Q Imaging OptiMOS Series User manual

USER MANUAL
www.QIMAGING.com

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optiMOS USER MANUAL
Applicability
This document applies to the optiMOS camera. For the latest updates, please visit www.qimaging.com.
Notice of Copyright
Copyright © 2014 Quantitative Imaging Corporation. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication of this
document is prohibited.
Trademarks and Proprietary Names
optiMOS™is a trademark of QImaging. QImaging®and PVCAM®are registered trademarks of Roper Scientific,
Inc. Product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of QImaging or
other hardware, software or service providers, and are used herein for identification purposes only. Microsoft®
and Windows®are registered trademarks in the U.S. and other countries of Microsoft Corporation and are
used herein for identification purposes only.
QImaging Corporation Address Information
19535 56th Avenue,
Suite 101
Surrey, BC, Canada V3S 6K3
604.530.5800
www.qimaging.com
QImaging Technical Support
Technical support is available to all registered users of QImaging products from 9am to 5pm Pacific
Standard Time.
[email protected]
800.874.9789
http://www.qimaging.com/support/contact

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optiMOS USER MANUAL
QIMAGING LIMITED WARRANTY
Standard Product Warranty Plan
A Standard Product Warranty Plan is included with every QImaging camera purchase. This Warranty Plan
includes parts and labor for two full years (starting from the shipping date of the camera). The Standard
Product Warranty Plan is provided on all new and used equipment, including retired demonstration cameras.
Extended Product Warranty Plan
Extended Product Warranty Plans are conveniently priced and very easy to purchase. Available for all QImaging
cameras, the Extended Product Warranty Plan includes parts and labor, and is available in one-year increments
up to five years.
When you purchase an Extended Product Warranty Plan from QImaging, you are assured of our commitment
to minimizing down times. Your needs are our top priority and QImaging responds immediately. The QImaging
Service and Support team is focused on expediting all customer requests to provide a fast and complete
solution.
QImaging also offers on-site training as well as online operational training programs. These programs are
designed to get you up and running with your new camera quickly and efficiently.
Contact a QImaging Representative to learn more about Extended Product Warranty Plan options.

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optiMOS USER MANUAL
optiMOS CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY

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optiMOS USER MANUAL
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1
System Components ........................................................................................................1
Precautions ........................................................................................................................2
Environmental Conditions for Operation and Storage.........................................................2
Microscopes, Lenses, Tripods..............................................................................................2
Cleaning ............................................................................................................................3
Repair ................................................................................................................................3
INSTALLATION ............................................................................................................... 4
Host Computer Requirements ............................................................................................4
Camera Power Requirements .............................................................................................5
Install the High Speed PCIe Board....................................................................................... 5
Install the Camera Driver .................................................................................................... 6
Connect the Camera..........................................................................................................7
USING YOUR optiMOS CAMERA................................................................................... 9
Imaging Software...............................................................................................................9
Basic Camera Parameters ...................................................................................................9
Exposure Time....................................................................................................................9
Rolling Shutter ................................................................................................................... 9
Gain ................................................................................................................................11
Clearing Mode.................................................................................................................11
Regions of Interest (ROI)...................................................................................................13
Digital Binning ................................................................................................................. 13
Device Synchronization ....................................................................................................13
Hardware Triggering Modes .............................................................................................14
Expose Out Behaviors ......................................................................................................15
TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................... 18
Resolving Problems with the Camera................................................................................ 18
Unresolved Problems - Contacting QImaging Support ...................................................... 20
SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................................... 21

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optiMOS USER MANUAL
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
optiMOS from QImaging is the live cell
replacement to CCD cameras. Featuring
faster frame rates and lower noise,
optiMOS was designed as the budget
friendly alternative that avoids complex
data management in the PC. Capable
of streaming 100fps with <2e- of read
noise, optiMOS delivers 10x the temporal
resolution of CCD cameras without trading
off on resolution or sensitivity. Offered as
the affordable sCMOS solution, optiMOS
brings the advantages of low noise and
high speed imaging to a broader range of
cell biology applications.
This manual describes the installation
and configuration procedures for your
new optiMOS Scientific CMOS camera.
Descriptions of the recommended optiMOS
camera settings are also included.
System Components
Your new camera system includes:
■optiMOS Scientific CMOS camera
■High Speed PCIex4 Data Card
■9V 8.33A Power Supply
■International Power Cord Set
■3 Meter High Speed Data Cable
■Black Lens Cap
■USB flash drive: PVCAM driver, manual, datasheet, training materials

