Digital Microtrak 4 Basic Support Softwarecontent.stockpr.com/mtiinstruments/db/289/2100/file/M4BasicSupport... · Microtrak™ 4 Basic Support Software Overview ... then a 1 kHz

Digital Microtrak™ 4

Basic Support Software

7001-0073 Revision 2.01

30 Mar 2016

MTI Instruments Inc 325 Washington Avenue Ext

Albany New York 12055

Microtrak™ 4 Basic Support Software 7001-0073 Revision 2.01

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Table of Contents Page

Microtrak™ 4 Overview ....................................................................................1

Product Highlights ......................................................................................1

Key Product Features .................................................................................2

Data Flow ...................................................................................................2

Filters ..........................................................................................................3

Exposure Time ...........................................................................................3

Data Rate ...................................................................................................3

Installing the Windows Software Application ....................................................4

Configuring a Desktop Shortcut .......................................................................4

Manually Installing USB Drivers .......................................................................5

USB Communications Driver ......................................................................5

USB Firmware Update Driver .....................................................................6

Microtrak™ 4 Basic Support Software Overview .............................................7

Connecting to the Microtrak™ 4 ......................................................................9

User Settings ................................................................................................. 12

User Calibration ............................................................................................. 15

Data Monitor .................................................................................................. 17

Video Image Monitor ...................................................................................... 19

Menu Functions ............................................................................................. 21

File – Save Screen Bitmap ....................................................................... 21

Tools – View Linearization Tables ............................................................ 21

Tools – Update Linearization Tables ........................................................ 21

Tools – Update FPGA Firmware ............................................................... 21

Tools – Update M4 Firmware ................................................................... 21

Help – Hardware Users Manual ................................................................ 21

Help – Software Users Manual ................................................................. 21

Help – About ............................................................................................. 21


1

Microtrak™ 4 Overview

MTI Instruments’ Microtrak™ 4 family of 1D precision single-point laser triangulation systems use the triangulation principle to obtain a 1-dimensional height profile of target surfaces to measure parameters such as vibration, profiling, distance, displacement, thickness, alignment, warpage, step height and flatness.

The MicroTrak™ 4 family of 1D sensors utilize a digital only interface via a USB connection. Per the USB 2.0 specification, the MicroTrak™ 4 head will draw less than 5 units of power, post enumeration, and thus the head is self powering from a standard USB 2.0 port capable of sourcing 5units (500mA) of power. In contrast to 2D laser scanner systems, such as MTI Instruments’ 2D laser line sensors, Microtrak™ 4 1D laser displacement sensors project a single point laser spot onto the surface of the object to be measured. The return laser beam is registered on a CMOS array by a high quality optical system. The 1024 element CMOS detector determines Z-axis distance information. CMOS type detectors determine spot position more precisely than older PSD type detectors by monitoring the intensity of light received on a pixel array. Lesser energy reflections from surface scattering are ignored, providing a more accurate and repeatable measurement, MTI Instruments’ Microtrak™ 4 family of 1D laser triangulation measure all types of diffuse surfaces such as black, colored, metallic, wood, ceramic, steel, or plastic.

Product Highlights

A 5-color position indicating LED to aid in precise distance placement at the laser mounting location during setup.

The laser head’s visible laser spot allows for easy positioning and alignment of the laser head.

Available accessories including: o 1,2, or 5m cables o Mounting brackets o A Software Development Kit (SDK) available (DLL, .NET)

Auto Gain circuitry automatically adjusts laser current for accurate, repeatable measurements on highly reflective to dull surfaces.

Microtrak™ 4 Lasers are highly compact and have an IP67 intrusion rating (when used with the locking mini-USB cable).


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Key Product Features

Self Powering on USB2.0 systems capable of delivering the standard 5 unit power after enumeration.

Utilizes industry standard USB 2.0 topology and hardware, allowing easy integration into common computing platforms.

40 kHz Sample rate.

Up to 40k samples/second digital data delivery.

High Linearity.

High Repeatability.

Simple Software Interface displays data on a PC as well as saves it to Excel readable format.

