274 1100 Series FD Reference Manual
8 Theory of Operation
Firmware Description
The firmware of the instrument consists of two independent sections:
• a non-instrument specific section, called resident system,
• an instrument specific section, called main system.
Resident System
This resident section of the firmware is identical for all Agilent 1100 series
modules. Its properties are:
• the complete communication capabilities (GPIB, CAN, LAN and RS-232C),
• memory management,
• ability to update the firmware of the ‘main system’.
Main System
Its properties are:
• the complete communication capabilities (GPIB, CAN, LAN and RS-232C),
• memory management,
• ability to update the firmware of the resident system.
In addition the main system comprises the instrument functions that are
divided into common functions like
• run synchronization through APG remote
• error handling,
• diagnostic functions,
• or module specific functions like:
• internal events such as lamp control, filter movements,
• raw data collection and conversion to absorbance (see “Raw Data
Conversion to Fluorescence (LU) Units" on page 276.