Ocean Optics NeoFox User manual

NeoFox Phase Fluorometer
Installation and Operation Manual
For Products: NeoFox-GT and NeoFox Sport
Document: 013-20000-009-02-201510

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www.oceanoptics.com
Copyright © 2010 Ocean Optics, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Trademarks
All trademarks within are the property 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 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.
Ocean Optics, Inc.
830 Douglas Ave.
Dunedin, FL 34698
USA
Manufacturing & Logistics
4301 Metric Dr.
Winter Park, FL 32792
USA
Ocean Optics Asia
666 Gubei Road
Kirin Tower Suite 601B
Changning District
Shanghai
PRC, 200336
Sales & Support
Geograaf 24
6921 EW Duiven
The Netherlands
Manufacturing & Logistics
Maybachstrasse 11
73760 Ostfildern
Germany

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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.

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Table of Contents
About This Manual.........................................................................................................v
Document Purpose and Intended Audience..............................................................................v
What’s New in this Document ...................................................................................................v
Document Summary..................................................................................................................v
Product-Related Documentation ...............................................................................................v
Safety and Compliance..................................................................................................vi
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.......................................................................5
Overview .......................................................................................................................5
Software Installation......................................................................................................5
Hardware Installation.....................................................................................................8
Installing NeoFox Hardware Drivers ..............................................................................10
Installing Hardware Drivers Using Windows Vista ....................................................................10
Installing Hardware Drivers Using Windows XP........................................................................12
Chapter 3: Using NeoFox with NeoFox Viewer Software................15
Overview.......................................................................................................................15
Entering a New Event....................................................................................................16
Data Logging.................................................................................................................16
Advanced Settings.....................................................................................................................17
Setup .........................................................................................................................................18
Status.........................................................................................................................................19

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Advanced Status .......................................................................................................................20
Advanced Settings.....................................................................................................................20
Sensor Type Selection...................................................................................................22
APD Voltage..................................................................................................................22
Calibrating the Probe.....................................................................................................23
Multipoint Calibration.................................................................................................................23
Two-Point Calibration................................................................................................................25
Saved Settings..............................................................................................................28
Saving Data...................................................................................................................30
NeoFox Communication Interfaces................................................................................31
Saving/Restoring Chart Layouts....................................................................................31
Saving Settings..........................................................................................................................31
Resetting Saved Settings..........................................................................................................32
Chapter 4: Using NeoFox Sport........................................................33
Overview .......................................................................................................................33
NeoFox Sport Features .................................................................................................33
NeoFox Sport Menu ......................................................................................................34
Setting Up the NeoFox Sport.........................................................................................36
Data Logging / Saving Data...........................................................................................37
Logging Data .............................................................................................................................37
Viewing the Data Log File Name...............................................................................................38
Setting the Data Logging Interval..............................................................................................38
Data Log File Format.................................................................................................................38
NeoFox Sport Saved Settings........................................................................................39
Low Battery Detector.....................................................................................................39
Appendix A: Specifications...............................................................41
Appendix B: Maintenance.................................................................43
Updating Firmware........................................................................................................43
Updating Software.........................................................................................................43
Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................43
Appendix C: Analog Output..............................................................47
Analog Output Connector..............................................................................................47
Configuring Analog Voltage Output Channel with NeoFox Viewer...........................................47
Configuring the Analog Current Output Channel with NeoFox Viewer .....................................48
Selecting a Data Source............................................................................................................49
Selecting a Data Range.............................................................................................................50
Saving the Analog Output Settings ...........................................................................................51

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Analog Output Pinouts...................................................................................................51
Analog Output Parameters List......................................................................................51
Analog Output Specifications.........................................................................................52
Interfacing to the 4-20mA Output...................................................................................52
4-20 mA Loop Voltage Supply.......................................................................................53
4-20 mA Isolation...........................................................................................................54
Resistor / Volt Meter......................................................................................................54
Appendix D: Calculating Drift Per Sensor........................................57
Index...................................................................................................59

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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 the operation instructions.
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. Select Support→ Technical Documents, then choose the appropriate
document from the available drop-down lists.
Jaz Installation and Operation Manual
NeoFox Calibration Engineering Note

About This Manual
vi 013-20000-009-02-201510
NeoFox Communication Interfaces Engineering Note
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.

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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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NeoFox Sport
NeoFox Sport is available as a handheld oxygen-
sensing 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:
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 oxygen-
sensing thin-film coating on the tip.

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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://oceanoptics.com/product-category/fibers-and-probes/ 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 for more information on the functionality of the
NeoFox Sport.
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
5V Power Adapter
Mini USB Cable
NeoFox CD
This CD contains this manual and the NeoFox Viewer software.

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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
NeoFox CD
Packing List
Additional Recommended Equipment
NeoFox Viewer Software
Temperature Probe
FOXY, HIOXY or FOSPOR Oxygen Sensor Probe
RedEye®Patches (FOXY, HIOXY and FOSPOR)
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.

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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.
The second step is to properly install the NeoFox hardware.
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-redist-
setup.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.
►Procedure
To install the NeoFox software,
1. Close all other applications running on the PC.
2. Start the software installation process.

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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\.

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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.

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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.

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►Procedure
Note
You must install the NeoFox Viewer operating software prior to connecting the NeoFox hardware
to the computer. The NeoFox Viewer software installs the drivers required for the NeoFox
hardware. See Software Installation.
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.
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.
3. 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.
4. Connect the temperature probe (if you have one) to the rear panel of the NeoFox unit.
5. Locate the bifurcated fiber that came with the system. This optical fiber assembly has a “Y”
shaped design.
6. 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.

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7. 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, the hardware drivers
should install automatically for Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 if you installed the NeoFox Viewer software
first.
If you are using a Windows Vista or Windows XP computer, follow the appropriate instructions below to
install the drivers.
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.

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►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\NeoFox-
Viewer) and click OK followed by Next. The next hardware wizard screen appears.
6. If the following screen appears, select Install this driver anyway.
7. When the hardware driver installation completes successfully, the following screen appears:

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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.
►Procedure
1. From the first hardware wizard screen, select "No, not this time". Click Next. The next hardware
wizard screen appears.