USER MANUAL DIGITAL IMAGING MADE EASY
User Manual for ROLERA Thunder Rolera Thunder User Manual i
Rolera Thunder User Manual Applicability This document applies to the Rolera Thunder camera. For the latest updates, please visit WWW.QIMAGING.COM Notice of Copyright Copyright© 2011 Quantitative Imaging Corporation. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication of this document is prohibited. Trademarks and Proprietary Names QImaging, Rolera, and QCapture are trademarks of QImaging.
Table of Contents Chapter 1 Overview ............................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................1 Technology Introduction ..............................................................................................................1 System Components ...............................................................
New Hardware Found Dialog Box Does Not Appear (Windows 2000/XP) ......................... 22 Images Not Displayed ........................................................................................................ 23 Camera Running Too Warm................................................................................................ 23 PVCAM Error Message Appears .......................................................................................... 23 Lengthy Pauses During Imaging ...............
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Chapter 1 Overview Introduction The QImaging® Rolera Thunder camera employs an advanced CCD technology called "impact ionization" to achieve charge multiplication gain above the read noise. As a result, the cameras offer unparalleled sensitivity even at high frame rates. Rolera Thunder cameras are most suited for high speed and/or low-light level imaging applications such as single molecule fluorescence, ion imaging, and adaptive optics.
Traditional CCD Rolera Thunder CCD Figure 1. Comparison of Traditional CCD and Rolera Thunder CCD Array Structures The Rolera Thunder also offers a non-multiplication readout similar to the one available in traditional CCD cameras. This makes these more versatile cameras that can be used for standard imaging applications requiring higher dynamic range. System Components In addition to the components shown below and on the next page, the Rolera Thunder package ® also includes PVCAM drivers. Figure 2.
Figure 3. FireWire interface Card About This Manual The Rolera Thunder User Manual is divided into five chapters. It is suggested that you read the entire manual before operating the camera in order to ensure proper use. The chapter contents are briefly described below. Note: The information in these chapters applies only to the Rolera Thunder and is currently not applicable to any other QImaging camera.
• Use caution when triggering high-current switching devices (such as an arc lamp) near your system. The CCD 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 one inch of space around the camera’s external cooling fins for airflow. • Never open the camera. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the Rolera Thunder camera.
Chapter 2 System Installation Carefully review the Precautions section in the previous chapter before performing any of the procedures outlined here. Again, use only a Rolera Thunder data cable and a Rolera Thunder FireWire interface card with your Rolera Thunder camera. Using a different cable or interface card may result in permanent damage to your system.
Host Computer Requirements The host computer (PC) for your Rolera Thunder camera must have the following: • Windows® 7, Vista, or XP (SP3 or later) operating system • 2 GHz Core 2 Duo (or greater) • 2 GB RAM (or greater) • CD-ROM drive • At least one unused traditional PCIe or PCI card slot • 16-bit color display (or greater) Note: The above requirements are the minimum for operating a Rolera Thunder camera.
Installing the FireWire Interface Card You will be using a Rolera Thunder FireWire interface card to allow the camera to communicate with your computer. Before installing the interface card, refer to the ‘Release Notes’ files on the CD-ROM and to the Software Installation insert. The insert instructions will step you through the FireWire interface card installation. After installing the interface card, continue to Connecting Your Rolera Thunder Camera.
2. Connect the other end of the DATA cable to the FireWire port (indicated with blue arrow in next graphic) located on the back of the camera. Figure 5. Rolera Thunder Rear Panel 3. Verify that the power switch on the back of the camera is in the position (|=on, O=Off). 4. Connect the power supply to the Power connector on the back of the camera. 5. Plug the power cord into the power supply and then into a suitable wall outlet. 6. Switch on the camera (power switch on the back of camera).
Chapter 3 Operating Features Introduction The features described in this section are identical in all Rolera Thunder cameras unless otherwise stated. On-Chip Multiplication Gain As explained previously, the Rolera Thunder uses a unique CCD capable of multiplying the charge (electrons) generated in the pixels. When the multiplication is sufficiently high, it is possible to see extremely low-light events. The amount of multiplication is controlled by the voltage applied to multiplication register clocks.
