# CHROMuLAN Introduction

CHROMuLAN is a free software, distributed by its originators under GNU General Public License, that cooperates with laboratory chromatographic devices developed by company PiKRON since 1994. These devices use for communication uLan network protocol.

For incorporation of other devices (mainly detectors with analog output) was developed two channel adaptor with 20-bit AD converters and TTL inputs and outputs. Due to OpenSource nature of the project, it is possible to create software modules (MS Windows DLLs) for communication with devices of other manufacturers. Example of such module, that reads data from a voltmeter connected to serial port, is included with the software.

If using uLan protocol, the software can be used in two modes:

Pasive mode
  allows to acquire data from UV detector connected in HPLC system and work up the obtained chromatogram. This mode is the only one available in Windows 95 operating system. In this case the device mode is set automatically to "Pasive".
Interactive mode
  allows direct control of the all devices connected to the uLan network by the CHROMuLAN program. This mode is available in Window 98/NT/2000 operating systems. The device mode must be set to "uLan".

Data acquisition can be started from chromatogram window opened by File | New command. Already acquired data can be viewed, evaluated or printed from chromatogram window opened by File | Open command.

All available commands of the program are described in Commands Reference section of the help system. Help on the command currently selected in the active menu can be obtained by pressing F1 key.

Current version of the software can be always found on the project's web site http://www.chromulan.org hosted by Department of Organic Chemistry and Radiochemistry, Charles University, Prague.