Western Sensor Digital Conversion Imager User manual

Digital Conversion Imager
User's
Guide
Western Sensor, Inc.
.

December 2,1993
Thisequipment hasbeen testedand foundto comply with the limits for
Class
A digital devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FederalCommun -
icationsCommission(FCC)Rules. Theselimitsare designed to provide
reasonableprotectionagainst harmfulinterferencein a residential
installation. Thisequipment generates,uses, and can radiate radio
frequencyenergy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions,maycause harmfulinterferenceto radio communications.
However, thereisnoguarantee that interferencewill not occurin a
particularinstallation.
If thisequipment does cause harmfulinterference
to radio or television reception, whichcan be determined by turning the
equipment offand on, the user isencouraged to
try to correct the
interferencebyone of ore ofthefollowingmeasures:
Reorient or relocate the receivingantenna
Increase theseparation between theequipment and recpiver
Consult thesupplier or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
For additional information,refer.to the booklet prepared by the FCC
entitled
How to Identifyand Resolve Radio - TV Interference Problems, (Stock
Number
004 - 000 - 00345 - 4). Thisbooklet isavailableform the U.S.
Government PrintingOffice,WashingtonDC
20402.
WesternSensor reservesthe right to makechangesand improvementsat
any time to the product described here.
Copyright
O 1993 WesternSensor, Inc. All rights reserved.
Dlgital Conversion Imager User's Guide
digital

December 2. 1993
Contents
..............................................................................................
Read ThisFirst iv
........................................................
Warnings. Cautions. and Notices iv
..............................................................................
Argon gascylinders v
...................................................................................
Gas requirements v
......................................................................................
BatteryCharger vi
...................................................................................................
Batteries vi
......................................................................................................
Optics vi
...................................................................................................
Introduction 1
...................................................................................................
Features 2
Inspection ................................................................................................ 3
..........................................................................
Attachingthecylinder 3
Operation
...................................................................................................... 4
DCI Controls .......................................................................................... 5
Brightnessand ContrastControls ....................................................... 5
.........................................................
Startingand Operating theDCI
6
...................................... .............................................
SelectingRanges ! 8
........................................................................................
SelectingScale 8
. .
..............................................................................
Selecting Emiswvtty 8
.....................................................
AdjustingBrightness and Contrast 8
Batteries
................................................................................................... 9
ReplacingDischarged Batteries ........................................................... 9
Shutdown
.............................................................................................. 9
................................................................................................
FrameGrabber 10
...................................................................
Connect theDCI to thePC 10
...............................................................................
Start FrameGrabber 11
................................................................................................
XISetup 12
........................................................................
Reset DCI FrameCount 13
......................................
UploadingFramesFrom the DCI to the PC 15
...................................................................................
HaskelBooster Pump 18
.............. .........
Refilling a Cylinderwith the Haskelbooster Pump : 18
.....................
Removinga Cylinderfrom the Haskel boosterPump 19
................................................................
AppendixA EmissivitySettings 20
DigitalConversionimager User'sGuide
lii

