a computer based system for testing an optical monitoring system includes a program having program instruction and optical monitoring system parameters , for implementing a plurality of tests of an optical monitoring system . a computer includes at least one processor for executing the program instructions , storage components for storing program instructions and test data , including the optical system parameters , a user input for inputting commands , and a display for displaying a menu of available test commands , test results and other data . an interface is provided for interfacing the optical monitoring system to tile computer for exchange of control and data signals . a fixture is provided for mounting the optical monitoring system during testing .