Raptor Photonics Owl 640 N User manual

OWL 640 N/USER MANUAL/03-20/REV1.0
Owl 640 N
Model: NO1.7-VS-CL-640
USER MANUAL

OWL 640 N/USER MANUAL/03-20/REV1.0
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Scope .......................................................................................................................... 4
2. CAMERA CARE ............................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Cleaning the Sensor Window....................................................................................... 5
3. SPECIFICATION .............................................................................................................. 6
3.1 Camera Overview........................................................................................................ 6
3.2 Datasheet .................................................................................................................... 6
4. DESIGN OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................ 7
4.1 Mechanical Model........................................................................................................ 7
4.2 Physical Interface ........................................................................................................ 8
4.3 Power Consumption .................................................................................................... 8
4.4 Mounting to a Microscope............................................................................................ 8
4.5 Mounting to a Tripod or Optical Table.......................................................................... 8
5. SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY......................................................................................... 9
5.1 XCAP Compatibility ..................................................................................................... 9
5.2 Micro-Manager Compatibility ....................................................................................... 9
5.3 LabView Compatibility ................................................................................................. 9
5.4 Custom Software Interfacing........................................................................................ 9
6. CAMERA SETUP AND REQUIRMENTS........................................................................ 10
6.1 Connecting the Camera to the Frame Grabber.......................................................... 10
6.2 Computer/Laptop System Requirements ................................................................... 10
6.3 Frame Grabber Requirements ................................................................................... 10
7. XCAP IMAGING SOFTWARE ........................................................................................ 11
7.1 Downloading XCAP ................................................................................................... 11
7.2 Opening the Camera Configuration ........................................................................... 11
7.3 Acquiring a Live Image Sequence ............................................................................. 13
8. CONTROLLING THE CAMERA (XCAP) ........................................................................ 14
8.1 Exposure Time .......................................................................................................... 14
8.2 Automatic Light Control Adjustment........................................................................... 16
8.2.1 Automatic Light Control Parameters.................................................................... 16
8.2.2 Automatic Light Control Region of Interest .......................................................... 17
8.2 Gain Mode................................................................................................................. 18
8.3 Trigger Mode and Frame Rate................................................................................... 19
8.4 Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC) .............................................................................. 20
8.5 Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) ..................................................................................... 21

OWL 640 N/USER MANUAL/03-20/REV1.0
8.6 Miscellaneous Tab..................................................................................................... 22
8.7 Manufacturers Data ................................................................................................... 23
9. XCAP CONTROL FEATURES ....................................................................................... 24
9.1 Recording Images on XCAP ...................................................................................... 24
9.2 Saving Preset Configuration Settings ........................................................................ 24
9.2 Contrast Modification (XCAP Std. Only) .................................................................... 25
10. MICRO-MANAGER ...................................................................................................... 26
10.1 Downloading and Installing Micro-Manager (Windows)............................................ 26
10.2 Creating Camera Configuration File......................................................................... 27
10.3 Pre-made Configuration File .................................................................................... 31
10.4 Imaging and Controlling the Camera ....................................................................... 32

OWL 640 N/USER MANUAL/03-20/REV1.0
1. INTRODUCTION
This document provides detailed instructions for the operation of the Owl 640 N camera.
Raptor Photonics Limited reserves the right to change this document at any time without
notice and disclaims liability for editorial, pictorial or typographical errors.
1.1 Scope
This manual covers the Owl 640 N digital camera and all applicable components. Details of
the camera mechanical interface along with information on how to control the camera are
stated. Each camera control is discussed and explained with the use of XCAP Imaging
software, which is the core plug and play software package that is offered with Raptor
cameras. Important precautions to be taken when using the camera are also stated.
An image of the camera module is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Complete Camera Module.

OWL 640 N/USER MANUAL/03-20/REV1.0
2. CAMERA CARE
2.1 Cleaning the Sensor Window
Raptor cameras require no regular maintenance except occasional external cleaning of the
sensor window (the glass window between the camera sensor and the microscope or lens).
Use optical grade isopropyl to clean this window. A cotton swab can be used, but may leave
some fibres on the window, so be careful. To avoid this, you could also use a lens tissue or a
cleaning swap such as a texwipe. Forced air can be applied to remove any loose particles.
Should any other issues occur please contact your local agent.
CAUTION — The camera’s sensor and circuits are sensitive to static discharge. Ensure that
you are using a static strap or completely grounded at all times to release any static energy
before you clean the window.
CAUTION — Do not use acetone.

