pyroscience Pico-T User manual

Version V1.04 www.pyroscience.com
Pico-T
OEM Fiber-Optic Temperature
Meter
MANUAL
T

Pico-T | Manual
© PyroScience GmbH 2
Pico-T
OEM Fiber-Optic Temperature
Meter
Document Version 1.04
The Pico-T is released by:
PyroScience GmbH
Hubertusstrasse 35
52064 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 Optical port for temperature sensors .....................................................................................6
2.2 External temperature sensor......................................................................................................7
2.3Status LED ..........................................................................................................................................8
2.4 USB interface cable ........................................................................................................................8
3Option 1: Operating the Module with Pyro Workbench.......................................................9
3.1 Installing the software Pyro Workbench...............................................................................9
3.2 Using the software Pyro Workbench ...................................................................................10
4Option 2: Operating the module with Pyro Developer Tool ............................................ 11
4.1 Installing the software Pyro Developer Tool....................................................................11
4.2 Using the software Pyro Developer Tool ...........................................................................12
5Option 3: Simplified Custom Integration............................................................................... 13
5.1 Configuring the Module using PyroScience Software ...................................................13
5.2 Electrical Connector for Custom Integration.....................................................................13
5.3 Configuration of the Serial Interface....................................................................................14
5.4 Communication Protocol ...........................................................................................................15
5.4.1 General Definitions.........................................................................................................15
5.4.2 MEA –Trigger Measurement ......................................................................................16
5.4.3 COT –Calibrate the Optical Temperature Sensor...............................................18
5.4.4 SVS –Save Configuration Permanently in Flash Memory..............................18
5.4.5 #VERS –Get Device Information ..............................................................................19
5.4.6 #IDNR –Get Unique ID Number................................................................................20
5.4.7 #LOGO –Flash Status LED...........................................................................................20
5.4.8 #PDWN –Power Down Sensor Circuits .................................................................20
5.4.9 #PWUP –Power Up Sensor Circuits........................................................................20
5.4.10#STOP –Enter Deep Sleep Mode..............................................................................21
5.4.11#RSET –Reset Device....................................................................................................21
5.4.12#RDUM –Read User Memory ....................................................................................21
5.4.13#WRUM –Write User Memory ..................................................................................22

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5.4.14#ERRO –Response if Error Occurred......................................................................22
5.5 Available Implementations of Communication Protocol..............................................24
6Option 4: Advanced Custom Integration ............................................................................... 25
7Technical Drawing....................................................................................................................... 26
8Specifications ............................................................................................................................... 27
9Safety Guidelines......................................................................................................................... 29

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1INTRODUCTION
The Pico-T (item no. PICO-T) is a fiber-optic OEM meter for read-out of optical
temperature sensors from PyroScience. The Pico-T 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-T, there are several options depending on the users´ level of
experience with optical sensors:
Option 1: For initial evaluation purposes, Pico-T 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-T. The front provides the port for connecting
an optical fiber used for read-out of optical temperature sensors, as well as solder points
for an external temperature sensor enabling calibration of the optical temperature
sensor. 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-T
2.1 Optical port for temperature sensors
The Pico-T enables measurements with optical temperature sensor spots (TSP5). These
spots can be mounted in a closed transparent vessel or placed directly in front of an
optical fiber and can be used for temperature compensation of optical pH or optical
oxygen measurements.
For connecting an optical fiber, Pico-T provides a clamping screw for fibers with an
outer diameter of 3mm. This enables connecting fibers with 1m length (item no. PICFIB2)
or short fiber rods (item no. PICROD2 / PICROD3). To insert the optical fiber/rod, slightly
loosen the nut at the sensor port of the Pico-T. Remove the protective cap from the
optical fiber/rod and insert it carefully into the sensor port of the Pico-T until there is
resistance. Fasten the nut with your fingers for fixing the fiber/rod.

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2.2 External temperature sensor
The optical temperature sensors need to be calibrated against an electrical Pt100
temperature sensor. For this, Pico-T 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.
Figure 2: 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 2). 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
indicated in Figure 2. 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.

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2.3 Status LED
The behavior of the status LED is given in Table 1.
Table 1: Status LED
2.4 USB interface cable
For the operation of Pico-T 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 (see chapter Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht
gefunden werden. and Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefunden werden.).
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

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•connect the interface plug of the USB interface cable to the connector X1 of the
Pico-T
•connect the USB plug to an USB port of the PC. The status LED of the Pico-T
should flash shortly indicating the correct startup of the module.
•Start the Pyro Workbench software.
3.2 Using the software Pyro Workbench
Please refer to the Pyro Workbench manual for general operation instructions for the
software (available on our website).
Please refer to the Optical Temperature Sensor Manual for general information on
handling and calibration of the optical temperature sensors (available on our website).