Non-Overlap Mode Non-Overlap mode allows you to expose the array for the exposure time specified in the software and is similar in performance to a normal, full-frame device. The operational sequence for this mode is: 1. Clearing the CCD, 2. Exposing for the specified exposure time, 3. Shifting the image from the sensor area to the frame-transfer area, and 4. Reading out the CCD. Steps 1-4 are repeated for each frame in a sequence.
Select these parameters to operate your Rolera Thunder camera in NonOverlap mode. Figure 8. Required Settings for Non-Overlap Mode Operation Example: Non-Overlap Mode Operation in Non-Overlap mode is illustrated in the timing diagram below. In this example, the exposure time is 10 ms and the readout time is 34.8ms. The total time to take 3 frames is 134.4 ms (3 × 10 ms + 3× 34.8 ms), equivalent to a frame rate of 22.3 fps (3 frames ÷ 0.134 seconds).
Overlap Mode (Simultaneous Exposure-Readout) Overlap mode is extremely useful in applications requiring continuous imaging (100% duty cycle). Once a frame is exposed and transferred into the frame transfer area, the next exposure immediately starts and continues until the previous frame is read out or until the exposure time is finished, whichever is longer (so the minimum effective exposure time in this mode is the readout time).
In Overlap mode when exposure time < readout time, the total time (TN) taken to capture N frames is given by: TN = (tR × N) + texp Where TN = Total time taken to capture a sequence of N frames tR = readout time for one frame N = total number of frames in a sequence texp = exposure time Total time for 3 frames is approximately 114.4 ms Clears Effective Exposure Time Exp #1 10 ms Exp #2 34.8 ms Exp #3 34.8 ms Readout #1 34.8 ms Readout #2 34.8 ms Readout #3 34.8 ms Readout Figure 11.
Triggered Operation The Rolera Thunder camera offers several methods of integration with external trigger sources, such as delay generators or laser pre-triggers. Each camera has a 10-pin, Hirose HR10A I/O connector (pinout functions are described in Chapter 5) on the back for trigger input/out and various TTL input and output operations. A special cable is available from QImaging to access primary signals such as "Trigger input," "Expose out," "Frame readout," and "Shutter out.
Strobe Mode In Strobe mode, each frame in a sequence requires a trigger. Each frame is exposed for the length of time entered into the software and is then read out. If a trigger arrives during the exposure-readout of the previous frame, it is ignored (see Figure 15). For a sequence of one frame, strobe mode and trigger-first mode are the same. The shaded areas denote the idle time between exposures. Strobe mode only operates in Non-Overlap mode.
Conversion Gain Apart from multiplication gain, which actually multiplies the number of electrons generated in each pixel, the Rolera Thunder also has three (3) conversion gains. Conversion gain simply quantifies how the resulting electrons are converted into ADU (Analog-to-Digital units) and displayed on the display screen. Typical conversion gains for the readout port are listed later in this chapter. Your camera is individually calibrated for these gains.
Rolera Thunder Features The Rolera Thunder has incorporated a calibration routine which allows the camera to adjust voltages of the ADC offsets such that the electron multiplication gain input given to the camera reflects the actual gain provided by the device. Settings 1 to 1000 on the electron multiplication gain slider are mapped linearly to provide the actual multiplication gain requested by the user.
Dual-Readout Port Operation The Rolera Thunder is configured with software-selectable dual-readout amplifiers, also referred to as "ports", shown in the next figure. The two amplifiers are listed below. Port #1: On-chip Multiplication amplifier Port #2: Traditional or non-multiplication amplifier Traditional CCD Rolera Thunder CCD Figure 18. Rolera Thunder CCD Array Structure The software allows port selection. An example of a software dialogue to select the ports is shown in the next figure.
