ToF-AMS Data Acquisition Software

To ToF-AMS Software Downloads Page
To ToF-AMS Data Acquisition Software Manual

• About the Software
• The Development Strategy
• Versions
• Reporting Bugs or Requests
• Terms of Use

About the Software

The ToF-AMS Instrument Control and Data Acquisition Software is a custom application for operating an Aerodyne Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer. It includes features for:

• Hardware Parameter Control
• Instrument Calibration
• Instrument Diagnostics
• Data Acquisition
• Data Storage

The Development Strategy

The software is being written by TOF-AMS users from the Jimenez Lab (CU-Boulder) and Aerodyne Research. Ongoing development aims to:

• Maximize instrument sensitivity
• Maximize the information density of acquired data
• Expand experimental capabilities
• Ease use of the instrument
• Prevent avoidable instrument failures

Versions

Software releases are announced through the Aerodyne ToF-AMS Users List and posted for download on the ToF-AMS Software Page. This page also includes links to release notes for each version.

It is expected that the software version on ALL instruments will be upgraded at the time of release.

Software versions are numbered as Major.Minor.fix (eg, 1.5.0) Incrementing of the Major number is rare and indicates a significant change in the foundations of the software. More typical is a change of only the minor number, indicating additional features and repairs since the previous version (eg, release of 1.5.0 after 1.4.0) The initial release of any version has a fix value of "0." This value is incremented for the release of follow-up versions that address bugs in the initial release.

The fix value is also incremented for intermediate releases that are circulated for testing during development. Such version are labeled BETA (eg 1.5.1.BETA). These versions should ONLY be acquired directly from the software team at CU-Boulder, and they are not supported for users other than those assigned to test the new features.

Reporting Bugs or Requests

Be it the frustrating discovery of a bug or the realization of a potentially great feature, user feedback is a key component of this software. Because the pool of users is large, not all instruments are the same, and the number of potential combinations of instrument parameters is enormous, problems must be handled with careful attention to detail. Reports of bugs should be emailed to Joel Kimmel (jkimmel@colorado.edu). ONLY THE MOST RECENT VERSION WILL BE SUPPORTED. All emails should include the following information:

Required:

• Descriptive Subject Line with Software Version Number
• Attached copies of all active parameter files (*.prm)
• Exact text from any software warnings that may have appeared on the screen during operation (eg, "Error Reading Data. CH1 PTOF")
• If software crashes, copied text from the Visual Basic notifaction that appeared (These begin "See the end of this message for details on invoking just-in-time (JIT) debugging)
• Some indication of the urgency. Eg "URGENT - We cannot do any experiments until this is resolved" or "No rush - just a random bug we noticed"

Appreciated:

• Description of any changes you may have made just prior to crash.
• Description of any steps you have taken to resolve the problem.
• When appropriate, evidence that the problem is not hardware related (eg, The servo is not moving)
• If appropriate, statement that "this worked when running previous version X.X.X"
• Screenshots of any plots you might be trying to describe

Terms of Use

Key points:

• The source code and the intellectual content of the compiled software are the property of the Jimenez Lab and Aerodyne.
• The software is free to all, but it should only be acquired through the Jimenez Lab or Aerodyne.
• The software has no warranty.
• Users run the software at their own risk. Those associated with the development of the software cannot be held responsible for misfortune caused by the software.

BACKGROUND. The Jimenez Laboratory (JL) at the University of Colorado at Boulder and Aerodyne Research, Inc. (ARI) and have developed the ToF-AMS Instrument Control and Data Acquisition Software (“the software”) for operating an ARI time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ToF-AMS). The software controls relevant acquisition parameters, displays data in real-time, and manages the storage of ToF-AMS data.

The Visual Basic .NET source code is the confidential property of JL and ARI.

You (the “End User”) may use the Software to operate a ToF-AMS. By using the Software you agree with JL and ARI to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth herein. JL and ARI are willing to permit you to use the Product only upon the condition that you accept and comply with all of the terms of this agreement.

JL, ARI and End User agree as follows:

1. LICENSE. JL and ARI hereby grant to End User a license to use the Product at no cost. End User may install and use unlimited copies of the software. Use of the product does not require possession of an ARI ToF-AMS.

2. RESTRICTIONS. End Users may only acquire versions of the Software from JL or ARI. End User may not modify, translate, decompile, reverse engineer, retransmit in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise), resell or redistribute the Product, or any portion thereof.

3. TERMINATION. Without prejudice to any other rights, JL and ARI may terminate the license granted hereunder if End User fails to comply with any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. In such event, End User shall immediately discontinue any further use of the Product and destroy all copies of the Software and Documentation in its possession or control.

4. PROPRIETARY RIGHTS OF JL and ARI. End User agrees that JL and ARI are the sole and exclusive owners of all rights in the Product. The Product is protected by United States copyright and other laws, as well as international treaty provisions, and End User must treat the Product as any other copyrighted and legally protected material. All rights in the Product not expressly granted herein are reserved by JL and ARI.

5. NO WARRANTY. THE PRODUCT AND ALL CONTENT AND INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN ARE BEING PROVIDED TO YOU "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL JL OR ARI OR THEIR AFFILIATES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES BE LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF INFORMATION OR DATA, DAMAGE TO INSTRUMENTATION, DAMAGE TO COMPUTERS, OR ANY OTHER INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

7. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then such provision shall be adjusted to the minimum extent necessary for validity or enforceability, and in any event, the remaining provisions will nevertheless remain in full force and effect.

8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between JL, ARI, and you with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supercedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or written communications with respect thereto. This Agreement may not be modified, except to the extent of a written agreement to do so by an authorized representative of JL or ARI.

9. ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Use of the Product affirms that End User has read this Agreement, understands it, and agrees to be bound by its contents.