ASAP NextGen is a redefining moment in the history of the ASAP program
ASAP NextGen
ASAP NextGen, a product of more than 30 years of continuous development, is not only the next step in the evolution of the ASAP program, but a complete re-imagining of the ASAP environment. ASAP NextGen offers engineers and product designers a host of new features making it the easiest to use ASAP ever and greatly improving on the unmatched capability, flexibility, speed and accuracy for which ASAP has long been known. ASAP NextGen is a new paradigm in optical simulation software for predicting the real-world performance of automotive lighting, imaging systems, luminaires, lightpipes, bio-optic systems, medical devices, displays and coherent systems.
ASAP NextGen Features
Optics Manager
A brand new easy-to-use interface presenting users with a familiar CAD-like tree structure. Using simple menus, context sensitive dialogs and the included ASAP Catalogs, users can create a variety of optical surface and geometric entities, import CAD geometry, add optical properties, add a light source, and setup ray tracing and analysis options. Components are shown as nodes in the tree, and the new persistent 3D viewer automatically updates to reflect changes in the system prescription. The as-defined system can be run with a single mouse click and saved for later use. And the new Optics Manager in ASAP NextGen functions without a single line of script!
Automatic Script Creation
Speaking of script…ASAP NextGen offers another industry first for optical design software. Once systems are constructed in the Optics Manager, ASAP NextGen will automatically create a working script from the complete system prescription. Users needing access to ASAP’s powerful scripting language can immediately modify and run these scripts to add multi-variable analysis or optimization using the new Optimization Manager to their design tasks.
Parallel + Remote Distributed Processing
Introducing another new paradigm for ray tracing speed and efficiency, ASAP NextGen with CoreMax technology will automatically run parallel processes on all cores on a local PC as well as all cores on up to (5) Remote licenses of ASAP installed on the LAN. In addition, users can control the number of cores accessed on each machine. This combination of parallel and remote distributed processing is another industry first and will make ASAP NextGen the fastest ray tracer with the highest level of computing power of any commercial optical design software.
Workflow Manager
Provides quick and easy access to command menus for those users less comfortable with but who still need scripting in ASAP NextGen. Commands can be found in the Search box or in the Workflow Manager tree which has been organized around the standard 4-step simulation process in ASAP…geometry, sources, ray tracing and analysis. Menus are clearly labeled to show the exact information needed to construct the command and ASAP Help is built in to the Workflow Manager dialog. Completed commands are then automatically inserted at the cursor location of the active script.
Alternate Scripting Languages
Newly added support for C# and Iron Python as alternate scripting languages with built-in code parsing and debugging. Enhanced support for Visual Basic. Provides extensible code base for these languages.
Major Improvements to Existing Features
Script Editor
New extensible Script Editor with an improved user interface and more control over script syntax, appearance, and keyboard shortcuts. Provides one-click access to new Optimization and Macro Managers and $SCR Editor.
Optimization
New optimization interface integrated directly into the Script Editor. Automatically parses INR script to find defined variables for use as Design Variables, Constraints, or Merit Functions. Optimization conditions and visual output at run-time are visible within the INR script window.
Macro Manager
New feature that automatically parses ASAP Scripts to find macro code which is presented as a list. One-click access to the list allows direct editing of each macro and changes are automatically updated to the Script Editor.
$SCR Editor
New $SCR Editor acts as a simple two-way forms editor with one-click access to text, integer, and floating point input. Editor automatically generates corresponding ASAP script and updates to script are automatically seen in the $SCR form.
