This document discusses an instrument interface system that provides real-time data acquisition, graphing, instrument control, post processing, archiving, and remote communications capabilities. It can be used to interface with various analytical instruments and experimental setups. The system uses a high-performance multifunctional board with multiple analog and digital input/output channels connected to a computer via USB. Instrument control and data analysis tasks are performed using a combination of macros and worksheets in the Microsoft Excel environment. This allows intuitive, flexible and customizable interfaces to be created without specialized programming.

1. Standards
Certification
Education & Training
Publishing
Conferences & Exhibits
A Complete Instrument
Interface System
Does it all: Real Time Acquisition,
Graphing and Instrument Control;
Post Processing, Archiving and
Remote Communications

2. 2
Dr. Scot D. Abbott
Bio Details
• Director of R&D, Phoenix First Response
• DuPont Central Research (29 years)
• Developed Several Instruments and Tests
– Reaction Detection Gas Chromatograph (1968,1970)
– HPLC Detectors, Columns and Applications (1973-80)
– High Temperature High Speed GPC (1974)
– GPC Data System with Broad Std Calibration (1976)
– Viscosity Detector for GPC and HPLC (1980)
– Light Scattering Particle Counter (1985)
– High Accuracy Relative Viscometer (1987)
– Electrochemical Hematocrit Device (1986)
– Particle Based Immunoassays (1985)
– Rotational Viscometer (2000)
– Instrument Interface System (2016)

3. Our Labs Needed Instrument
Interfaces For Several Projects
• GC for Dedicated Analysis
– Multi-column , Multi-Detector
– Automation and Remote Operation Options
– Required an Instrument Interface
• Other Analyzers and Experimentation
– Mechanical Testers
– Thermal Studies, Polymerizations
– Polymer Characterization, Flow Injection
Analyzers
– Instron Controller Replacements
– Required Instrument Interfaces
(Some not Available)

4. Common Commercial
Choices
• ‘Complete’ Systems For Specific Instrument Type
– Clumsy, Difficult, Expensive to Upgrade or Program
– Dedicated to One Instrument or Instrument Type
– Few Data Channels, Limited, Dedicated Input types
– Must Train Techs on Each Different Instrument Personality
– Required Specific Computer OS, etc.
– Captured/Captive Market & Slave to Software Vendor
• ‘Custom’ Hardware and Software
– High Resolution (Wide Dynamic Range) = Expensive
– Each Has Different Application Software
– Custom Software + Custom Boards = Expensive and Awkward
– Proprietary Software = Limited Market Base, Limited Support

5. Instrument Interface Tasks
are
EssentiallytheSameforAll Instruments
– Provide User Interface (Inputs, Real Time Displays)
– Take in Sensor Data (Various Types, Resolution, Speed)
– Control Instrument/Experiment (Set Up Conditions, etc.)
– Get, Store, Archive Raw Data
– Retrieve & Treat Raw Data; Evaluate & Compare Results
– Prepare Reports & Archive Results
– Automate Process (Sample Queue, Method Files, etc.)
– Communicate Externally (Remote Operation, Reporting)

6. New, Powerful Combination
of
Hardware & Software

7. • High Performance Multifunctional Board with USB
– High Resolution (24 bit)
– Multichannel, Expandable
– Analog, Digital IN & OUT Channels, RS-485
– Frequency, Current Loop Options
– High Input Impedance (1013
Ohms)
– Use with Electrodes Directly
– High Sensitivity (Sub-Microvolt)
– Use with Thermocouples Directly
– High and Low Level Signals Simultaneously
– KHz to Sub Hz capability
• Multi-board Expandability
Hardware & Software
Combination
Bad Hardware Gives Bad Data, and There’s No Fix For Bad Data
More Ports, More Applications

8. Instrument Interface Outline
8

9. Software and Hardware
Combination
No Need for Programmers or Special Programming Languages (e.g. C ++
, etc.)
• Microsoft Excel®
for Graphics, Instrument and Data Control
– Simple Named Macros for Instrument & Device Control Tasks
– Analog In, Analog Out, Digital In, Digital Out, Frequency In and Out, etc.
– Serial Communications Protocol Structure for RS-232 and RS-485 Devices
– Workbooks and Templates for Simplicity and Flexibility
– Easy To Use, and Modify by Scientists and Engineers
– Easy to Add Functionality and Controls, Use & Add Math Tools
– Easy to Create Whole Instrument Personality
– Easy to Program with Macro Recorder
– Macro Recorder: “Cut and Paste” Programming
– Use with XP, Win7, Win10, Excel 2007-2013, 32 or 64 bit versions
– Stable Product with Very Large User Base and Support
– No Need for Esoteric Programming Language or Programmer

10. Macro >Worksheet >Workbook > Template
Architecture
• Simple Macros for Simple Tasks
– (e.g. Com_A.Write, Get_Dig1_In)
• Multi-macro Procedures for More Complex Tasks
– (e.g. DoScan, DoControl, Get_Next_Sample )
• Worksheets For Major Functionality
– (e.g. User interfaces, Calibration Methods, Run Methods)
• Workbook for Whole Instrument Personality
• Templates For Complete Application
– GC (Run Routine Samples)
– GC (Methods Development)
– Viscometer
– Shear Tester
10

