Software Description
ComTec GmbH
5-10
5.1.9. System definition dialog
The „System...“ item in the settings menu opens the System Definition dialog box. The use of the
Digital Input / Output and the GO-Line can be defined: It can be used either to show the status of
the MCA if the checkbox
Status Dig 0
(0..3 for more modules) is marked. At the respective pins
+5 Volt are output if an acquisition is running and 0 V if not. The polarity can be inverted by
checking
Invert
. Alternatively, it can be used for example with a sample changer by checking
"Value inc. at Stop"
. Here, the 8-bit value entered in the edit field (a number between 0 and 255)
is output at the Dig I/O port. This value will always be incremented by 1 if the MCS6 is stopped.
The
Invert
checkbox allows inverting the logical level. See also the commands
pulse
and
waitpin
how to handshake a sample changer. The output mode of the Dig I/O ports is Open
Drain.
It is also possible to use the digital input 4 as an external trigger for starting the system (
DESY
control line
). If the corresponding checkbox is marked, a start command for the respective
system will not immediately start the system. After the start command, the digital input will be
permanently checked for its logical level. If the level changes from high to low, the data for the
system is cleared and it will then be started. It will stop if the level returns to high (or vice versa if
Invert
is marked) and can again be restarted with the next level change. A stop command for the
system will finish the digital input checking. By checking
Clear before Start
the spectra is cleared
before the start. As an alternative to controlling Start/stop via digital input 4 also the GO-line can
be used by checking
GO High
in the “Start with” box.
The Use of the GO-Line is controlled via the 3 checkboxes
Watch
,
High when ON
, and
Low at
Stop
. The GO line gates directly the hardware. "Low at Stop" means that the GO line is
immediately pulled down by the hardware when a sweep preset is reached, or as fast as possible
by the software at any other stop.
Fig. 5.12: Left: MPA4-Scaler Status utility, right: as ratemeter