Product Change Notification

074N0012-01

ATLAS
Non-mandatory
2003-03

ATLAS LIS Interface Specification

Purpose

This is to inform the field of the release of the new Atlas LIS
interface specification

Special Notes

Specification is available on E-brite

Product

Atlas LIS interface Specification - 074D00029-01

Applicability

All Atlas instruments

Availability

March 1, 2003

Part Numbers
Part Number

Description

Article Code

Cost

074D00029-01

ATLAS LIS interface

specification

N/A

N/A

Action
Branch personnel should ensure the following:

Inform field, marketing and sales personnel of the release of the new
specification

Attachments
074D0029-01_01_A.
pdf

Issued By

This document is issued by LTS Service and Support Daniel Papale

For internal use only. Do not distribute outside of Bayer HealthCare LLC.
This information is provided as an aid in Technical Support for trained support personnel. Do not attempt
to service the system without the appropriate technical training and the proper tools.
074N0012-01 Rev A Eff. 2003-03

Page 1 of 1

Clinitek Atlas

Interface Specification

074D0029-01 Rev A. 2003-02

 2003 Bayer Corporation

No part of this manual or the products it describes may be reproduced by any means or in any
form without prior consent in writing from Bayer Corporation.
Clinitek Atlas, CLINITEK 200+ and CLINITEK Auto 2000 are trademarks of Bayer
Corporation.

The information in this manual was correct at the time of printing. However, Bayer Corporation
continues to improve products and reserves the right to change specifications, equipment, and
maintenance procedures at any time without notice.
If the Clintek Atlas system is used in a manner differently than specified by Bayer Corporation,
the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired. See warning and hazard statements.

Table 1

Clinitek Atlas EIA-232-D Pin Assignments

Pin

Signal

Function

Type

Source

1
2
3
4
5
7

-----TXD
RXD
RTS
CTS
------

Chassis Ground
Transmitted Data
Received Data
Request To Send
Clear To Send
Signal Ground

Ground
Data
Data
Control
Control
Ground

from the Clinitek Atlas unit or computer

from the Clinitek Atlas unit
from the computer
from the Clinitek Atlas unit
from the computer
from the Clinitek Atlas unit and computer

Chassis Ground (1) - Ground on one side only to an instrument chassis

TXD (2) -

Transmitted Data, or Serial Data Out. The Clinitek Atlas unit outputs data, control
characters and instrument status signals in a serial format on this line.

RXD (3) -

Received Data, or Serial Data In. The computer outputs data, control signals and
instrument status signals in a serial format on this line.

RTS (4) -

Request To Send is a hardware handshake signal from the Clinitek Atlas unit which,
when high active, indicates the Clinitek Atlas unit is ready to receive or send a character.
RTS and CTS are not used (not active) if the ASTM mode was selected; RTS and CTS
are active if the CT200+ or CT A2000 mode was selected. See italic note in CTS section.

CTS (5) -

Clear To Send is a hardware handshake signal from the computer which, when high-active,
indicates the computer is ready to receive data. CTS is checked by the Clinitek Atlas unit
before sending each character; if CTS is high, the next character is sent. CTS is not used
(not active) when using ASTM mode (see paragraph A-1-2); it is used for CT200+ and
CT A2000 modes. If the CT200+ or CT A2000 mode was selected and RTS / CTS are not
used by the computer, connect pins 4 to 5 in the cable connector to loop pin 4 back
to pin 5 into the Clinitek Atlas unit to bypass this function.

SIG GND (7) - Signal Ground line. Connect one side to the computer and the other side to the
Clinitek Atlas unit pin 7.
DSR (Data Set Ready, pin 6) and DTR (Data Terminal Ready, pin 20) are not used.
If the LIMS computer uses the DSR and DTR lines, tie line 6 (DSR) and line 20 (DTR)
together or connect positive DC voltage (+5 to +12 VDC) to the DTR line 20 going
back to the computer.
DCD (Data Carrier Detect, pin 8) and RNG (Ring Indicator, pin 22) are not used.
NOTE: Normally the cable required to interface with the Clinitek Atlas unit will be a null modem
cable. A null modem cable crosses pins 2 and 3, 4 and 5 and 6 and 20 from one cable end
to the other end; pins 1, 7 and 8 go straight through from one cable end to the other end.

EIA-232D COMPUTER INTEFACING

EIA-232-D COMPUTER INTERFACING (Including updates for VERSION

7.11)

