Modular Mass Spectrometer Control via Packet-Switched Network
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mass spectrometers have inflexible control architectures, requiring a central processor for all operations and a large physical envelope, making them difficult to reconfigure, maintain, or upgrade, and are not suitable for efficient data acquisition and processing.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometer with discrete functional modules connected in a packet-switched digital network, where a scheduler introduces instructions at predetermined times to control specific modules, reducing the processing load on the central CPU and allowing for modular design and reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a fixed backplane with parallel analogue signals is used to connect components, then adequate latency and speed for synchronisation is achieved, but the system becomes inflexible for reconfiguring, maintaining, repairing and upgrading, and requires a large physical envelope
Solution Approach 1:
The mass spectrometer is divided into discrete functional modules (ion source module, analyser module, detector module, etc.) that can be independently addressed and controlled via the network. Each module can be individually reconfigured, maintained, or upgraded without affecting the entire system, resolving the contradiction between maintaining communication speed and enabling system flexibility.
2Reliability
If a central processor controls all components, then coordinated operation is achieved, but the processing load becomes particularly high for certain operations
Solution Approach 1:
The central processor is replaced with a distributed control architecture where each functional module has its own controller that can be individually addressed via the network. This segments the processing load across multiple units, maintaining coordinated operation through network communication while significantly reducing the burden on any single processor.
Solution Approach 2:
A network communication system acts as an intermediary between the control system and functional modules, enabling coordinated operation without requiring a single central processor to directly control all components. The network mediates the communication and coordination functions, distributing the processing load effectively.
3Reliability
If a fixed backplane arrangement is used, then adequate signal transmission is achieved, but the physical envelope becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical fixed backplane structure is replaced with a packet-switched digital network system. This substitution allows for more compact physical arrangements while maintaining reliable communication between functional modules through digital packet switching, significantly reducing the required physical envelope.
Data Source
AI summary
A mass spectrometer and methods for controlling a mass spectrometer are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the mass spectrometer includes a plurality of discrete functional modules, each operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer, wherein the modules are individually addressable and connected in a network. The mass spectrometer can also include a scheduler operable to introduce discrete packets of instructions to the network at predetermined times to instruct at least one module to perform a predetermined operation.