Los Gatos Research (LGR) is a world-leader in high-performance analysers for measuring trace constituents of gases and liquids.
The company develops innovative laser-based measurement strategies for non-destructive analysis of gases, liquids and solids. It has demonstrated expertise in the areas of optical diagnostics, laser spectroscopy, physical chemistry and MEMS science, creating leading-edge instruments for leading-edge research.
LGR’s products include families of water analysers, gas concentration analysers and isotope analysers. They are used in a wide variety of applications including in the Gulf of Mexico to measure methane concentration under the ocean as a result of the Gulf oil spill, on top of volcanoes measuring isotopes of water vapour, and detecting concentration of gases in Antarctica. The company’s gas analysers have the unique ability to measure all three greenhouse gases simultaneously and display the entire absorption spectra to the user in real-time.
The Fast Greenhouse Gas Analyser has an internal computer running a Linux OS that can store data practically indefinitely on its hard disk drive and send real-time data to a data logger via the RS232 or Ethernet outputs. It may be controlled remotely via the Internet using suitable ‘KVM over IP’ devices. This capability allows the user to operate the analyser using a web browser practically anywhere Internet access is available. Furthermore, remote access allows BIOS-level control of the instrument and provides the opportunity to obtain data and to diagnose the instrument operation without being on site.
Integral in many of LGR’s water and gas analysers is Diamond Systems’ Ruby PC/104 analog output module. The Ruby-MM-416-XT provides four channels of
16-bit resolution analog voltage output. The output range for each channel can be independently selected for 0-10 V, ±5 V, or ±10 V with jumpers. All outputs are updated simultaneously, either with a software command or in response to an external signal. The board also includes 24 lines of digital I/O.
The Ruby module was selected by LGR because of its high performance, small size and low cost. Able to operate between -40°C and +85°C, Ruby also provided the ruggedness that LGR required to operate in extremes of temperature and altitude, ranging from the peak of an active volcano to the glaciers of Antarctica.
LGR recently introduced a new, higher-performance gas analyser using Diamond’s Pluto Atom-based single board computer (SBC) as its internal computer. Pluto is a highly integrated SBC using the Intel Atom N270 CPU and has connectors and interfaces for keyboard, mouse, USB, serial, parallel, Ethernet, sound and various mass storage devices. It supports the connection of a wide variety of displays, including CRTs and 18-bit or 24-bit LVDS-interfaced flat panels. Pluto also has a conductive cooled thermal solution built in and is extremely rugged, an ideal choice for LGR’s portable analysers.
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