User selectable low pass filters.

Built in function to bridge gaps on the target using the cut-time feature.

Data Flow

MicroTrak™ 4 has 2 different operational modes. Normal Mode is the standard mode used to provide displacement information. Video Mode is intended to be used as a diagnostic mode. In Normal Mode, video data from the CMOS sensor is processed by the head at the full data rate and converted by the head into displacement data. This displacement data is then delivered to the host computer at the selected data rate. Due to the large amount of data presented in Video Mode, the video data from the CMOS sensor is initially decimated to a 100 Frames/second and the video image as well as the displacement data from the video image is delivered to the host computer.

CMOS LinearizerUser

Slope

Offset

Preset

Cut Time FilterDecimation

Centroider

Decimation100F/sec

40kF/sec

LinearizerUser

Slope

Offset

Preset

USBDisplacement

Frame Images

Video Image

Monitor Channel

Displacement

Normal Mode

Video Mode

40

0

20

0

80

40

20 8 4 2 1

DIVIDE BY

DIVIDE BY 400

Centroider


3

Filters The firmware implemented filter in the head is a discrete time, first order, exponential, low pass filter. MicroTrak™ 4 Basic has a software selectable provision for choosing between 9 different filter settings (0.1Hz, 1Hz, 100Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz, 20kHz, None). Using the SDK, the command call accepts an arbitrary cutoff, thus it is possible to create other filter cutoffs between 0.1 and 20 kHz using the SDK. Alternately, better filtering may be achieved by implementing different filter (such as IIR and FIR) designs in software via the SDK.

Exposure Time On some surfaces, particularly dark surfaces, the target absorbs a significant portion of the light and there is very little diffuse reflection. To achieve a better signal to noise ratio on dark or absorptive targets, it is sometimes necessary to increase the CMOS cell exposure time. Under most conditions, the CMOS exposure time is set to 1X, which is equivalent to an exposure time of approximately 25us. With the exposure set to 2X, the CMOS exposure time will double to 50us. As doubling the exposure effectively reduces the frame rate by a factor of 2, the bandwidth of the head will be reduced by a factor of 2 when using the 2X. Thus filter settings above 10 kHz are invalid at the 2X exposure.

Data Rate Assuming a sufficiently powerful host computer with a proper USB network, it is possible to achieve a data rate of 40,000S/sec for displacement. Some computers and USB networks may find it difficult to maintain that data rate. For most applications, a high data rate has very few advantages and many disadvantages. High data rates require dedicated USB connections and fast host computers that can both accept the USB data and process it.

MTI Instruments recommends using the lowest possible data rate that satisfies the application requirements. Determining the required data rate begins by establishing the required bandwidth of the system. Once that is established, the user should select a filter value that supports the system bandwidth. The data rate required is then calculated as being no less than 2.6X the filter used. As an example, if the system bandwidth is 900Hz, then a 1 kHz filter should be selected. 2.6X1kHz yields a minimum data rate of 2.6kS/sec. MicroTrak™ 4 supports a data rate of 2kS/sec, which is too low, so the next value of 5kS/sec is chosen to support the 1 kHz filter bandwidth.


4

Installing the Windows Software Application The Microtrak™ 4 ships with a Software disk that contains the Microtrak™ 4 Basic Support Program. Insert the disk into the computer drive and use Windows Explorer to locate and execute the installation program. Follow the on screen instructions to complete the software installation. Load software before connecting the laser USB cable. To execute the program, double click on the desktop icon.

Configuring a Desktop Shortcut The /DFD=1 option enables a program log file that records Microtrak™ 4 commands, diagnostic messages, and error messages. The file may be viewed after the Support Program is closed. The file is recreated each time the program is run. Since this file can become quite large, this option should normally be disabled. Omit the “/DFD=1” option or specify “/DFD=0” to disable the option. The log file is located in the folder C:\DigitalMicrotrak\Program.