1 Introduction
1-1 This document describes the computer interface port specifications for software versions 5.20 through
7.11
The Clinitek Atlas instrument contains two serial EIA-232-D ports, called S1 and S2 (connectors P1802
and P1803), although S2 is reserved for use with a bar code scanner. Both of these ports are standard
DTE
(DB 25S) male-style connectors (accommodate a female-style cable connector).
1-2 Port S1 is selectable in Set Up Analyzer (see the Clintek Atlas Operating Manuals) for serial data
output to a computer. Bi-directional data communications with a computer for load list sample ID input,
service mode control or handshake transmission control is also available. Operation of the serial port is
independent of other data interface ports. Three interfacing formats are available:
1. the CT200+ (CLINITEK 200+) Emulation Mode (see Section 1-3 and Section 2)
2. the CT A2000 (CLINITEK Auto 2000) Emulation Mode (Section 1-3 and Section 3),
3. and the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) Mode (see Section 1-3 and Section 4)
Refer to the Clinitek Atlas operating manual, Section Four, to access and select one of the above modes.
See Sections 1-3, 2, 3 and 4 in this document for more information.
1-3 For all message format and protocol selections, test result data is transmitted from the Clinitek Atlas
unit as soon as results are available; partial test values for samples are not reported. Port S1 uses an
electrical interface type EIA-232-D format with the following characteristics:
Connector:
two (2) male DTE DB-25S serial ports (accommodate female-style cable connectors)
Data Signal:
marking -30 volts to -3 volts; spacing +30 volts to +3 volts
Character Format:
1 start bit, 7 or 8 data bits, 1 or 2 stop bit (see options in paragraph A-1-2 below)
Data Code:
7-bit ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) Serial
Asynchronous

EIA-232D COMPUTER INTERFACING

1-4 Output to a computer is selected from the Set Up Analyzer menu by pressing "4. Connect to
Computer." A CON. TO COMP. menu is then displayed. Press "1. Port Connection" and soft key
options OFF and S1 appears. Press softkey S1 to enable serial communication with this port, press OFF
to disable this communication. The default for Port Connection is OFF. Once S1 is enabled, the following
options become available:
1. Results Format (found in Set Up Analyzer, "1. Analyzer Operation") - permits choice of:
a. CT200+ (emulates a CLINITEK 200+ instrument serial port)
b. CT A2000 (emulates a CLINITEK Auto 2000 instrument serial port)
c. ASTM (emulates the ASTM Designation E 1381-91 and E 1394-91 standards)
The default mode for Results Format is CT200+.
If CT200+ is selected, the serial output and characteristics matches the format used
in the CLINITEK 200+ instrument. See Section 2.
When the Atlas Pro 12 mode is used in Version 7.11, additional results for CRE and P:C
ratio are transmitted which are extensions of the CT200+ format.
If CT A2000 is selected, the serial output and characteristics matches the format used
with the CLINITEK Auto 2000 instrument. See Section 3.
If ASTM is selected, the serial output and characteristics matches the ASTM
format. See Section 4 in this document and ASTM Designation Documents
E 1381-91 and E 1394-91.
2. Baud Rate - permits the choice of:
a. 300
b. 600
c. 1200
d. 2400
e. 4800
f. 9600
If CT200+ or ASTM was selected in Results Format, the default mode Baud rate is 9600.
If CT A2000 was selected in Results Format, the default mode Baud rate is 1200.
3. Data Bits - permits the choice of:
a. Seven (7)
b. Eight (8)
The default mode data bits setting is Eight data bits.
The high order or eighth data bit is always set for "0" when using Eight data bits.

EIA-232D COMPUTER INTEFACING

4. Parity - permits the choice of:

a. Odd
b. Even
c. None
If Eight data bits was chosen, parity is not available. The default option for Parity
is None. Parity is a checking method in which a bit is associated with each character
in a data frame so that all characters will contain an odd (or even) number of bits,
depending upon whether Odd or Even Parity was selected.
5. Stop Bits - permits the choice of:
a. One (1 stop bit)
b. Two (2 stop bits)
The default mode setting for Stop Bits is One.
6. Handshake
If CT200+ or CT A2000 mode was chosen, the following handshake format is
automatically enabled:
Handshake XON-XOFF (XON = DC1, XOFF = DC3) protocol is used. XOFF
(DC3 or Hex 13) is a ASCII control signal, originating on the computer and sent
to the Clinitek Atlas unit on pin 3 (RXD), which disables the transmission of data
from the Clinitek Atlas unit to the computer. ASCII control signal XON
(DC1, Hex 11) received from the computer on pin 3 then enables the transmission
of data from the Clinitek Atlas unit to the computer on pin 2 (TXD).
DC1 or DC2 (Hex 12) may also be used as prompt characters (see below).
If CT200+ or CT A2000 mode was selected, the following handshake format is normally
ON but may be disabled (OFF) or enabled (ON) by a selection from the Handshake option.
If Handshake is set to ON for CT200+ or CT A2000 modes, the following format is used:
ACK-NAK-DC1/DC2 (Acknowledged-Not Acknowledged-Prompt) may also be used.
ACK, NAK and DC1/DC2 are ASCII control characters used by the computer
to control data transmission with the Clinitek Atlas unit.
ACK (Hex 06) is sent by
the computer on pin 3 (RXD) to the Clinitek Atlas unit to indicate the computer
acknowledged receiving the last message and the Clinitek Atlas instrument may
move to the next data set for the next transmission. NAK (Hex 15) is sent on pin 3
to indicate the computer did not acknowledge receiving the last message sent.
The computer must then send another DC1 or DC2.
If ASTM mode was selected, the Handshake option is not available for selection:
ASTM mode uses a different protocol, which is automatically enabled if ASTM mode
was selected. This is: the Clinitek Atlas unit transmits an ENQ when it has data to
send. The computer responds with an ACK, indicating it is ready to receive data;
otherwise, it transmits a NAK, indicating it is not ready. Upon receiving a NAK, the
Clinitek Atlas unit then waits at least 10 seconds before sending another ENQ.
Refer to ASTM standard E1381 for a complete description of this ASTM protocol.

