42
PowerLab Owner’s Guide
with a PowerChrom recording unit.
(Macintosh and Windows versions are very
similar.)
PowerChrom System
. The system consists of
a PowerChrom recording unit and the
PowerChrom program. It provides general-
purpose manual or automatic recording and
analysis of chromatographic peaks.
PowerLab
. The PowerLab hardware unit is a
self-contained data acquisition hardware unit
that connects to a Windows or Macintosh
computer. When used in conjunction with
programs such as Chart and Scope, it
functions as a versatile laboratory instrument.
PowerLab system
. The system consists of a
hardware unit and applications software (and
possibly ancillary devices). It provides a
multi-purpose data recording, display, and
analysis environment for experimental data.
range
. In Chart and Scope, the range is the
greatest positive and negative voltage that
can be displayed, usually from
±
2 mV to
±
10
V, in 12 steps. (Range is inversely propor-
tional to gain, the extent of amplification.)
Scope
. An application supplied with a
PowerLab that emulates a two-channel
storage oscilloscope, with added powerful
options. (Macintosh and Windows versions
are very similar.)
SCSI
(small computer system interface). A
connection protocol that provides a computer
with fast access to peripheral devices, but has
to be set up carefully. SCSI devices can be
linked together in a chain, and require
termination to preserve signal integrity. Not
used by the /20 series PowerLabs.
serial
. A connection protocol for sending
information sequentially, one bit at a time,
over a single wire.
TChart
. A simplified version of the Chart
program once used for teaching. Its manual
of experiments is now available for Chart.
transducer
. A physical device that converts a
mechanical, thermal, or electrical stimulus
into a proportional electrical output. For
example, there are common transducers to
measure force, displacement, temperature,
pressure, and similar parameters.
trigger
. A signal such as a voltage pulse, used
to determine when sampling will begin.
Sampling can be made to begin when the
trigger level is reached, after it, or even prior
to it. See also external trigger.
TTL
(transistor-transistor logic). A family of
integrated circuits with bipolar circuit logic,
used in computers and related devices. TTL is
also a standard for interconnecting such ICs,
defining the voltages used to represent
logical zeroes and ones (binary 0 and 1).
USB
(universal serial bus). A relatively new
low-to-medium speed connection protocol,
for linking multiple peripherals from mice to
printers. (Available on new PowerLabs, such
as the /20 series PowerLabs.)
waveform
. The shape of a wave; a graph of a
wave’s amplitude over time.
Windows
. An operating system for PCs with
a graphical user interface. Windows 98, Me,
2000 or later is needed to use USB, and thus
to use the /20 series PowerLabs.
Summary of Contents for PowerLab 2/20
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