5

Manually Installing USB Drivers After the Microtrak™ 4 Support Software has been successfully installed, the USB. The Microtrak™ 4 is a plug and play device and should be automatically recognized and configured by Windows 7, 8, and 10. If not, follow the procedures below.

USB Communications Driver

1. Plug in the USB cable to the Microtrak™ 4 .

2. Plug in the other end of the USB cable to the computer.

3. The Windows New Hardware Wizard will detect the new hardware, but may not find the correct driver.

4. Open Windows Device Manager.

5. Expand the Universal Serial Bus Devices node

6. Right click on Digital Microtrak 4

7. Select "Update Driver Software”

8. Click on "Browse my computer for driver software”

9. Browse to C:\DigitalMicrotrak\Usb_Driver_Communications

10. Click "next"

11. If you see a Windows Security Warning, click "Install Anyway"

12. After the installation completes, click "Close" Note: If you inadvertently plugged in the USB cable for the Microtrak™ 4 before

installing the Microtrak™ 4 Support Software, you must:

1. Install the Microtrak™ 4 Basic Support Software.

2. Follow the steps above.


6

USB Firmware Upgrade Driver The first time the Microtrak™ 4 firmware is updated, the Firmware Upgrade USB Driver will need to be installed.

1. Plug in the USB cable to the Microtrak™ 4 .

2. Plug in the other end of the USB cable to the computer.

3. Run the Microtrak™ 4 Basic Support Software.

4. Connect to the laser head that you wish to upgrade.

5. Select Tools-Update M4 Firmware menu item.

6. In the File Open Dialog, select the .BIN file to install.

7. The Windows New Hardware Wizard will detect the new hardware, but may not find the correct driver. a. Open Windows Device Manager. b. Expand the Stellaris Device Firmware Upgrade node c. Right click on Stellaris Device Firmware Upgrade d. Select "Update Driver Software” e. Click on "Browse my computer for driver software” f. Browse to C:\DigitalMicrotrak\Usb_Driver_FirmwareUpgrade g. Click "next" h. If you see a Windows Security Warning, click "Install Anyway" i. After the installation completes, click "Close"

8. If the Microtrak™ 4 Update M4 Firmware Dialog shows a Firmware Update

Error. a. Unplug the USB cable from the computer. b. Wait a few seconds and plug the USB cable into the computer. c. Connect to the laser head that you wish to upgrade. d. Select Tools-Update M4 Firmware menu item. e. Select the .BIN file to install.


7

Microtrak™ 4 Basic Support Software Overview The Microtrak™ 4 comes with a Basic Support Software package that allows the user to quickly connect to a Microtrak™ 4 unit and begin acquiring data. The primary purpose of the software is to assist the user with laser setup and user application checkout. Some of the tools provided may also be used to help diagnose laser positioning problems, noise levels, and other issues with the user’s application system. The specific functions supported by the software include:

Scan the USB network for attached Microtrak™ 4 units.

Connect to a specific laser head via USB.

View laser head configuration information.

Monitor laser head status.

Configure data acquisition and laser control settings.

Monitor displacement and video data.

Capture, display, and store displacement waveforms.

Export displacement in CSV file format for analysis by other software programs. When the software is activated, the following screen display is presented.


8

The Microtrak Basic Support Program user interface is composed of five tab selectable pages. Each page contains the user interface controls and seven (7) function buttons that implement the functionality of the page

Connection Page Supports scanning for laser heads and connection to a specific head.

User Settings Page Allows editing and saving of all user settable

parameters User Calibration Page Implements a simple user calibration process that

acquires and computes user slope and offset factors. Data Monitor Page Allows monitoring, logging and saving of

displacement data as a function of time. Video Image Page Allows monitoring and logging of video image data.

A menu bar near the top of the main dialog implements several miscellaneous

functions.

A status bar at the bottom of the main dialog displays key information about the laser

connection and laser head configuration. Some of the status information is the same for

each page, but some information is page specific.

.


9

Connecting to the Microtrak™ 4 The first step to using the Microtrak™ 4 Basic Support Software is to connect to a Microtrak™ 4 unit. The Microtrak™ 4 appears as a USB device in Windows Device Manager. A single USB cable (miniUSB-B to USB-A) provides both power and communications for the laser head. When connected using the locking M12 cable, the connection is IP67 rated.