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4OPTION 2: OPERATING THE MODULE WITH
PYRO DEVELOPER TOOL
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 the encoded USB interface cable PICO-
USB for connecting the module to a Windows PC.
4.1 Installing the software Pyro Developer Tool
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 Developer
Tool has been installed. The software will install automatically the appropriate
USB-drivers.
Installation steps:
•Download the Pyro Developer Tool from the downloads tab on
www.pyroscience.com

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•unzip and start the installer and follow the instructions
•connect the interface plug of the USB interface cable the connector X1 of the
Pico-T
•connect the USB plug to an USB port of the PC. The status LED of the Pico-T
should flash shortly indicating the correct startup of the module.
•Start the Pyro Developer Tool software.
4.2 Using the software Pyro Developer Tool
Please refer to the Pyro Developer Tool manual for general operation instructions for
the software (available on our website).
Please refer to the optical temperature sensor manual for general information on
handling and calibration of the optical temperature sensors (available on our website).

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5OPTION 3: SIMPLIFIED CUSTOM
INTEGRATION
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
the more advanced software Pyro Developer Tool (both requiring 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.
5.1 Configuring the Module using PyroScience Software
Please install either the Pyro Workbench or the Pyro Developer Tool. Follow chapter 3
or chapter 4, respectively, how to operate the module with the PyroScience software.
Adjust the settings and perform the required calibrations of the sensor.
After the module has been configured, close the PyroScience software. The configuration
is automatically saved within the internal flash memory. This means that the adjusted
settings and the last sensor calibration are persistent even after a power cycle of the
module. Now the module can be integrated into a customer specific setup via its UART
interface (or via the USB interface cable with its virtual COM port).
5.2 Electrical Connector for Custom Integration
The electrical interface of the Pico-T consists of the connector X1 (Figure 3). The package
includes the fitting connector plug S1 (manufacturer: Phoenix Contact, type: PTSM0,5/4-
P-2,5, Item no.: 1778858). Stripped cable ends can be connected to S1 without any
soldering or crimping. When inserting or removing a stripped cable end (stripping length
6 mm, max. core diameter 0.5 mm²) into one of the connector holes of the connector S1,
an internal spring mechanism has to be unlocked. This can be achieved by pushing
relatively strongly with a small screw-driver (flat-bladed 2 mm in width) into the
adjacent rectangular hole (Figure 3). The same manufacturer offers also fitting connector
plugs for PCB mounting (details on request).

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Figure 3: Electrical connectors of Pico-T
The pin configuration of the connector X1 is given in Table 2.
Table 2: Pin configuration of the connector X1
Pin
Name
Function
Description
1
VCC
Power
Power supply
min. 3.3 VDC
max. 5.0 VDC
2
RXD
Digital input
3.0 V levels
(3.3 V & 5 V tolerant)
Data receive line
of the UART interface
3
TXD
Digital output
3.0 V levels
Data transmission line
of the UART interface
4
GND
Power
Ground
5.3 Configuration of the Serial Interface
Pico-T is operated via a serial interface, which is realized as a UART interface at 3.0 V
levels (3.3 V and 5 V tolerant) consisting of a receive and a transmit line. The
configuration of the UART-interface is as follows:
19200 baud, 8 data bit, 1 stop bit, no parity, no handshake
Such an UART interface is very common for microcontrollers or microcontroller boards
(e.g. Arduino or Raspberry Pi). The module can be directly connected to such UART
interfaces without any further interface electronics.

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Note: The serial interface of this module is not an RS232 interface. However,
the UART interface can be made compatible to RS232 by integrating an
appropriate "level shifter electronics".
5.4 Communication Protocol
5.4.1 General Definitions
A command always starts with a specific command header (e.g. MEA, #VERS, #LOGO)
optionally followed by several input parameters. Input parameters are given as human
readable decimal numbers, separated by spaces from each other. Each command must
be terminated by a carriage return. If the command could be successfully interpreted by
the module, the response is sent back to the master after completion of the requested
task. The first part of response consists always of a copy of the original command,
optionally appended with output parameters, and again terminated by a carriage return.
After a response has been received by the master, the module is immediately ready for
receiving the next command. If the internal processing of the received command causes
any error within the module, the response will be the error header #ERRO followed by a
space and an error code (see below).
Syntax Definitions
MEA
#VERS
#LOGO
Examples for a command header
C
S
R
Examples for place holder for signed integer values transmitted
as human readable ASCII strings of decimal numbers. The
absolute maximum range of all values transmitted in the
communication protocol is from -2147483648 to [phone]
(signed 32bit integer), if not otherwise indicated.
˽
Space (ASCII code 0x20)
↵
Carriage return (ASCII code 0x0D)

