Ocean Insight FLAME User manual

FLAME
Scientific-Grade Spectrometer
Installation and Operation Manual
For Products: FLAME-S, FLAME-T

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Table of Contents
About This Manual........................................... ii
Warnings & Cautions ....................................................................ii
Warranty .......................................................................................iv
Certifications and Compliance ...................................................iv
Introduction..................................................... 1
Product Description..................................................................... 1
Features........................................................................................ 1
Items Included With Shipment.................................................... 1
Installation and Setup ...................................... 2
Software Installation ................................................................... 2
Hardware Setup ........................................................................... 3
Troubleshooting .............................................. 7
Frequently Asked Questions ....................................................... 7
Repairs........................................................................................ 10
Servicing ..................................................................................... 10
Technical Specifications ................................ 11
Electrical Pinout ......................................................................... 14
Timing Signals............................................................................ 17
External Triggering..................................................................... 18
Calibration ..................................................... 21
Wavelength Calibration.............................................................. 21
Irradiance Calibrations .............................................................. 21
Copyright © 2020 Ocean Insight
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 Insight.
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 Insight, 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
Every effort has been made 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 Insight 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 document.

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About This Manual
Warnings & Cautions
This device may cause radio interference or may disrupt the operation of nearby equipment. It may be necessary to take
mitigation measures such as re-orienting, relocating or shielding the location.
Caution: Do not let contaminants get into the bench. Keep the protective cap on the slit aperture when not connected to an
accessory, probe or fiber.
Caution: Only change the slit aperture in a clean environment where contaminants including dust cannot enter the bench during the
procedure.
Caution: Substitution of a component or accessory different from that supplied may result in measurement error, equipment
damage, increased emissions or decreased immunity.
Caution: Repairs should be undertaken only by personnel trained or authorized by Ocean Insight. The device does not contain any
user serviceable parts.
Caution: Do not immerse the device in any fluid, place fluids on top of or attempt to clean with liquid detergents or cleaning agents.
This may cause an electrical hazard. Do not use if accidental wetting occurs.

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Caution: Do not remove any covers. Doing so may increase the risk of electrical shock or compromise the integrity of the optical
components.
Caution: Do not gas sterilize or autoclave this device.
Caution: Consult local codes and ordinances for proper disposal of equipment and other consumable goods.
Caution: The device and/or accessories may not operate correctly if used or stored outside the relevant temperature and humidity
ranges described in the Technical Specifications.
Caution: Do not use if device is dropped and/or damaged. Have an authorized service representative check the device before using
again.
Caution: Be sure to install any software BEFORE connecting the spectrometer to your PC or host system. The software installs the
drivers required for spectrometer installation. If you do not install the software first, the system may not properly recognize
the spectrometer.
Caution: To ensure reliable operation, it is recommended that the power supply be attached prior to inserting the USB connector.
Caution: The user of this spectrometer shall have the sole responsibility for any malfunction which results from improper use, faulty
maintenance, improper repair, damage or alteration by anyone other than Ocean Insight or their authorized service
personnel.

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Warranty
For the most current warranty information, please visit OceanInsight.com.
Certifications and Compliance
This is an FCC Class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio
interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
Warning
FCC 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.

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RoHS-Compliant
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.
Warning
The WEEE symbol on the product indicates that the product must not be disposed of with normal household
waste. Instead, such marked waste equipment must be disposed of by arranging to return to a designated
collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Separating and recycling this
waste equipment at the time of disposal will help to conserve natural resources and ensure that the
equipment is recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment
WEEE Compliance

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ISO Certification
Ocean Insight, the applied spectral knowledge company, has been certified for ISO 9001:2015 certification applicable
to the design and manufacture of electro-optical equipment.
This device has been tested and complies with the following standards:
Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive –2004/108/EC
EN 61326-1:2013
EN 55011:2009 w/A1:2010

