Welcome to a new era of petroleum testing

Instruction Manual
ERASOFT RCS

Remote Control Software for

ERASPEC
FTIR FUEL ANALYZER

ERASPEC Firmware Version: ≥ 137

RCS Software Version: ≥ 106

eralytics GmbH, Lohnergasse 3, 1210 Vienna, Austria______Handelsgericht Wien, FB No.: 293139 m; UID/VAT: ATU63391207
Tel: +43 1 890 50 330 / Fax: +43 1 890 50 3315 / E-mail: office@eralytics.com / Skype: eralytics.hotline / Internet: www.eralytics.com
 Table of Contents

1. Introduction............................................................................................................................3
2. Installation of the Erasoft RCS on the PC .............................................................................4
3. Getting started........................................................................................................................6
3.1 Starting Erasoft RCS........................................................................................................6
3.2 Connecting via USB ........................................................................................................7
3.3 Connecting via Ethernet and LAN...................................................................................9
3.3.1 Using stored names to connect via LAN ................................................................11
4. Result transfer to a PC .........................................................................................................14
4.1 First time connection......................................................................................................14
4.1.1 Setting the result path..............................................................................................14
4.1.2 First-time results transfer ........................................................................................16
4.1.3 Setting the format of the result list..........................................................................18
4.1.4 Defining the names of the result output files ..........................................................29
4.1.5 Defining the format of the result output files..........................................................31
4.2 Results update ................................................................................................................33
4.2.1 Update for one selected method only......................................................................33
4.2.2 Update for all methods simultaneously...................................................................34
4.3 Viewing the result list ....................................................................................................34
5. File Transfer to/from a PC ...................................................................................................37
5.1 Download of files to a PC..............................................................................................39
5.1.1 Download of interferograms (raw data)..................................................................39
5.1.2 Download of libraries .............................................................................................41
5.1.3 Download of printer format files ............................................................................43
5.2 Upload of files from a PC ..............................................................................................45
5.2.1 Upload of libraries ..................................................................................................45
5.2.2 Upload of printer format files .................................................................................47
5.2.3 Software upgrade ....................................................................................................49
6. Connecting several instruments to one PC ..........................................................................52
7. The SpecView graphics module ..........................................................................................55
7.1 Updating available spectra.............................................................................................55
7.2 Viewing a spectrum .......................................................................................................57
7.2.1 The zoom function ..................................................................................................60
7.2.2 The Cursor function ................................................................................................63
7.2.3 Viewing several spectra ..........................................................................................64
7.3 Download of absorption spectrum files .........................................................................70

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1. Introduction
The base module of the Erasoft RCS software is a free software that gives some
basic features like result download results from ERASPEC and storing them in files
on the PC, setting up printer files, software upgrade etc..

ERASPEC can be connected to the PC either via a USB connection or through a

LAN (network) an Ethernet cable.
It is recommended to use the Ethernet/LAN connection because the data transfer is
much faster via Ethernet than via USB.

Several eralytics instruments (ERAVAPs, ERASPECs) can be connected to one PC,

and Erasoft RCS can be used for controlling all of them.

An additional software module called SpecView is available for ERASPEC to view

spectra graphically in the monitor. Please ask your local dealer or Eralytics for this
SpecView module.

The Erasoft RCS software works with Windows XP, Windows Vista and later
Windows versions.

The ERASPEC software version has to be >137.

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2. Installation of the Erasoft RCS on the PC
The Erasoft RSC software is delivered with each instrument on a memory stick (flash
drive, USB stick). Please check the memory stick for the folder erasoft RCS

Enter the folder erasoft RCS and run setup.exe:

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Please follow, step by step, the instructions displayed on the monitor by the Setup
Wizard to install Erasoft RCS:

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3. Getting started

3.1 Starting Erasoft RCS

Start the software ErasoftRCS.exe. By default you can find it in
C:\Program files\Eralytics\, or click the windows start button and see Programs -
Eralytics – Erasoft RCS.

ATTENTION: If Windows XP is used and the Erasoft RCS software shows an error
message and cannot be started, run “vc_redist_x86.exe”. This file can be found in
the Erasoft RCS folder.

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3.2 Connecting via USB
Connect the instrument to the PC with a USB A/B cable (not included in scope of
delivery).

