microDXP Technical Reference Manual
Version 3.15
October 7, 2019
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Figure 1-4: A system with a fully embedded host and user interface, with real time controls via
the Auxiliary digital I/O.
Although the figure above shows a flex cable used to interface the microDXP board to the
Advanced Interface board, it is also possible to use the board-to-board connector on the
microDXP, as was done with the recently introduced MicroComU companion board.
Designing the system described above using conventional spectroscopy components would
be a much more complex (and considerably more expensive) task, when compared with
the other solutions proposed here.
1.6 Software Overview
Up to three layers of software coexist may be employed in a microDXP instrumentation
system: a user interface layer, a driver layer that communicates between the user interface
and the hardware, and the firmware layer that resides in the hardware and executes the
command set.
1.6.1 User Interface, e.g. ProSpect
The host software communicates with and directs the microDXP (via a driver layer), and
displays and analyzes data as it is received. XIA offers ProSpect as a general-purpose
configuration and data acquisition application. ProSpect features full configuration of and
control over the microDXP, with intuitive data visualization, up to sixteen (16) ROI’s
(regions of interest), Gaussian fitting algorithms and the exporting of collected spectra for
additional analysis. Please refer to the Rapid Development Kit Manual for instructions on
using ProSpect with the microDXP. Some users may decide instead to develop their own
software to communicate with the microDXP directly via the RS-232 port.
1.6.2 Device Drivers, e.g. Handel
Handel is XIA’s high-level spectrometer driver layer that operates with all DXP
instruments. Handel provides an interface that is versed in lay spectroscopic units (eV,
microseconds, etc...) while still allowing for safe, direct-access to the DSP. Please contact
XIA for further information.
