PSI SpectraPen mini Guide

SpectraPen mini
Manual and User Guide
Please read this manual before operating this product
PSI, spol. s r. o., Drásov 470, 664 24 Drásov, Czech Republic
FAX: [phone], TEL: [phone], www.psi.cz

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© PSI (Photon Systems Instruments), spol. s r. o. (hereinafter PSI), April 2019
This document and its parts can be copied or provided to a third party only with the express permission of PSI.
The contents of this manual have been verified to correspond to the specifications of the device. However, deviations cannot
be ruled out. Therefore, a complete correspondence between the manual and the real device cannot be guaranteed. The
information in this manual is regularly checked, and corrections may be made in subsequent versions.
The visualizations shown in this manual are only illustrative.
This manual is an integral part of the purchase and delivery of equipment and its accessories and both Parties must abide
by it.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1Information Before Using SpectraPen mini.................................................................................................................... 4
2Technical Specification ................................................................................................................................................... 5
3General Information....................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.1 Device Description................................................................................................................................................. 6
4List of Equipment............................................................................................................................................................ 8
5Care and Maintenance ................................................................................................................................................... 9
6Getting Started ............................................................................................................................................................. 10
7Device Operation.......................................................................................................................................................... 13
7.1 Charging............................................................................................................................................................... 13
8Menu Description......................................................................................................................................................... 15
8.1 Main Menu .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
8.2 Spectrometer....................................................................................................................................................... 16
8.3 Light Meter.......................................................................................................................................................... 20
9Troubleshooting and Customer Support...................................................................................................................... 21
10 Warranty Terms and Conditions .................................................................................................................................. 22

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1INFORMATION BEFORE USING SPECTRAPEN MINI
Read this manual carefully before operating the device. If you are not sure about anything in the manual, contact the
manufacturer for clarification.
By accepting the device, the customer agrees to follow the instructions in this guide.
Always follow corresponding manual while working with the SpectraPen mini device or doing the maintenance.
It is forbidden to interfere with the hardware or software of the SpectraPen mini device in any way without previous
agreement with the manufacturer.
The following table presents basic highlight symbols used in this manual.
Symbol
Description
Important information, read carefully.
Additional information.
Tab. 1 Used symbols.

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2TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Optical entrance:
Cosine corrector
FWHM bandwidth:
15 nm max
Spectral response range:
340 –850 nm
Wavelength reproducibility:
+/- 0.5 nm
Integration time:
Automatic, 300 µs to 1 s
System data:
16 bit A/D conversion
Communication:
Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2
SpectraPen mini application:
Android™version 5.0 and higher
Power supply:
Li-Ion rechargeable battery
Battery capacity:
650 mAh
Max. charging current:
500 mA
Charging via USB port:
PC, power bank, USB charger etc.
Battery life:
Continuous measurement: 25 hours
Size:
50 mm x 70 mm x 28 mm
Weight:
60 g
Case:
Splash-proof
Operating conditions:
Temperature: 5 to +55 °C; Relative humidity: 0 to 95 % (non-condensing)
Storage conditions:
Temperature: -20 to +70 °C; Relative humidity: 0 to 95 % (non-condensing)
Warranty:
1 year parts and labor (see the last page of this Operation Manual for precise warranty conditions)

