pyroscience Pico-pH User manual

PyroScience GmbH www.pyroscience.com
Pico-pH
OEM Fiber-Optic pH Meter
MANUAL
pH

Pico-pH | Manual
© PyroScience GmbH 2
Pico-pH
OEM Fiber-Optic pH Meter
Document Version 1.09
The Pico-pH is released by:
PyroScience GmbH
Kackertstr. 11
52072 Aachen
Germany
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Email [e-mail]
Web www.pyroscience.com
Registered: Aachen HRB 17329, Germany

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TABLE OF CONTENT
1Introduction .....................................................................................................................................5
2Overview..........................................................................................................................................6
2.1 pH sensors..........................................................................................................................................6
2.1.1 Contactless sensor spots.................................................................................................6
2.1.2 Flow-through cells.............................................................................................................7
2.1.3 Vials.........................................................................................................................................7
2.2 Connection of fibers and rods to the optical port .............................................................8
2.3 External temperature sensor......................................................................................................8
2.4 Status LED ..........................................................................................................................................9
2.5 USB interface cable ........................................................................................................................9
3Option 1: Operating the Module with Pyro Workbench.................................................... 10
3.1 Installing the software Pyro Workbench............................................................................10
3.2 Using the software Pyro Workbench ...................................................................................11
4Option 2: Operating the module with Pyro Developer Tool ............................................ 12
4.1 Installing the software Pyro Developer Tool....................................................................12
4.2 Using the software Pyro Developer Tool ...........................................................................13
5Option 3: Simplified Custom Integration............................................................................... 14
5.1 Configuring the Module using PyroScience Software ...................................................14
5.2 Electrical Connector for Custom Integration.....................................................................14
5.3 Configuration of the Serial Interface....................................................................................15
5.4 Communication Protocol ...........................................................................................................17
5.4.1 General Definitions.........................................................................................................17
5.4.2 MEA –Trigger Measurement ......................................................................................17
5.4.3 CPH –Calibrate pH Sensor ..........................................................................................20
5.4.4 SVS –Save Configuration Permanently in Flash Memory..............................20
5.4.5 #VERS –Get Device Information ..............................................................................21
5.4.6 #IDNR –Get Unique ID Number................................................................................22
5.4.7 #LOGO –Flash Status LED...........................................................................................22
5.4.8 #PDWN –Power Down Sensor Circuits .................................................................22
5.4.9 #PWUP –Power Up Sensor Circuits........................................................................22

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5.4.10#STOP –Enter Deep Sleep Mode..............................................................................23
5.4.11#RSET –Reset Device....................................................................................................23
5.4.12#RDUM –Read User Memory ....................................................................................23
5.4.13#WRUM –Write User Memory ..................................................................................24
5.4.14#ERRO –Response if Error Occurred......................................................................24
5.5 Available Implementations of Communication Protocol..............................................26
6Option 4: Advanced Custom Integration ............................................................................... 27
7Technical Drawing....................................................................................................................... 28
8Specifications ............................................................................................................................... 29
9Safety Guidelines......................................................................................................................... 31

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1INTRODUCTION
The Pico-pH (item no. PICO-PH) is a fiber-optic OEM meter for read-out of optical pH
sensors from PyroScience. The Pico-pH is characterized by its small size, durability and
low power consumption. This OEM module is easy to integrate and is controlled with a
simple serial communication protocol. To control the Pico-pH, there are several options
depending on the users´ level of experience with optical sensors:
Option 1: For initial evaluation purposes, Pico-pH can be operated with the
simple and customer-friendly logger software Pyro Workbench, which is
typically used by end-users. This software offers comfortable settings and
calibration wizards, as well as advanced logging features. Several modules can
be operated in parallel within a single window. This software requires an
encoded USB interface cable (item no. PICO-USB) for connecting the module to a
Windows PC (see chapter 3).
Option 2: For advanced evaluation purposes, the module can be operated with
the software Pyro Developer Tool. It offers simple settings and calibration
procedures, as well as basic logging features. Furthermore, additional advanced
settings offer full control on all features of the module. This software requires
an encoded USB-interface cable (item no. PICO-USB) for connecting the module
to a Windows PC (see chapter 4).
Option 3: A simplified custom integration of the module can be realized by
adjusting the settings and performing sensor calibrations using the PyroScience
software Pyro Workbench or Pyro Developer Tool (requires the encoded USB
interface cable PICO-USB). After closing the software, the configuration is
automatically saved within the internal flash memory of the module. The
module can then be integrated into a specific setup, and your custom software
can perform measurements using a proprietary USB/UART communication
protocol (see chapter 5).
Option 4: For advanced custom integration the full USB/UART communication
protocol is available on request, allowing custom software full control on all
settings, calibration and measurement features of the module (see chapter 6).