Additional Features Updated
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New extensible, .NET compliant GUI with many new interface enhancements
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New System Settings menu
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New Preferences Menu
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New Functions, User Data, and Variables Catalogs
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Completely re-designed Media, Coatings, and Scatter Models Catalogs
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New Lens Creator
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New BSDF Fit Utility dialog
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Updated Plot viewer
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Updated Chart viewer
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Improved Zemax translator
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Improved CodeV translator
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New photometric calculation tools including visual appearance
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Completely re-written Help which is now fully integrated into the ASAP NextGen interface
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Undockable tabs and windows can be placed anywhere on screen
APEX Optical Design Add-In for SOLIDWORKS
APEX
Available as an add-in to the industry-standard SolidWorks® 3D-modeling environment, and based on BRO's ASAP® kernel technology, APEX® has been developed for the design and analysis of optical and illumination systems using an easy-to-follow workflow. APEX delivers optical software tools in a true CAD interface.
With the full power and sophistication of SolidWorks in APEX, there is no need to translate, bridge or link between two separate programs. In APEX, you learn, create, design, and analyze in the same program environment, and that environment is all about ease of use. APEX seamlessly melds the worlds of computer-aided design and optical engineering, resulting in an "optics aware" design application.
In APEX, no CAD restrictions are placed on your optical components. Rather, APEX combines the power of SolidWorks geometry modeling with the rigor and precision needed for virtual prototyping of optical systems. Optical components created in APEX have optical tolerances and blend seamlessly into larger system models, including electrical, mechanical, and other system components.
APEX is an optical engineering application tailor-made to meet the requirements of today's product design teams, whether big or small, and is opening up new possibilities for the future of optics. Optical and mechanical engineers can finally work side-by-side on the same files. APEX files are SolidWorks files. Experimenting, evaluating, and innovating couldn't be easier. Welcome to APEX.
Ways to Optimize Systems in APEX
There are two ways to handle system creation for optical analysis in APEX:
1) Utilize the features of SOLIDWORKS and the APEX Add-In to both build the mechanical structures of a system and optimize optical performance (most common workflow preferred by SOLIDWORKS users).
2) Utilize the robust CAD interoperability features of SOLIDWORKS to import mechanical designs created in virtually any CAD program, and then optimize optical system performance (preferred by users of other CAD packages).
Following completion of optical analysis in APEX, the optimized optical system can be reimported into the CAD package of your choice to continue your product engineering workflow.
Segmented Reflector Design Software
ReflectorCAD
ReflectorCAD® from Breault Research Organization (BRO) is a paradigm-shifting reflector design tool allowing users to make graphical adjustments to the luminous intensity patterns corresponding to individual reflector segments. The program does the rest.
A graphical change to the luminous intensity pattern of a reflector segment results in automatic changes to the prescription of that segment. This easy, click-and-drag construction and analysis of segmented reflectors, greatly reduces the time required to go from creative concept, to proven design, to prototype.
ReflectorCAD can be used anywhere segmented reflectors are required. The program works well as a stand-alone application, or in concert with ASAP® and the ELTM Add-On. ASAP is BRO's non-sequential ray tracing program, which includes powerful capabilities for modeling physical optics, imaging, and illumination systems.
Products
Luminous Intensity Meter
The Luminous Intensity Meter (LIM) is a portable, battery-powered meteorology instrument that measures light intensity emmissions.
Designed, engineered and manufactured by Breault Research Organization (BRO), the LIM is capable of measuring several different photometric quantities. These quantities include: source intensity in candelas (candlepower), eye illuminance in footcandles, or lux and luminance in nits.
Many lights are too bright or too intense and are inherently unsafe for use at night. LIM is a simple, safe and effective way to measure night lights in stadiums, parks, residential areas -- and more -- to ensure the lights meet the safety specifications required.
LIM Kit Includes
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Light Intensity Meter
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Remote Switch
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External Battery Pack
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Energizer L91 Ultimate Lithium, 1.5V Battery x4
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Carrying Case
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User Manual
LIM features a built-in laser range finder which measures range in feet or meters. The device includes a 1/4" - 20 threaded mount hole for tripod use.
