NikonTi2

Nikon Ti motorized microscope

Summary:	Nikon Ti2 motorized microscopes
Author:	Mark Tsuchida, Open Imaging, Inc.
License:	Freeware. Source code cannot be made available, sorry.
Platforms:	Windows

Supported since the 20180220 nightly builds (1.4 and 2.0beta).

Installation

1. Download and install Nikon’s Ti2 Control Windows software from the Nikon Healthcare’s Software Developer Toolkit site (registration required).
   • If you are running Micro-Manager release 2.0.0 or a 2.0 series nightly build dated 2022-03-02 or earlier, or any MM 1.4 (release or nightly), you probably need Ti2 Control 1.2.0.
   • If you are running anything newer, please try the latest Ti2 Control 2.x first.
2. Copy the file C:\Program Files\Nikon\Ti2-SDK\bin\Ti2_Mic_Driver.dll into the Micro-Manager folder.
3. The NikonTi2 should then appear as an available device in the Hardware Configuration Wizard.

Troubleshooting

• Make sure you power on the microscope stand before you power on the controller box.
• If NikonTi2 only shows as NikonTi2 (unavailable) in the config wizard, ensure that you have copied the Ti2_Mic_Driver.dll into the same directory as the mmgr_dal_NikonTi2.dll library and have not renamed Ti2_Mic_Driver.dll (and that it is from the currently installed version of the Nikon software).
• If the NikonTi2 folder is available in the config wizard, but you only see the *Ti2-Simulator device available:
  • Make sure that your microscope is powered on and connected to the computer (you may have to restart micro-manager if you powered it on after starting micro-manager).
  • Make sure the SDK can control your microscope without going through micro-manager, for example by running C:\Program Files\Nikon\Ti2-SDK\bin\Ti2Sample.exe and confirming that your microscope responds to button presses.
  • If all goes well, you should see one or more devices in addition to the Ti2-Simulator, for example a Ti2-Eclipse microscope may appear as *Ti2-E__0: Nikon Ti2 microscope.

D-LEDI fluorescence illuminator

(Not to be confused with the older C-LEDFI, called EpiLED in Micro-Manager.)

A D-LEDI can be controlled (since nightly build 2025-12-23). It must be plugged into the Ti2-E controller (TI2-CTRE). A direct USB cable from the D-LEDI to the computer will not work.

Make sure to power on the D-LEDI before you power on the Ti2-E controller; otherwise the device will not be recognized.

The D-LEDI shows up as “DLED” in Micro-Manager.

Micro-Manager always puts the D-LEDI into the so-called “async” mode, which means that the on/off of the 4 wavelength channels are controlled independently.

It is recommended not to use the remote control pad while contrlling from Micro-Manager. Micro-Manager does not have a way to immediately know of changes made on the control pad. (Currently Micro-Manager will overwrite changes made on the control pad on the next command, but this behavior may change in the future.)

External trigger mode can be turned on from Micro-Manager. When in trigger mode, commands that turn on/off the LEDs will not work (they will return an error). Intensity control remains available.

The pinout for the D-Sub 15 pin trigger (TTL) connector is in the D-LEDI manual:

• Pins 1-4 (input): turn LEDs 1-4 on (H) or off (L).

• Pin 5 (input): turn on all LEDs.

• Pins 6, 7: ground.

• Pins 8-10: do not connect.

• Pins 11-14 (output): reports on (H) or off (L) for LEDs 1.4.

• Pin 15 (output): H if any LED is on; L if all are off.