Raptor OW1.7-VS-CL-S User manual
OWL 320 HS Vis-SWIR
Model: OW1.7-VS-CL-S
USER MANUAL
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
2
CONTENT
CONTENT................................................................................................................................................. 2
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 3
2. SPECIFICATION ............................................................................................................................4
3. GETTING STARTED....................................................................................................................... 6
4. EPIX XCAP .................................................................................................................................... 7
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
3
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Scope
This manual covers the Owl 320 High Speed digital camera and all applicable components. Raptor
recommends that this manual be used to optimize camera operation.
1.2 Camera Care
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). Should any other
issues occur please contact your local agent.
To clean the sensor window: gently wipe the face of the sensor window with a small amount of optical
grade isopropyl alcohol and lens paper. Apply forced air again to remove any loose particles.
CAUTION —The camera’s sensor, and circuits are sensitive to static discharge. Ensure you are using a
static strap or are completely grounded at all times to release any static energy before you clean the
window.
CAUTION —Do not use acetone.
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
4
2. SPECIFICATION
2.1 Camera Specification
The Owl 320 High Speed digital camera is designed for high-resolution applications requiring visible to
SWIR imaging (400-1700nm). The Owl 320 High Speed camera uses an InGaAS sensor with a resolution
of 320 x 256 in a 14-bit digital output. High-speed low-noise electronics provide linear response and
sensitivity for rapid image capture.
The Camera Link digital interface provides the most stable platform for data transfer and the camera
will work on any Camera Link standard card.
A Software Development Kit (SDK) is available for interfacing with custom software.
Sensor Type
InGaAs PIN-Photodiode
Active Pixel
320 x 256
Pixel Pitch
30μm x 30μm
Active Area
9.6mm x 7.68mm
Spectral response1
0.4μm to 1.7μm
Noise (RMS) - Typical
<225 electrons High Gain
Quantum Efficiency
Peak >92% (>87% @ 1.064nm, 82% @ 1.55nm)
Pixel Well Depth - Typical
>150ke-
Pixel Operability
>99%
Digital Output Format
14 bit Camera Link (Base Configuration)
Exposure time
500ns to more than 500ms
Frame Rate
Up to 346Hz
Camera Setup / Control
CameraLink
Trigger interface
TTL trigger IN level
Power supply
12V DC ±10%
TE Cooling
ON / OFF
Image Correction
2 point NUC (offset & Gain) + pixel correction
Camera Power Consumption
< 5W without TEC
Operating Case Temperature
-20°C to +55°C
Storage Temperature
-30°C to +60°C
Dimensions & Weight
50mm x 50mm x 70mm / 250g
Latest version available on www.raptorphotonics.com
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
5
2.2 Mechanical Outline
3D drawings (STEP) are available upon request.
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
6
3. GETTING STARTED
3.1 System Overview
3.2 Mounting to Microscope
The Owl 320 High Speed has a standard C-Mount that should easily screw onto any microscope port.
3.3 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. The
image below shows an optical table mount with the ¼-20 BSW thread.
¼-20 BSW
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
7
3.4 3rd PARTY SOFTWARE
Raptor supports a range of 3rd party software packages as per the matrix below.
XCAP
XCLIB
NI
Labview
Micro-
Manager
StreamPix
Genika
Astro
Audela
Astro
Control
Kite
Hawk 247
Falcon II
Falcon III
Eagle
Owl 320
Owl 320 High Speed
Owl 'Mini'
Owl 640
Ninox 640
Owl 1280
In this guide, there is a quick overview of XCAP (http://www.epixinc.com/support/files.php) and Micro
Manager (https://micro-manager.org). Should you have other software support specific needs, please
3.5 Connecting your camera to a computer
If using a laptop insert the Express Card to Camera Link adapter while the PC is switched off
and make sure it is secure. If using a PC, insert the EPIX controller card into the correct slot of
your PC. You can visit http://www.epixinc.com for further support issues.
Insert EPIX software key dongle into a USB port (the red light on the dongle should light up).
Boot up the computer.
Use the Camera Link cable to connect the camera to the computer.
Connect the other end of the Camera Link cable to the camera.
Carefully thread the C-mount lens onto the camera’s lens ring, rotating the lens in a clockwise
direction until it is securely fastened. Use the lens controls to adjust focus. We suggest that
the camera be mounted on a tri-pod or an optical bench.
Connect the 12V power supply to the camera.
The Owl 640 camera is compatible with all types of CameraLink frame grabber. However, our cameras
are extensively tested using Epix Inc. equipment’s XCAP, for this reason we recommend XCAP software.