December 2,1993
Read This First
To avoid injuringyourselfordamaging your equipment, read this
manual, especially thisfirstsection. It isimportant to become familiar
with the DigitalConversionImager
(DCI) beforeyou operate it. First
time users,in particular, must becomefamiliarwith the proceduresfor
handlingargon cylinders.
Warnings, Cautions, and Notices
Warningsinform you of potentiallife threatening hazards.Cautions
inform you of potential hazards that maycauseseriousinjuryor damage
to theequipment. Notices provide information to ensure the propercare
andoperation of theequipment.
Warning: Argoncylinders:Do not fill thecylinderin a single fastcharge.
Doing so may cause thegasline orfittings to fail. Followaccepted
practicesfor safe handling and useof gascylinders.
Warning: Argon cylinders: Ensure that the valve knob isclosed
(clockwiserotation)beforestoringthe
DCI.
Caution: Argon cylinders: Cylinders must be inspectedand recertified
by WesternSensor everyfiveyears(three years for the largecylinder
accessory).
Caution: Argoncylinders:Leave a smallamount of argon in the cylinder.
This prevents air and moisture fromentering thecylinder.
Caution: Argoncylinaers:
Do not rotatethevalveknobon a cylinder
until it hasbeen properlyattached. Theargon gasisunder pressure.
Caution: Argon cylinders: Do not useexcesstorque to tighten the valve
knob.The pressure seal
may becomedamaged.
Caution: Argoncylinders:Do not use excess torque to tightenthe
coupling nut that attaches the cylinder the DCI.The pressure seal may
becomedamaged.
Caution: Battery:
Use onlyapproved battery packs. Other typesof
battery packsmay burst causing personal injuryor damage to the
equipment.
Caution: BatteryCharger:To prevent electricshock, disposeof the
charger if the cord becomesdefective.
Caution: DCI Case: Except for replacingthe nicad batteries,opening the
casevoids the Warranty. Refer all internal repairs toWestern Sensor.
Notice: Argoncylinders:Repeatedlyopeningand closing the valve will
significantlyreduce thefour
- hour supply ofargon gas in each cylinder.
Close the valve
if the DCI will remainidle for more than 20 minutes.
Notice: Optics: Avoid scratchingthe silicon window orthe eyepiecelens.
Digital Conversion Imager
User's Guide

December 2.1993
Argon gas cylinders
Fill only with dry, oil freeargon gas.
Use the Haskelbooster pump refillingsystem or a system approved
by
WesternSensor.
Do not fill thestandard cylinder to over
5000 psi (4500 psi forthelarge
cylinderaccessory)at
70°F (21 '0.
Do not drop, dent, or dismantle thecylinderand valveassembly.
Storecylindersat temperaturesbetween
0 to 120'F( - 17 to 48%).
Keepcylindersaway fromheator flame.
Do notopen thevalve when theoutlet is pointed at
a person.
Provideadequate ventilationwhen storingand usingargongas.
Useonlycylindersintended for use with the DCI.
Usecarewhen handlingpressurizedcylinders.
If thecylinderiscompletely empty of argongas(listenfor hissing when
youopen the valve slightly),moisture may haveentered the cylinder
whichcan damage thecryostat. Return thecylinder toWestern Sensor
forservice.
Useonlycylinders that havebeen tested and certified within the past
fiveyears(threeyearsfor thelargecylinderaccessory).Notethedate
stampedon the neckof each cylinder.
Gasrequirements .
Useonly argon gaswitha minimumpurity ratingof 99.998% and a
maximumdew point of
- 76°F. For most industrialsuppliersthisis a pre-
purified grade.
To ensure that thecryostatfunctionsproperly,useonly gas that consists
of no more than 2ppm water vapor.
If argon gasisunavailable, dry nitrogen gas may
be used temporarily.
With nitrogengas,operatingtime iscutin half.
DigitalConversion Imager User's Gulde

December 2,1993
Battery Charger
Use onlyapprovedchargersand attachments.
Do notexpose to rainorsnow.
Use110 Vac 50/60
Hz power.
In foreigncountriesinstall the batterycharger into a universalcharging
adapter and adjust the adapter forthe local voltage.
Do notoperatethe charger
if it has received a sharpblow, beendropped,
orotherwise
been damaged. Return to WesternSensor for testing.
Do not attempt to disassemblethecharger.
Do not allow the batteries to shortcircuit. This will blow the internal
battery fuse.
Batteries
The DCI comes with two standard12 - volt nicad batteries. The pairof
batterieswill last for up to three hours. The batteriesare removableand
can rechargedover night.
An optional portable,externalbattery pack isalso available. The
optional battery pack will last for upto six hours.
Removingthe nicad batterieswill notaffect the frames
stod in theDCI.
Optics
The silicon windowiscoated. Clean thewindow and eyepiecewith lens
tissueor a soft, lint
- freecloth. Remove the rubber eyecup to clean the
lensin theeyepiece.
DigitalConversion Imager Usei's Guide

