Flexible Configuration
ASTRA works with experiment configurations that range from simple offline "batch" measurements to involved online chromatography experiments with multiple detectors. To handle this wide variety, ASTRA uses building blocks known as profiles to represent instruments and connections.
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In this simple example, a batch measurement is to be made using light scattering and QELS on an unfractionated sample. Each profile buiding block contains all parameters relevant to that unit. For example, double-clicking on the HELEOS node brings up a dialog that contains information such as calibration constant and normalization coefficients.
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In this more complicated example, an online chromatography experiment is to be performed on a BSA sample using light scattering, UV detection, and viscometry. The TREOS and ViscoStar profiles specify the physical instruments to collect the data. Aux connection profiles enable the collection of data from a third party UV detector via the analog input of a Wyatt Technology instrument. Fluid connection profiles contain interdetector delay volumes. Finally, autoinject connection profiles make it possible to specify which instrument will receive the autoinject signal.
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Given this profile toolkit, ASTRA can work with virtually any experiment configuration the user can imagine. Moreover, once a configuration has been built, it can be easily re-used via
templates and system configurations.
