Asteria

Internal – must not be shared

[2024-06-10]

We will update our colorimeters and light meters to allow use of a 1.2v trigger signal. This change will happen in a few months and is implemented by specific request of a customer (but might be also relevant for other customers.

What does it mean?

The current trigger does not “recognize” a 1.2V trigger signal but reacts to higher voltage signal. By changing the trigger hardware the device will be able to react to a 1.2V trigger function as well as to the current higher trigger signals.

In order to achieve this both physical PCB and firmware of the devices will change:

  • Physical redesign to allow lower trigger voltage
  • Firmware redesign to allow for this functionality in the firmware

Products involved:

  • Prometheus series colorimeters: all models
  • Prometheus series LF: all models
  • Prometheus X and Prometheus D
  • Asteria Series: all models
  • Hyperion series colorimeters: all models

Impact for users

Firmware will be made backwards compatible, devices made with the new electronics are generally able to work in older lines without any issue. However as it is not only firmware but also a hardware change older devices will not be able to have the new 1.2v trigger functionality. Of course they can still work in the same way they do now.

Implementation

This development has already started, timing of the availability will be shared once this is clear.

The order code of the device will not change! We consider this a version change of the device. This means that the devices with this new functionality will be recognizable by their serial number only (will be higher serial number) and not by order code.

As we do have an inventory of current PCB’s we will continue manufacturing products without this functionality first (same devices as at the moment) except for specific projects where the functionality is needed. Once the old version of PCB’s is finished all further units will be built with the new version.

Action for sales

For sales of these devices for system integration it is important to check with customer:

  • Are they using/intending to use the trigger function?
  • What trigger signal (voltage) are they/will they be using?
  • Based on this: decide if the old version is OK (preferred) or if that customer/order has to have the new version?
  • When working on an order clearly inform HQ and Admin of this information.

Note: once these versions are available, we will ask you for each order. We assume for any order it is OK to use current electronics if no info is given. Providing the correct info is the responsibility of sales account manager, not of administration.

Potential future issue:

Customers with current devices who want to reuse their device in a new line with another trigger signal can experience issues between old and new versions. So this change will have to be correctly explained once it goes into regular production.

Calibration

Can be shared

All instruments (eg Neo) are calibrated for:

  1. Dark current
  2. Linearity
  3. Wavelength

When an instrument is used for relative measurement (Neo Transmission measurement kit, Neo Cuvette measurement kit) no absolute calibration is needed and therefore is not carried out.

Competitors

Internal – must not be shared

Table not completed yet

Colorimeter Flicker Meter Imaging Colorimeter Spectroradiometer Viewing Angle Measurement
ANI / Lukas
Chroma
Eldim yes
Gamma Scientific
Instrument Systems yes yes
Jeti yes
(Wuhan) Jingce
Klein yes
Konica Minolta yes yes yes yes
Radiant Vision yes yes
Techno Team yes yes
Topcon yes
Westar
Westboro
Internal – must not be shared

customer (Innolux) feedback who use DMS:

  • very expensive
  • many options, but also some limits
  • closed system → this is unwanted, here they prefer Admesy which allows easy integration to customer software
  • every 50 hours recalibration (lamp) needed
Internal – must not be shared

[2024-04-24]

According to the German service website from KM:


Luxmeter

  • T-10A
  • T10MA

Beleuchtungsstärke- und Farbmessgeräte

  • CL-200A
  • CL-500A

Leuchtdichtemessgeräte

  • LS-100/LS-110
  • LS-150/LS-160
  • CS-100A
  • CS-150/CS-160
  • CS-200
  • CS-2000A

Computer Tips

Can be shared

When a window of a program is not visible or the top is hidden outside the display area, so it can not be moved by click-and-drag on the title bar there is a trick how to be able to move the window which is (partly) outside the displayed area.

  1. Press the two keys 'Alt'+'Space' together, then release the keys → this will pop-up a menu, which you will not see, but is there
  2. Press m-key and release the key (this selects the M for _m_ove from the hidden pop-up menu)
  3. Press and release arrow key (does not matter which), for example down-arrow-key
  4. Then you can move the mouse around. It will have the window "attached" to the mouse and in that way you can move the window in the visible display area (just move the mouse around a bit till you see the window).