USB A: to Computer

USB B: to ERASPEC

ATTENTION: It is possible that your operating system is asking for installation of a

FTDI driver. This driver can be found on the memory stick in the erasoft RCS folder
where the setup program is located. Please install this driver.

In the Erasoft RCS, please switch the top grid to the USB tab. All connected
instruments are automatically detected and shown with their serial number in the top
portion of the Erasoft RCS box:

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The string displayed in the column ChipNr. is an unique number and is used to
identify the connected instruments.

If additional instruments are connected to the PC while Erasoft RCS is running,

please press the button “Update Device List”. Then all instruments currently
connected will be added (see the section “Connecting several instruments to one
PC).

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3.3 Connecting via Ethernet and LAN
Connect the ERASPEC to the local network with an Ethernet cable.
Go to the menu System – Net (Accessible only in User Level 6!) and verify that the
connected instrument has got a network name and has received an IP-address from
a DHCP- server (see section “Network connection” in the ERASPEC manual for a
detailed description). If no DHCP is available in your network, ask your network
administrator for support on selecting a valid IP-address for the ERASPEC.

In the Erasoft RCS, switch the top grid to the LAN tab. Then enter the name (as is
shown on the ERASPEC in the Name field) or IP-address into the column “IP” and
press return:

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10
The type and serial number, together with the name entered, will be shown. This
indicates a successful connection of the ERASPEC to the LAN and PC.

On the ERASPEC, please set the user level back to 5 or lower and return to
“Measure” menu on the ERASPEC.

3.3.1 Using stored names to connect via LAN

It is possible to store the names of instruments in a file, a so-called device table, and
connect the instruments any time the Erasoft RCS is run using these stored tables.
This is more convenient especially if several eralytics analyzers are connected to
one PC.

To create such a device table, connect the instrument(s) as described in the

previous section.
Then click on File in the upper right corner and select the option “Save Device-Table
as…”:

Enter the desired name for this table:

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Click on “Save” to create and store it.

To connect the same instrument(s) again when the Erasoft RCS is started anew,
click on File in the upper right corner and select the option “Open Device-Table…”:

Then select the file name that was used to store the device table:

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Click on “Open” to connect the instruments listed in that table.

To delete all device tables, click on File in the upper right corner and select the
option “Clear Device-Table”:

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4. Result transfer to a PC
4.1 First time connection
Results or other files are never downloaded from ERASPEC automatically, it is
always necessary to initiate a result or file transfer.

4.1.1 Setting the result path

The results obtained with the connected instruments are shown in the Erasoft RCS
Results box and can also be stored on the PC in specified files.
All the results from ERASPEC are stored locally on the PC in a specified directory. If
this directory is changed, older results are not available any more for Erasoft RCS
but will remain in the previously defined results path and directory.

To select the path in which these result files shall be saved click on Settings in the
upper right corner, then click on Results Path…:

A list of paths and available directories will be shown:

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Select the path and directory in which the result file shall be stored and click on OK.
To create a new directory, click on “Create new directory” and enter the desired
name, then click OK:

Click on Cancel to cancel this operation.

In this directory, subdirectories \“Serial Nr”\var\ will be automatically created, and in

this directory, subdirectories will be created for each method (\gas\ for gasoline,

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\diesel\ for Diesel, \jet\ for jet fuel, \en238\ for EN238, and \en14078\ for EN14078).
All results shown in the Erasoft RCS Results box will be stored on the PC in these
directories.

4.1.2 First-time results transfer

When an instrument is connected with the PC for the very first time and the
connection is established, click on the result tab in the lower box. No results will be
shown in Erasoft RCS at this point:

The only active key is “Get all Results”. Click on this key to download all results for
all methods that are available on the connected ERASPEC (which may be Gasoline,
Diesel, EN238, EN14078, an/or Jet, or any combination of these methods):

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PLEASE BE PATIENT! The data transfer may take several minutes, depending on
how many results are available in the ERASPEC.
Over USB, roughly 35 results per minute are transferred, so if the result memory is
full, the transfer takes up to 90 minutes!

When all results have been transferred, the results are shown in the Result box in
the Erasoft RCS, and most buttons will become active:

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4.1.3 Setting the format of the result list
Each result in the result box is shown in one line. The displayed parameters and the
order in which they are shown in this result box can be selected as desired.
For each method, the result list can be formatted independently of all other methods
that are available on the ERASPEC.