Introduction
DigitalConversionImager
TheDigitalConversion Imager
(DCI) isa hand - heldinfrared imager
used to viewand store framesofinfrared images. At a later time, the
framescan be downloaded to a personalcomputer (PC) forviewing,
converting to otherformats, and printing.
To viewandcollect infrared data, the
DCI usesa sensorarraysystem
consistingof a mirrorscanner, infrareddetectorand cryostat,signal
processingelectronics,and visual display. Rechargeablenicad battery
packs power theelectronicsanda motordrive that rotatesa ten
- sided
mirrorassembly at
1200 rpm.
Argongasprovidesthecoolingfortheinfrared detector. Thisarrayof
linearinfrared InSb detectors, gas
- cooledto (minus) -186C converts
infrared radiationreceived by theopticalsysteminto electrical signals.
After processingandamplification,thesesignalsproducevisibleimages
thatarereconstructionsof the infrared patternsof thescene.
The coolantfor thedetectorissuppliedfroma refillableargon cylinder
attached to the bottomof the case.

December 2,1993
Features
Inaddition to thestandard featuresof a hand - held,infrared imager,
specific featuresof the DCI include:
Snap - shotstorage - 30 framesofframedata with batterybackup,
On - screen readouts - temperature target sight,frame #, autoor
manual temperaturerange setting, range,and batterymonitor.
Snapshotdata storage - Ambient temperature,time, date,frame
number,emissivity, and target temperaturearestored with the
infrared frame.
On - screen temperaturereadout - auto and manual readoutsof
temperature ranges.
Download data - serial transmissionof frameimage data to a PC.
The featuresof theDCI FrameGrabberprogram~nningon thePC
include:
Disk storageof data.
Conversion of snapshotsto TIFF, the industrystandardgraphicsfile
formatforgraphicsprogramsand word processors.
Conversion of data to PCL-5TMgrayscalelaser printer format.
Conversion of data for B&W/Color video monitors.
Print gray scale image plusa data file with ambienttemperature,
time, date,framenumber, emissivity,and target temperature.
Dlgltal ConversionImager User's Gulde

December 2,1993
Inspection
Open thecarryingcaseand examine the contentsforanyevidenceof
damage. In addition to theDCI, thecontentsinclude:
Argoncylinders
Batterycharger(s)with spliters
Safety strap
Nicad batteries
Pressuregauge
Wrench
Theargon cylindersare fully pressurized. Do not opena cylinder untilit
hasbeensecurelyattached to the DCI.
Attachingthe cylinder
Before operatingthe DCI, become familiarwith the Warnings, Cautions,
and Noticesat the beginningof this manual.
1.
Open the case and remove theDCI.
2. Place the unit upsidedown ona smooth level surface(paddedif
possible).
3. Check the pressureof the argon cylinder with a gauge.
4. Attach thecylinder to the unit.
a. Open the latchon thestainlesssteel strapand lay the cylinderin
thecradle.
b. Align thecylinder so that the valveoutletisengaged withthe
high
- pressurenut.
c. Close the stainlesssteel band and &cure.
d. Finger tighten thehigh - pressurefitting nut to thecylinder.
5. Tighten thehigh - pressurefittingnut.
CAUTION: Do not over tighten the high
- pressurefitting nut.
For a compression - type(gyrolokvalue),usea 9/16inch wrench to
tighten the high
- pressurefitting nut 1/4turn (snugonly).
For anO
- ringfitting, tighten with 11/16-inch wrench
6. Open theargongas valveoneturn counterclockwiseand listenfor a
hissing (DCIcool down period).
7. Ensurethat the hissing stopsafter 6 to 20 secondsand that no frost
formson the valve assembly.
8.
Attach halfof thesafety strap to the unit, loop the strap around your
neck,and attach the second halfof the strap.
CAUTION: Donot use the DCI withoutthe safetystrap.
Droppingthe unit maycause serious damage.
Go to theStartupinstructions.
DigitalConversionImager User's Gulde