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3GENERAL INFORMATION
SpectraPen mini is a small, portable and affordable calibrated spectroradiometer and quantum light meter, which is
controlled via mobile application called SpectraPen accessible on Google Play. The communication with the mobile phone
is provided by Bluetooth Low Energy module.
The SpectraPen mini measures Irradiance spectrum and light intensity in three units –Irradiance, Photon flux density and
Illuminance. The device is calibrated for visible light in the range from 340 to 850 nm.
The SpectraPen mini serves for real-time measurement of light quality and intensity. It is ideal as a multi-purpose
instrument for research, industrial and agricultural applications.
Parameters measured by the SpectraPen mini:
Spectrometer - quantitative light intensity at different wavelengths
•Irradiance spectrum [µW.cm-2.nm-1]
Light Meter - absolute light intensity at defined range of wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum
•Irradiance [W.m-2] in user defined range of the electromagnetic spectrum
•Photon flux density [µmol.m-2.s-1] in user defined range of the electromagnetic spectrum
•Illuminance [Lux] - total luminous flux incident on a surface, per unit area
3.1 DEVICE DESCRIPTION
Sensor with cosine corrector
The optical part of the SpectraPen mini, cosine corrector, is placed in the middle of the white side of the device and is
protected by sealing against dirt and moisture.
Integration time of the internal detector is set automatically according to the ambient light intensity.
The sensor part should be always dust and dirt free and maintained carefully as any scratches on the
surface might interfere with the correct results of the measurement.
Connector for charging
USB connector is used for charging of the SpectraPen mini device using PC, USB wall adapter, USB power bank etc.
Power button
Power button is the main Switch ON/OFF button.
Magnetic holder
The magnetic holder is placed under the green cover and serves for attaching of the device to metal surface.

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Fig. 1 SpectraPen mini.

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4LIST OF EQUIPMENT
Carefully unpack the carton. You should have received the following items:
•SpectraPen mini
•Carrying case
•Magnetic holder for tripods
•USB cable
•QuickStart guide
Other Accessories or Optional Features (according to your specific order)
If any item is missing, please, contact PSI. Also check the carton for any visible external damage. If
you find any damage, notify the carrier and PSI immediately. The carton and all packing materials
should be retained for inspection by the carrier or insurer.
For customer support, please contact us: [e-mail]

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5CARE AND MAINTENANCE
•Never submerge the device in water!
•The device should not come in contact with any organic solvents, strong acids or bases.
•Keep the optical part clean and dry. If cleaning is needed, use soft, non-abrasive tissue.
It is recommended to re-calibrate the device by the manufacturer every 2 years.

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6GETTING STARTED
1. Download and install the application to your smartphone or tablet. The SpectraPen application is free available on
Google Play or can be also downloaded from product websites available via the QR code placed on the bottom of the
device.
The application is compatible with Android version 5.0 and higher.
2. Before you start operating the device, please connect the SpectraPen mini to USB charger to charge the battery.
3. To initialize the SpectraPen mini, please press the power button for about 10 seconds until the green indication light
indicates initial state. The device can be switched on/off by short press the power button followed by green (power
on) or red (power off) light flash.
4. While the SpectraPen mini is on, the state is indicated by light flashing. The device turns off automatically after 2
minutes or any time after pressing the power button.
5. Open the SpectraPen application and navigate in the side bar menu to Connections. The application automatically
searches the available SpectraPen mini devices; then select the required one. Last two numbers in the name of
searched devices correspond to the last two numbers of serial number placed on the bottom of the device. Once the
SpectraPen mini device is paired with the application the Bluetooth mark in the right corner of the application window
changes to green .
Fig. 2 Pairing of the SpectraPen mini with the mobile application.
Last two numbers in the name of SpectraPen mini device visible in the application corresponds to
serial number written on the bottom green side of the device.
6. From the side bar menu select the Dark calibration (Fig. 4). Before you start calibration process please make sure that
the sensor is completely covered. Please note that covering by finger is insufficient for the infrared part of the

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spectrum. It is recommended to place the SpectraPen mini e.g. to the closed carrying case. Once the sensor is covered,
click on Calibrate and wait the required time for calibration.
Fig. 3 Device is not calibrated.
Performing dark calibration is highly recommended before every measurement with the SpectraPen
mini device or significant temperature changes. Dark calibration gets the instrument to the zero
state. If the device is not calibrated, a warning sign appears in the right corner (Fig. 3) and measured
values may not be accurate.
Fig. 4 Dark calibration.

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Please note that the dark calibration is temperature dependent. Perform the calibration always at
the temperature you want to measure.
7. Select between the real-time reading measurement of Irradiance spectrum - Spectrometer and light intensity
reading as Irradiance, Photon flux density and Illuminance - Light meter (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5 Real-time reading measurement of light spectrum (left) and light intensity (right).