To select the method, click on the Options - Method box on the right side and select
the desired method from the drop-down list:

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Then click on Result Table… in the right Options - Column Configuration box:

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All parameters that are available are shown in the left box.
The parameters shown in the right box will be displayed in the Result box.

In order to display an additional parameter, click on the name of this parameter in the
left box and move it to the right box by clicking on the >> button located between the
two parameter boxes:

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In this way, add all parameters whose values shall be displayed in the Result box.

Change the order of the displayed parameters by clicking on the name of the desired
parameter in the right box and moving it up or down the list with the buttons Up or
Down on the right-hand side:

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If a parameter shall be removed from the list, click on the name of this parameter in
the right box and click on the del button between the parameter boxes:

22
The selected parameter will be removed from the right list but will remain in the left
list. So if a parameter is deleted from the right list by accident, it is always possible to
add it again from the left parameter box, as described above.

It is possible and may make sense to add a parameter twice or three times, for
example to display a concentration in Vol% and in Mass% or to display value, unit,
and correlation type of a calculated parameter.
To select how a parameter is displayed, click on the name of the respective
parameter in the right box and select from the options given in the box Variations:

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It is also possible to change the name of a parameter under which it will be shown in
the result box. Click on the parameter in the right box and enter the desired new
name in the line Title:

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In the bottom Misc box, the decimal character (. or ,) the temperature unit (C or F)
and the density unit (kg/cm, g/ccm, °API, or SG [Specific Gravity]) can be selected
from the respective drop-down list:

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If you leave this dialog with Cancel, no changes will be made.
Click on OK to store this new result list and to return to the Erasoft RCS. The results
will now be displayed as defined:

26
It may happen now, especially if the names were changed, that the width of the
columns is not appropriate any more (as in the above picture for the Benzene (Vol%
and Benzene (Mass%) parameters).

There are two ways to change the width of a column:

1) Put the cursor on the right side of the column in the top line (just right of the
parameter name) and make a left click. With the left mouse key pressed
down, move the cursor to the right to make the column wider:

27
2) Click on Reset Width in the right Options - Column Configuration box. Then
the width of all columns will be adjusted so that is as wide as the longest
string shown in this column:

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Repeat these operations to define the displayed parameters for each method
(gasoline, Diesel, etc.) that is available on the ERASPEC.

4.1.4 Defining the names of the result output files

The results obtained with the connected instruments are not only shown in the
Erasoft RCS Results box but can also be stored on the PC in specified files.

Each result will be one line in the result file.

For each method (gasoline, Diesel, etc.), one result output file on the PC will be
created in the defined results path. The names of these output files can be entered
as follows:

In the Erasoft RCS, click on the Options - Method box on the right side and select
the desired method from the drop-down list.

Click on Output File… in the right Options - Column Configuration box. The output
file configuration box will open:

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Enter the desired name of the result output file in the upper Output File box in the
line File Name.

In the next line File Path, the complete path, directories and file name will be shown.
The result output file will always be stored in the path defined as described in the
section “Setting the results path”. In this directory, subdirectories \“Serial Nr”\var\ will
be automatically created, and in this directory, subdirectories will be created for each
method (\gas\ for gasoline, \diesel\ for Diesel, \jet\ for jet fuel, \en238\ for EN238, and
\en14078\ for EN14078).
All results and files transferred from ERASPEC will be stored, depending on the

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method, in the respective subdirectory.
It is not possible to change this tree <..\Serial Nr.\var\Method\> because Erasoft RCS
relies on the existence of this tree to store data properly.

It is also possible to change the variable separator for the result output file. Click on
the box Separator in the upper left and select the desired separator from the drop-
down list. Two separators are available:
; : The variables will be separated by a semicolon, and the file extension will be .csv
(Comma Separated Variables)
<TAB>: The variables will be separated by a Tab, and the file extension will be .txt

Click OK to save the new name and to leave the menu.

Click Cancel to leave the menu without making any changes.

Repeat these operations to define the names of the different result output files for
each method (gasoline, Diesel, etc.) that is available on the ERASPEC.

