Microlab
®
STAR Service Manual
8-3
8.1.2 Functional Description
8.1.2.1 Interfaces:
• PC is User Interface. Either a RS 232 or an USB Interface connects PC to the
Master PCB of ML STAR Instrument.
• Optionally, a teaching Box connected to the ML STAR Instrument may used as
an additional User interface, when recognized by the User software (PC).
• Mains is connected to Power supply of ML STAR Instrument.
8.1.2.2 ML STAR Instrument communication architecture:
The Master-Slave architecture is designed as follows:
• The Master PCB controls its slaves which are Pipetting Arm X Movement
(physically located on the Master PCB), Pipetting channels, Autoload PCB and
ML STAR extensions.
• The Power supply provides power to connected modules such as Master PCB,
Pipetting Arm, Pipetting channels, Autoload PCB and ML STAR extensions.
8.1.2.3 Firmware and Data
The following PCBs carry Flash Memory which contain the necessary Firmware.
• Master C0 Module on Master PCB
• The Pipetting Arm’s X Drive is the X0 Module which is a virtual slave on the
Master PCB
(Note: It does not have its own Flash Memory - it is controlled by the Master and
therefore has no Firmware of its own).
• Pipetting Channel PX Module on Pipetting Channel PCB (X stands for the
channel number)
(Note: Pipetting Channel Board carries Flash Memory; Pipetting heads do not
have Flash Memorys but are controlled by their associated Channel).
• Pipetting Heads are passive elements and have therefore no memory of their
own.
• Autoload I0 Module on Autoload PCB.
• For Extensions, see chapter 11 ML STAR Extensions.
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