User Manual
Bio-Imaging Microscopy Camera
for
Highly Versatile, High Performance Imaging
™QImaging, the QImaging logo, EXi Aqua and the EXi Aqua logo are trademarks of QImaging Corporation.
Page 1: ...User Manual Bio Imaging Microscopy Camera for Highly Versatile High Performance Imaging QImaging the QImaging logo EXi Aqua and the EXi Aqua logo are trademarks of QImaging Corporation ...
Page 2: ......
Page 3: ...orporation Product names mentionedinthisdocumentmaybetrademarksorregisteredtrademarksofQImagingor otherhardware software or service providersandare used herein for identification purposes only Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks in the U S and other countries of Microsoft Corporation and are used herein for identification purposes only QImaging Corporation address information 19535 56t...
Page 4: ...EATURES Cooling External triggering Gain and offset controls Blackout mode High sensitivity RGB color filter support CARING FOR YOUR CAMERA TROUBLESHOOTING Resolving problems with the camera Unresolved problems contacting QImaging s APPENDICES APPENDIX A External trigger p nterface Imaging software for your camera e 1394 PCI card Install your imaging software Aqua camera Turning the camera on and ...
Page 5: ...stalled operating system If the PC is not equipped with a FireWire 800 FireWire B card the included card must be installed IEEE 1394B FireWire interface TheEXiAquacamera canbepoweredandcontrolledthroughanIEEE1394B FireWire digitalinterface A single FireWire connection from the camera to the computercombinedwiththeexternalpowerconnection willallowfullcontrolofthecameraandrapidimage data transfer fr...
Page 6: ...EXiAquacamera operateson Windows basedsystems QCaptureSuitesoftwareforWindows is available at www qimaging com The easy to use QCapture software gives you complete control over the camera s settings and image capture functions QCapture Suite also includes a TWAIN compliant interface that allows many Windows image editing applications to acquireimagesusing QImaging cameras ...
Page 7: ...sting FireWire port TheEXiAquacameraconnectstoyourWindowsPCviaaFireWireport IfyoualreadyhaveaFireWireport you donothavetoinstalltheIEEE1394PCI orPCIecard ChecktheconnectorsatthebackofyourPCforaport that matches the FireWire port of the connection shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 Camera Computer Figure 1 9 pin to 9 pin FireWire IEEE 1394B port connection Camera Computer Figure 2 9 pin to 6 pin FireWir...
Page 8: ...readytoinstalltheFireWiredriversand imaging software See your imaging software User Guide for instructions Step 3 Connect the EXi Aqua camera Onceyour imaging software isinstalled connect your camera Therearetwotypesof connections 1 through Windows 9 pin PCI card and 2 through a Windowslaptop computer In most cases theFireWirecableprovidesthenecessary power required by theEXi Aqua camera Connectin...
Page 9: ...FireWireport ExpressCard oraPCMCIAcard However shouldyouconnecttoalaptopcomputeryouwillstillberequiredtoconnectthesupplied externalpowersupplytothecamerainordertopowerit seeFigure5 Optionalpowering of the ExpressCard or PCMCIA card will not be required in this configuration Note Due to the large amounts of data the camera sends to achieve high frame rates most PCMCIA cards and some built in FireWi...
Page 10: ...supplied the white LED will turn on Toturnthecameraoff pressthepower switchagain Thiswillturnyour cameraoff ThewhiteLED will turn off POWERSIWTCH POWERSIWTCH POWERSIWTCH POWERSIWTCH Figure 6 Power Switch on the EXi Aqua camera Connecting the camera to your optics TheEXiAquacameraconnectsdirectlytowidelyavailableC mountoptics whicharestandardonmost microscopesand lenses To attach the camera to a mi...
Page 11: ...monochromein this situation Understanding the LED indicators TheLEDindicatorsatthebackofthecameragiveyouimportantinformationaboutwhatyour camerais doing WHITE ThewhiteLEDisthepowerindicator ThisLEDshouldalwaysbelitwhenthecamera is connected to your computer and is turned on GREEN ThegreenLEDistheexposure integrationindicator Itwillstayilluminatedforthe duration of the exposure of the CCD and turn ...
Page 12: ...triggerport Inexternallytriggeredmodesofoperation theuserinputsapulseontheexternaltriggerportthatcontrols the camera s integration in one of two ways depending on the triggering mode Triggering modes Whenusingexternaltriggering therearethreetypesoftriggeringmodes EdgeHigh Low PulseHigh Low and StrobeHigh Low Edge mode allowsthe camera to start integrating on the rising or falling edge of thetrigge...
Page 13: ...ed when setting up your system design Has a system design been developed that incorporates the necessary elements such as a timing diagram a simple state diagram or flow of events necessary components including microscope flash lamp shutter etc a software solution for extracting and or processing your images and and external triggering source e g QImaging trigger board function generator etc Have ...
Page 14: ...camera s advanced electronics and firmware features will adjust to maximize the response of the sensor above 500 nm This mode also provides for increased image uniformity by nearly eliminating transient signals generated within the camera Note The overlap capability of the camera is disabled in this mode so the camera cannot read out an image at the same time that another image is being collected ...
Page 15: ...sitive 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 CCD window Useclean forced air availableat storesthat sell cameras and computer cleaning supplies to dust the CCD window Iftheimagestillappearsdirty gentlywipethefaceoftheCCDwindowwithasmallamount of optical grade isopropyl alcohol and lens paper ...
Page 16: ...oupler Consult your microscope manufacturer tofind thetypeof coupler that works optimally with the EXi Aqua camera s sensor Point thecamera at something in thefar distance Loosen theset screw of theC mount ring there arethree oneon thesideand twoon thetop Adjust theC mount ring until theimageisinfocus Thentightentheset screw sothattheC mountringdoesnotmove Thiseffectmayalsobecausedbyexcessiveinfra...
Page 17: ...lyaskedquestions Your issue may be resolved in one of these faqs Visit www qimaging com support contact and fill out a support form onlinewith the details of your problem E mailsupport qimaging comwithcompletedetailsofyourproblem includingErrorMessage andCodeifpossible cameramodel computerhardwareconfiguration andoperating system Call 800 874 9789 Try to be in front of your computer when you call ...
Page 18: ...nector is as follows Pin Number Signal Name Signal Source Description 1 5 VDC User Power for optocoupler trigger 2 Trigger input User Active low trigger input 3 SYNC A output Camera Indicates CCD Read out 4 Ground User Ground reference for optocoupler 5 SYNC B output Camera Exposure or trigger mask 6 Ground User Ground reference for optocoupler Table 2 Pin out of the External Trigger Port Connecto...
Page 19: ...Figure 8 Schematic of Schematic of external trigger circuit internal to camera 15 rigger circuit internal to camera ...
Page 20: ... when to trigger the next frame SYNCB Thissignalhastwomodesofoperationwhichcanbeselectedinsoftware RefertotheQCAM SDK API documentation for further information on setting these parameters Exposemode Ifthismodesisselected thesignalwillindicatetheexposurepulseofthecamera This signalisactivehighandmaybeusedtosynchronizeanexternalshutteringdevice Triggermask If thismodeisselected thesignal will indica...