Luminous Intensity Meter
Model #65493A22001
Specifications
Candela: 1 to 1,000,000+ cd
Illuminance: LUX or foot-candle
Distance: 3 ft (1 m) to 3280 ft (1000 m) typical
Field of View:
> Photometric: 2.0 degrees
> Visual: 4.0 degrees
> Variable IRIS
Receptor: Silicon photocell, corrected to CIE photopic response f1' <3%
Display: LCD readout, 4 lines
Dimensions & Weight: LIM Device
Length
Housing: 20.1 cm | 7.91 in
With Eyepiece: 24.9 cm | 9.80 in
Width: 19.8 cm | 7.80 in
Height: 9.85 cm | 3.88 in
Weight: Less than 4 lbs
Dimensions & Weight: Case Accessory
Interior (LxWxD): 12 in x 11 in x 5 in
Exterior (LxWxD): 14 in x 12 in x 5in
Shipping Dimensions (LxWxD): 15 i n x 12 in x 7 in
Shipping Weight: 4.0 lbs
Batteries
Preferred: Energizer L91 Ultimate Lithium, 1.5V (x4)
Acceptable: AA Akaline, 1.5 V (x4)
Gas Detection Sensor
The Gas Detection Sensor (GDS) is an aircraft / helicopter mountable, two-phased gas/leak detection sensor. The GDS provides documentation and traceability via the internal Video and HD Cameras. Designed and engineered by Breault Research Organization (BRO), the GDS uses a sample of the gas of interest as a spectral filter.
How it Works
Two radiometers -- one with gas (correlation) cell in its optical path and the other without -- focus on the ground through a narrow spectral absorption band (passband). The radiometer without the correlation cell, measures the total incoming radiance / flux within the passband (REF signal).
The radiometer with the correlation cell also measures incoming radiance / flux within the passband at the COR signal. By comparing the REF and COR signals, gas concentrations are retrieved. On-board cameras take pictures of the scene and sensors measure location and flight relevant data.
Applications
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Pipeline Inspection
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Leak Detection
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Ethane and Methane Detection
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Hydrocarbon Detection
Designed to operate at 300-meter AGL, the sensor mounts vertically in a standard propeller aircraft and views the scene below. The system passband is between 2-3 microns. Ground resolution is 200mm.
Each radiometer includes features to optically match magnification and reduce parallax to within a pixel. Data is stored in a Data Power Management system for post analysis.
Gas Detection Sensor
Model #66265A30000
System Specifications
> Detection Method: Gas Filter Correlation Rediometer
> Gas Detection: Methane and Ethane Gas
> Radiometer: Reference 1 EA | Gas Cells 2 EA
> Ground Resolution of Optical System @ 300m: 2 m
> Geometric Point Source Image Diameter: 300 um
> Radiometer Alignment / Overlap: +/- 2-Pixel Alignment
> Gas Cell Pressure: 0 to 1.1 atm
> Optical f-number: 2
> EPD: 22.5 m
> FOV @ 300m AGL: 64m
> Distortion: < 5%
> Operating Waveband: 2.22 to 2.41 um
> Power Voltage: 28 VDC
> Current: 10 A
> Environmental Temperature: -20C to 40C
> Humidity: < 95%
Subsystems
> Infrared Camera: Zephir 2.5
> Altimeter Assembly: LTI Universal Laser Sensor (0144745)
> HD Camera: Basler USB3 C-Mount Camera (ACA5472-17UC)
> Video Camera: Basler Pulse USB3 CS Mount V04 (PUA1920-30UC)
> Video Camera Lens: Basler Lens (C125-0418-5M)
> Internal Temperature Monitors: Omega RTD-830
> Ultra-miniature Pressure Sensors: P-7100
> Humidity / Temperature Sensor: HC2-xx25
> Intertial Navigation System: Mti-7 Miniature GNSS/INS Module
Dimensions & Weight
> Length w/o Handles: 20"
> Length w/ Handles: 21.5"
> Mounting Surface Diameter: 18"
> Body Shape: Octagon
> Body Width: 16 5/8"
> Weight: < 100 lbs