Note: As the user interface may be different, please refer to your software manual for specific information on readout amplifier/port selection. On-Chip Multiplication Amplifier (Port #1): Operation of multiplication gain in the Rolera Thunder is different from the previous generation of these cameras. The new “Rolera Thunder” generation of cameras have new functionality that was not available on previous models.
A slower readout speed can be used when better noise performance is needed at the expense of frame rate. On the other hand, increased frame readout rate can be achieved by one or more of the following: • higher readout speed, • sub-region selection, • binning. For more information on frame rate, please refer to the product data sheet. Binning Binning (combining pixels into one super pixel) allows you to increase the sensitivity and frame rate. On the other hand, binning reduces spatial resolution.
Application Settings Summary The table below summarizes typical Rolera Thunder settings for two types of applications and is provided as a setup aid. Actual settings will vary based on the exact nature of your experiment design.
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting If you have any difficulty while troubleshooting, or do not see your camera system’s symptoms listed here, contact QImaging Customer Service. System Does Not Boot Normally If your operating system does not boot normally after you have installed an interface card, try installing the new card in another open PCIe slot. If this does not work: 1. Turn off your computer and remove the newly installed interface card. 2. Turn your computer back on.
Images Not Displayed If no images appear: • Confirm that the camera switch is set to “|”. • Confirm that the Rolera Thunder camera is selected in your imaging software application. • Power off the camera and the host computer and check all system connections (particularly the DATA and power cables). Restart. • Confirm that operating system is set for at least 64k colors (16 bits).
Chapter 5 Basic Specifications Camera Weight: 6.5 lbs. (2.8 kg) CCD Specifications and Orientation Window UV grade fused-silica Broadband MgF2 anti-reflective coating on both surfaces CCD Array CCD e2v CCD97-00 CCD Process Back Illuminated Resolution 512 x 512 Pixel Size 16 µm x 16 µm Readout Amplifiers (Ports) 2 Digitalization (Readout) Rate 10 MHz, 5 MHz, 1.25 MHz Table 3. CCD Specifications y=512 (0,0) x=512 Port #1 Serial Register (0,0) Port #2 Figure 20.
Connectors Figure 21. Rolera Thunder Rear Panel The following connectors are located on the back of the camera. connector: Type 1, 6 pin IEEE-1394a (FireWire). • • POWER connector: 5-pin, LEMO connector for camera power. • I/O connector: Hirose HR10A-10R-10S, 10-pin connector for TTL level triggering functions and power indicator. Power Connector Pinout 1. +12V 2. +12V 3. GND 4. GND 5. GND 1 5 2 3 4 Figure 22.
I/O Connector Pinout The I/O (Input/Output Status) connector provides information about trigger function, DAC, and TTL signals. Inputs must be at least 3.15 V for a high and less than 0.9 V for a low. The numbers on the I/O connector diagram correspond to the numbers given to the definition of each of the pins. The I/O connector is a female, Hirose HR10A connector.
Power Supply Specifications and Dimensions Voltage Input: 100-240 V~ @ 47-63 Hz Current Input: 3.0 A Voltage Output: +12 Vdc Maximum Power Output: 96 W Power Supply Weight: 2 lb (0.9 kg) Supply Cable Length: 10 ft. / 3.048 m Note: CE certification applies to the Rolera Thunder only when the camera system is operated with a CEapproved power supply Figure 24.
Index B O Bias (Offset), 10 Binning, 17, 21 Bulb mode, 16 On-chip multiplication gain, 10 Overlap readout mode, 13 C Cleaning exterior camera surfaces, 4 imaging window, 4 C-mount, 8 adjusting, 8 Computer (host), 6 Conversion gain, 20 Customer Service, ii D Data connector, 7, 28 Declaration of conformity Rolera Thunder, v Digitization speeds, 17 P Power connector, 7, 8, 28 Power Supply, 4, 5, 8, 30 Power switch, 7 Precautions, 3 PVCAM, 5, 6 Q R Readout modes non-overlap, 11 overlap, 13 Readout speed,
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