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Introduction
Product Description
Flame spectrometers are built using industry leading manufacturing techniques that help deliver high thermal stability and low unit to
unit variation without compromising the flexibility and configurability that are the hallmark of the design. Features such as
interchangeable slits, indicator LEDs and simple device connectors deliver more freedom and less frustration.
Features
•Plug-and-play capability via the micro-USB connection.
•User-interchangeable slit.
•LEDs show power and data transfer status.
•Compact and lightweight.
•Choice of USB or RS-232 serial communications.
•8 GPIO pins and the ability to provide power to external devices through the 40-pin connector.
Items Included With Shipment
•Flame Spectrometer
•Micro USB Cable
•Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet (please save the Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet for future reference)

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Installation and Setup
Software Installation
Use OceanView version 1.5 and above for Flame. You can use OceanView on the following operating systems:
Windows
Apple
Linux
8
8.1
10
OS X Version 10.5 or later on
Intel processor
Any version released for an x86
or amd64 platform since 2010
*Software may run with previous operating systems but Ocean Insight does not actively support these installations.
Consult the OceanView manual for hardware requirements when using OceanView.
NOTE
Be sure to install the spectroscopy application BEFORE connecting the spectrometer to your PC. The software installs the
drivers required for spectrometer installation. If you do not install the software first, the system will not properly recognize the
spectrometer. If you have already installed the Flame to a computer running on a Windows platform prior to installing the
operating software, consult the Troubleshooting section for information on correcting a corrupt Flame installation.
NOTE
Be sure that you download the correct software package for your computer version (32 or 64-bit). See the Frequently Asked
Questions in Troubleshooting for more information on determining your computer version.

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Hardware Setup
The Flame Spectrometer connects to a computer via the USB port or serial port. When connected through a USB 2.0 or 1.1 port, the
spectrometer draws power from the host computer, eliminating the need for an external power supply
Follow the steps below to connect the Flame to a computer via the USB
port:
1. Install the spectrometer operating software on the destination
computer.
2. Locate the USB cable (CBL-MICROTOA-USB) provided with the
Flame.
3. Insert the micro connector end of the cable into the side of the
Flame and the larger end of the cable into the USB port of the
computer.
4. Connect any spectroscopy accessories. To find operating
instructions for Flame-compatible products (such as light sources,
sampling chambers, and probes), consult the Ocean Insight website
at OceanInsight.com.
5. Attach the fiber to the fiber optic connector on the spectrometer.
If you installed the spectrometer operating software prior to connecting the Flame, the software automatically installs the Flame
drivers. If the drivers do not successfully install (or if you connected the Flame to the computer before installing the software),
consult Troubleshooting.
NOTE
The Flame driver appears as USB2000+ to your computer since a common driver is used to ensure backwards and forwards
compatibility. This does not affect functionality.

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Hardware Features
Flame LEDs
The Flame features two indicator lights that operate as shown:
Cables and Connectors
Cables are available to connect your Flame Spectrometer to accessories:
•Accessory cable for light sources and other accessories (DB15 Connector Cable)
•Accessory cable for HR-type connector (PAK50 Connector Cable)
•Breakout board (DD4 -BREAKOUT-BOARD ) This breaks out the 40 pin DD4 connector to a set of header pins that can be used
to wire each pin, as required.
DB15 Connector Cable (FLAME-CBL-DD4P-DB15P)
This cable connects the Flame to existing Ocean Insight accessories that use a DB-15HD connector. These include the PX-2, LLS and
HL-2000-FHSA light sources.
LED
Steady
Flashing
red
Unit is on
N/A
green
Unit is ready
Unit is acquiring data
NOTE
LEDs can be turned off in OceanView or by using a firmware command.
15 Pin Numbering Scheme