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5.4.2 MEA –Trigger Measurement
This command triggers a measurement and returns the results.
Command:
MEA˽C˽S↵
Response:
MEA˽C˽S˽R0˽R1…R17↵
Input Parameters:
C
Optical channel number. Set C=1.
S
If in doubt, then set S to 47!
This parameter defines the enabled sensor types,
given as decimal representation of the following bit field:
Bit 0 (add 1): optical channel
Bit 1 (add 2): sample temperature (typ. the external Pt100-
sensor)
Bit 2 (add 4): ambient air pressure
Bit 3 (add 8): relative humidity within the module
Bit 4 (add 16): reserved
Bit 5 (add 32): case temperature (temperature within the
module)
Example: S = 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 32 = 47 means, that the command will trigger
the following measurements: optical channel (optical temperature sensor),
sample temperature, case temperature, ambient air pressure, and relative
humidity within the module housing.
Output Parameters:
R0
Returns errors and/or warnings of the last measurement as a decimal
representation of the following bit field. The user has to distinguish between
warnings and errors. A warning indicates, that the measurement results are
in principle still valid, but their precision and/or accuracy might be
deteriorated. An error means, that the respective measurement result is not
at all valid.
Bit 0 (add 1): WARNING - automatic amplification level active
Bit 1 (add 2): WARNING - sensor signal intensity low
Bit 2 (add 4): ERROR - optical detector saturated
Bit 3 (add 8): WARNING - reference signal intensity too low
Bit 4 (add 16): ERROR - reference signal too high
Bit 5 (add 32): ERROR - failure of sample temperature sensor
(e.g. Pt100)
Bit 6 (add 64): reserved
Bit 7 (add 128): WARNING high humidity (>90%RH) within the
module
Bit 8 (add 256): ERROR - failure of case temperature sensor
Bit 9 (add 512): ERROR - failure of pressure sensor
Bit 10 (add 1024): ERROR - failure of humidity sensor
Example: R0= 34 = 2 + 32 means, that there is a warning about low signal
intensity of the optical sensor, and that the external temperature sensor
(Pt100) had a failure.
If R0 = 0 then no error or warning appeared.

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R1…R17
The results of the measurement given as 17 values. The most important
result values are highlighted.
Name
Unit
Description
R1
dphi
m°
Phase shift of optical measurement (raw
data)
R2-R4
-reserved-
R5
tempSample
0.001 °C
Pt100 temperature (typ. external Pt100
sensor), can be used for calibrating the
optical temperature sensor
R6
tempCase
0.001 °C
Case temperature (internal T-sensor within
module)
R7
signalIntensity
0.001 mV
Signal intensity of the optical measurement
R8
ambientLight
0.001 mV
Ambient light entering the sensor
R9
pressure
0.001 mbar
Ambient air pressure
R10
humidity
0.001 %RH
Relative humidity within the module
housing
R11
resistorTemp
0.001 Ohm
Resistance of the temperature sensor (raw
data)
R12
-reserved-
R13
tempOptical
0.001 °C
Temperature measured with optical
temperature sensor
R14-
R17
-reserved-
This command is the essential command for triggering measurements. The input
parameter S defines which sensor types should be measured.
IMPORTANT: If automatic temperature compensation is enabled for the optical sensor, it
is mandatory to enable Bit1 of the input parameter S!
The output parameters tempOptical and tempSample give the results of the optical
temperature measurement and of the temperature measurement with the external
Pt100. The latter can be used for calibrating the optical sensor.
The output parameter signalIntensity is a measure of the signal quality ("signal intensity")
of the connected optical temperature sensor. As a rule of thumb, typical values will be in
the range of 20-500 mV. Low signal intensities (<20 mV) might lead to noisy optical
temperature measurements. A low signal intensity might be an indicator that the sensor
is not configured optimally and/or that the sensor is "worn out"/depleted and has to be
replaced.
The output parameter ambientLight is a measure how much ambient infrared light is
entering the optical temperature sensor. In principle, such ambient light is not
influencing the optical temperature measurement. However, excess ambient light might
lead to a saturation of the optical detector (indicated by an enabled ERROR Bit2 in R0),
which will lead to an invalid optical temperature measurement. As a rule of thumb, the
sum of signalIntensity and ambientLight should be kept below ca. 2000 mV (the optical
detector saturates around 2500 mV).

