SYSTEM-READY BEHAVIORS FOR INTEGRATION

A generic eel of behaviors is described for devices so that they can b e reliably and readily used as subsystems in an automated systems envi ronment. The automated systems discussed here are constructed of multi ple functional subsystems, arrayed hierarchically under a system super visor. Such systems are typical of those popularly deployed in the che mical laboratory. These systems have had mixed success in the analytic al chemistry arena, largely because they are difficult to construct-in tegrate-and because it is difficult to engineer them to operate reliab ly. The behaviors described in this article are intended to make devic es more simple to integrate as subsystems into a system and to ensure they will operate reliably in that role. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, I nc.