Image Engineering CAL3 Illumination Device Instruction Manual

: June 3, 2024
: Image Engineering

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
GETTING STARTED
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS HARDWARE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS SOFTWARE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
References
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Download This Manual (PDF format)

Image Engineering CAL3 Illumination Device
Instruction Manual

CAL3
User Manual 3.
November 2021

INTRODUCTION

Important information: Read the manual carefully before using the device. Inappropriate utilization may cause damages to the device, to the DUT (device under test) and/or other components of your setup. Keep these instructions in a safe place and pass them to any future user.
1.1 Conformity
We, Image Engineering GmbH & Co. KG, hereby declare, that the CAL3 corresponds to the essential requirements of the following EC directive in its current version:

Electromagnetic Compatibility – 2014/30/EU
RoHS 2 – 2011/65/EU
Low Voltage – 2014/35/EU

1.2 Intended use
The integrating sphere is designed as a calibration light source, based on iQ- LED technology for wide field of view cameras. It includes a micro spectrometer and is controlled with the iQ-LED control software or via dip switches when not connected to a PC.

Only suitable for indoor use.
Place your system in a dry and constant tempered environment without any interfering light.
The optimal ambient temperature range is 22 to 26 degrees Celsius. The maximum ambient temperature range is 18 to 28 degree Celsius.
The optimal system temperature range, displayed in the software user interface, is between 35 and 50 degrees Celsius. The system has internal temperature management, if there is any error regarding the internal temperature, you will get a warning message and the system will automatically shut off to avoid any damage.

1.2.1 Departing from described setup
The following steps must be performed in the correct chronology to allow a frictionless commissioning. Departing from the chronology may lead to an incorrect working device.

Install the iQ-LED software
Connect CAL3 to power and via USB to the PC
Switch CAL3 on; the system drivers will now be installed
After drivers are installed completely, start the software

1.2.2 USB connection
Only appropriate USB connection allows error-free operation of CAL3. Use delivered USB cables. If you need to extend the USB connection to longer distances, please check if powered hubs/repeaters are necessary.

1.3 General Safety Information
WARNING!
Some LEDs are emitting invisible light in the IR and UV near area.

**** Do not look directly into the emitted light or look through the optical LED system.
Do not look directly in the open sphere or light source when using high intensities or sequences with low response time.
Do not open the device without any instructions from the Image Engineering support team or when connected to the power supply.

GETTING STARTED

2.1 Scope of delivery

integrating sphere
spectrometer (built-in)
power cord
USB cable
control software
calibration protocol

Optional equipment:

iQ-Align for CAL3 for a quick and easy camera alignment.
EX2 spectrometer for external measurments.
iQ-Trigger: The iQ-Trigger is a mechanical finger that can press the release button within 25 ms. When working with touchscreens, exchange the solid fingertip for a touch-pen tip.
iQ-Analyzer software (shading module)
This module includes a special chart layout file that allows analysis of images with and without a keyhole effect.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS HARDWARE

3.1 Overview display and ports

1 x USB port for software control
1 x port for power adapter
1 x trigger output

Use the control panel to set different light settings for the iQ-LED´s:

with the “+” and “-” buttons you can switch between 44 saved illuminants
numerical display to show the storage of the illuminants
with the play and stop button you can start and stop a saved light sequence with different illuminants (it is possible to save one sequence on the device)
with the power button, you can turn on and off the light
there are three pre-stored illuminants on your device (the intensity of each illuminant is shown in the acceptance protocol of your device):
- 1: illuminant A (default illuminant)
- 2: illuminant D50
- 3: illuminant D75

Note: To store your own generated illuminants or sequernces on your device, please follow the instructions in the iQ-LED SW user manual.
Wiring examples for the trigger output:
The default duration value for the trigger output is 500 ms. This value can be modified with the iQ-LED API. A signal is send out to the trigger output while changing the illuminats or the intensity of LED channels. It can be used to synchronize your test setup. For example with an iQ-Trigger. (See 2.1 optional equipment)
3.2 Connecting the hardware

Connect the power cord to the power supply on the back of CAL3.
Connect the USB cable to the CAL3 and your PC.
Turn on the CAL3; the power switch is located beside the power supply.
The system will install the spectrometer and iQ-LED drivers on your PC, this will take a few seconds.
You can check the installation in your hardware manager.

