Device Communication
Device Drivers

Chromeleon is capable of operating a number of different analytical instruments via a uniform, device-independent control language. Chromeleon uses the driver concept, which means that the appropriate Device Driver must be loaded for each controlled device. This is done automatically when Chromeleon is started.

The device driver determines the instrument's scope of functions. The driver is responsible for all device-specific tasks, such as sending commands in the command language of the device or deciphering the data sent by the device. Thus, the Chromeleon control Program does not have to deal with specifics but prompts the driver to execute certain instrument functions (for example, inject 9 ml from vial 17).

All drivers are stored in the Bin directory. For information about the file version of the driver, select the Properties command on the context menu in Windows Explorer. The version number is displayed on the Version tab page.

Third-party devices can be controlled if the corresponding driver support is available. For more information, refer to Hardware Installation ( Installing and Controlling Third-Party Devices.

In addition to the device drivers for special devices and PC plug-in cards, Chromeleon supports:

• The Integrator Driver for signal acquisition; e.g., to record the signal sent by the UCI Universal Chromatography Interface.

• The Virtual Channel Driver to record system states in a channel.

• The Fraction Collection driver to facilitate fraction collection using a Fraction Collector.

• The Shared Relays and Inputs driver, which allows you to use relays and digital inputs on a Control Panel.

• The Remote Inject driver to synchronize Autosamplers without a separate device driver.

• The Pump Control Board Pump and DAC Pump(s) drivers for controlling frequency-controlled or voltage-controlled pumps without the RS-232 interface, using a pump control card.

• The Relay Controlled Gradient driver for running gradients with several pumps which deliver only one solvent each.

• The RS232 Input Port Driver that provides an additional COM port for controlling optional devices through RS232 cable interface.