus minimum trigger pulse width = 550 –1 = 549 μsec
Therefore, the acceptable window for the beginning of the external trigger pulse is from 110 μsec before
the laser pulse begins to 549 μsec after the laser pulse begins. Incorrect energy measurements may result
if the trigger pulse arrives outside of this window.
Frequency Measurement
0.1 to 1000 Hz: 2% ±0.1Hz
1000 to 10000 Hz: 5% ±1Hz
Statistics
Current Value, Max., Min., Average, Std. Dev., RMS stability,
PTP stability, Number of Pulses, Repetition Rate, Avg. Power
Data Storage
Continuous on PC hard drive
PC Software Specifications
Display Rate
3 Hz numeric display
3 Hz bar graph display and needle display
3 Hz in Real time mode
15 Hz in graph modes
Data Displays
Real-Time, Scope, Averaging, Statistics, Digital Tuning Needle,
Histogram, Setup
General Specifications
User Input Correction Factors
1 multiplier and 1 offset (7-digit floating point)
Analog Output
0 –2.0 Volt user defined, full scale, ±1% of measurement, ±5mV
External Trigger
3.3V up to 12V DC signal
Non-isolated
External Trigger Pulse Width
1µs minimum
External Trigger Timing
Requirements
See below
Internet Upgrades
USB
RS-232
PC Serial Commands
USB
RS-232
Dimensions (without stand)
91 (L) x 57 (W) x 26 max (H) mm
Weight
101g
105g
Power Supply
USB 5V 150mA
9-12 VDC 200mA

U-LINK User Manual Revision 1.0
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Figure 1 Valid External Trigger Window
1.4.CONNECTIONS
Figure 2 U-LINK USB Front Panel
Figure 3 U-LINK RS232 Front Panel

U-LINK User Manual Revision 1.0
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Figure 4 U-LINK USB and RS232 Rear Panel
USB COMMUNICATION AND POWER
The U-LINK USB allows remote control and data transfer between the U-LINK and a computer that has a
USB communication port. The U-LINK is also powered via this port on the USB model.
MULTI-FUNCTION PORT
The features available on this port vary depending on U-LINK model.
Table 2 Multi-Function Port Feature Availability
USB
RS232
Analog Output
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
RS232
NOT AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
Trigger Input
AVAILABLE
NOT AVAILABLE
Sync Output
AVAILABLE
NOT AVAILABLE
ANALOG OUTPUT
For monitoring laser average power or energy by using external equipment such as a chart recorder, a
computer with an analog interface, a voltmeter, etc. Use this port with Gentec-EO Part Number 100-201958
Analog Out Cable for this feature.
The output signal represents a DC analog voltage proportional to the amplified and anticipated power
detector response in the case of a power measurement. In the case of an energy measurement, the output
signal is a DC voltage representing the pulse energy value.
The user must enter the maximum output voltage and the maximum power/energy scale in the PC-Gentec-
EO software or via serial commands. The measured power or energy is then scaled to the output voltage
and to the selected range according to the following equation:
Voutput = ( Measurement × Max Output Voltage ) / Max Analog Out Range
For example, with a 10 W max analog range and 2.0V max output voltage:
2.0 V corresponds to 10 W
1.0 V corresponds to 5 W