This works on an English system. Not known if it will work in other languages as well. You might need to use another key instead of m for 'move' possibly.

Crius

Can be shared on customer request

Stereopes LED does not use PWM to modify the output, but rather current.
Crius LED does not use PWM currently [2023-05-04], but will make use of PWM in future versions.

Fibers

Can be shared

The fiber used for Neo Display (for example to attach a 10 mm lens) is the standard fiber for Neo.

Can be shared on customer request

Default

Numerical aperture = 0.22
Core diameter = 800 µm

Other versions possibly available on request.

Can be shared

There are two fiber options for the IFC connector. One type is for Neo and the other type for Prometheus colorimeter with 10 mm lens. The fibers must not be interchanged due different optical properties.

Fiber Prometheus: multi-core, NA 0.37
Fiber for Neo: single-core, NA 0.22

Due the different NA (Numerical Aperture) one can differentiate the fibers.

Can be shared

There are no different fiber options for the Prometheus. A Prometheus fiber is built and calibrated with our own IFC fibers. SMA or other fibers are not possible and would also bring no benefit.

The fiber order code describes the exact type of fiber. Not all fibers we use are the same, they have different optical properties. For Prometheus there is only one fiber we offer, currently in the length of 2m. The fiber is different from the fiber we use for Neo, but both use the IFC coupling piece.

[2023-05-09]

Can be shared
The minimum bending radius depends on the time you bend the fiber. The fiber can withstand a momentary bending radius of 100 times the core diameter. For continuous long term use the minimum bending radius is 600 times the core diameter. We normally communicate the long-term bending radius, so the customer stays on the safe side.

Example for standard M8 and Neo fibers

The default fiber has a 800 µm core diameter. For a moment the fiber can be bend up to a radius for 40 mm. Long-term minimum bending radius is 240 mm.

Firmware

Can be shared on customer request

On the website only generic customer firmware versions are listed. Customers versions are available, if not shared directly, they can be requested from manager RnD.

Can be shared on customer request

When the listed firmware number is not consecutive, the firmware is only released for specific customer only or revoked for usage.

Example: version 1.1,1.2,1.4 are release on website. This list is missing 1.3. This firmware is revoked, or only updates are included for specific customer versions.

General

Can be shared on customer request
Model Name Maker Calibration Certificate of Origin (CO) Certificate of Quality (CQ) European Conformity (CE)
order code Calibrated to traceable light source. Calibration report included with unit Manufactured in EU, is labeled on the back of the product Final calibration report is also final quality inspection report Product is CE marked

Hardware

Internal – must not be shared

[2024-06-10]

We will update our colorimeters and light meters to allow use of a 1.2v trigger signal. This change will happen in a few months and is implemented by specific request of a customer (but might be also relevant for other customers.

What does it mean?

The current trigger does not “recognize” a 1.2V trigger signal but reacts to higher voltage signal. By changing the trigger hardware the device will be able to react to a 1.2V trigger function as well as to the current higher trigger signals.

In order to achieve this both physical PCB and firmware of the devices will change:

  • Physical redesign to allow lower trigger voltage
  • Firmware redesign to allow for this functionality in the firmware

Products involved:

  • Prometheus series colorimeters: all models
  • Prometheus series LF: all models
  • Prometheus X and Prometheus D
  • Asteria Series: all models
  • Hyperion series colorimeters: all models

Impact for users

Firmware will be made backwards compatible, devices made with the new electronics are generally able to work in older lines without any issue. However as it is not only firmware but also a hardware change older devices will not be able to have the new 1.2v trigger functionality. Of course they can still work in the same way they do now.

Implementation

This development has already started, timing of the availability will be shared once this is clear.

The order code of the device will not change! We consider this a version change of the device. This means that the devices with this new functionality will be recognizable by their serial number only (will be higher serial number) and not by order code.

As we do have an inventory of current PCB’s we will continue manufacturing products without this functionality first (same devices as at the moment) except for specific projects where the functionality is needed. Once the old version of PCB’s is finished all further units will be built with the new version.