4.1.5 Defining the format of the result output files

In the Erasoft RCS, click on the Options - Method box on the right side and select
the desired method from the drop-down list.

Click on Output File… in the right Options – Output File…:

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Only parameters that are shown in the right box will be saved in the result file!

The procedure to add parameters, change the order and names, and select units is
the same as for the result box of the Erasoft RCS as described in the Section
“Setting the format of the result list”.
In this way, select all parameters that shall be stored in the result output file.

Click OK to save these settings and to leave the menu.

Click Cancel to leave the menu without making any changes.

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Repeat these operations to define the format of the output result file for each method
(gasoline, Diesel, etc.) that is available on the ERASPEC.

4.2 Results update

With the basic Erasoft RCS software, an automatic transfer of new results from
ERASPEC to the PC is not possible. The transfer of new results to the PC must be
initiated manually.

4.2.1 Update for one selected method only

In the Erasoft RCS, click on the Options - Method box on the right side and select
the desired method from the drop-down list.

Then click on Get Result in the lower right corner:

All results from the ERASPEC result memory for the selected method that are not
yet stored on the PC will be transferred to the computer and displayed in the result
box.

At the same time, the new results will be written in the output result file for the
method selected in the Erasoft RCS.

Any new results for other methods will not be updated with the Get Result button!

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4.2.2 Update for all methods simultaneously

In the Erasoft RCS, click on Get all Results in the lower right corner:

All results from the ERASPEC result memory for all methods that are not yet stored
on the PC will be transferred to the computer and displayed in the result box.

At the same time, the new results will be written in the output result files for the
respective method in the Erasoft RCS, for all methods available on the ERASPEC.

4.3 Viewing the result list

It is possible to view the list of results on the PC.
Click on the number in the leftmost column in the line of the result you want to view:

34
The list of results for the selected measurement will be displayed:

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The format of this list is the same as the format of the result list displayed on the
ERASPEC.

Click on Ok to return to the Erasoft RCS.

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5. File Transfer to/from a PC
In addition to downloading results from ERASPEC to a PC, the Erasoft RCS also
allows to transfer files that contain spectra, libraries for correlated parameters, raw
data (interferograms), printer files, and software update files from ERASPEC to the
PC (download) and from a PC to the ERASPEC (upload).

All these functions are in the File Transfer dialog. Please click on the File Transfer
tab on top of the bottom box:

In the large box on the left-hand side called Local File System, the path and
directories on the PC to or from which the files shall be transferred can be selected.
Click on a path and select the directories and subdirectories for the data files:

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You also can create a new folder with a mouse right click in the “Local File System”
window. Select “New Directory” and enter the name of the desired new folder:

With a mouse right click you can also delete a folder:

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5.1 Download of files to a PC

The download of spectra works only if the SpecView module is installed. Please refer
to the section “Viewing spectra with SpecView” for a description of the download
function for spectra.

5.1.1 Download of interferograms (raw data)

The raw data that ERASPEC generates are called interferograms. There are
reference and sample interferograms. From these interferograms, absorption spectra
are calculated.

In the File Transfer dialog, select a directory on the PC, as described above. In the
left box “Receive from Instrument”, click on the left box in the Command line and
select Interferograms from the drop-down list:

Then click on the right box in the Command line and select the method for which the
respective files shall be downloaded from the drop-down list:

39
Click on Get File(s) in the Receive from Instrument box to initiate the transfer of all
interferograms that are stored on the ERASPEC for the selected method.
Erasoft RCS will create the subdirectory ..\”Serialnumber”\var\”Method”\rifg\ and
..\”Serialnumber”\var\”Method”\ifg\ in the selected directory on the PC. All reference
interferograms will be stored in the ..\rifg\subdirectory, all interferograms from
measurements of fuel samples will be stored in the ..\ifg\ subdirectory, for the
selected method and the ERASPEC with this serial number:

40
These interferograms can be useful for service and application support.

5.1.2 Download of libraries

In the File Transfer dialog, select a directory on the PC, as described above. In the
left box “Receive from Instrument”, click on the left box in the Command line and
select Libraries from the drop-down list:

41
Then click on the right box in the Command line and select the method for which the
respective files shall be downloaded from the drop-down list (for libraries, the EN238
and EN14978 will not be shown because for these two EN-methods do not use
libraries):

Click on Get File(s) in the Receive from Instrument box to initiate the transfer of all
libraroes that are stored on the ERASPEC for the selected method.