630nm to 670nm visible laser.

<5mW Continuous Wave.

Do not stare into the emission side of the laser head.

Laser beam will not harm skin.

Laser emission LED will be lit in

color when the laser is active.

Laser emission LED will be lit in

WHITE when head is powered but

laser is commanded off.

To establish a connection with a laser head:

1. Click the Scan For Units button

2. Wait until the scan is complete

3. Select the desired Microtrak™ 4 unit from the drop list

4. Click the Connect button

When the CONNECT button is clicked, the software will establish a communications link, upload current settings, display laser head configuration information, and begin monitoring laser head status. After the connection has been established, the remaining four user interface pages will become available. The following laser head information is displayed on the Connection Page:

Model number M4 firmware version Serial number FPGA firmware version Unit name Laser head range Hardware revision Laser head standoff


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Status Item Description

Up Time Time in minutes that the unit has been running since the last controller reset or power up.

Total Time Total time that the unit has been running since it left the factory.

Temperature Current internal temperature in degrees C. Normally ~30 C

Boot Flags Boot status after last reset. Double click for details.

Connections Communications status after last reset. Double click for details.

Error Flags Runtime error status. Double click for details.

Mode Flags Mode flags status. Double click for details.

M4 Status Main control processor status. Double click for details.

FPGA Status FPGA processor status. Double click for details.

FPGA Control FPGA processor control word. Double click for details.


11

Button Description Scan For Units Clicking this button will initiate a scan of USB network for all

connected Microtrak™ 4 units. The list of found units is loaded

into the communications drop list. List entries are formatted as

follows:

[UnitName] <USB interface number>

Connect /

Disconnect

Clicking the Connect button will establish a communications link

via USB to a Microtrak™ 4 unit. Once connected, additional

function tabs will be displayed on the screen.

Clicking the Disconnect button will close a previously opened

communications link to a Microtrak™ 4. All function tabs will be

closed except for the CONNECTION tab

Laser Beam Clicking this button will turn the laser beam ON or OFF. The

current state of the laser beam is shown by the <ON> or <OFF>

indicator below the button label. When OFF, the LED on the laser

head will be illuminated white.

Identify Head Clicking this button will cause the laser head LED indicator to flash

BLUE for 5 seconds.

Reset Laser Head Clicking this button will reset the connected Microtrak™ 4. The

communications link will be closed and then automatically re-

established after the reset completes. Several dialogs are

displayed to allow the user to sequence the reset process.


12

User Settings Page The USER SETTINGS tab allows the user to define laser control, data sampling, data processing, and data transmission parameters for the Digital Microtrak™ 4. When saved, these parameters are transferred to the laser head and retained in the laser head EEPROM memory.

Parameter Description

Unit Name A meaningful and unique identifier assigned to the laser head to help distinguish between laser heads in a system with multiple lasers.

Cuttime The laser head cuttime value. The cut time value is useful for preventing data drop outs when the laser beam passes over an obstruction (hole, flange, etc) that drives the laser beam temporarily out of range. The cut time function senses the out of range condition and temporarily propagates the last known in-range displacement value. Range of values is from 0 to 16000 microseconds. A value of zero disables the cuttime function.


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Filter Frequency The cutoff frequency of the exponential noise reduction data filter. Filter rates of None, 0.1 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 100 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 5 KHz, 10 KHz, and 20 KHz are supported.

Exposure Mode The laser head video data sampling exposure and integration time. Exposures 1X and 2X are supported. Exposure mode 1X defines a frame rate of 40000 frames per second and a 25 microsecond exposure time. Exposure mode 2X defines a frame rate of 20000 frames per second and a 50 microsecond exposure time.

Streaming Data Rate

The desired streaming data rate. The laser head samples at up to 40,000 frames per second depending upon exposure mode. The data rate value is used to define a data decimation factor. Supported rates are 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 40000 samples per second. These rates are approximate and depend upon the laser head master clock frequency.

