Mini-computer system

A continuous capillary viscosity detector has been developed for use in High Performance Gel Permeation Chromatography (HPGPC). This detector has been used in conjunction with a concentration detector (DRI) to provide information on the absolute molecular weight, Mark-Houwink parameters and bulk intrinsic viscosity of polymers down to a molecular weight of about 4000. The detector was tested and used with a Waters Associates Model 150 C ALC/GPC. The combined GPC/Viscometer instrumentation was automated by means of a micro/mini-computer system which permits data acquisition/reduction for each analysis. 

Computers. A certain number of personal computers are necessary for report generation and regulatory submission preparation. In addition, these may be useful for record keeping, depending on the type of stability information system that the company chooses to use. Alternatively, if the information system is intended to be accessible (read only) to many users, it may be more efficient to develop a local area network of mini-computers. The size of the database will help determine the nature of the software/hardware configuration used for this function. 

Portability. RuleMaster is written in the C language, making it portable to a wide range of micro- and mini-computers with the UNIX, VMS, or PC-DOS operating systems. By late 1985 RuleMaster had been installed on more than twenty brands of computers, ranging in size from IBM PCs to large mini-computers. 

Automation has been applied for a number of years in process control instrumentation, but the major impetus to introduce automatic devices into laboratories stems from three sources (1) the introduction of the continuous-flow principles as outlined by Skeggs [1] (2) the general demand for clinical chemical measurements, which represents a ready and sizeable market for instrument companies, and, more importantly, (3) the abihty to handle large volumes of data and package them in a form suitable for presentation to analysts and customers, through the use of mini- and micro computer systems hnked to a control computer. 

Fig. 2.10 Schematic representation of a system with several units for automation of basic operations, controlled by a mini-computer.

Samples are injected into the vaporizer by a metering pump or manually with septum injection the manual injection procedure is intended for method development. The sample gas mixture then passes through the chromatographic column where the sample compounds separate. Fractions pass through the thermal conductivity detector and then to a condenser collection manifold where up to five fractions can be collected. Complete control of the system is achieved via a mini-computer. 

The late 1960s saw the appearance of dedicated laboratory mini-computers and the third generation of instrument systems (Fig. 8.4). The computers were interfaced to existing instruments and were used primarily to log and process data. In some cases, simple instructions could be sent to the instrument by programs resident in the minicomputer. It was also possible for the computer to optimize instrument conditions in real time by monitoring output data. 

Traditionally, a main frame computer was one that operated using 32 or 64 bit words. A minicomputer was one that utilized a 16 bit word and the microcomputer was one that used a 4 or 8 bit word. However, these distinctions in classifications are very quickly disappearing with the further miniaturization of computers, the increasing speed of microprocessors, and specifically the design of more powerful micro and mini computers. Many of the new microcomputers are far more powerful and capable than what just a few years ago was considered a large main frame system. 

The Computer. AXIS is written in FORTRAN and runs on a GEC 4000 series multi-user mini computer equipped with a Graphics Option Controller (GOC) model 5250, manufactured by Sigma Electronic Systems Ltd. This device converts an alphanumeric visual display unit into a graphics terminal, allowing independent use of the alphanumeric and graphics screens. In addition, it provides cursor handling facilities and the ability to selectively erase part of the screen. All of these features are utilised by AXIS. 

Computer systems can be used to calculate the EOQ and reorder point so that a product is reordered automatically when the inventory falls below a mini-... 

In order to gauge the results of the design exercise, both in terms of system performance and cost-effectiveness it is necessary to benchmark the MVP-9500 against other machines for which the benchmark figures are available Fortunately Floating Point systems have published details of a benchmark used to compare the AP120B with mini- and mainframe computer systems (6). 

Commercial data systems are now available for all the principal GC-MS instruments although a number of independent centres have developed their own systems to suit individual requirements [44]. These range from low cost off-line systems to dedicated mini computers linked to time-shared central computers. Many of these systems are in advance of commercial packages but the different capabilities of their configurations are outside the scope of this article. (For a review of computerised data acquisition and handling see [45]). However it is useful to consider some of the hardware components and requirements of a small on-line computer system (Figure 1.8) for low resolution GC-MS work. 

Here is how SAL works Samples are received in a reception and storage room, then routed to the appropriate wet chemical analysis laboratory. There, they are analysed for uranium, thorium or plutonium content, and purified aliquots (portions of the sample) are prepared for the isotopic analysis of three elements. Isotopic analyses are performed routinely by mass spectrometry, and radiometric techniques are used for back-up. Emission spectrography serves to detect the presence of impurities which could interfere with the measurements and thus distort the results of the chemical and isotopic analysis of uranium, thorium and plutonium. Complex calculations and quality checks are performed on minicomputers, which are connected in a network to a central laboratory mini-computer. A central laboratory data system stores and provides analytical reports and enables the quality of the analyses and the status of the flow of samples through the laboratory at any time to be monitored. 

In order to facilitate data handling, several mini-computers were interconnected and the system directly connected to balances and apparatus for counting radioactivity. By use of Che occlusive method, an organic base and a ChiocarbamaCe insecticide were shown Co be absorbed and excreted readily. Very little material was retained in Che tissues of Che rats. By use of Che non-occlusive method, the insecticide, mechidathion, was shown Co be absorbed about 3 times faster Chan Che herbicide, aCrazine. Also, Che mouse absorbed the insecticide faster than Che rat. In the case of atrazine, use of four different treatment amounts showed a direct relationship between the amount placed on the skin and the amount found in the urine. This shows that urine analyses for atrazine residues would measure the amount of skin exposure. 

Since we worked on a mini-computer, only rather small systems with max 75 unknowns were treated and a simple Gauss-elimination with row interchange (when the value of the diagonal term is too small) satisfied always provided the domain was kept sufficiently convex (see also section 3.2.2). 

Software Catalog (Elsevier Science Publications, New York, NY). Six volumes pertaining to microcomputers, mini-computers, science and engineering, business software, health professions, systems software, others. 

With the rapid development of application tools a proven hardware policy has been what is known as client-server computing. All servers are open system large or mini computers (e.g. IBM-AIX) and client computers are largely personal computers (PCs). 

Gas flow rates were monitored by Matheson mass flow transducers and pressures were controlled by pressure regulators. Flow rates, temperatures and reactor pressure were recorded at 10 s intervals by a data acquisition system interfaced with a Hewlett Packard 1000 mini-computer. Details regarding the reactor system will be presented elsewhere. ... 

Fig.l shows the Fuel Handling diagram. The computer system is a system consisting of a mini-frame c and two microcomputers as slaves, does all the supervision and performs system and maintenance tasks. It passes co execution of process tasks and check also done by the micros. The comma field devices are given by the micros logic. 

Computers as Analysers. Traditionally data accumulated in the m.c.a. has been transferred to the computer by means of information on punched card, paper tape, or magnetic tape. From a practical point of view, the storage of information in this manner is wasteful both in terms of time and handling effort. The current trend in the design and use of multi-channel analyser systems is the incorporation of a mini computer for both data acquisition and data analysis. This type of system allows analysis of the spectral information immediately after accumulation and only the relevant data, usually peak positions and areas, need be obtained in hard copy form. 

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