Agilent SS420x Interface User’s Guide
March, 2006 applicable law, Agilent disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, with regard to this manual and any information contained herein, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent shall not be liable for errors or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, use, or performance of this document or of any information contained herein.
Contents 1 Using This Guide................................................................................................5 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 5 Who Should Read This Guide?............................................................................................ 5 Documentation Conventions ...............................................................................................
SS420x Channel Configuration.......................................................................................... 19 SS420x Event Configuration .............................................................................................. 19 7 Configuration for OpenLAB ............................................................................ 23 SS420x Interface Configuration ........................................................................................
1 Using This Guide Introduction The SS420x is an intelligent instrument interface box designed to collect analog data, and input and output digital signals. The SS420x attaches to the controlling computer via a standard RS-232C serial interface. It contains the circuitry of the SS420 interface card, along with an additional CPU, one megabyte of RAM for long-term collection of chromatography data and the ability to retain all the settings required by the SS420.
then you must type the actual name of the server instead of the italicized term. Monospace Programming code samples and display text. ALL CAPITALS The keys you press on the keyboard. If combined with a plus sign (+), press and hold the first key while you press the remaining key(s). For example, press SHIFT+TAB. The following notes may appear in this guide. Caution! A CAUTION notice denotes a hazard.
ADC data obtained from the SS420 circuitry and passes that data back to the PC via the serial interface. SS420 Circuitry – The SS420x circuitry provides an Intel 8752 micro-controller with 4 associated ADC’s. Battery – The battery provides backup power to the SRAM. SRAM – The SRAM (Static RAM) provides 1 MB of memory for the 80C188EB CPU (which is used for long-term storage of the ADC samples).
3 Specifications Dynamic Range: >1,000,000 : 1 Input Signal Range: -5 to +11 Volt Maximum Input Voltage Without Damage: Continuous: +30V (power off); +45V (power on); Pulsed, <1 ms & <10% duty cycle: +100V Common Mode Rejection Ratio: 1V range: 96dB min., 10V range: 75dB min. Normal Mode Rejection Ratio at Line Frequency +2% or Nominal: 100dB min., Monotonicity: 20 bits Zero Drift: 1V range: <2μV/ºC, 10V range: <10mV/ºC Full Scale Drift: 0.002%/ºC max. Noise: 2μV RMS, 0.
4 Data Collection The SS420x archives the 24-bit ADC data into four separate long-term buffers for each of its analog channels. Each channel can retain up-to 102 minutes worth of sample data per channel at a sampling rate of 10 Hz. The buffer for each channel is only cleared before starting a new collection. The LED’s provide information related to the acquisition of data by each channel. Each LED is associated with a channel.
Analog Interface Connector A twelve-pin snap lock modular connector (AKZ-950-STL12W) provides the analog interface connection. The connector is labeled on the back panel as ‘Analog Inputs’.
Relay Interface Connector Two eight-pin snap lock modular connectors (AKZ-950STL8W) provide the relay interface connection. The connectors are labeled on the back panel as ‘Relay Outputs’. Caution! The solid-state relays (SSRs) in the SS420x are rated for a maximum of 110mA, and safety considerations limit the maximum switching voltage to 40VDC or 28VRMS AC. The SS420x inputs can detect switch closures or can be driven by TTL compatible logic. The output switches are open collector switches.
4 RLY6B 5 RLY7A 6 RLY7B 7 RLY8A 8 RLY8B Trigger/Start Interface Connector An eight-pin snap lock modular connector (AKZ-950-STL8W) provides the trigger interface connection. The connector is labeled on the back-panel as ‘START INPUTS’. Caution! The solid-state relays (SSRs) in the SS420x are rated for a maximum of 110mA, and safety considerations limit the maximum switching voltage to 40VDC or 28VRMS AC. The SS420x inputs can detect switch closures or can be driven by TTL compatible logic.
7 START4 8 GND4 Serial RS-232 Interface Connector There is one external RS-232 Serial interface provided by the SS420x via a DB-9S: RS-232 (J5) 1 NC 2 Transmit 3 Receive 4 NC 5 Signal Ground 6 NC 7 NC 8 NC 9 NC XX Chassis GND The SS420x requires the chassis ground be provided from the controlling computer or AIC via the serial interface cable. Furthermore, the computer or AIC is required to supply that ground from the AC ground plug. Box Power Interface Connector There is one 2.
POWER (J6) 1 9 Volts 2 Ground BCD Inputs Connector There is one external BCD input interface. This interface is currently not supported. Transmission Speed vs Distance Since the SS420x communicates with the AIC by RS-232, it is recommended that the cables used observe the EIA standards for RS-232. Below is a table outlining transmission speed and length of cable between the SS420x and computer or AIC. Cable lengths greater than those listed may be used but may result in a loss of communication.
6 Configuration for EZChrom Elite In order to use an SS420x for data acquisition, you must complete the configuration steps shown below. First, configure the board using the Tools/Interface Configuration… command from the Main menu. Then, for each instrument using the SS420x for acquisition, you must configure the detector for using the SS420x interface, as described in the following sections. SS420x Interface Configuration From the Main menu, click Tools/Interface Configuration….