Action for sales

For sales of these devices for system integration it is important to check with customer:

  • Are they using/intending to use the trigger function?
  • What trigger signal (voltage) are they/will they be using?
  • Based on this: decide if the old version is OK (preferred) or if that customer/order has to have the new version?
  • When working on an order clearly inform HQ and Admin of this information.

Note: once these versions are available, we will ask you for each order. We assume for any order it is OK to use current electronics if no info is given. Providing the correct info is the responsibility of sales account manager, not of administration.

Potential future issue:

Customers with current devices who want to reuse their device in a new line with another trigger signal can experience issues between old and new versions. So this change will have to be correctly explained once it goes into regular production.

Helios

Can be shared on customer request

2 filter wheels with 5 positions each

First wheel: XYZ + shutter + 1 free position
Second wheel: ND filters

Can be shared

Helios is flat-field calibrated for the complete distance range from the minimum to the maximum distance (see specifications).

Helios and Titan

Can be shared on customer request

Currently [2024-01] there is no Python support of the imaging colorimeters.

Can be shared

Titan: fixed lens (and distance)

Helios Y: several lens options

Helios XYZ: limited lens options

Hyperion

Can be shared

No, Prometheus Suite will not support older colorimeters or instruments.

Marketing

Can be shared

The correct spelling is 'Light Meter', but 'Spectrometer' ;-) For a nicer look we use Lightmeter in the logo. In all other locations we use the correct spelling 'Light Meter'.

Internal – must not be shared

All our spectral instruments are spectroradiometers, but to be better visible for search engines and the like we use the generic term 'spectrometer' on a high level (advertisements, headlines, general statements about our series). For a technical description in publications, like leaflets, manuals or whitepapers we use the word 'spectroradiometer' in the text.

Neo

Can be shared

No, lenses with IFC for Neo and Prometheus Colorimeter are different and must not be interchanged.

Internal – must not be shared

No, when adding an internal ND (OD) filter to a suitable lens, like 3mm focusing for Neo, the dimensions do not change.

Can be shared

The fiber used for Neo Display (for example to attach a 10 mm lens) is the standard fiber for Neo.

Can be shared

There are two fiber options for the IFC connector. One type is for Neo and the other type for Prometheus colorimeter with 10 mm lens. The fibers must not be interchanged due different optical properties.

Fiber Prometheus: multi-core, NA 0.37
Fiber for Neo: single-core, NA 0.22

Due the different NA (Numerical Aperture) one can differentiate the fibers.

Can be shared

The fiber is completely filled out (with light), therefore the performance is the same here.

Prometheus

Can be shared

No, lenses with IFC for Neo and Prometheus Colorimeter are different and must not be interchanged.

Can be shared on customer request

Prometheus 27 mm UHL mode timings

The defeinition of ultra high luminance mode is defined by the following single rule

- Calcuated integration time is smaller than 320 µs

If this is the case the integration time is atuomatically set to 100 µs.

Below the timing diagram of the UHL mode

UHL Mode

As can be seen from the timing diagram the dead area is around 532.3 µs of a total measurement time of 732.3 µs.

The mean of sample A and B are returned as one value.

When using the UHL mode the user has to set the value of the UHL average by themselves.

When using UHL average, you will set the number of measurements to average. But due to the nature of implementation UHL will always use 2 samples per set averaging.

So, when setting the number of averaging to 50 the auto range routine will take 100 samples for the entire measurement.

Example:

- UHL average is 50, samples per averaging is 2, auto range will take 50 averaging * 2 samples = 100 samples as measurement.

- UHL average is 100, samples per averaging is 2, auto range will take 100 averaging * 2 samples = 200 samples as measurement.

Must only be shared after approval from CEO/ Headquarters

Prometheus colorimeters are run through the climate chamber in the factory between 0° and 75° to stabilize the components. The temperature range for usage → see specification.

Can be shared

There are two fiber options for the IFC connector. One type is for Neo and the other type for Prometheus colorimeter with 10 mm lens. The fibers must not be interchanged due different optical properties.

Fiber Prometheus: multi-core, NA 0.37
Fiber for Neo: single-core, NA 0.22

Due the different NA (Numerical Aperture) one can differentiate the fibers.

Can be shared

There are no different fiber options for the Prometheus. A Prometheus fiber is built and calibrated with our own IFC fibers. SMA or other fibers are not possible and would also bring no benefit.

