Microcomputers and Laboratory Instrumentation

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • David J. Malcolme-Lawes

   Pages 1-10

3. The Basics of Laboratory Signals

   • David J. Malcolme-Lawes

   Pages 11-34

4. The Elements of Analog Signal Handling

   • David J. Malcolme-Lawes

   Pages 35-65

5. The Elements of Digital Signal Handling

   • David J. Malcolme-Lawes

   Pages 67-100

6. The Modern Microcomputer

   • David J. Malcolme-Lawes

   Pages 101-132

7. Interfacing Microcomputers with Laboratory Instruments

   • David J. Malcolme-Lawes

   Pages 133-166

8. Standard Interface Systems

   • David J. Malcolme-Lawes

   Pages 167-199

9. System Design

   • David J. Malcolme-Lawes

   Pages 201-227

10. Back Matter

    Pages 229-246

    PDF

The invention of the microcomputer in the mid-1970s and its subsequent low-cost proliferation has opened up a new world for the laboratory scientist. Tedious data collection can now be automated relatively cheaply and with an enormous increase in reliability. New techniques of measurement are accessible with the "intelligent" instrumentation made possible by these programmable devices, and the ease of use of even standard measurement techniques may be improved by the data processing capabilities of the humblest micro. The latest items of commercial laboratory instrumentation are invariably "computer controlled", although this is more likely to mean that a microprocessor is involved than that a versatile microcomputer is provided along with the instrument. It is clear that all scientists of the future will need some knowledge of computers, if only to aid them in mastering the button pushing associated with gleaming new instruments. However, to be able to exploit this newly accessible computing power to the full the practising laboratory scientist must gain sufficient understanding to utilise the communication channels between apparatus on the laboratory bench and program within the computer. This book attempts to provide an introduction to those communication channels in a manner which is understandable for scientists who do not specialise in electronics or computers.

• Laboratory
• communication
• data processing
• electronics
• programming language

• King’s College London, London, England

  David J. Malcolme-Lawes

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