Field Service Technical Bulletin

Information
Title: Nicolet Series Remote Start Cable TBN# IR2259
Date: August 30, 2007 CONTROLLED
Products affected: Nicolet 6700 Spectrometers, 8700 USB and Nicolet 380
DOCUMENT
Completion time: 0.5 hours
Special tools and materials: Nicolet Series Remote Start Cable 470-248900
CCN No. Rev 500000025912 Release
/49980
Changed by Mark Mangold
Date 8-10-07

INTRODUCTION:

This TBN describes how to install and use the Remote Start Cable 470-248900.
Hardware

The Nicolet 4700/6700/8700 USB and 380 spectrometers use a different trigger signal
than previous generation spectrometers or the 8700 PCI spectrometer. Previously, the
Simplex Scientific remote start accessory could be used to trigger collection. The Magna
and Nexus Series spectrometers could also use the Remote Start Accessory (TBN
IR2123), but there is no link to the OMNIC software.

The Nicolet Series Remote Start Cable connects to the rear panel connector Auxiliary
Signals where FSEs connect their Remote Signals Accessory box to monitor signals on
an oscilloscope.

6700 Spectrometer Rear View

Auxiliary
signals

This document contains confidential or proprietary information of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Neither this
document nor the information therein is to be reproduced, distributed, used or disclosed, either in whole
or in part, except as specifically authorized by Thermo Fisher Scientific.
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Title: Nicolet Series Remote Start Cable TBN# IR2259

The cable has a female BNC connector for the trigger. The only requirement for the
trigger is a relay-closure (short the two ends of the BNC). Any vendor products with a
relay closure can be mated to this through a male BNC, or the wires can be cut and made
into a custom solution. Critical point: the relay must re-open before the next data
collection cycle, or OMNIC will start the next collection without waiting for a signal. On
some software-driven relays, it is necessary to reset the relay to open.

Software setup
There are two places in OMNIC 7.3 SP1 for external trigger activation. These are on the
Advanced tab in Experiment Setup and on the Series tab. Only one should be active,
and Series is specific to the one on the Series window. To activate either one, simply
click it on.

OMNIC 7.2 changed the apparent waiting-for-trigger state of the software. Previously, a
“Waiting for External Trigger” message popped up. This was removed in OMNIC 7.2.
The only visual clue that recent versions of OMNIC are waiting for a trigger is what
appears to be an error. At the bottom of a regular OMNIC screen or the Series collection
screen, the message “Timeout” appears. This is the waiting state, not an error. The
message will clear upon trigger receipt.

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Title: Nicolet Series Remote Start Cable TBN# IR2259

Testing
These tests do not require the trigger cable to be connected to the secondary device.

1. Connect the Remote Start Cable (085-869501) to the rear panel

2. Enter Experiment Setup.
3. Set up a quick scan – 4 scans at 4 cm-1 is sufficient.
4. Move to the Advanced tab.
5. Click on “Start collection at external trigger”
6. Close Experiment setup.
7. Start a collection Wait until you see the “Timeout” message in the lower left (and
explain this to the customer!).
8. Short the end of the BNC connector – a paper clip works fine, just short the inner
pin to the outer metal sleeve.
9. Background collection should start.
10. If you set up sample collection, too, then you will need to short the connector
again for sample collection.

Testing in Series can be done the same way. Be sure to select the Series-tab External
Trigger option (and turn the Advanced Tab trigger off). Use a 1 minute collect. Series
will collect the background and basis vectors without delay, but will stop and hold (with
the “Timeout” at the bottom) when ready to collect data. Shorting the BNC again should
start collection.

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