Baud Rate The communication baud rate is displayed here. To change the baud rate, click the Advanced button. Base Frequency Select the base frequency. The default setting for the SS420x is 10 Hz, which gives optimal signal to noise, and can be used in countries using either 50Hz or 60Hz. The base frequencies available will depend on the baud rate chosen. If the baud rate is less than 38400bps, the base frequencies 100 and 120 will not be available.
If selected incorrectly, you may see line frequency noise on your chromatogram. For best performance, select a base frequency close to the maximum sampling frequency you will be using to acquire data. Sampling frequencies available in the Acquisition Setup portion of the method will reflect the Base Frequency selected. Range For each channel used, select the button next to the signal range for the detector connected to that channel. Information This area is for information only.
the instrument and its detectors. To start the configuration of an instrument, do a right mouse click on the instrument from the Main menu, and select Configure. The Instrument Configuration dialog will appear. Instruments using SS420x for acquisition may be configured as any available instrument type. If instrument type other than Generic is selected, the detector model must be set to analog, with acquisition source set to SS420x. When this is selected, click Configure to continue.
SS420x Channel Configuration For the detector selected, set the correct Serial Port, and Channel to be used. These should match the way your detector is physically connected to the SS420x interface. When you have finished this dialog, click OK. SS420x Event Configuration If you plan to use event control from the SS420x, you must configure it for each instrument using the SS420x. From the generic system configuration box, make sure the Event Configuration icon is shown in the Configured Modules area.
To start the event configuration, double click on the Event Configuration icon in the Configured modules area. The following events can be configured for control by the SS420x. If an event type is not configured, it will not be available for programming in the method.
SS420x Trigger Configuration Select Trigger in the Name column. Select SS420x for Source. Then click Setup. The following dialog will appear. Select the correct Serial Port, trigger number, and initial trigger state for this trigger. Note: If multiple SS420x boxes being controlled from the same instrument (each box is on its own serial port), and external triggering is desired, each box must have its own trigger configured. When completed, click OK.
Select the Serial Port and the relay to be used for the Ready. These should match the physical connections on the SS420x interface for this ready line. Then select the state of the relay when it is in the ready position. SS420x Valve/External Event Configuration To configure a Valve or other external event to control from the SS420x, enter a descriptive name in the Name field and set SS420x for the Source. Then click Setup and the following dialog will appear.
7 Configuration for OpenLAB If you will be using an SS420x attached to the Agilent Instrument Controller (required for analog acquisition), it will need to be configured using the OpenLAB software, as described below. 1. From OpenLAB, select the Administration tab and then click Global Administration followed by Agilent Instrument Controller Network Appliance. 2. Double-click the name of the Agilent Instrument Controller where the SS420x is connected and then select the Hardware tab. 3.
Baud Rate Select the communication baud rate you wish to use. To send the updated baud rate to the SS420x, click the Set Baud Rate button. Base Frequency Select the base frequency. The default setting for the SS420x is 10 Hz, which gives optimal signal to noise, and can be used in countries using either 50Hz or 60Hz. The base frequencies available will depend on the baud rate chosen. If the baud rate is less than 38400bps, the base frequencies 100 and 120 will not be available.
Sampling frequencies available in the Acquisition Setup portion of the method will reflect the Base Frequency selected. Range For each channel used, select the button next to the signal range for the detector connected to that channel. Information This area is for information only. It contains manufacturing information about the interface box that may be required in service situations. If the box is not recognized, the “Connection Status” field will display “Not Connected”.
Instruments using SS420x for acquisition may be configured as any available instrument type. If instrument type other than Generic is selected, the detector model must be set to analog, with acquisition source set to SS420x. When this is selected, click Configure to continue. SS420x Detector Configuration To configure a detector to use SS420x for acquisition, select SS420x for Acquisition Source. Then click the button next to the selection to do the Channel Configuration.
When you have finished this dialog, click OK. SS420x Event Configuration If you plan to use event control from the SS420x, you must configure it for each instrument using the SS420x. From the generic system configuration box, make sure the Event Configuration icon is shown in the Configured Modules area. (If not, double-click on the icon to move it over to the Configured Modules area.) To start the event configuration, double click on the Event Configuration icon in the Configured modules area.
The following events can be configured for control by the SS420x. If an event type is not configured, it will not be available for programming in the method. SS420x Trigger Configuration Select Trigger in the Name column. Select SS420x for Source. Then click Setup. The following dialog will appear. Select the correct Serial Port, trigger number, and initial trigger state for this trigger.
must have its own trigger configured. When completed, click OK. SS420x Ready Configuration To configure a Ready signal, select Ready for Name, set SS420x for the Source, and then click Setup. The following dialog will appear. Select the Serial Port and the relay to be used for the Ready. These should match the physical connections on the SS420x interface for this ready line. Then select the state of the relay when it is in the ready position.
Select the Serial Port and the Relay to be used for the valve/event control. Then select the Idle State (State of the relay before the run) to be set when it is not in use. Click OK when finished.