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7DEVICE OPERATION
The SpectraPen mini device is operated by one button. Each action is signalized by different light mode or light color.
Action
Initialisation
Light signalization
Switch on
Short press of Power button
Short green flash
Waiting for Bluetooth pairing
Automatically after switch on the
device
Light flickering with the colour
corresponding battery level (green
100% to red 0%)
Switch off
Short press of Power button
Short red flash
Reset
Press of Power button for about 10
seconds
Long green flash
Charging
Connection to PC using the USB cable
Only when the device is switched on
and not paired with the phone.
More in chapter 0
The device turns off automatically after 2 minutes of inactivity.
7.1 CHARGING
SpectraPen mini is charged via the USB cable connected to PC, USB power adapter, power bank etc. The device can be
charged in three modes:
The device is switched off
Charging without light signalization. No information about the battery status.
The device is switched on and not paired with the mobile phone
Charging is signalized by pulsing light. The battery status is demonstrated by colour of the light: red –yellow –green. Once
the battery is fully charged the light is brightly green and shines continuously.
The device is switched on and paired with the mobile phone
Charging without light signalization. The battery status is showed in the mobile application (Fig. 6). When charging the icon
changes to .

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Fig. 6 Battery level and battery status in the mobile application.

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8MENU DESCRIPTION
8.1 MAIN MENU
Main menu displays the app main navigation options on the left edge of the screen like sliding menu. And it is revealed
when the user swipes a finger from the left edge of the screen or tap to menu icon (Fig. 8).
Spectrometer Real-time spectra measurement
Light meter Real-time light intensity measurement
Share Sharing of saved data via an email, dropbox or other application (see more in chapter 0)
Dark calibration Dark calibration of the sensor (see more in chapter 6, step 6)
Connections Shows available devices and serves for pairing with selected SpectraPen mini device
Settings Customizing behaviour of the SpectraPen app
About Information about connected SpectraPen mini and link to operating manual
Exit Quit the application
Fig. 7 Navigation panel with main menu.

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8.2 SPECTROMETER
Real-time light spectrum reading is visualized in Spectrometer window.
Fig. 8 Spectrometer window.
Pause reading stops the real-time reading. The last measured spectrum is showed in the graph. For resumption of
real-time reading click on .
Marker serves for displaying of a numeric value of wavelengths. This function is activated by single tap in the graph (Fig.
9). For reading of the exact peak wavelength you can tap or slide the marker in the graph.

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Fig. 9 Wavelength marker.
Zoom in the graph by spread by fingers in the graph. To move in the zoomed graph swipe left/right. For return to full
graph size click on autoscale .
Saving of current reading enables storage of measured spectrum. Saved spectra are available in the list under the
graph. To display the whole list, slide the panel up. To hide the list, slide the panel down. The individual measurements can
be hidden/shown in the graph using the checkboxes on the right side in the list (Fig. 10).
Fig. 10 Saved measurements.

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Rename measurement is done by swipe right on the selected measurement (Fig. 11).
Fig. 11 Rename measurement.
Delete measurement is done by swipe left on the selected measurement (Fig. 12).
Fig. 12 Delete measurement.
Export of measured data is possible using the option Share in the main menu. The data can be exported/shared via
different applications (Fig. 13). The data are exported in a proprietary format *.spec, which is compatible with SpectraPen
software available on product websites.

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Fig. 13 Data export and sharing via available communication channels.

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8.3 LIGHT METER
Light meter is intended for real-time light intensity reading of Irradiance, Photon flux density and Illuminance in predefined
spectral range.
Light meter does not allow to save measured values.
Fig. 14 Light meter window.
Click on variable to want to be displayed in graph. Selected variable is displayed with bigger letters.
Pause reading stops the real-time reading. The last measured values are showed. For resumption of real-time
reading click on .
Zoom in the graph by spread by fingers in the graph. To move in the zoomed graph swipe left/right. Pinch for return to
full graph size.
Sliders above the graph serve for definition of measured spectral range. The selected spectral range is specified in
Irradiance and Photon flux density windows.