The fiber order code describes the exact type of fiber. Not all fibers we use are the same, they have different optical properties. For Prometheus there is only one fiber we offer, currently in the length of 2m. The fiber is different from the fiber we use for Neo, but both use the IFC coupling piece.

[2023-05-09]

Must only be shared after approval from CEO/ Headquarters

The typical Fs error is well below 3%, around 2% to 2.5%.

Can be shared

The 10 mm fiber version has a sensitivity of 2.5 times less compared to the standard version. For a fiber connected lens this is still a very good sensitivity.

Internal – must not be shared

[2024-06-10]

We will update our colorimeters and light meters to allow use of a 1.2v trigger signal. This change will happen in a few months and is implemented by specific request of a customer (but might be also relevant for other customers.

What does it mean?

The current trigger does not “recognize” a 1.2V trigger signal but reacts to higher voltage signal. By changing the trigger hardware the device will be able to react to a 1.2V trigger function as well as to the current higher trigger signals.

In order to achieve this both physical PCB and firmware of the devices will change:

  • Physical redesign to allow lower trigger voltage
  • Firmware redesign to allow for this functionality in the firmware

Products involved:

  • Prometheus series colorimeters: all models
  • Prometheus series LF: all models
  • Prometheus X and Prometheus D
  • Asteria Series: all models
  • Hyperion series colorimeters: all models

Impact for users

Firmware will be made backwards compatible, devices made with the new electronics are generally able to work in older lines without any issue. However as it is not only firmware but also a hardware change older devices will not be able to have the new 1.2v trigger functionality. Of course they can still work in the same way they do now.

Implementation

This development has already started, timing of the availability will be shared once this is clear.

The order code of the device will not change! We consider this a version change of the device. This means that the devices with this new functionality will be recognizable by their serial number only (will be higher serial number) and not by order code.

As we do have an inventory of current PCB’s we will continue manufacturing products without this functionality first (same devices as at the moment) except for specific projects where the functionality is needed. Once the old version of PCB’s is finished all further units will be built with the new version.

Action for sales

For sales of these devices for system integration it is important to check with customer:

  • Are they using/intending to use the trigger function?
  • What trigger signal (voltage) are they/will they be using?
  • Based on this: decide if the old version is OK (preferred) or if that customer/order has to have the new version?
  • When working on an order clearly inform HQ and Admin of this information.

Note: once these versions are available, we will ask you for each order. We assume for any order it is OK to use current electronics if no info is given. Providing the correct info is the responsibility of sales account manager, not of administration.

Potential future issue:

Customers with current devices who want to reuse their device in a new line with another trigger signal can experience issues between old and new versions. So this change will have to be correctly explained once it goes into regular production.

Can be shared

There are two Y sensors inside the Prometheus X: a transimpedant Y sensor and an integrating Y sensor.
The transimpedant sensor is used for high-speed measurements and is calibrated with the internal integrating Y sensor (used in the XYZ tristumulus colorimeter part).

Can be shared

No, Prometheus Suite will not support older colorimeters or instruments.

Prometheus LF

Can be shared on customer request

16 bit AD chip, where 15 bits are used

Internal – must not be shared

[2024-06-10]

We will update our colorimeters and light meters to allow use of a 1.2v trigger signal. This change will happen in a few months and is implemented by specific request of a customer (but might be also relevant for other customers.

What does it mean?

The current trigger does not “recognize” a 1.2V trigger signal but reacts to higher voltage signal. By changing the trigger hardware the device will be able to react to a 1.2V trigger function as well as to the current higher trigger signals.

In order to achieve this both physical PCB and firmware of the devices will change:

  • Physical redesign to allow lower trigger voltage
  • Firmware redesign to allow for this functionality in the firmware

Products involved:

  • Prometheus series colorimeters: all models
  • Prometheus series LF: all models
  • Prometheus X and Prometheus D
  • Asteria Series: all models
  • Hyperion series colorimeters: all models

Impact for users

Firmware will be made backwards compatible, devices made with the new electronics are generally able to work in older lines without any issue. However as it is not only firmware but also a hardware change older devices will not be able to have the new 1.2v trigger functionality. Of course they can still work in the same way they do now.

