Specifications

Section 2 - The First Day with the Camera
Page 15
CPU. Connect the other end of the parallel cable into your computer's Parallel port (printer
port). Finally plug the power supply into the CPU. At this point the camera should activate the
small motor in the optical head to find the home position on the internal shutter wheel and the
camera should be ready to use.
Important Note: Never connect or disconnect the CCD head from the CPU box unless the power
cord is unplugged from the CPU. Damage to the CCD head, or the CPU could
occur.
2.1.4. Establishing a Communications Link with the Camera
Run the CCDOPS software and when it starts up, it will automatically attempt to establish a
link to the camera. If the camera installation is successful, the "Link" field in the Status Window
is updated to show the Link status. If the camera is not connected or the LPT port setting has
not yet been properly set, a message will be displayed indicating that the software failed to
establish a link. If this happens, use the Communications Setup command in the Misc menu to
configure the CCDOPS software for the parallel port you are using. Then use the Establish
COM Link command in the Camera menu to re-link.
Note: Under Windows 95 it’s hard for CCDOPS to tell exactly which port is
LPT1, which is LPT2, etc. If you can’t establish a link to the camera on
the port you think it’s on try the other port settings. Once you find
which port CCDOPS thinks the camera is on you can use the
Advanced settings in the Graphics/Comm Setup command to copy
the address of the port you found the camera on to the port it should
be on.
2.1.5. Operating your Camera with CCDOPS - a Daytime Orientation
With the Camera menu highlighted, select the Setup command. Notice the choices for
temperature regulation, etc. Ignore these for the time being and hit the Cancel button or the Esc
key to get rid of the dialog. Again select the Camera menu and then execute the Grab
command. Note the exposure time, etc. Verify that the exposure time is set to 1.00 second and
other settings are Dark frame:Only, Auto display:Analysis (DOS Only), Exposure delay:0 and
Special processing:None. With the CCD camera nosepiece uncovered, hit Enter. A sequence of
events occurs and you will notice a spotted image. This represents a 1 second exposure dark
frame at your room temperature with the CCD chip still covered by the internal mechanical
shutter wheel to keep out light.
At this point let’s examine the image on a pixel-by-pixel basis using the Crosshairs. For
Windows 95 and Macintosh users select the Show Crosshairs command in the Display Menu.
For DOS users the Display Menu shows up to the upper-left of the image. Click on it with the
mouse (or just hit Enter), select the Xhairs item and hit Enter.
You are presented with a lot of data pertaining to the small crosshair cursor (+) now
located in your dark frame image. The cross placement is now in your control and is used to
obtain pixel information. Move it around with the arrow cursors (DOS) or rapidly by mouse
point and click. Notice 9 lines of data in the X-Hair box that are updated with each pixel
position movement. A convenient zoomed box located below and left of the entire main image
magnifies the immediate area surrounding the crosshair cursor. The very center of this zoomed
box represents the cursor position. Move the crosshair toward the top of the frame. Now slowly
move it, an arrow stroke at a time, to find a dark pixel (low value). A reading of 400 to 1400 is
typical. Now move it to the bottom of the image and note the brightest pixel value. It might be
in the range 1200-1300. A single very hot pixel could give a value of 3000. Hitting Enter again