4. EPIX XCAP
For minimum computer system requirements, please contact Epix for the latest information.
- Software tested by Raptor Photonics
- Software tested by other companies
Blank - The camera is not supported by this software
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
8
4.1 Download and Install XCAP
Using the following link, http://www.epixinc.com/support/files.php, please select the appropriate
version of XCAP for your computer. Please ensure you are downloading from the section labelled. Pre-
release version with support for the latest cameras and latest PIXCI® imaging boards. Open the
downloaded file when complete and follow the onscreen instructions. Be sure to accept the board
driver installation.
4.2 Operating your camera using Xcap.
1. Open XCAP from within your operating system enabling administrative privileges.
2. Select PIXCI dropdown menu and select PIXCI Open Close, Figure 1 should appear.
Figure 1: Open / Close
3. Select Close, and then Click on the Camera & Format button.
4. Using the dropdown menu scroll down and select Raptor Photonics OWL-CL High Speed from the list
(Figure 2). Selecting OK when done.
Figure 2: Camera Selection
5. Select Open and the viewing and control screens, Figure 3, will now open. Two windows should open
(Figure ), a viewing window (Left) and a control window (Right).
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
9
Figure 3: XCAP Camera Control Screen
6. The camera controls are pre-configured in EPIX.
7. The control window on the right should reflect your chosen camera. For example for the Owl 320
High Speed, it should read - EPIX PIXCI ECB2: Raptor Photonics Owl-CL High Speed. If not, you need to
select a different camera.
8. Check that the camera is communicating, see animated icon (Figure 4) on bottom right of control
screen.
Figure 4: Active Communication
9. You are now configured and connected, ready to acquire an image.
10. Check the Serial Connect box (to establish serial communication to the camera). This should contain
a tick (as circled in Figure 5).
11. Check the live button (as circled in Figure 5).
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
10
Figure 5: Image Capture
12. You should now see an image. On the bottom of the screen, you should see something similar to
the following: Frame: 0 Size: 320 x 256 Resize 0.5x0.5 Video: 25.0fps Capture: 25.0 fps Display: 25.4fps.
Figure 6: Live Image Capture Window
Changing the settings on XCAP
You have the ability to change several settings to control the camera through the tabs in the control
window of the EPIX software.
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
11
4.4 Frame Rate and Exposure
You can also adjust the exposure and frame rate in most tabs. XCAP will automatically lower the frame
rate if you input an exposure too long. Likewise, if you input a frame rate too long for the exposure
time the exposure time will be reduced. This feature can be accessed by clicking on Trigger, AOI, Misc
and Info tabs.
4.5 Trigger
Use this tab to select the Readout Mode. The available options in the drop down menu are Live or Ext.
Triggered.
Figure 8: Trigger Tab
4.6 AOI
Area of interest (AOI). By selecting an AOI you will be able to increase the maximum frame rate of the
camera to achieve higher frame rates, the minimum window selectable is 32 x 8.
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
12
4.10 Miscellaneous
There are two features here, TEC and NUC.
Figure 17: Camera Information
4.8 NUC
On this tab, you can select the parameters for the on-board Non Uniformity Correction (NUC); select
the 3point NUC Offset, Gain & Dark shown in Figure 13. Figure 14 and Figure 15 show the effect of
the NUC off and on.
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
13
Figure 14: NUC Off Figure 15: NUC On
4.9 TEC
Thermoelectric Cooling (TEC). Use this tab to set the sensor to a predetermined stable temperature.
This is the temperature that the NUC has been performed at, so will give the best performance.
Info
The Info tab can be used to view the cameras manufacturer data, for example Build date and serial
number.
Figure 18: Information Tab
4.11 Adjusting the image display (With XCAP Std only)
The Viewing Pallet is not automatically adjusted in the XCAP software.
This needs manually Configured to give the best display of the RAW image data from the camera.
1. Go to the Modify/Contrast Modification menu, Figure 19.
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
14
2. Select “Stretch Contrast, Histogram Percentile Endpoints” and “Preview” Figure 20: Stretch Contrast.
3. Adjust the “Low Percentile Endpoint” and “High Percentile Endpoint” to optimize the image display,
defaults should be acceptable for most applications.
Figure 19: Contrast Modification
Figure 20: Stretch Contrast
OW1.7-VS-CL-S / USER MANUAL REV1
November 2017
15
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
Raptor Photonics LTD
Willowbank Business Park
Larne, Co Antrim
BT40 2SF
Northern Ireland
PH: +44 2828 270141
www.raptorphotonics.com
Table of contents
Other Raptor Digital Camera manuals
