Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Presents the principles of using a small computer for laboratory automation as an aid in scientific experimentation. In language accessible to scientists in most fields, it provides the information needed to allow scientists to develop a powerful instrumentation system based on a personal computer. Describes the basic components of a small computer and the function of that computer in the laboratory. Goes on to show how the interface between computer and phenomena of an experiment can be approached at different levels using the information provided--for instance, description of a wide variety of sensors can lead the user toward the solution of many types of laboratory problems. Discusses several other types of problems commonly encountered in the experimental process, such as making a personal computer communicate with other devices, small computer graphics, and computational problems directly related to experimental data.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Computer Fundamentals
• Software: Systems and Languages
• High-level Interfaces and Instrument Interfacing
• Analog Electronics
• Digital Electronics
• Transducers: Temperature, Light, Electro-chemical & Electrical Power
• Transducers: Strain, Pressure, and Translation
• Data Communications
• Graphics
• Computational Techniques for Laboratory Experimentation and Data Processing
• The Overall Task

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Ratzlaff's book is a modern successor to those of the ``electronics for scientists'' category. In addition to the traditional subjects of electronics and transducers, such books must now also contain material on computers-organization, software, hardware, interfacing, and communications. Ratzlaff covers all these topics, not only in the form of an overview, but with a surprising amount of useful detail. The book is written for laboratory scientists who have only minimal prior knowledge of electronics and computer programming, but it is so well done that even a specialist will profit from it. One major failing is the almost complete absence of bibliographies and references. This is a self-study or desk reference book; it is not set up for a college course with problems and exercises. For advanced undergraduate and graduate students.-G. Weiss, Polytechnic University