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optiMOS USER MANUAL
Precautions
The sCMOS sensor and other optiMOS camera system electronics are extremely sensitive to electrostatic
discharge (ESD). To avoid permanently damaging the system, please observe the following precautions:
■If you are using high-voltage equipment (such as an arc lamp) with your camera system, be sure to
turn the camera power on last and power the camera off first.
■Never connect or disconnect any cable while the camera system is powered on.
■Although you should turn off the camera’s power supply before disconnecting any camera system
cable, you do not need to power off your computer to detach the cables.
■Use caution when triggering high-current switching devices (such as an arc lamp) near your
system. The sCMOS can be permanently damaged by transient voltage spikes. If electrically noisy
devices are present, an isolated, conditioned power line or dedicated isolation transformer is highly
recommended.
■Always leave at least one inch of space around the camera housing.
■Never open the camera. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the optiMOS camera. Opening
the camera voids the warranty.
■Use only the integrated data interface, cables, and power supply designated for this camera system.
Using non-optiMOS cables or power supplies may result in permanent damage to your system.
■Do not use a C-mount lens that has optics that extend behind the flange of the lens.
Environmental Conditions for Operation and Storage
Your optiMOS camera system should be operated in a clean, dry environment. The camera system’s ambient
operating temperature is 0°C to 20°C with 80% relative humidity, noncondensing.
Store the optiMOS camera system in its original containers. To protect the system from excessive heat, cold,
and moisture, store at an ambient temperature between -20°C and 60°C with a relative humidity of 0% to
90%, noncondensing.
Microscopes, Lenses, Tripods
optiMOS has a standard threaded video mount and can be mounted to any microscope that accepts a standard
C-mount adapter. The camera also allows you to install any lens that is compatible with a standard threaded
video mount as long as its optics do not extend behind the flange of the lens.
The optiMOS camera can be mounted to a tripod using the tripod mounting attachment located on the top
and bottom of the camera. See the Specifications chapter for more information.

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optiMOS USER MANUAL
Cleaning
Clean the exterior surfaces of the camera with a dry, lint-free cloth. To remove stains, contact QImaging
Support. To clean the camera’s imaging window, use only a filtered compressed-air source. Handheld cans are
not recommended, as they may spray propellant onto the window. Do not touch the window.
Repair
The optiMOS camera system contains no user-serviceable parts. Repairs must be completed by QImaging.
Should your camera system need repair, contact QImaging Support. Please save the original packing materials
so you can safely ship the camera system to another location or return it for repairs if necessary.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT OPEN the camera. Opening the optiMOS camera voids the warranty.

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optiMOS USER MANUAL
CHAPTER 2
INSTALLATION
This chapter will detail the proper installation of your optiMOS camera. In order to install and use the camera,
the following items are required:
■optiMOS camera (supplied)
■High Speed Data Cable (supplied)
■High Speed PCIex4 Data Card
■9V 8.33A power supply (supplied)
■USB “installer” flash drive (supplied)
■110V/220V power connection
■A PC that meets the host computer requirements
Host Computer Requirements
The host computer for your optiMOS camera must include at a minimum:
■Windows 7 operating system (64 bits)
■2.0 GHz or faster Intel processor: either Xeon or Core i7
■4+ GB RAM
■250+ GB serial ATA (SATA) HDD and/or >64 GB solid state drive (SDD) for high-speed imaging and
storage
■256+ MB slot-based ATI/NVIDIA video graphics card (i.e., not an “onboard/integrated graphics”
adapter)
■USB drive or internet access to install the driver
■At least 1 available PCIex4 slot
NOTE: Minimum requirements as of October 2013. Supported computer systems will change as new cameras,
computer hardware, and operating systems are introduced and older models become obsolete. For current
information on recommended computer specifications, please visit: http://www.qimaging.com/support/
recommended-computer-specifications.php

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optiMOS USER MANUAL
Camera Power Requirements
■9V DC, 8.33A (maximum)
A power supply for use with your optiMOS camera has been provided by QImaging.
IMPORTANT: Follow the below steps in order.
DO NOT install the driver until the PCIe card is installed.
1. Install the High Speed PCIe Board
Because of the 100 fps frame rate with a 16-bit output, the data rate of the optiMOS is significantly higher
than traditional CCD cameras. At 420MB/s the optiMOS requires a more powerful data transfer interface than
the frequently used USB or FireWire interfaces. For that reason, the optiMOS is supplied with a proprietary High
Speed PCIe card that is capable of sustaining the bandwidth requirements of the camera.
Before doing anything with the camera, first install this interface card with the following steps:
1. Shut down desktop PC
2. Unplug desktop power supply
3. Open the side of the computer to access the PCI and PCIe slots