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Erasoft RCS will create the subdirectory ..\”Serialnumber”\lib\”Method”\ in the
selected directory on the PC. All libraries for this selected method and the ERASPEC
with this serial number will be stored in this subdirectory:

5.1.3 Download of printer format files

In the File Transfer dialog, select a directory on the PC, as described above. In the
left box “Receive from Instrument”, click on the left box in the Command line and
select Printer-Files from the drop-down list:

43
Then click on the right box in the Command line and select the method for which the
respective files shall be downloaded from the drop-down list:

Click on Get File(s) in the Receive from Instrument box to initiate the transfer of all
printer format files that are stored on the ERASPEC for the selected method.
Erasoft RCS will create the subdirectory ..\”Serialnumber”\var\”Method”\ in the
selected directory on the PC. All printer format files for this selected method and the

44
ERASPEC with this serial number will be stored in this subdirectory:

You can open the printer format files directly from the Erasoft RCS with a double
click or make a right click, then select Open.

The program “Word Pad” is used to view and modify the printer files.

5.2 Upload of files from a PC

5.2.1 Upload of libraries

In the File Transfer dialog, select the directory on the PC, as described above, in
which the library to be loaded into the ERSPEC is stored.
In the box “Send to Instrument”, click on the left box in the Command line and select
Libraries from the drop-down list:

45
A list of all libraries stored in the selected directory will be shown in the bottom field
of the “Send to Instrument”-box on the Erasoft RCS.
Then click on the right box in the Command line and select the method for which the
respective libraries shall be uploaded from the drop-down list (the EN238 and
EN14978 will not be shown because for these two EN-methods do not use libraries):

46
Select all libraries that shall be sent to the ERASPEC by clicking on the respective
name. It is possible to select several libraries by clicking on several names
successively:

To deselect a selected library, click again on its name.

Then click on the Send File(s) button to upload the selected libraries to the
ERASPEC.

5.2.2 Upload of printer format files

In the File Transfer dialog, select the directory on the PC, as described above, in
which the modified or newly created printer format files that shall be loaded into the
ERSPEC is stored.
In the box “Send to Instrument”, click on the left box in the Command line and select
Printer-Files from the drop-down list:

47
A list of all printer format files stored in the selected directory will be shown in the
bottom field of the “Send to Instrument”-box on the Erasoft RCS.
Then click on the right box in the Command line and select the method for which the
respective printer format files shall be uploaded from the drop-down list:

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Select all printer format files that shall be sent to the ERASPEC by clicking on the
respective name. It is possible to select several files by clicking on several names
successively:

To deselect a selected printer forma file, click again on its name.

Then click on the Send File(s) button to upload the selected printer format files to the
ERASPEC.

It is also possible to open and modify a selected printer format file by clicking on the
Open File button.
The program “Word Pad” is used to view and modify the printer files.

5.2.3 Software upgrade

ERASPECs software can be upgraded. New software will come in a compressed file
called eraspecxxx.tgz, where xxx is the version number of the software.
In order to perform a software upgrade to a newer version, please copy this
eraspecxxx.tgz to any directory.
Select the folder where the new ERASPEC software is stored on the PC:
In the box “Send to Instrument”, click on the left box in the Command line and select
Software Update from the drop-down list:

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The latest (newest) software update files stored in the selected directory will be
shown in the bottom field of the “Send to Instrument”-box on the Erasoft RCS:

Select the software update file that shall be sent to the ERASPEC by clicking on the
name:

50
Then click on the Send File(s) button to upload the selected software update file to
the ERASPEC.

To actually perform the software update on the ERASPEC, please switch off the
instrument and, after about 5 seconds, switch in on again. During the startup
procedure, ERASPEC recognizes the new software version, unpacks it, and
performs the software upgrade automatically.

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6. Connecting several instruments to one PC
Several instruments can be connected to one PC.
Even different instruments, like ERAVAPs and ERASPECs, can be connected.

Connect all desired instruments either via Ethernet/LAN or via USB, as described in
the section “Getting started”.

