Loading SwissSPAD Data

To load SwissSPAD data, use the File>>Load>>Dataset>>Open SwissSPAD 1 Dataset. SwissSPAD 2 datasets can be opened using the File>>Load>>Dataset>>Open HDF5 FLI Dataset.

SwissSPAD (or SS1)  files use a proprietary binary format (.dat file), while SwissSPAD 2 (SS2) files use the open source HDF5 format

SS2 HDF5 files can be previewed with the free HDFView software available on most operating systems. APIs are available for most languages to read and write this format.

1. SwissSPAD 1 Dataset

After selecting a SwissSPAD 1 .dat file, a dialog window opens up, asking the user to enter the laser frequency used during acquisition. This information is used to compute the gate separation, but is not mandatory, as the correct gate step size can be entered separately in the Settings>>Fluorescence Decay>>Basic Analysis panel (Gate Separation parameter).

2. SwissSPAD 2 Dataset

A SwissSPAD 2 (SS2) dataset (saved as a HDF5 file) should contain all information needed to interpret the data and no further action should be needed. All data manipulation functions available for time-gated imaging function with this data type.