A large computer system for on-line data acquistion and analysis of data from analytical instruments

Summary Experience with a unique large dual processor system designed to acquire and analyze data from about 140 instruments in a research installation will be described. The system has been in operation for nearly 4 years serving a variety of analytical instruments including gas chromatographs, liquid chromatographs, tensile testing machines, differential thermal analyzers, and other miscellaneous instruments. The system also serves a large community of scientific time-sharing users, a substantial portion of which reduce data and carry out scientific calculations on data acquired off-line on paper or magnetic tape. Unique features of the system are long distance transmission of analog data, retention of raw data for reanalysis, post processing of data into material balance, kinetic or statistical equations, interactive graphical display of the data acquired on-line and the ability to monitor instrument performance. Another unique features is the ability to develop new analysis programs in time-sharing without fear of jeopardizing the integrity of the data collection process.