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15
PIN
DD4
Name
15
PIN
DD4
Name
15
PIN
DD4
Name
1
4
Single Strobe
6
7
GPIO 1
11
22
I2C SDA
2
3
Continuous
Strobe
7
NC
Reserved (NC)
12
21
I2C SCL
3
40
Vusb
8
2
External
Trigger In
13
5
Lamp Enable
4
2
External Trigger In
9
8
GPIO 2
14
NC
Reserved (NC)
5
2
External Trigger In
10
1
Ground
15
11
GPIO 4
PAK50 Connector Cable (FLAME-CBL-DD4P-PAK50P)
This cable connects the Flame to the optional Breakout Box.
PAK50P
DD4
Name
PAK50P
DD4
Name
1
25
RS232 Rx
16
11
GPIO 4
2
24
RS232 Tx
17
4
Single Strobe
3
8
GPIO 2
18
12
GPIO 5
4
40
VUSB
19
16
SPI CLK
5
1
GND
20
3
Continuous Strobe
6
21
I2C SCL
21
18
SPI CS
7
6
GPIO 0
22
13
GPIO 6
8
22
I2C SDA
23
28
Reserved (do not connect)
9
7
GPIO 1
24
NC
Reserved (NC)

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PAK50P
DD4
Name
PAK50P
DD4
Name
10
2
External
Trigger In
25
5
Lamp Enable
11
9
GPIO 3
26
14
GPIO 7
12
40
VUSB
27
10
GND
13
17
SPI MOSI
28
NC
Reserved (NC)
14
40
VUSB
29
15
GND
15
19
SPI MISO
30
NC
Reserved (NC)
For the DD4, connect shield to connector case, if shield is included.
Breakout Box (HR4-BREAKOUT)
The Breakout Box is a passive module that separates the signals from the
Flame’s DD4 40-pin connector to an array of standard connectors and headers,
enabling functionality with a wide range of accessories. In addition to the
accessory connector, the breakout box features a circuit board based on a
neutral breadboard pattern that allows custom circuitry to be prototyped on the
board itself. See OceanInsight.com to access the manual for the Breakout
Box.

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Troubleshooting
Sometimes things do not go according to plan. If not, do not hesitate to contact us and our Tech Support team will leap into action.
Some typical questions are answered here. For more information, consult the FAQs on the Ocean Insight website.
Frequently Asked Questions
I connected the USB cable and started OceanView but I
don’t see my spectrometer attached.
Use the Rescan button in the Device Manager to rescan for attached devices.
I am having trouble installing the drivers, what should I
do?
Hardware device driver installation is usually seamless on Microsoft Windows
operating systems and should happen in the background when you connect your
spectrometer to a computer with the software installed. However, some Windows
systems require a bit more care when connecting your spectrometer for the first time.
If your spectrometer is not recognized by OceanView on your computer, you need to
manually install the spectrometer drivers. See your OceanView manual for this
procedure. Also consult the Correcting Device Driver Issues document on
www.OceanInsight.com
How do I know my spectrometer has power?
The red LED on the spectrometer should be constantly on if the unit is receiving power.

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How do I know my spectrometer is transmitting data?
The green LED on the spectrometer flashes when transmitting data.
I’m installing OceanView but I need a product key; where can I find this?
The product key was sent to the contact e-mail on the sales order when you purchased your OceanView license. Contact
[e-mail] for more information. You’ll need your sales order number, quotation number, the serial number of the
spectrometer that was purchased with the software, and, if known, the e-mail address under which your product key was created to
recover your key.
I connected the Flame to the computer before installing my spectroscopy operating
software to install the drivers. What do I do now?
As detailed below, the steps to take to resolve this issue differ, depending on your computer’s operating system.
Microsoft Windows Operating Systems
1. Open Windows Device Manager. Consult the Windows operating instructions for your computer for directions, if needed.
2. Locate the Universal Serial Bus Devices option and expand the Universal Serial Bus Devices selection by clicking on the "+"
sign to the immediate left.
NOTE
If these procedures do not correct your device driver problem, you must obtain the Correcting Device Driver Issues document from
the Ocean Insight website.
.

