SECTION I
ADVANCED WINDOWS COMPUTER OPERATION OF M500
Computer Hardware Requirements:
The EZ-Scan2 software needs a Pentium class computer with at least Windows 98. (Memory needs
for the EZ-Scan and Grams/AI software will be based on the operating system. Example: Windows
XP-Pro SP3 would like 1 to 2 Gig of RAM while Windows Vista would like 2 to 4 Gig.) A color
monitor is required at 1024 x 768 resolution. At least one free serial port is required that is not shared
with the mouse or the modem. If the mouse is on serial port one, three will not normally work
correctly. GRAMS/AI 9.2 only works with Windows XP-Pro SP3 (32 bit) or Windows Vista Pro (32
bit) and needs to be networked to be 21CRF part 11 compliant. It will also work with Windows 7 32
bit.
A dot matrix, inkjet or laser printer with its Windows driver is needed for printing spectrum. A mouse
is required for the best Windows operation.
Installation:
Install Buck "null-modem" cable between the 25 pin "D" (male) connector on the M500 and a 9 pin
"D" (male) serial port connector on the computer. Note: not all null-modem cables have the same pin
out.
General:
Commands issued from the "Grams/AI" program affect the spectrometer exactly the same as
commands entered from the spectrometer control panel.
The data is preprocessed in the spectrometer for plotting by the chart recorder. The preprocessing,
which includes smoothing and data compression, differs between the reference, single and ratio modes,
and between transmittance and absorbance.
The data transmitted to the computer is raw, unprocessed data. Data points are transmitted at a 23.6
Hz rate (one data point per cycle of the optical chopper). This data is entered, unmodified into the data
file. The data can then be post-processed by the user with complete flexibility.
Command choices of scan type, Abs/Tran, and response do not affect the raw data entered into the data
file. The choices do, however, affect the interlocking of commands. Reference mode (the default at
turn-on) does not allow absorbance to be selected. Mode can only be changed at the start of a scan.
Reference mode changes automatically to Ratio mode upon completion of a reference scan. Ratio
mode cannot be entered unless a completed reference scan is in memory, and ratio mode scan speed
cannot be different than for the reference scan. These interlocks are useful for normal front-panel
operation, and for any operation using the chart recorder in conjunction with the generation of data
files. Selection of single mode is recommended when primarily generating data files since this mode
minimizes interlocking. Reference mode is also used in the MYInstrument software for auto
correction.
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