Hardware Manager: active iQLED and spectromete CAL3
3.3 Camera positioning
Requirements on your camera (device under test, DUT):

maximum lens diameter: 37 mm
minimum lens depth: 10 mm

Make sure, that

your DUT is as close as possible to the CAL3 opening
the lens is exactly in the middle of the diffusor
the front surface of the lens is least 10 mm inside the diffusor
for lenses >= 160° FOV (field of view) it is recommended to bring the lens at least 20 mm inside the diffusor

Not fulfilling these requirements will lead to inhomogeneous illuminated field of view. The easiest way to align the camera correctly is to use the optional iQ-Align. (see 2.1)

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS SOFTWARE

4.1 Requirements

PC with Windows 7 (or higher) operating system
one free USB port

4.2 Software installation
Install the iQ-LED control software before connecting the hardware. Follow the setup instruction from the iQ-LED control software manual.
4.3 Starting the system
Start the iQ-LED software by clicking the `iQ-LED.exe’ or the iQ-LED icon on your desktop. Follow the iQ-LED software manual to control the CAL3.
NOTE The iQ-LED devices can only operate with high precision, when setup and calibration are performed correctly.
Consult the iQ-LED software manual for a comprehensive description and read it carefully.
4.3.1 Spectrometer settings
The iQ-LED software (see iQ-LED software manual) automatically generates the best spectrometer settings for you lighting conditions after pressing the “auto detect” button. For special applications, it is also possible to set the spectrometer settings manually. If you have further question, please contact the Image Engineering support.
4.3.2 iQ-LED calibration
The individual LED lights of the iQ-LED inside the CAL3 depends on many different types and wavelengths. Some LEDs will change their intensity level and peak wavelength slightly in the first 500-600 working hours because of a burn-in effect.
The LEDs will also degrade in intensity during their lifetime. To make sure that all measurements including the auto-generated illuminants and the standard illuminants, are correct, you have to perform a spectral calibration regularly.
You must also consider the degradation of the LED when saving self-defined presets. If you save a preset with LED channels that uses its maximum intensity, the possibility exists that this intensity cannot be reached after the burn-in time or the long-time degradation of the LED. In this case, you will get a warning message from the iQ-LED control software.
During the first 500-600 working hours, we recommend performing a spectral calibration every 50 operating hours. After the first 500-600 operating hours, a calibration of every 150 working hours suffices. Other factors that indicate the need for a spectral calibration: unsatisfactory illuminant generation, the aberration of the intensity values, or a spectral curve that does not fit with the predefined standard illuminants of the corresponding preset.

the spectrometer works correctly
the spectrometer settings are correct
all LED channels work correctly
the dark measurement is correct
your measurement environment is correct
your ambient temperature is correct

How to perform the spectral calibration is described in the iQ-LED control software manual.
4.4 Low intensity use
When using your system with very low intensity, the spectral measurement values will start to fluctuate. The lower the intensity, the higher the fluctuation. The generated light is still stable up to a certain point. The fluctuation of the values is caused by the noise of the spectral measurement of the internal spectrometer. The light intensity will continue to get lower when the influence of the noise continues to get higher. When using standard illuminants with an intensity lower than 25 lux, it will no longer be possible to get a correct value.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

5.1 Maintenance
Your spectrometer comes fully NIST traceable calibrated.
The spectrometer requires a recalibration once a year, regardless of the operating hours. If a spectrometer calibration is necessary, please contact Image Engineering.
Please send the complete device to Image Engineering. Pack the CAL3 with a notation for calibration in the hard case it was delivered in.
Please contact [email protected] for conditions and procedure.
After the spectrometer has been calibrated, perform a spectral calibration (iQ-LED calibration). We suggest you also do a new generate for all illuminants you use
5.2 Care instructions

Do not touch, scratch, or pollute the diffusor.
If there is any dust on the diffusor, clean it with an air blower.
Do not remove the fiber from the spectrometer. Otherwise, the calibration is invalid, and the spectrometer has to be recalibrated!
Only store and transport the CAL3 in the delivered hard case.

5.3 Disposal instructions
After the service life of CAL3, it must be disposed of properly. Electrical and electromechanical components are included in CAL3. Observe your national regulations. Make sure that CAL3 cannot be used by third parties after disposing of it.
Contact Image Engineering if assistance for disposal is required.