Control Software

The external trigger input allows automatic inspections and ultrasonic imaging. The clock signal of an encoder or of stepper motors can be used as a trigger for the pulser. An internal software controlled divider allows different scan resolutions. 

With the right software controlling the instrument, it is possible for the above process to be repeated n times,... 

Stand-alone computer systems, usually based on a personal computer (PC) or programmable logic controller (PLC), provide a separate computer system for each pilot plant. This allows for economical expansion for new units, separates pilot plants completely for maintenance and troubleshooting, and often has the lowest initial cost. Standardization can be a problem and software control, data gathering, and storage packages can be limited in size, scope, and capabiUty these are usually acceptable trade-offs. 

Chapter 2 stressed the need to consider the results of plant modifications before they are made and to prevent unauthorized ones. This applies to computers as well as traditional plant. No change should be made to hardware or software unless authorized by a professionally competent person who has carried out a systematic survey of possible consequences. It is easier to change a software control system than a traditional one and therefore harder to control the changes, but it is just as important to do so. Section 20.5 describes an unauthorized change to hardware that could have had serious results. 

More recently, certain MS-MS scans have been made available on the ion-trap instrument. This type of system differs from those described previously in that the MS-MS capability is associated only with the way in which the ion-trap is operated, i.e. it is software controlled, and does not require the addition of a collision cell and a further analyser. This is because ion selection, decomposition and the subsequent analysis of the product ions are all carried out in the same part of the instrument, with these processes being separated solely in time, rather than time and space as is the case for the instruments described previously. 

Cox TA. Clinical data collection using free software. Controlled Clin Trials 2004 P56. 

Semiautomatic devices suited for preparative purposes are the CAMAG Linomat 5, the Desaga HPTLC applicator AS 30, and the Alltech TLC sample streaker. For all devices, the syringe has to be filled manually with sample solution and rinsed after sample application. Except for the Alltech TLC sample streaker, each of these instruments can be employed either as software-controlled or as a stand-alone device. The former is more convenient for creation, editing, and saving of the application pattern and instrument parameters. 

An automatic probe tuning and matching (ATM) accessory allows one to automatically tune the NMR probe to the desired nuclei s resonant frequency and match the resistance of the probe circuit to 50 Q [7]. Traditional NMR instruments are designed so that one must perform these adjustments manually prior to data acquisition on a new sample. The advent of the ATM accessory allows the sampling of many different NMR samples without the need for human intervention. The ATM in conjunction with a sample changer enables NMR experiments to be conducted under complete automation. The sample changers are designed so that once the samples are prepared, they are placed into the instrument s sample holders. Data are then acquired under software control of both the mechanical sample delivery system as well as the electronics of the spectrometer. 

Most systems are equipped with power supplies that can be operated in constant voltage, constant current, and constant power modes. Common limits are 30 kV and 300 liA for constant voltage and constant current, respectively. Software-controlled polarity switching and programmable gradients are conveniences. 

A spectrophotometer which allows spectroscopic and kinetic measurements to be made on a light irradiated sample has been developed by Ranalder et al. 5). The instrument is completely controlled by a small PDP-8/I computer. Great flexibility is introduced through software control. Several data collection routines have been written, and methods for determining molar absorption coefficients of metastable states have been discussed. 

TTie Aroma software controls the sample change, pumps, valves and connected measuring instruments. The software also receives all measured results from the instruments, filters, stores and prints them. 

The second device comprised a set of three circumferentially located pintle-type injectors Keihin, 10450-PG7-0031) to inject fuel radially into the main duct of the first flow arrangement as near-rectangular pulses. The frequency and duration of fuel injection were software controlled, and the fuel flow from each injector was delivered close to the outer edge of the annular ring flame holder by a cross-jet of air (1.2 x 5 mm), directed along the duct axis with exit velocity up to 100 m/s. The amplitude of the oscillated input was limited by the volume injection rate of the injectors. Propane, rather than methane, provided up to 3.5 kW of the total heat release of around 100 kW. With fluid dynamic damping, the RMS of the oscillated fuel flow corresponded to a heat release of around 1.8 kW. 

Time-shcing is a variation of the stop-flow mode where the flow is stopped in a time-dependent manner (e.g. every 15 s) for the whole chromatographic run, in a sense the ultimate approach in slow-flow. When the flow is stopped, sufficient scans can be made to give the desired level of detection before moving on to the next time-slice. The whole process can be automated through software control. There is no requirement for an UV detector, and the approach has been used to identify non-UV-active components in drug substances [48]. The peak purity of... 

HPLC is the chromatographic technique which has seen the most intensive development in recent years leading to improved, columns, detectors and software control. 

Fig. 11.8. The essential elements of a computer-controlled STM. The feedback electronics is replaced by a single-CPU computer. A Motorola 68020 microprocessor and a 68881 math coprocessor are used to perform the feedback control. A commercial VME crate is applied. The versatility of the software-controlled system facilitates the optimization of the transient response of the STM. (Reproduced from Piner and Reifenberger, 1989, with permission.)...

Fluorescence microspectrophotometry typically provides chemical information in three modes spectral characterization, constituent mapping in specimens, and kinetic measurements of enzyme systems or photobleaching. All three approaches assist in defining chemical composition and properties in situ and one or all may be incorporated into modem instruments. Software control of monochrometers allows precise analysis of absoiption and/or fluorescence emission characteristics in foods, and routine detailed spectral analysis of large numbers of food elements (e.g., cells, fibers, fat droplets, protein bodies, crystals, etc.) is accomplished easily. The limit to the number of applications is really only that which is imposed by the imagination - there are quite incredible numbers of reagents which are capable of selective fluorescence tagging of food components, and their application is as diverse as the variety of problems in the research laboratory. 

The tunable filter technology also has distinct PAT advantages. Rapid timing of discrete wavelengths through software control and no moving parts enables the collection of data sets comprising approximately 80 000 spectra in a matter of a couple of minutes. For most... 

The theoretical basics of LC-NMR coupling have already been discussed in the previous chapter. Except for one type of experiment, the connection of the chromatographic system and the NMR detection cell via a capillary is not sufficient. Most of the experiments require a special interface with switching valves under software control for reliable and reproducible results. The level of equipment and the application field depends on the types of experiment which are being conducted and will be discussed in the following. 

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