Console
This unit may be a NanoBay, OneBay, or TwoBay bay depending upon the system and houses most of the electronic hardware associated with a modern digital spectrometer. The principal units are the IPSO (Intelligent Pulse Sequence Organizer), the BSMS (Bruker Smart Magnet System), the VTU (Variable Temperature Unit) as well as various amplifiers.
IPSO: The various units within the IPSO generate the radio frequency pulses used to excite the sample and receive, amplify and digitize the NMR signals emitted by the sample. Once the data is received and digitized, the information is transferred to the host computer for further processing and storage. The main link with the host computer is via Ethernet. It is important to emphasize that the IPSO has total control over spectrometer operation within the duration of an experiment. This is to ensure uninterrupted operation and so guarantee the integrity of the acquisition. The rack contains a set of digital and analogue slot-in type boards that prepare the signal to be transmitted and also receive, amplify and digitize the NMR signal. A detailed description of these boards is beyond the scope of this manual.
BSMS: This system is controlled via software using the ‘bsmsdisp‘ command) and is used to operate the lock and shim system as well as controlling the sample lift and spin.
VTU: Depending on the model the VTU may be a separate stand-alone unit or may be incorporated into the BSMS. Its function is to vary the sample temperature in a controlled manner or maintain it at a constant value.
Amplifiers, also known as Transmitters. Signals of relatively large amplitude are often required to excite the NMR sample and hence the need for amplifiers. Amplifiers can be internal (incorporated into the IPSO rack) or external (separate stand-alone units). Cables running directly from the amplifier outputs to the HPPR (High Performance Preamplifier) carry the RF signal to the sample. Although there is a wide range of available amplifiers (including solid amplifiers) the two main categories are:
Selective amplifiers (also known as 1H or proton amplifiers) are specifically designed to amplify the higher frequencies associated with 1H and 19F.
Broadband amplifiers (also known as X amplifiers) are designed to amplify a wide range of frequencies (excluding 1H and 19F).
| Glossary entry: | BSMS |
The Bruker Smart Magnet Control System (BSMS) provides computer control of various functions associated with the magnet, magnetic field, and sample.
| Glossary entry: | VTU |
Variable Temperature Unit
| Glossary entry: | HPPR |
High Performance Preamplifier
| Glossary entry: | IPSO |
Intelligent Pulse Sequence Organizer