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3. Locate the unknown device (marked with a large question mark). Right-click on the Unknown Device listing and select the
Uninstall or Remove option.
4. Click the OK button to continue. A warning box appears confirming the removal of the Unknown Device. Click the OK button to
confirm the device removal.
5. Disconnect the Flame from your computer.
6. Replug the spectrometer into your computer.
The system should now locate and install the correct drivers for the USB device.
Apple Mac OSX Operating Systems
Since there are no device files for the Flame Spectrometer in a Mac operating system, you should not encounter any problems if you
installed the spectrometer before the spectrometer operating software.
Linux Operating Systems
For Linux operating systems, all you need to do is install the spectrometer operating software, then unplug and replug in the
spectrometer. Technically, the driver files for Linux simply give nonprivileged users permission to use newly connected hardware.
There isn’t any long-term harm to plugging in the device before installing the software.
How do I determine whether my Windows computer is 32-bit or 64-bit?
Errors can occur if you download the wrong version of software (for 32-bit or 64-bit computers). To verify your computer version for
most Windows computers, go to the Properties window (under Computer or My Computer). If no version is listed, then your system is
a 32-bit. For more information see the Microsoft Frequently Asked Questions at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/32-
bit-and-64-bit-windows#1TC=windows-7
NOTE
Improperly installed USB devices can also appear under the Universal Serial Bus Controller option. Be sure to check this location if you cannot
locate the unknown device.

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How do I check the configuration of my spectrometer?
Check the label on the bottom of your spectrometer. You can also check your configuration using OceanView by opening the
Schematic window and double-clicking the spectrometer icon.
Repairs
Sometimes accidents happen! If you need to return your Ocean Insight Product for repair, here is what to do:
1. Contact us to evaluate and diagnose the problem. If it is determined that the product must be returned, the representative will
issue an RMA number.
2. Package your product, ideally in the original packaging, and return it to Ocean Insight, along with the RMA number that you
received.
Upon careful examination, we’ll advise you with an estimate. When your product is ready, it will be returned to you.
Servicing
To keep your instrument in tip-top shape we recommend yearly wavelength recalibration. You can do this yourself if you have
appropriate tools or we can do this for you. Contact your local representative to find out more about service availability and cost. We
offer the following services:
•Wavelength Calibration
•Absolute Irradiance Calibrations
NOTE
For RMA returns under warranty we will organize and pay for shipping both ways. For accidental damage, you pay only to have the
product shipped to your closest Ocean Insight or Distributor Office.

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Technical Specifications
Specification
FLAME-S
FLAME-T
Optical and Spectroscopic
Integration Time
10 ms –65 seconds
3.8 ms to 10 seconds
Dynamic Range for single acquisition1
1300:1
Dynamic Range of system2
2 x 108
3.4 x 106
Signal-to-Noise (single acquisition)
250:1
300:1
Resolution (FWHM)
0.1 –10.0 nm (configuration dependent)
Scan rate (max) 3
400 Hz
260 Hz
Spectrometer Channels
One
Thermal Stability
0.02 nm/°C for 650 nm range, 0.06 pixels/°C
Triggering
4 modes
Triggering Jitter
21 nanoseconds
Detector
Detector range
190–1100 nm
Pixels
2048 pixels
3648 pixels
Pixel size
14 µm x 200 µm
8 µm x 200 µm
Electronic shutter
No
Yes
Pixel well depth
~62,500 electrons
~100,000 electrons
Readout noise (single dark spectrum)
50 counts RMS, 300 counts peak-to-peak

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Specification
FLAME-S
FLAME-T
Corrected linearity
>99.8%
Filters (optional)
2nd and 3rd order rejection, long pass
Electrical
Power requirement (spectrometer
functions)
250 mA at +5 VDC
Supply voltage
4.75 –5.25 V
Power-up time
~2s
Connectors
Micro-USB and JAE DD4 (DD4RA40JA1) 40-pin connector
Micro-USB Absolute Maximum
Ratings:
VCC
+ 5.5 VDC
DD4 Absolute Maximum Ratings:
VCC (Pin 40)
Voltage on any pin (other than input
power)
+ 5.5 VDC
+4VDC
Interface:
USB
RS-232
USB 2.0, 480 Mbps
2-wire RS-232
Mechanical
Spectrometer Design
Asymmetric crossed Czerny-Turner
Input Fiber Connector
SMA 905 or FC
Gratings
15 different gratings.
Entrance Slit
5, 10, 25, 50, 100, or 200 μm slits. (Slits are optional. In the absence of a slit, the fiber acts as
the entrance slit.)