LSR AstroCam imaging systems are designed to provide precision, high quality digital images using an intuitive software environment within the Windows™ 95 operating system.
What's in the box!
When you unpack your system you will find the following items:
Camera Head & camera head cable
Incorporates the light sensitive charge coupled device (CCD) with or without cooling, head amplifier and cabling to transfer data to the camera control electronics (DDE). It is critical that you please refer to the section Warning - Anti Static Precautions section of this manual before any work is performed with your camera head.
Peltier cable (cooled cameras only)
Cooled camera heads have an additional cable to power the thermoelectric Peltier cooler.
Camera Control Electronics & power cable
Referred to as the Digital Driver Electronics (DDE) unit. This unit drives the camera head, processes the output signal and provides the communication link between the camera and the computer.
Interface Link Card(s) and cable(s)
The interface link between the computer motherboard/bus, and the DDE. There are one or two cards mounted inside the computer case. These are AT and PCI interface cards with their appropriate cables to connect the card to the DDE.
Do not remove the interface(s) card from the protective bag until required for installation.
PixCel™ Software
There are three 3.5" floppy disks containing the PixCel software. The digital imaging system you have purchased provides you with the highest quality images and a gateway to many application solutions provided by Life Science Resources and other vendors. It provides you with the graphical interface to the camera for control, acquisition, display and storage of images. It can also act as an interface to applications software such as Optimas™, Visilog, Image Pro™, Grams32, Spectacle or LSR AstroCam's Spectroscopy product, Prisma™. We also provide drivers for some third party software such as Optimas, Image Pro and others.
Documentation
A hardware manual appropriate to your particular imaging system together with a PixCel software manual.
Please retain the packing material where possible in the unlikely event you need to return any of the items for repair and please note the WARNING - Anti static precautions - especially in relation to the camera head.
Light sensitive components known as Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs), including the one in your camera head, and many electronic components and assemblies can be damaged or destroyed by the electric charge on most everyday objects.
The camera head or the camera head cable has a special grounding plug fitted which MUST remain inserted whenever the head is unplugged from the control unit. When connecting or disconnecting the head from the control unit, the power switch must be in the OFF position.
To ensure you are grounded to the DDE control unit, place one hand on any bare metal part on the DDE rear panel while connecting or disconnecting the CCD camera head from the cable or control unit. This will minimise the possibility of damaging or destroying the CCD.
Please remember that the CCD is not warranted against static damage so take great care to avoid it.
The interface card is supplied in a special protective (conductive) bag where it should remain until required for installation. When handling the interface card follow the same precautions as described above.
The performance of your camera system depends greatly on the configuration and specification of your PC. The following is the MINIMUM specification required for successful operation:
32 Mbytes of RAM (more for larger CCDs and-or many images to be held simultaneously in memory.)
IBM or 100% compatible 200 MHz or better Pentium PC.
Hard disk with at least 100 Mbytes of free space (a lot more if you are storing images on this disk).
Microsoft Windows 95 installed.
3.5" Floppy disk drive.
SVGA graphics card and monitor with at least 1024 x 768 resolution and 256 colours.
One vacant IBM-PC ISA type interface card slot for UltraPix SK and SI systems to accommodate the AT link card OR one vacant IBM-PC, ISA and one PCI slot type interface card slots to accommodate the AT link and PCI cards for the UltraPix FK, FE, FKI, MX and NeuroCam.
If you are using a new PC with your system, it is strongly recommended you check your PC system is functioning correctly. This can be easily achieved by installing and running the WindowsÔ 95 operating system. Simple diagnostic programmes can also be run.
Please also ensure the correct procedure is followed in the appropriate Hardware manual, (which accompanied your system), for installation of the interface cards, DDE and camera head. Should you experience any problems please contact the technical Hotline service or your local distributor.
To install your PixCelÔ software proceed with the following instructions.
NOTE: When installing PixCel software updates, ensure that a copy of the .ini file is taken and saved on your C:\ drive or on a floppy disk before choosing uninstall in the Start/Settings/Control Panel/Add Remove programs file. After installation of update and before system power up, replace the copied .ini file into the Programs directory using the correct file and directory path where the software is installed. This .ini file is essential for correct operation of the camera and failure to follow these instructions may result in less than optimal performance or damage to the camera.