OWL 640 N/USER MANUAL/03-20/REV1.0
3. SPECIFICATION
3.1 Camera Overview
The Owl 640 N is a family member of the Owl 640 product range, offering the lowest readout
noise available on the SWIR market, with a typical value of 18e-. This makes the camera the
highest performing SWIR camera for low light imaging i.e. night imaging. With even smaller
mechanics and the implementation of the smaller SDR Camera Link connector, the camera is
even more compact and lightweight than the original Owl 640. The Owl 640 N is a rugged,
high sensitivity digital VIS-SWIR camera. Using the low noise 640 x 512 InGaAs sensor from
SCD, the camera enables high sensitivity imaging from 0.4µm to 1.7µm.
The Camera Link digital interface provides the most stable platform for data transfer and the
camera will work on any Camera Link standard frame grabber.
3.2 Datasheet
For the full specification of the Owl 640 N, the datasheet for the camera can be downloaded
from the Raptor Photonics website using the link below:
https://www.raptorphotonics.com/products/owl-640-n/

OWL 640 N/USER MANUAL/03-20/REV1.0
4. DESIGN OVERVIEW
4.1 Mechanical Model
The camera has the same mechanical design of the Owl 640 N, which is shown below.
Units shown in mm and [inches]
PDF of mechanical model available from our website:

OWL 640 N/USER MANUAL/03-20/REV1.0
4.2 Physical Interface
To be completed.
4.3 Power Consumption
Unit input power specification is +12V DC +/- 0.5V with <3W power dissipation when the
TEC is disabled. An additional 5W may be required if the full drive to the TEC is required.
This will be dependent on environmental conditions and the TEC temperature set point.
The set point for the TEC cooling is +15 °C. The TEC power is automatically adjusted to try
and achieve the set point temperature, with a limit of approx. 5W drive. For low ambient
temperatures or with additional heat sinking, less than 5W may be applied to the TEC to
achieve the set point. In an ambient of 25°C with adequate heat sinking, less than 1W is
typically required to maintain the +15°C set point.
On power up, the peak power due to inrush current will be less than 10 Watts.
4.4 Mounting to a Microscope
The camera has a standard C-mount that should easily screw onto any microscope port.
4.5 Mounting to a Tripod or Optical Table
The camera has a ¼-20 BSW (Whitworth) threaded hole to mount to a tripod or an optical
table.

OWL 640 N/USER MANUAL/03-20/REV1.0
5. SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY
This section outlines the options relating to software that are available for the Owl 640 N.
5.1 XCAP Compatibility
Raptor works closely with EPIX who integrate all Raptor camera models into their XCAP
Imaging Software package. XCAP is the core plug and play software package that is offered
with the Owl 640 N.
5.2 Micro-Manager Compatibility
The Owl 640 N can be controlled and imaged using the free open source software package,
Micro-Manager. Using the camera with this software package is discussed in section 10.
5.3 LabView Compatibility
Raptor can supply a LabView .icd file which can be used to control the camera on National
Instruments imaging tools such as NI MAX. The file may also be useful if attempting to
create a custom LabView VI.
5.4 Custom Software Interfacing
Raptor works closely with EPIX Inc, who integrates all Raptor cameras into their software
package, XCAP. The EPIX frame grabbers are the models that we offer with our cameras.
We offer their Software Development Kit (SDK) for interfacing with custom software (XCLIB).
If using a frame grabber from a different company, then you will have to obtain their SDK.
Raptor can provide an ICD which includes a list of all serial commands to control the
camera. This would be required along with the SDK from the frame grabber device to
integrate the camera.

OWL 640 N/USER MANUAL/03-20/REV1.0
6. CAMERA SETUP AND REQUIRMENTS
This section will give instruction on connecting the frame grabber to the camera, as well as
outlining important frame grabber and PC requirements.
6.1 Connecting the Camera to the Frame Grabber
The camera has the shrunk SDR port on the interface. The main frame grabber that Raptor
offer with this camera has the normal MDR port (EPIX EB1). Therefore, one MDR – SDR
Camera Link cable is required to connect the camera to this frame grabber.
If demoing the camera with the Mini PC system that Raptor provides, you should connect to
the left port of the frame grabber in the Mini PC. This should be stated on the Mini PC.
6.2 Computer/Laptop System Requirements
The basic system requirement is that the PCIe bus of the system must provide sufficient
bandwidth to handle video rate transfers. The amount of bandwidth required depends on the
camera in-hand. The Owl 640 N uses a Base Camera Link interface which can be handled
with a x1 PCIe bus and PIXCI EB1 from EPIX, providing roughly 200MB/sec maximum
bandwidth. Contact EPIX Inc. for further information regarding minimum computer/laptop
specification requirements to run the XCAP Imaging Software.
6.3 Frame Grabber Requirements
If using a computer, it is a minimum requirement to use an PIXCI EB1 frame grabber. If
using a frame grabber from another company, the specification requirements of this frame
grabber must meet those supplied by the PIXCI EB1 model.
If using a laptop, EPIX offers base Camera Link frame grabbers for a laptop system, such as
the ECB1/ECB1-34.