Connecting a Leica DMi8 Microscope to Volocity

To connect a Leica DMi8 microscope to Volocity, you need to configure the microscope's Virtual COM Port (VCP). The Leica SDK, which is included with the DMi8 upon delivery, installs the necessary driver to establish communication between the microscope and the computer via USB. While the Leica SDK does not require a COM Port, Volocity requires one to communicate with the microscope.

Follow these steps to enable and configure the VCP:

Steps to Enable the Virtual COM Port (VCP):

1. Install the Leica SDK and Driver:

   • Ensure that the Leica SDK and associated drivers are installed on your computer. These drivers are typically included with the DMi8 microscope upon delivery.

2. Access Device Manager:

   • Open the Start Menu and search for Device Manager.
   • Click to open the Device Manager window.

3. Locate the DMi8 Device:

   • Expand the Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controllers section.
   • Locate the DMi8, which should appear as a USB Serial Controller.

4. Open Device Properties:

   • Double-click the USB Serial Controller or right-click it and select Properties.

5. Enable the VCP:

   • In the Properties window, navigate to the Advanced tab.
   • Check the box for Load VCP.

6. Verify the COM Port Configuration:

   • Once the VCP is enabled, the DMi8 will now appear under the Ports (COM & LPT) section in Device Manager.
   • Note the COM Port assigned to the DMi8 (e.g., COM3, COM4, etc.).

Configure the Microscope in Volocity:

1. Launch Volocity:

   • Open the Volocity software on your workstation.

2. Set Up the Serial Device:

   • Go to the Preferences menu (Windows: Edit > Preferences; macOS: Volocity > Preferences).
   • Navigate to the Devices or Serial Devices tab.

3. Select the Appropriate COM Port:

   • Locate the COM Port assigned to the DMi8 in the previous step (e.g., COM3).
   • Configure Volocity to use this COM Port for communicating with the Leica DMi8 microscope.

4. Test the Connection:

   • Ensure that Volocity can successfully communicate with the DMi8 by verifying its control options (e.g., stage movement, light path settings).

Notes and Tips:

• Driver Issues:

  • If the DMi8 does not appear in Device Manager or under USB Controllers, ensure that the Leica SDK and drivers are correctly installed.
  • Reinstall the SDK if necessary and restart your computer.

• COM Port Conflicts:

  • If the assigned COM Port is already in use by another device, you may need to change it.
  • In the Device Manager, right-click on the COM Port, select Properties, and manually assign an unused COM Port.

• Cable and Connection:

  • Ensure that the USB cable is securely connected between the DMi8 and the computer. Use a high-quality USB cable for reliable communication.

• Supported Operating Systems:

  • Verify that the operating system on your workstation is supported by the Leica SDK and Volocity.

By following these steps, you can establish a reliable connection between the Leica DMi8 microscope and Volocity, enabling precise control and data acquisition.