© ICSPI Corp. 2007-2021
nGauge AFM User Manual 2.0
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software and firmware. Click on the
Check Updates
button to query
the server again for availability of updates.
Advanced
Lock Button:
locks/unlocks most of the advanced controls. The locked
controls can render the system inoperable if not used properly, so user
beware.
Force Curve
: opens a window where you can run a routine to
generate a noncontact force curve. A force curve ramps the Fine Z
from 2 V to 0 V, then back up to 2 V and measures the cantilever
oscillation amplitude and phase. The resulting graph shows the
amplitude- and phase-distance curves.
Reset AFM
: resets the hardware. Please close and reopen the
software to connect to the hardware again.
Restore Defaults
: reset all of the settings to the default values.
Release Port
: release the USB connection.
Choose Firmware:
currently Windows only. Opens a window that
allows you to locate the firmware update. Firmware update files are
binary (.bin) files and can be downloaded from our support page.
Enter Bootloader
: erase the firmware program to allow for firmware
updates or flashing custom firmware. To reprogram firmware, please
click the “Update Firmware” button after choosing the firmware update
file and entering into the bootloader.
Caution
: do not click this button
unless you need to reprogram firmware and that you are confident with
the process as this will erase current firmware. Contact
for any questions regarding firmware updates.
Update Firmware:
currently Windows only. Reprograms the nGauge
unit with the version of the firmware binary selected (see “Choose
Firmware” button).
Caution:
ensure the connection to the unit is stable, and do not
repeatedly click this button. Improper usage may result in a unit locked
in a non-operable state.
Note:
it may require more than one run of the “Update Firmware”
routine to successfully reprogram. Messages will pop up in the bottom
left corner while the unit is reprogramming, attempt after the message
report the end of the routine.