Max USB Packet Rate

The maximum rate for sending USB packets. Slower computers may need to reduce this value to prevent USB data overruns. Supported rates are 250, 500, 750, 1000 packets per second. Normal rate is 1000.

Streaming Data To Report

A set of bit flags that defines the data items to be transmitted during data streaming. Available data includes displacements, centroids, and temperature. To achieve the higher data rates (40000 and 20000 samples per second) only a single item (displacement or centroids) may be enabled. At data rates of 10000 samples per second or lower, all data items may be retrieved on most computer systems.

Power Control Mode

The laser head power control mode. Normally, the head is operated in automatic power mode, but may be placed into manual power or max power mode for special testing.


14


Manual Mode Power Level

The laser power to be used during manual power control mode. Normally, the laser is operated in automatic power control mode. This level is specified as a percentage of the factory defined hardware power limit. Range of values is from 0 to 100.

Auto Power Max Limit

The maximum laser power level to be used during automatic power control mode. The safety power limit is set at the factory to a value less than 5.0 milli-watts and is implemented in hardware. This parameter allows the user to specify a lower limit as a percentage of the factory set level. The firmware will enforce this limit. Range of values is from 0 to 100. A value of zero will disable the limit and allow power levels up to the factory defined limit. This parameter is normally set to zero.

Slope Factor A user supplied slope value to fine tune the laser calibration for a specific installation. This factor together with the Offset Factor is applied after all other system calibration factors.

Offset Factor A user supplied offset value to fine tune the laser calibration for a specific installation. This factor together with the Slope Factor is applied after all other system calibration factors.

Button Description Save Changes Clicking this button will validate each parameter value and warn

the user of any parameter value issues. If all parameter values

are valid, the changed parameter values will be transmitted to the

laser head and stored in the internal EEPROM memory.

Discard Changes Clicking the button will discard all parameters changes and restore

the last saved set of parameters.

Set Default Value Clicking this button will set each parameter to a reasonable default

value.


15

User Calibration Page The User Calibration tab provides the capability to compute slope and offset factors for each Digital Microtrak™ potentially adjusting for variability due to the particular installation. These factors are combined with the system linearization tables and are used to more accurately compute the displacement values. The user calibration process begins by defining the necessary settings and pressing the Start button. Prompts will be displayed for each step in the process. The measured data and computed results are displayed. The normal calibration process is as follows:

1. Click Cancel to stop any in progress operation. 2. Click Clear to discard any old data and results. 3. Click Read Current Values to determine current factors. 4. Click Reset Current Factors, if desired. 5. Select values for points, averages, units, and display digits. 6. Click Start and follow instructions. 7. Click Save New Factors button.

If slope and offset factors are determined by some other offline process, it is possible to enter these values into the results grid and save them to the Digital Microtrak™ 4. Double click (or right click) the slope or offset entry and type the appropriate value. When complete, click the Save New Factors button.


16

Setting Description

Calibration Points Sets the number of calibration points to use. Normally a two point

calibration is performed.

Averages Sets the number of averages for each measurement value. This

data averaging is in addition to any data filtering and averaging

performed in the Digital Microtrak unit.

(Averages: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250)

Units Selects the display units displacement readings and position

inputs. (Units: cm, mm, µm, nm, mils, µin)

Displacement

Digits

Selects number of decimal digits when displaying displacement

readings. (Digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Button Description

Start / Next The Start / Next button is used to sequence the calibration

process. Click the button when instructed.

Cancel Clicking the Cancel button will stop the calibration process.

Clear Clears the summary data grid and results grid.

Reset Current

Factors

Downloads unity (1.0 and 0.0) factors to the Digital Microtrak™

unit. This function effectively turns off the custom calibration slope

and offset. When complete, the new values are read and

displayed.

Read Current

Factors

Reads and displays the current user calibration factors.

Save New Factors Writes the factors from the results grid to the Digital Microtrak™.