December 2,1993
Operation
The DCI has two modesfor viewingtemperatureranges:
Manual allowsyou to selectoneof sevensettings that range from
+10'C (50°F)to +500eC(900-F)above ambienttemperature.
Auto automaticallyselects thetemperaturerange based on the
temperature
in thetargetatthe centexof thescreen.
Each rangehas255 levels that are recorded in the image snapshot. Along
with the image the followingdata isalsocaptured
and stored:
Framenumber
AmbientTemperature
Target Temperature
Date
Time
Digital Conversion Imager User'sGuide

December 2,1993
DCI Controls
UP/
Contrast Menu
I J F O C U S
I \ (not shown)
Connector
for cable
from PC
ON/OFF connectsand disconnectsthe batteriesto thescanningdrive
motor and theelectronicsof the
DCI.
FOCUS adjuststhe foGa1length of the infrared imager tosharpen the
imageon thescreen.
SHUTTER capturesthe infrared snapshotin the viewer. Also bringsyou
back to thescanningscreen.
MENU brings up theMain Menu whereyou can select thetemperature
range;Celsius, Fahrenheit, or view only; and emissivity.
BRIGHTNESSIDOWN adjuststhe image threshold for the current
temperaturerange. Brightnesscan
be adjusted toincludeor excludea
temperaturelevel within the ranges. Also used to makerange, scale,
emissivitysettings.
CONTRASTIUP adjuststheintensityof the infraredimage in the viewer.
Also used to makerange, scale, emissivitysettings.
Brightnessand ContrastControls
Here's anexample of how to usethe Brightnessand Contrast keys to
look forheat leaks on a roof. Set theContrastto itslowestsettingand
thenadjust the Brightnessuntil theroof just begins to appearin the
viewer.At thisrange of brightnessonly thoseobjectsbrighter (warmer)
than the roof will show in the viewer. To intensify the temperature
readingsin theview that areslightly higherthan the roof, increase the
Contrast.
DigitalConversionimager User's Guide

December 2,1993
Starting and Operating the DCI
1. Turnthe ON/OFFswitch to ON and check forunusual noisesor
clicking. (Thewhiningnoiseof the motorisnormal.)
When you look throughtheeyepiece, you will
see theinitialization
screen.The initializationscreen lookslike this.
Western
Sensor
rT7-l
Push. Lev
2. Push anyof the keys to bring up thescanningscreen.
u PI
Contrast Menu
- -
3. Selecta target (suchasa person or distinctobject)and focusuntil the
imagebecomessharp.
In thisexample, a car tire is beingscanned. The whitearea underthe
car is theheatfromthe engine that hasbeen deposited on the
vound.
Auto or
Manual
Target mode The target temperature, the
temperature mode, and therangeappearat
the topcenterof theframe.
The frame number appearsin
the lower left corner. The
target in thecenter of the
screen locates the target
temperature
If an upor down arrowappears instead of the temperature,then the
temperaturereadingisaboveor below therange that hasbeen
set in
manual mode.
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December 2,1993
4. Push the Menu key to bring upthe Main Menu screen which
containsrange, scale, emissivity,ambient temperature,time and
date.
With the Main Menu on the screen, theMenu key cycles thearrow
'
betweenRange, Scale, and Emissivity.
Range
Temperaturerangeswith 0 beingthelowest and 6
MO - 6, (L A
beingthehighest. In manual mode, thereareseven
temperaturerangesfrom
+IO'C (50' F) to +500e C (9CHS
Fl aboveambient. In auto mode, therangeis selected
automaticallybased on the temperaturein thetarget at
thecenter ofthe screen.
Scale
Celsius,Fahrenheit, and View. In View mode thereis
c, F, v
no targetand no temperature readouton thescreen.
Frameswill havetemperaturedata when printed.
Emissivity The ratio of radiationintensityfrom a surface to the
.01 - 1.00
radiation intensityat thesame wavelength from a
blackbodyat the same temperature.
5. With thearrow pointing to Range, use theUpandDown keys to
cycle throughthe temperatureranges, orselect Auto mode.
With thearrow pointing toScale or Emissivity, use the
Up and
Down keysto cycle through theavailableselections.
6. Push theShutterkey to return to thescanningscreen.
7. Push theShutter buttontofreezetheimagein the viewer.
Theword SAVE? appearsabove theframenumber.
8. Review the imagetoensurethat it contains the data you want.
9. Press theShutter button again.The frame number increments and
theimageissaved. If you don't want to save the image, pressthe
Menu button.
The DCI goes back to scanningand the imageis not saved to
memory.The frozenscreen hasa time
- outand if no actionis taken,
the
DC~ returns toscanning.
After
30 frameshavebeen saved, the word Full appearson the
screen. You can continueto scan, but you can not saveframes.
Before you cansaveadditional frames, you must download the
framesto a
PC and reset the framecounter. Referto thesection on
FrameGrabberfor moreinformation.
DigitalConversionimager User's Guide