Implementation

This development has already started, timing of the availability will be shared once this is clear.

The order code of the device will not change! We consider this a version change of the device. This means that the devices with this new functionality will be recognizable by their serial number only (will be higher serial number) and not by order code.

As we do have an inventory of current PCB’s we will continue manufacturing products without this functionality first (same devices as at the moment) except for specific projects where the functionality is needed. Once the old version of PCB’s is finished all further units will be built with the new version.

Action for sales

For sales of these devices for system integration it is important to check with customer:

  • Are they using/intending to use the trigger function?
  • What trigger signal (voltage) are they/will they be using?
  • Based on this: decide if the old version is OK (preferred) or if that customer/order has to have the new version?
  • When working on an order clearly inform HQ and Admin of this information.

Note: once these versions are available, we will ask you for each order. We assume for any order it is OK to use current electronics if no info is given. Providing the correct info is the responsibility of sales account manager, not of administration.

Potential future issue:

Customers with current devices who want to reuse their device in a new line with another trigger signal can experience issues between old and new versions. So this change will have to be correctly explained once it goes into regular production.

Sales

Can be shared

Standard warranty is 1 year. This can normally not be extended. For large volume orders where a customer asks for (paid) warranty extension check with the headquarter if and for which conditions this might be possible.

Software

Can be shared

There is no direct import function in Iliad or Prometheus Suite. What one could do is write an own program, import the data there and use our Admesy_Colour.dll, see the documentation in our SDK and Admesy_Colour_DLL_Manual.pdf

Must only be shared after approval from CEO/ Headquarters

In general we do not support Windows 7 any longer. When a customer asks for Windows 7 support try to get him to upgrade to a newer Windows version. In case the customer needs to run our devices on Windows 7 machines there is a workaround which might work. Check with the headquarter (management) if we can/ want to try to support a customer on individual basis.

Windows 7 support

Background on not supporting windows 7 in 2024.

  1. Windows 7 support is EOL by 14 January of 2020.
  2. LabVIEW 2021 (what we currently use) does not official support windows 7.
    1. For reference this version is released after windows 7 EOL date, and therefore does not support windows 7.

Unofficial way windows 7 support:

Admesy does not officially support or guarantee that the deployment installer will always successfully run upon the following modification!

  1. Open the setup.ini file located in your built deployment installer folder.
  2. Search for the VersionNTMin=10,0,14393,0,0 line.
  3. Modify this line to VersionNTMin=6,1,7601,1,0.
  4. Save the setup.ini file.
  5. This will change the minimum supported OS version for the deployment installer to Windows 7 SP1 (64-bit).

This information is intended for internal use only and must be handled with care and discretion. It should not be disclosed to customers or posted on the website.

Sharing this information with customers is permitted only after all other options have been evaluated and with management's approval.

Still, as noted above, a working installation is not guaranteed, and it may not impact other system components.

===============================================================================

Internal note for Sales and Support headquarter:

Inhoudelijk voor admesy betekent dit:

  1. VM installeren met windows 7
  2. Labview windows 7 supported versie installeren
  3. Labview software (windows 10/11) saven onder supported windows 7 versie
  4. Admesy colour lib bouwen onder windows 7.
  5. Labview Bouwen op windows 7
  6. Uploaden naar website met vermelding windows 7 support.
Can be shared

We do not have experience with cRIO, but in general PLC’s will work with the following protocols:

  • USBTMC host support
  • Ethernet via a socket protocol (IP adress + poort)
  • RS232
Can be shared on customer request

The autorange function does use the raw spectrum of the complete CCD to determine if the autorange parameters are met. Therefore a peak which is outside the chosen wavelength range (chosen in the software), but within the wavelength range of the sensor, will affect the integration time and reported saturation. This can not be changed, due blooming of sensor pixels to neighbor pixels. When that use case is important for a customer, they can use a filter to cut off unwanted wavelengths.

Can be shared on customer request

Use our Admesy_Colour.dll, see the documentation in our SDK and Admesy_Colour_DLL_Manual.pdf

Can be shared on customer request

Currently [2024-01] there is no Python support of the imaging colorimeters.