17

Data Monitor Page The Data Monitor tab allows for the acquisition and display of data samples at rates up to 40,000 samples per second using the data streaming channel. The data samples are displayed and graphed as they arrive. Right clicking in the graph area will display a popup menu of auxiliary functions. The data monitor operates in two modes:

When monitoring and logging are not active, the data monitor uses the command communications channel to read data values approximately 5 times per second. Data is displayed numerically.

When monitoring or logging is active, the data monitor uses the data streaming channel to recover data at the user specified streaming data rate. Data is displayed numerically and graphically.


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Button Description

Start/Stop

Monitor

Starts/stop data collection. Data points are displayed numerically

and graphically as the data arrives.

Start/Stop

Logging

Starts/stop data logging. Data points are displayed numerically

and graphically as the data arrives and stored to disk at the

specified interval.

Show Statistics Computes and displays MIN, MAX, AVG and RMS values for the

acquired data points.

Settings Displays a dialog for editing the settings that control the operation

of this page. Settable parameters include:

Displacement Display Units and Digits

Plot Window Size

Data smoothing (averaging) count

Time axis units

Data Store Interval

Save Data Saves last 512,000 acquired data points to a disk file (CSV file

format).

Zero Enables and disables the zero mode of operation. When zero

mode is activated, the current displacement value is measured

and stored as an offset. Subsequent readings are adjusted by the

offset value and report relative to the offset value.

Zero mode should normally be enabled or disabled before

entering monitoring or logging.


19

Video Image Page The Video Image tab allows for the acquisition and display of video frame data at 100 frames per second using the data streaming channel. This page is intended as a diagnostic tool to aid the user in troubleshooting target material issues. Right clicking in the graph area of each graphical image will display a popup menu of auxiliary functions. Video frames contain 1010 points of pixel intensity data. In addition, processed data results for the video image are included in the frame, including:

displacement value

Frame base level (average intensity)

Peak intensity

Peak location (pixel number)

Computed centroid value

Laser power level


20

Button Description

Acquire Single

Image

Acquires and displays a single video image.

Start/Stop

Monitor

Starts/stop data collection. Video and displacement data points

are displayed graphically as the data arrives.

Start/Stop

Logging

Starts/stop data logging. Displacement and video data points are

displayed graphically as the data arrives and stored to disk at the

specified interval.

Show Statistics Computes and displays MIN, MAX, AVG and RMS values for the

acquired displacement data points.

Settings Displays a dialog for editing the settings that control the operation

of this page. Settable parameters include:

Displacement Display Units

Plot Window Size

Data smoothing (averaging) count

Time axis units

Data Store Interval

Save Data Saves the current video frame data to a disk file CSV file format).

Saves last 512,000 acquired displacement data points to a disk

file (CSV file format).


21

File Menu Functions

Button Description

Save Screen Bitmap Allows saving the current screen image to a disk file in BMP

format.

Exit Exits the program.

Tools Menu Functions

Button Description

Configuration

Report

Allows the user to to create a report file that contains the current

settings for the Microtrak 4.

View Linearization

Tables

Allows the user to view the laser head linearization tables.

Update

Linearization Tables

Allows the factory user to update the laser head linearization

tables. This function is restricted to factory users only.

Update FPGA

Firmware

Allows the user to load a new firmware file for the FPGA

processor.

Update M4

Firmware

Allows the user to load a new firmware file for the M4 Tiva

processor.


22

Help Menu Functions

Button Description

Hardware User

Manual

Displays hardware manual.

The PDF version of the hardware manual (7001-0075) must be

copied to the folder C:\DigitalMicrotrak\Manuals and renamed to

Hardware.pdf.

Software User

Manual

Displays software manual.

The PDF version of the this manual (7001-0073) must be

copied to the folder C:\DigitalMicrotrak\Manuals and renamed to

Software.pdf.

About Displays program About Dialog.

Documents

Digital Microtrak 4 Basic Support Softwarecontent.stockpr.com/mtiinstruments/db/289/2100/file/M4BasicSupport... · Microtrak™ 4 Basic Support Software Overview ... then a 1 kHz