Device Communication
Communication between the PC and the Chromatography System (Chromatography BIOS)

BIOS is the abbreviation for Basic Input/Output System. As a (software) component of each PC, it serves for uniform control of all PC peripherals, such as the screen, disks, keyboard, etc. BIOS allows the operating system to communicate with disk drives or keyboards from different manufacturers. From the viewpoint of a PC user, a keyboard delivers command strings to a PC; a disk provides a certain amount of storage capacity. The technical realization of these components is irrelevant.

Chromeleon implements this reliable and well-proven concept in its unique chromatography BIOS:

From the viewpoint of the user, the fluid system of an HPLC pump consists of a total flow and several partial flows that are usually referred to as %A, %B, and %C. The autosampler injects varying volume quantities from different positions and performs additional derivation steps, as necessary. If a conventional UV detector is used for the analysis, the following functions are supported: The user specifies one (or several) wavelength(s), varies the full scale, executes Autozero, etc. The technical realization of individual functions is irrelevant for operation. The user assumes that the commands are executed, regardless of whether they are entered manually, via the user interface, or via a  Control Program.

Therefore, Chromeleon control only knows "virtual" commands, such as the Flow (Flow Rate) or Partial Flows commands. The chromatography BIOS converts these commands into control commands readable by the instruments. Thus, it is irrelevant to the user whether a command, for example, %B, is directed to a low-pressure gradient pump or a high-pressure gradient system.

This is possible by conversion programs, the  Device Drivers, that are available for each instrument and device type.