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2OVERVIEW
Figure 1 provides an overview of the Pico-pH. The front provides the port for
connecting an optical fiber used for read-out of optical pH sensors, as well as solder
points for an external temperature sensor enabling automatic temperature
compensation. The backside of the module provides the connector for the power supply
and the digital communication interface, as well as a red status LED.
Figure 1: Overview of Pico-pH
2.1 pH sensors
2.1.1 Contactless sensor spots
The optical pH sensor spots (PHSP5) can be mounted in a transparent vessel or placed
directly in front of an optical fiber. For mounting of pH sensor spots, please refer to the
corresponding “Manual pH sensors”. Sensor spots are connected to the Pico-pH via an
optical fiber. To place the fiber behind the sensor spots on the outside of the
transparent vessel, an adapter (SPADBAS) is necessary. The optical fiber PICFIB2 can be
used for a wall thickness of 0-5 mm. Moreover, rods can be used instead of fibers when
the Pico-pH is placed directly behind the sensor spot. Depending on the wall thickness
of the transparent container, two different rods can be used. PICROD2 can be used for
pH read out through a wall thickness of 0-5 mm and PICROD3 for a wall thickness of up
to 10 mm.

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Figure 2: Connection of pH sensor spots to Pico-pH via an optical fiber (left) or a rod (right).
2.1.2 Flow-through cells
The pH flow-through cells (PHFLOW) can be connected via the optical fiber PICFIB2 to a
Pico-pH. In contrast to the sensor spots, no additional adapter is needed.
Figure 3: Connection of pH flow-through cell to Pico-pH via an optical fiber.
2.1.3 Vials
pH vials (PHVIAL20) can be connected via the optical fiber PICFIB2 to a Pico-pH. To
connect the optical fiber to the vial, an adapter (ADVIAL20T) is necessary.
Figure 4: Connection of a pH vial to Pico-pH via an optical fiber.

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2.2 Connection of fibers and rods to the optical port
The optical fibers or the fiber rods must be connected to the optical port of the Pico-pH
with their instrument end (IE). At the IE, the core of the optical fiber protrudes ca. 1 mm
from the fiber jacket. The instrument end IE is marked with "→Instrument" on the
attached label. For PICROD2, the AE is indicated via a black ring.
For connecting an optical fiber, Pico-pH provides a clamping screw for fibers and rods.
To insert the optical fiber/rod, slightly loosen the nut at the sensor port of the Pico-pH.
Remove the protective cap from the optical fiber/rod and insert the IE carefully into the
sensor port of the Pico-pH until there is resistance. The insertion length is about 24 mm.
Fasten the nut with your fingers for fixing the fiber/rod.
When using contactless sensors, insert the adapter end (AE) of the optical fibers/rods
into the basic spot adapter, adapter ring or flow-through cell and fix it with the clamping
screw.
2.3 External temperature sensor
The signal of pH sensors is temperature dependent, which can be automatically
compensated. Pico-pH offers a high-precision sensor interface, which can be directly
connected to a Pt100 temperature sensor (not included, item no. TSUB21-NC). The
temperature sensor has to be soldered to the 4 solder pads at the front of the module.
The temperature sensor has to be placed into the sample of the pH measurements.
Figure 5: Connecting a resistive temperature sensor to the module
The Pt100 temperature sensor has to be soldered to the 4 solder pads at the front of the
module (Figure 5). For short distances (e.g. 10 cm) a simple 2-wire connection might be
sufficient. For this, it is important to shortcut the outer with the inner solder pads as

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indicated in Figure 5. For longer distances and/or for high precision measurements a 4-
wire connection should be preferred.
In order to minimize potential electrical noise coupling into the external
temperature sensor, the cables should be twisted and kept as short as possible.
2.4 Status LED
The behavior of the status LED is given in Table 1.
Table 1: Status LED
2.5 USB interface cable
For the operation of Pico-pH with a Windows PC, a coded USB interface cable (item no.
PICO-USB) is available from PyroScience. It includes a license for the comfortable logger
software Pyro Workbench and the software Pyro Developer Tool. Especially for initial
testing purposes this software packages can speed up OEM-developments significantly.
Additionally, the USB interface cable PICO-USB provides a virtual COM-port. Custom
software can use this virtual COM-port for communicating directly with the module
based on the communication protocol.
Status
Description
Behavior of status LED
Power-Up
The power supply is switched
on.
A correct startup of the module
is indicated by 4 flashes within
1-2 seconds.
Active
The module is either in idle
mode waiting for a new
command, or it is executing a
command.
The LED flashes periodically
with 1s interval.
Deep sleep
While the power supply is still
enabled, the module can be put
into deep sleep mode by the
#STOP command.
The LED is switched off.
#LOGO-command
The #LOGO-command is sent to
the module.
The LED flashes 4 times within
1-2 seconds.

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3OPTION 1: OPERATING THE MODULE WITH
PYRO WORKBENCH
For initial evaluation purposes the module can be operated with the simple and
customer-friendly software Pyro Workbench,which is typically used by end-users. This
software offers comfortable settings and calibration wizards, as well as advanced
logging features. Several modules can be operated in parallel within a single window.
This software requires an encoded USB interface cable PICO-USB for connecting the
module to a Windows PC.
3.1 Installing the software Pyro Workbench
System requirements: PC with Windows 7/8/10 and min. 1000 MB free disk space.
Do not connect the USB-interface cable to your PC before the Pyro Workbench software
has been installed. The software will automatically install the appropriate USB-drivers.
Installation steps:
•Download the Pyro Workbench from the downloads tab on www.pyroscience.com
•unzip and start the installer and follow the instructions
•connect the interface plug of the USB interface cable to the connector X1 of the
Pico-pH
•connect the USB plug to an USB port of the PC. The status LED of the Pico-pH
should flash shortly indicating the correct startup of the module.