11. Common Worksheet Tasks
Mix and Match, Modify, or “Roll Your Own”
•User Input (Control Buttons, Input Box, Forms, Tabs)
•Real Time Strip Chart and Run Control
•Data Comparison (Retrieve Data and Compare)
•Data Analysis (Peak Detection, Calibration)
•Method Development and Dedicated Templates
•Sample Queue and Automation

12. Application Examples
Mix and Match Tasks
• User Interfaces for Different Kinds of Activities
– Shear Data Reporter (Control Buttons, Tabs)
– General Purpose Interface (1 Form and 2 Worksheets)
– ‘All in One’ Style (Dedicated Shear Tester)
• Control Worksheets
– Hardware Control
– Software Control
• Post Processing
– Reconcile Data in Different File Formats
– Data Comparisons (Methods Development, Reports, etc.)
– Quantitation of Results From Data Files
– Report Preparation
12

13. Retrieve Data and Prepare Report
Data from CSV File (From Instron® Shear Tester w/ S9 software)

14. Track A Polymerization
Strip Chart One Channel

15. Routine Run Worksheet (Shear Tester )
(Signals from String Pot and Pressure sensor)
One Worksheet for Input, Control & Real time Display

16. GC Application: Multi Worksheets
Worksheet for User Input ; Form for Control
Worksheets for Real Time Strip Charting
16

17. Routine GC Run Worksheet
Strip Charts, Form and Tabs
17

18. Post Processing Data
(Using Macros, Worksheets, and Templates)
• Examine Data
– Add Derivatives, Tangents, Smoothing
– Adjust Offsets, Gains, etc.
– Detect and Treat Peaks (Start, Stop,
Integrate, etc. )
– Define Baseline (Start and Stop)
– Integration, Calibration, Correlations, etc.
• Compare Data Sets (Can Be Variable Length)
• Prepare and Archive Reports
18

19. Adjusting Offsets and Gains
Using Graph Control Form
19

20. Adjusting Offsets and Gains
Using Graph Control Form
20

21. 21
Add Derivative : Detect Peaks

22. Compare Derivatives
(Shear Test Samples)
22

23. Selecting Peak Details and Baselines
(Manual or Automatic Selection)
(Peak Start and Stop Separate from Baseline Start and Stop)
23

24. Control Sheet : Appearance
24

25. Control Sheet : The Math
25

26. GC Calibration One Analyte in Each Tab
26

27. Data Treatment for Relative Viscometer

28. GPC Data From 3 Detectors

29. Control Sheet : Control Instrument
Example: Digital Out
Output Channel Dig 1 Dig2 Dig 3 Dig4 Dig5 Dig6 Dig7 Dig8
Control On/Off
Control Type
Parameter 1
Parameter 2
Parameter 3
Controlled Output
Action When Low
Input Channel
Measured Value
29

30. Control Sheet : Control Instrument
Example: Analog Out
Analog Output (AO) Controllers
Output Channel AO1 AO2 AO3
Control On/Off OFF OFF OFF
Control Type
Parameter 1 1.000 0.000 0.000
Parameter 2 0.050 1.000 1.000
Parameter 3 0.050 0.000 0.000
Action When Low ON ON ON
Input Channel
Measured Value
Control Voltage 0.000 0.000 0.000
30
Control Types And Parameters
Param Simple Diff PID
P1 SetPoint SetPoint SP, K P
P2 Deadband Deadband K I
P3 Scalar Diff Gain K D

31. Controlling Instrument Conditions
Simple Bang-Bang with No Dead Band
31

32. Redefine an Instrument’s Capability
Change Low Performance to High Performance

33. Summary
• High Performance Electronics with USB
• Multiple I/O Ports, Many Input & Output Types
• Excel®
Environment for Acquisition and Control
• System Makes Full Use of Excel®
Graphics and Math Tools
• Macro > Worksheet > Workbook > Template Structure
• User Interfaces, Strip Charting, Data Treatment Tools
• Methods Development and Routine Run Templates
• Sample Queue, Automation, Remote Operation
• Methods Files (Run Conditions, Data Treatment)
– Reporting, Archiving
– Remote Operation

34. Key Advantages
• No Need for Specialized Programming
• Fast, Inexpensive Application Startup
•Flexible, Easy to Use, Easy to Customize
•Widely Applicable to Many Situations
•Large Market Base for Knowledge & Support
•Modest Cost
34

35. Many Areas of Application
• Record Experiments and Custom Measurements
• Prototype New, Evolving Instruments, Measurements
• Retrofit to Instruments
– With ‘Broken’ Controllers
– Lost, Obsolete Software
– Upgrade Capabilities, Add Communications
• Unify Formats (Reports, User Interfaces, Data)
• Decrease Costs (Service, Training)
• New Measurement Capabilities

36. Standards
Certification
Education & Training
Publishing
Conferences & Exhibits