December 2.1993
SelectingRanges
When you select the Auto mode, the DCI usestheappropriate rangefor
correct temperature calculationsbased on the sourceinside the target
area of the scanningscreen. To selectone of the seven ranges
(0 - 6),
move the arrow with the Menu key until it points to Range. Then use the
Upand Downkeys to select the temperature rangeof the area you want
toscan.
SelectingScale
Select C forCelsiustemperature readout, F for Fahrenheittemperature
readout, orVfor View mode which removesthetemperature readout
from the scanning screen.
Selecting Emissivity
Select the emissivityreading that isappropriatefor the material you are
lookingat. Refer to Appendix Afor emissivityreadings for common
materials.
Adjusting Brightnessand Contrast
When you push the Brightnessor Contrast button in thescanningscreen,
a scaleappears along the top of the viewer witha Bto indicate
Brightnessora C to indicateContrast.With the scaleat the topof the
screen, use the Brightness/Up and Contrast/Down keys toadjust the
scale. As you press the buttonsa small indicatormovesacross thescale.
To return to scanning, press theShutter key. The Brightnessand Contrast
screenshave time
- outs, and if no action is taken, the DCI returns to
scanning.
DigitalConversion Imager User's Guide

December 2,1993
Batteries
When thebattery (Batt)indicator appearsin thelowerrightcomerof the
screen, the batteriesare nearingtheend of their usefulcharge. The DCI
will continueto operate,however the rechargeablebatteriesshould be
replaced soon.
Replacingdischarged batteries
1. Set theON/OFF switch to OFF.
2. Place the
DCI on its top, upsidedown.
3.
Removethecoverson the batterycompartments.
Access to rechargeablebatteries
4. Carefully remove the batteriesand disconnectthem.
5. Connecta fullycharged setof batteriesand carefullylower them into
thebatterycompartments.
6. Replace thebatterycovers.
7. Chargethedischargedbatteriesovernight(12 - 14 hoursmaximum).
Do not overcharge thebatteries.
Shut down
At theend of operationsor when the picturebegins to fade,shut down
the
DCI. When the picturebegins to fade, itindicatesthat theargon
cylinder isnearingempty.Do not allow theargoncylinder to become
completelyempty.This permitsairand moisture to enter thecylinder
which can damage thecryostat.
1. Turn the ON/OFFswitch OFF.
2. Shutoff thegassupply by turning thevalveknobclockwiseuntil the
valveisfirmlyseated.
Ensure that the gassupply isshut off completelybeforestoringthe
unit.
DlgltalConversion Imager User'sGulde

