> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.axsun.com/axsun-knowledge-base/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.axsun.com/axsun-knowledge-base/guides/integrated-engine/operating-the-integrated-engine.md).
# Operating the Integrated Engine
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**NOTE:** The Axsun Integrated Engine will operate (in [Force Trigger Mode](https://app.gitbook.com/axsun-technologies-knowledge-base/~/drafts/-LTIZtRnlPn-nayNs01b/primary/ref-manual/gigabit-ethernet-daq-board/basic-operation#live-imaging-force-trigger)) even if an *Image\_sync* trigger connection is not yet established or before fiber optic connections are made.
You can follow the steps on this page to verify correct hardware & software installation and learn about the basic operational modes of your Axsun Integrated Engine by streaming **unsynchronized** image data consisting of only **background noise**, then return to the previous [Making Connections](/axsun-knowledge-base/guides/integrated-engine/making-connections.md) section later when connecting your *Image\_sync* trigger and OCT interferometer optical fibers.
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**NOTE:** If errors are encountered during the execution of the steps on this page, see the [DAQ Troubleshooting](/axsun-knowledge-base/ref-manual/gigabit-ethernet-daq-board/edaq-troubleshooting.md) article for recommendations. [Contact Axsun](/axsun-knowledge-base/other/getting-help.md) if you are unable to overcome your error using the instructions in this Knowledge Base.
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## Launch GUI Tools & Confirm Connectivity
* To operate the Integrated Engine you will be using the [Hardware Control Tool](/axsun-knowledge-base/software-tools/hardware-control-tool.md) and the [Image Capture Tool](/axsun-knowledge-base/software-tools/image-capture-tool.md) GUIs which were [installed in a previous section](/axsun-knowledge-base/guides/integrated-engine/installing-software.md).
* Insure that the device hardware is connected to the host PC and powered-on as described in the previous [Making Connections](/axsun-knowledge-base/guides/integrated-engine/making-connections.md) section.
* Launch the **Hardware Control Tool** (*AxsunHardwareControlTool.exe*) and confirm that both Laser and DAQ devices are listed in the top left corner of the Hardware Control Tool main window (the order of the listed boards is inconsequential):
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{% tab title="Ethernet Control Interface" %}
When connected successfully, the Hardware Control Tool (HWCT) will indicate a connected **EDAQ** (or **DAQ**) board with interface listed as "Ethernet" and a connected **Laser Engine** (or **Light Source**) listed with interface listed as "via DAQ". This is because the Laser Engine is communicating to the host PC over a RS-232 link between the two boards and then through the DAQ's Ethernet connection.
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{% tab title="USB Control Interface" %}
When connected successfully, the Hardware Control Tool (HWCT) will indicate a connected **EDAQ** (or **DAQ**) board and a connected **Laser Engine** (or **Light Source**) with both interfaces listed as "USB".
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* Launch the **Image Capture Tool** (*AxsunImageCaptureTool.exe*) and make the appropriate selection when prompted for either the Ethernet or PCIe capture interface:
* The Image Capture Tool window will show a blank image and the selected session type will be indicated at the top of the window:
* If installation errors were encountered when selecting the interface, the Image Capture Tool will provide relevant information in a pop-up dialog and then support review of previously-saved data files only (but not new data collection from a connected DAQ). See the [DAQ Troubleshooting](/axsun-knowledge-base/ref-manual/gigabit-ethernet-daq-board/edaq-troubleshooting.md) page to overcome the errors and then try again to select the desired interface by pressing either the **Ethernet** or **PCIe** button:
## Live Imaging
### Enable Laser Emission
* Press the **LASER: ON** button on the Hardware Control Tool. When the laser is emitting,
* an indicator next to the LASER: buttons will turn bright green:
* an infrared phosphor card will show light emitted from the laser output fiber:
* and a LED on the long edge of the Laser Engine board will illuminate:
### Enable the DAQ Live Imaging mode
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{% tab title="Ethernet Data Interface" %}
* Press the **EQAQ: LIVE** button on the Hardware Control Tool:
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{% tab title="PCIe Data Interface" %}
* Press the **PCIeDAQ: LIVE** button on the Image Capture Tool's **PCIe** tab:
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* The Image Capture Tool will immediately begin to update with live images and an indicator in the lower left region of the window will turn bright green to indicate **Live Imaging**. If you have not yet connected an *Image\_sync* trigger, the **Width (A-scans)** indicator will show 256 (the default in Force Trigger mode) and an indicator in the lower left region of the window will turn bright red to indicate that [Force Trigger mode](/axsun-knowledge-base/ref-manual/gigabit-ethernet-daq-board/basic-operation.md#live-imaging-force-trigger) is active:
* If you have connected a valid *Image\_sync* trigger, the **Width (A-Scans)** will correspond to the instantaneous period of incoming *Image\_sync* trigger pulses and the **Returned Image #** will be counting up monotonically:
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**HINT:** Change the frequency of your *Image\_sync* trigger and observe how the **Width (A-Scans)** of the captured image changes automatically in response.
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## Idle
### Disable the DAQ Live Imaging mode
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{% tab title="Ethernet Data Interface" %}
* Press the **EDAQ: OFF** button on the Hardware Control Tool.
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{% tab title="PCIe Data Interface" %}
* Press the **PCIeDAQ: OFF** button on the Image Capture Tool's **PCIe** tab.
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### Disable Laser Emission
* Press the **LASER: OFF** button on the Hardware Control Tool.
## Powering Off
An Ethernet-connected Integrated Engine can be turned off at any time by simply unplugging the power supply cable from the AC/DC adapter.
When connected using the PCIe interface, we recommend shutting down and turning off the host PC prior to powering off the DAQ board, as PCIe devices are not "plug-and-play" and the Windows OS does not expect the DAQ device to disappear abruptly.
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**NOTE:** If the PCIe DAQ is being used in a Thunderbolt-PCIe Expansion Chassis, the DAQ can be powered off (or unplugged at the Thunderbolt connector) without first powering off the host PC, because the Thunderbolt interface supports "plug-and-play" connectivity.
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## Next Steps
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**Congratulations!** You have installed your **Axsun Integrated Engine** with its related Control and Capture software and successfully streamed images to your host PC in Live Imaging mode.
See the following pages for recommended further reading:
* Interact with other Integrated Engine operational modes such as Burst Recording as discussed in the [Ethernet/PCIe DAQ Board Reference Manual](/axsun-knowledge-base/ref-manual/gigabit-ethernet-daq-board/basic-operation.md#operational-modes).
* Understand some background information on the DAQ's [Architecture & Interfaces](/axsun-knowledge-base/ref-manual/gigabit-ethernet-daq-board/architecture-and-interfaces.md).
* Integrate the software functionality of the Integrated Engine into your custom application using the [AxsunOCTCapture](/axsun-knowledge-base/api-references/axsunoctcapture.dll.md) and [AxsunOCTControl](/axsun-knowledge-base/api-references/axsunoctcontrol.dll.md)/[AxsunOCTControl\_LW](/axsun-knowledge-base/api-references/axsunoctcontrol-lightweight.md) application programming interfaces (APIs).
* Learn about [Advanced Laser Engine Features](/axsun-knowledge-base/ref-manual/ss-oct-laser-engine/advanced-laser-engine-features.md) and [Advanced DAQ Features](/axsun-knowledge-base/ref-manual/gigabit-ethernet-daq-board/advanced-operation.md) to optimize your OCT image quality.
* [Operate the Variable Delay Line](/axsun-knowledge-base/how-tos/operating-a-variable-delay-line.md) if your Integrated Engine included that optional component.
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