If the instruments are connected via Ethernet/LAN, enter the names of all connected
instruments in the LAN tab in the upper grid. Each instrument is represented by one
line in this dialog:

52
If the instruments are connected via USB, click on the USB tab in the upper grid. The
connected instruments will be recognized automatically. Each instrument is
represented by one line in this dialog:

If additional instruments are connected to the PC via USB while Erasoft RCS is
running, please press the button “Update Device List”. Then all instruments currently
connected will be added (see the section “Connecting several instruments to one
PC).

Erasoft RCS will automatically recognize the type of each connected instrument
(ERAVAP, ERASPEC) and display this type in the leftmost column called “Type” in
the upper grid.

Select the instrument which shall be currently active for the PC communication by
clicking in the line where the type, serial number, and IP or chip number of that
instrument are displayed.
Erasoft RCS will, depending on the type of the instrument, display the correct Result
and File Transfer dialogs fro ERASPEC or ERAVAP:

53
The operation for each instrument is the normal operation described in the
respective Erasoft RCS manuals fro ERAVAP and ERASPEC.

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7. The SpecView graphics module
SpecView is an additional software module available for ERASPEC to view spectra
graphically in the monitor.
Please ask your local dealer or Eralytics for this SpecView module.

If the SpecView module has been purchased, you will receive a code to unlock the
SpecView module. This code has 23 characters and has to be entered in the
ERASPEC instrument as follows:

On the ERASPEC please go to the menu System – Passwd:

Enter the code. ERASPEC will beep to conform that the code was correct.
If no beep sounds, please enter the code again.

7.1 Updating available spectra

For all results obtained on the ERASPEC after the code was entered, spectra will be
available for viewing and download. The spectra will automatically be transferred to
the PC when the results are updated with the Get Result or the Get all Results key.

It is indicated by the color of the number in the leftmost column for each
measurement in the result tab if the spectrum is available:
If that color is black, no spectra are available (this will be the case for all
measurements made before the unlock code was entered).
If that color is red, then spectra are available (this will be the case for measurements

55
made after the unlock code was entered):

ATTENTION: The spectra that will be used for the SpecView module are stored on
the ERASPEC and are available only temporarily. This temporary memory holds 30
spectra.
If a spectrum has been transferred to the PC by updating the results using the Get
Result or Get all Results keys, then it will be stored permanently on the PC and will
be available at any later time.
However, if the ERASPEC will be switched off without updating the results,
then the spectra measured since the last update will not be available any
more!
Since the ERASPEC holds only 30 spectra, if more than 30 measurements are
made without updating the results, then only the spectra for the last 30
measurements are available!

Please update the results on the Erasoft RCS frequently and always time
before ERASPEC is switched off to avoid loss of spectra.

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7.2 Viewing a spectrum
Only for measurements where the number in the leftmost column is shown in red,
spectra are available!

To view a spectrum graphically on the PC monitor, click on any position in the line of
the measurement for which the spectrum shall be shown graphically:

The Show Spectrum button on the right side of the Erasoft RCS window will become
active.
Click on this Show Spectrum button. A separate window will open, and the
absorption spectrum of the selected sample will be shown in this window:

57
The default wavelength range is from 631cm-1 to 2100 cm-1.
The absorbance is shown in absorbance units. The absorbance axis will be scaled
automatically.

The info area on the upper left shows the name of the selected sample and the color
in which the spectrum is drawn.
To see further information on the displayed spectrum or sample, click on Info:

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To change the color of the displayed spectrum, please click on the second line in the
info area and select the desired color from the drop-down list:

The color of the spectrum will change accordingly:

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If the info area is not desired, please click on Legend in the upper left above the info
area. The info area will not be shown any more, and the graphics area will be bigger:

To have the info area displayed again, click on Legend once more.

7.2.1 The zoom function

It is possible to enlarge the region of the displayed spectrum, i.e. zoom into a desired
region.

Move the cursor to one corner of the desired region (the cursor on the graphics is a
black cross).
Keep the left mouse key pressed down and move the cursor to the diagonal corner
of the desired region. A black box will open:

60
Release the left mouse key. Then only the region within the black box will be
displayed:

Also in already expanded views, a smaller region can be selected as described

above to zoom into a still smaller region.
To return to the region shown before, place the cursor in the graphics field and click

61
on the right mouse key. If the region has been expanded several times, the previous
region (one step up) will be shown.