December 2,1993
FrameGrabber
FrameGrabberis the program that runs on your PC. Use FrameGrabber
toset the timeand datefor the DCI, and to upload, print, and view the
framescaptured with the DCI.
Connect the DCIto the PC
NOTE: Thesteps in the followingprocedure must be performed in
numericalorder. Do not plug the AC adapter plugintoa wall outlet
until the oluzon thewall transformercableisinserted into the
. -
connectoron theDCI/PC serialcable. Failure to follow these
instmctionscouldcausetheconnectorstoarcand causepersonal
injuryand/or damage yourequipment.
connector
forcable
from PC
Ensurethat theDCI ON/OFF switchisset toOFF.
Connect theserial cablebetween the
DCI cableconnectorand the
COMl or COM2 port on the back ofthePC.
AC adapter
DCIIPCserial cable
25
- pin D
connector
to PC
Insert the plugat theend of the AC adapter cable into theconnector
on the DCI/PC serialcable.
Plugthe AC adapter plug intoa walloutlet.
Powerisautomaticallysupplied to theDCI. You do not need to
switchon the DCI ON/OFF switch.
Do not turnon the argongascylinder.
At the
DCI initializationscreen, pressany key.
You mustbeat theviewscreenof the
DCI to download theframesor
set theDCI time and date.
Digital Conversion Imager
User's Guide

December 2,1993
Start FrameGrabber
Turn on the PC and start the FrameGrabberprogram.
The MainMenulooks like this.
DlgltalConversionImager User's Guide

December 2,1993
DCI Setup
Use the DCI Setup functionsto set the timeand dateon the DCI and to
setup theCOM port. You may need to set the timeand date thefirst
timeyou use the DCI.
A backupbattery will keep the timeand date
current after that.
When you select theCOM port, thecommunicationssettingson the PC
suchasbaud rateand parity areset automatically tomatch the
DCI. You
may have to re
- select the COM port if you've used thatport on you PC
for
a modem or printer since thelast timeyou downloaded files.
1.
Use thecursor (arrow)keys to move the highlighton themenu to
DCI Setup.
2. PressEnter to select DCI Setup.TheSetupMenu lookslike this.
3. Select theCom Port. TheCom Port Menu lookslike this.
4. Select theappropriate Corn port.
5. Return to theSetup Menu and set the date and the time.
DlgttalConverslon Imager User's Gulde

December 2,1993
Reset DCI Frame Count
Before you reset the DQ frame,ensure that you have uploaded the
framesfromthe DCI
to thePC thatyou want to save.Resettingtheframe
count setstheframenumber back to
1. Theframesarestill there,
however, when you savea new framein thatslot number, it overwrites
theexistingframe.
1. Connect theserialcable between
theDCI cableconnectorand the
COMl or COM2 porton the
backof thePC.
2. Turn thePowerbuttonon the
DCI to ON. Do not turn on the
argon gascylinder.
3. At the DCI initialization screen, Connector
for
cable
pressany key.
igi74@ from P C
@I %4<@&
f 6%
You must beattheview screen of the DCI to download theframesor
set the DCI timeand date.
4. TurnonthePC and start the FrameGrabberprogram.
TheMainMenu lookslike this.
5. Use the cursor (arrow)keys to move the highlighton themenu to
DCI Setup.
6.
PressEnter toselect DCI Setup. TheSetup Menu lookslike this.
DigltalConverslonImager User's Guide

December 2,1993
7. Press Enter with the highlighton the Reset DCI Frame Count.
u PI
Contrast Menu
8. Go to the DCI and press the Shutter key.
The
DCI prompts SAVE?.
9. Press the DCI Menu key.
The frame countrollsback
to 01.
DigitalConversion imager User's Gulde