In addition to Nikon NIS-Elements, several software packages provide serial control interfaces for the LIDA
light engine:
•
Hamamatsu HCI Image 4.3.1. and above
•
MetaMorph 7.7.12 and above
•
Micro-Manager 1.4.22. Instructions and driver download at http://lumencor.go2scope.com/lida-
virtual-rgb.
•
Lumencor GUI (Windows). Download at http://lumencor.com/resources/documentation-software/?
section=S1. This GUI provides light engine control only. It provides an alternative control interface
for testing and troubleshooting the performance of other software packages.
Notes
[1] For Andor Neo/Zyla cameras, the synchronization TTL signal lead is labeled “FIRE”.
[2] If no connection is obtained, check that the control knob on the LIDA is in the “EXT” position and that the
required virtual COM port (VCP) driver is installed on the computer. If the driver is not installed, it may be
downloaded from
https://lumencor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2016/12/CDM-2-12-24.zip.
[3] Checking “Show temperature” will display the internal operating temperature of the LIDA on the LIDA
Control Pad (Figure 7).
[4] Camera model according to selection made in step 4.
3.6 TTL Control
TTL provides light output on/off switching
but not intensity control. However TTL
signals elicit much faster responses than
serial commands. To implement TTL
control, turn the manual control knob to
the “ext” position and apply control signals
to the TTL input port on the rear panel
(Figure 4). Individual TTL lines are
provided for each color channel. These
can be conveniently addressed using an
accessory BNC breakout cable (Lumencor
part no.29-10081; Figure 9). >+3.3 V
“high” DC levels applied to the R, G or B
BNCs trigger red, green or blue light
source output. <+1.5 V “low” DC levels
turn light sources off [1]. The default level
is low (source = off). The fourth BNC
(labeled “GATE/SEQ”) controls either a global
electronic shutter function (“GATE”) or sequential triggering (“SEQ”) of the red, green and blue sources.
GATE or SEQ mode selection is made by serial command from the GUI or other control software. The
default mode is GATE. In gate mode, >+3.3 V “high” DC levels applied to the BNC initiates light output
LIDA Light Engine Instruction Manual
10
Figure 9.
4-Channel BNC Breakout Cable (29-10081)