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Example Communication:
This example command triggers the measurement of the Pt100 temperature and of the
optical temperature sensor. The highlighted output parameters of the shown example
response are interpreted as follows:
R0 = 0 →No error or warning occurred; the measurement is valid!
tempSample = 27.135 °C
signalIntensity = 87.016 mV
ambientLight = 11.788 mV
tempOptical = 27.105
5.4.3 COT –Calibrate the Optical Temperature Sensor
This command performs a 1-point calibration of the optical temperature sensor.
Command:
COT˽C˽T↵
Response:
COT˽C˽T↵
Input Parameters:
C
Optical channel number. Set C=1
T
Temperature of the calibration standard in units of 10-3 °C (e.g. 20000
means 20°C)
This command performs 16 repeated optical measurements, and uses the average for
the calibration. The total duration for this procedure varies between ca. 3s and ca. 6s
depending on the configuration of the module. In order to keep the calibration
permanently even after a power cycle, the command SVS must be executed afterwards.
5.4.4 SVS –Save Configuration Permanently in Flash Memory
This command is used for storing the current configuration in the flash memory:
Command:
SVS˽C↵
Response:
SVS˽C↵
Input Parameters:
C
Optical channel number. Set C=1
Saves the actual settings and calibration as the new default values into the internal flash
memory. These default values are automatically loaded after a power cycle.
Command
MEA˽1˽3↵
Response
MEA˽1˽3˽0˽30120˽0˽0˽0˽27135˽0˽87016˽11788˽0˽0˽123022˽0˽27105
˽0˽0˽0˽0↵

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Example Communication:
Command:
SVS˽1↵
Response:
SVS˽1↵
5.4.5 #VERS –Get Device Information
This command returns general information about the device.
Command:
#VERS↵
Response:
#VERS˽D˽N˽R˽S˽B˽F↵
Output Parameters:
D
Device ID, identifies the specific device type. For the Pico-T the device ID
is always 4.
N
Number of optical channels. For the Pico-T this value is 1.
R
Firmware version, e.g. R=403 designates firmware version 4.03
S
Bit field about available sensor types and supported optical analytes as
follows:
Bit 0-7: Available Sensor Types
Bit 8-15: Supported Optical
Analytes
Bit 0: optical channel(s)
Bit 8: oxygen
Bit 1: sample temperature (typ.
Pt100)
Bit 9: optical temperature
Bit 2: pressure
Bit 10: pH
Bit 3: humidity
Bit 11: CO2
Bit 4: analog in
Bit 12: reserved
Bit 5: case temperature
Bit 13: reserved
Bit 6: reserved
Bit 14: reserved
Bit 7: reserved
Bit 15: reserved
Example: S= 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 32 + 512 = 559 means, that the device
provides an optical channel as well as sample and case temperature,
pressure, and humidity sensors, and the optical channel supports the
analytes temperature.
B
Firmware build number starting at 1 for each firmware version (reflects
minor firmware revisions which normally do not require a software or
firmware update for the user)
F
Bit field about available features as follows:
Bit 0: analog out 1
Bit 5: battery
Bit 1: analog out 2
Bit 6: stand-alone logging
Bit 2: analog out 3
Bit 7: sequence commands
Bit 3: analog out 4
Bit 8: user memory
Bit 4: user interface (display,
buttons)
Bit 9-31: reserved
Example: F = 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 256 = 271 means that 4 analog outputs are
supported and the module possesses a user memory. Note, the optional
analog outputs require additional hardware (more information on request).
Example Communication:
Command:
#VERS˽1↵
Response:
#VERS˽1˽4˽403˽1071˽2˽271↵

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5.4.6 #IDNR –Get Unique ID Number
This command returns the unique identification number of the respective device.
Command:
#IDNR↵
Response:
#IDNR˽N↵
Output Parameters:
N
Unique ID number. Note, this parameter is given as an unsigned 64 bit
integer!
Returns the unique identification number of the device (does NOT correspond to the
serial number of the device).
Example Communication:
Command:
#IDNR↵
Response:
#IDNR˽2296536137892833272↵
5.4.7 #LOGO –Flash Status LED
This command lets the status LED flash for 4 times within ca. 1 s.
Command:
#LOGO↵
Response:
#LOGO↵
This command can be used to check proper communication with the device. Or it might
be helpful in setups with more than one device, in order to identify which COM port is
connected to which device.
5.4.8 #PDWN –Power Down Sensor Circuits
This command switches off the power supply of the sensor circuits.
Command:
#PDWN↵
Response:
#PDWN↵
This command can be used for some power saving during idle operation periods. Note,
that the sensor circuits are automatically powered up again, if the module receives any
command (e.g. MEA) requiring a sensor measurement. This is also the case if a broadcast
measurement takes place.
5.4.9 #PWUP –Power Up Sensor Circuits
This command switches on the power supply of the sensor circuits.
Command:
#PWUP↵
Response:
#PWUP↵
The wake-up duration is up to 250 ms.