To return to the default region (631cm-1 to 2100 cm-1), click the right mouse key
several times, or click on the Reset Zoom button in the top line.

The larges range that can be shown is from 631cm-1 to 4000 cm-1. Click on the right
mouse key until that range is shown:

Click on the Reset Zoom button in the top line to return to the default region.

If your mouse is equipped with a scroll wheel, additional zooming is possible.

Spinning the wheel will zoom in and out of the graph. Pushing the wheel and moving
the mouse will pan the graph.

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7.2.2 The Cursor function
With the cursor function, absorbance values can be displayed numerically to
evaluate interesting spectral regions.

Click on the Cursor button in the top line. The Cursor box will be displayed, and if the
cursor is placed in the graphics area, the wavenumber at its current position will be
displayed next to the cursor:

Click on the graphics area at the wavenumber for which the absorbance shall be
shown. A vertical line will show the current cursor position, and in the Cursor box, the
value for the absorbance (in absorbance units, a.u.) of the spectrum at the
wavenumber (in cm-1) at the current cursor position at will be displayed:

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Click on a different position to see the absorbance value for a different wavenumber.
The smallest increment in wavenumber is 0.6 cm-1.

Zooming is possible by using the scroll wheel of your mouse (see section 7.2.1).

Close the Cursor box to return to the normal graphics mode.

7.2.3 Viewing several spectra

It is possible to view several spectra and overlay them in one window for
comparison.

In the graphics window, click on the File option in the upper left corner and select
Open…:

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Select the desired spectrum from the list of available spectra and click on Open:

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The selected spectrum will be drawn additionally to the already shown spectrum in
the same scale:

In the same way, many additional spectra can be selected and shown:

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For each spectrum, the color can be changed individually, as described in the
section “Viewing a spectrum”.

If a spectrum shall not be shown any more, deselect it by clicking on the marked little
square box next to the respective sample name. The spectrum will disappear. It can
be added again by clicking on the little square box again.

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The zoom functions work as described in the section “The zoom function”. The zoom
acts on all spectra simultaneously to show the same region for all spectra:

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The Cursor functions work just as described in the section “The Cursor function”. In
the Cursor box, the absorbance values at the selected cursor position are shown for
all displayed spectra simultaneously, using the color in which the spectrum is drawn
to distinguish between the spectra:

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7.3 Download of absorption spectrum files
Absorption spectra can separately be stored in files. Each spectrum will be stored in
one single file. The filename will consist of date and time of measurement, the
sample name entered in the ERASPEC prior to the measurement, and a letter A, B,
C, D, or E.
The letter serves as identification of the measurement type selected on the
ERASPEC. A is for gasoline, B is for EN238, C is for Diesel, D is for EN14078, and E
is for Jet.
The file extension will be .spc.

In the File Transfer dialog, select a directory on the PC, as described in the section
“File transfer to/from a PC”.
Then select the File Transfer tab in the Erasoft RCS.
In the left box “Receive from Instrument”, click on the left box in the Command line
and select Spectra from the drop-down list:

Then click on the right box in the Command line and select the method for which the
respective files shall be downloaded from the drop-down list:

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Click on Get File(s) in the Receive from Instrument box to initiate the transfer of all
absorption spectra that are stored on the ERASPEC for the selected method.
Erasoft RCS will create the subdirectory ..\”Serialnumber”\var\”Method”\spectra\ in
the selected directory on the PC. All spectra for this selected method and the
ERASPEC with this serial number will be stored in this subdirectory:

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The format of the data file is as follows:
The first 5 lines are a header that contains information about the spectrum:

eraspec ES9014370 Type and serial number of the instrument

gasoline Selected method
2010-03-15T08:25:06 Date and time of the measurement
0.7543 23 23.17 19.6 Density, temperature of the density meter,
temperature of the spectrometer, pathlength of
absorption cell
S 1100 5900 Type of Data (S = absorption spectrum), index of
first data point (1100 ≡ 631.0cm-1), number of data

The following lines are the absorption spectrum in absorbance units. The first point is
the absorbance at wavenumber 631.0cm-1, the increment in wavenumber between
successive data points 0.574cm-1.

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