Data acquisition overview

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Data acquisition overview

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Starting with version 2.18 a new data acquisition concept has been introduced in SCOUT. It replaces the older mechanism of external OLE servers doing the measurements. The new way of data acquisition offers more flexibility, increased operational convenience and safety.

 

SCOUT contains a list called 'Spectrometers' which manages spectrometer objects. Each object in the list represents spectrometer hardware which delivers - after data acquisition - one or more measured spectra. Measured spectra can be assigned to simulated spectra in the list of spectra. If a measured spectrum is assigned to a simulated spectrum, the new measured data are filled in the experiment object of the simulated spectrum whenever a data acquisition step has been processed. Each spectrometer object provides an Edit method for setting the relevant parameters for data acquisition. The spectrometer settings are saved as part of the SCOUT configuration.

The global Acquire command (use the SCOUT menu command Actions|Acquire or the acquire_button button in the toolbar) starts the data acquisition for each object in the spectrometer list. When all spectrometers have finished their measurements, the new experimental data are distributed to the simulated spectra according to the assignments (see below). New fit deviations are computed, and graphs are updated.

 

The spectrometer list looks like this:

 

spectrometer_list

 

Each spectrometer object should be given a unique descriptive name. The columns labeled 1, 2, ... show the names of the spectra offered by the individual spectrometer objects. Most object types deliver one spectrum only (as the spectrometers T-01 and R-01 in the example). Spectrometer MS-03 exports 3 spectra as indicated by the names in columns 1, 2 and 3.

Measured spectra are ssigned to simulated spectra by Drag&Drop. A drag operation must start with the mouse pointer positioned in the row of the relevant spectrometer object, and in the column of the mesured spectrum to be used. The target of the Drag&Drop operation can be either the row of the simulated spectrum in the list of spectra, or the window of the simulated spectrum itself. After a successful Drag&Drop assignment you are informed about the new connection:

 

spectrometer_assignment

 

In order to check the spectrometer assignment for a simulated spectrum, use the menu command Acquire|Show spectrometer assignment in the simulated spectrum object. You will receive an information like this:

 

spectrometer_assignment2

 

Use the command Acquire|Reset spectrometer assignment to delete the current assignment. Alternatively, you can do a new assignment in order to replace the spectrometer connection of a simulated spectrum object.