Can be shared on customer request

Likely the low pass frequency is set to 0. You need to change that to the relevant frequency, for example 60 Hz (see screenshot). This can be either done by using Iliad and changing the startup settings there (Device - Startup settings) and save ('Write settings').

Another option is using the following commands:

:EEPROM:conf:lpfreq frequency_hz
And after that
:EEPROM:STARTUP:WRITE

Iliad startup settings frequency
Can be shared

To use Admesy (or most other instruments as well) one needs the Instrument Control Toolbox.

Can be shared

Long negative error codes are typical NI-Visa errors. See the following reference:

https://labviewwiki.org/wiki/VISA_Error_Code_Family

The error code -1073807339, for example is a timeout error. Solution in that case is to increase the timeout setting (see the relevant product manuals for details).
Can be shared on customer request

[2024-06-17]

For now, we will add the license file (word docx) to following libraries, but this will of course be applicable to any other library we will share.

  • admesy-api
  • admesy-camera
  • admesy-colour
  • admesy-labview-instrument
  • admesy-matlab-instrument
  • admesy-titan-api
  • admesy-vision
  • libusbtmc

3rd party licenses

Important to note is that we do list the 3rd party libraries in these documents per SKD / library, and try to limit the usage licenses we will use to following:

  • MIT
  • BSD
  • LGPL
  • Apache 2.0

These are open to use with almost no restriction besides the copyright notice. Therefore no additional licenses are needed.

NI-VISA / Point 7 in the admesy license:

For usage with NI-VISA please notice that Admesy distributes a Labview application with ni-visa with any Admesy Suite (iliad, AIS, Prometheus, Neo).

Therefore, the license of ni-visa is grated to be used, with admesy software.

If a customer develops its own application and want to deploy this with NI-VISA then following is applicable:

https://www.ni.com//visa/license.htm

Can be shared

[2023-01]

a) Mac OS 10.13 and 10.14
b) from 10.15 and newer versions (11, 12).

For Apple Silicon (M1 and M2 processors) there is no “official” support but it is found to be working with Rosetta 2.

An installer for NI VISA is available from the downloads section.One needs to choose the correct version, see the readme (PDF).

https://www.admesy.com/documents/iliad-macos/

Note: on macOS 12 one will get two “error” boxes when starting iliad, then click continue. All should work from then.

Steropes

Can be shared on customer request

Stereopes LED does not use PWM to modify the output, but rather current.
Crius LED does not use PWM currently [2023-05-04], but will make use of PWM in future versions.

Can be shared on customer request

The luminous flux is not specified, but the bare LED has an output of 70 lumens. Due the internal losses the output is likely in the range of 10 to 15 lumens. Note: this is just an estimation of the output and nothing spec’d or promised. To determine the actual output one would need to make a luminous flux measurement, typically in an integrated sphere.

Titan

Can be shared

The issue is in relation between firewall and the network connection. To resolve this sleep issue, one must allow all connections in the firewall. Please note that if you are creating an own software this application also needs all 3 firewall domains open.

Titan firewall
Can be shared on customer request
[2023-11-06]

  • Calibration data storage
  1. Camera calibration
  • .mcal are camera calibration files (factory) and are not changed!
  • Titan.json includes the user camera calibration. So, if there is a need to transfer the calibration to another PC this file / data should be moved to the other PC.
  • Please note that after calibration, on exit the user must choose to save the settings, else data will be lost.
  1. Spotmeter calibration are stored in the Titan, at user defined slot.
Windows paths:
  1. ProgramData
  • having restricted rights:
  • Logged in user does not want to use another user data. Therefore, this is not the place.
  • Local is chosen as for roaming it is too much data.
  • We are debating internally if data should be moved to a different folder (documents for example), but for now we keep it here.
      1. user can read data and execute
      2. user can create and write data, but this cannot be changed by any other user. Therefore making is not usable to store the data we are referring to!
      1. Where the downloaded camera files for example could be placed there, noting point 2.a.2 they cannot remove the files is another user created them.
  • Appdata:

    i. Local is chosen as for roaming it is too much data.
    ii. We are debating internally if data should be moved to a different folder (documents for example), but for now we keep it here.
Can be shared

We only use F2.0, which is fixed during production.