EIA-232D COMPUTER INTERFACING

7. Checksum - permits the choice of:

a. OFF (Checksum is not used)
b. ON (A two-byte checksum summary of the message bits transmitted at the end
of the frame)
For CT200+ and CT A2000 modes, the default mode setting for Checksum is ON.
If ASTM mode was selected, Checksum is automatically set to ON and this option
is not available for selection.
Optional two-byte checksum appearing at end of message frame prior to ETX.
A checksum is used to detect errors in message transmission from the Clinitek
Atlas unit to the LIMS computer. The checksum is a two digit ASCII hexadecimal
code transmitted immediately after the ETX character at the end of a data set
(before ETX when using the CLINITEK 200+ or CLINITEK Auto 2000 Emulation
Modes). The checksum uses Mod 256 format, in which the checksum is calculated
by adding all characters between the STX and ETX characters, including all control
characters such as CR and space (hex 20) but not including the two checksum bytes.
From this total, 256 is subtracted repeatedly until the resulting decimal number is
255 or less. The result is an 8-bit number (0 to 255) that is converted into two
Hexadecimal ASCII codes (0 to 9, A to F). For example, binary 01011010 =
Decimal 90 = Hex 5A, sent as "5" and "A" as the checksum.
1-5 Pressing softkey MORE reveals additional interface options:
1. Send Color - permits the choice of:
a. OFF (Color field is not sent with the sample message frame)
b. ON (Color field is sent with the sample message frame)
The default setting for Send Color is ON if CT200+ or ASTM was selected in
Results Format. Color cannot be sent to a LIMS computer if CT A2000 was selected.
2. Send Clarity - permits the choice of:
a. OFF (Clarity field is not sent with the sample message frame)
b. ON (Clarity field is sent with the sample message frame)
The default mode setting for Send Clarity is ON if CT200+ or ASTM was selected in
Results Format. Clarity cannot be sent to a LIMS computer if CT A2000 was selected.
3. Send Control Results - permits the choice of:
a. OFF (Control Mode results are not transmitted from the S1 serial port)
b. ON (Control Mode results are transmitted from the S1 serial port)

EIA-232D COMPUTER INTEFACING

4. Send STAT Results - permits the choice of:

a. OFF (STAT Mode results are not transmitted from the S1 serial port)
b. ON (STAT Mode results are transmitted from the S1 serial port)
The default setting for Send STAT Results is ON if the CT200+ or ASTM modes were
selected in Results Format and OFF if the CT A2000 mode was selected.
5. Send Calibration Results
a. OFF (Calibration results are not transmitted from the S1 serial port)
b. ON (Calibration results are transmitted from the S1 serial port)
This option is only available if the ASTM mode was selected in Results Format.
2 CLINITEK 200+ (CT200+) Emulation Mode
2-1 If a user selects the CT200+ option in Results Format (from Set Up Analyzer), the following unique
characteristics will apply to the LIMS serial interface as used on the Clinitek Atlas unit.
Note the EIA232-D format used with the Clinitek Atlas unit differs from the RS-232-C format used with the CLINITEK
200+ unit: in particular, DSR (pin 6) and DTR (pin 20) are not used with the Clinitek Atlas interface.
For those LIMS computer systems using DSR and DTR, tie lines 20 (DSR) and 6 (DTR) together or
connect positive DC voltage (+5 to +12 VDC) to the DTR line back to the LIMS computer.
2-2 This serial mode outputs test results using the same message format and transfer protocol as the
CLINITEK 200+ RS232 Interface, with the following exceptions:
1. The data characteristics options (i.e., BAUD rates, data length, etc.) are defined in the
Clinitek Atlas Set Up Analyzer routine (see the operating manual).
2. No service data formats or "Instrument Test" modes as defined by the CLINITEK 200+
Interface Specification document are provided in the Clinitek Atlas CT200+ mode.
3. The number of test records and the order of Analytes may be defined (and re-organized)
by the user (see the Clinitek Atlas Operating Manual for details on these options).
2-3 Test result values output in the emulation mode duplicate the CLINITEK 200 test results resolution
and the minimum and maximum values for each analyte if they are within the Clinitek Atlas test result
capability (see the operating manual for the test result values used by the Clinitek Atlas unit). Test values
outside the Clinitek Atlas test capability will not be output. Because of this, the following level is not
reported to a computer by the Clinitek Atlas unit if it is set for CT200+ emulation:
pH >=9.0 (maximum level reported is 8.5)

EIA-232D COMPUTER INTERFACING

2-4 The following features available in the Clinitek Atlas instrument are not available or are modified as
listed below when using the CLINITEK 200+ (CT200+) Emulation Mode:
1. Screening sieve results are reported to the display and printer but not on the serial computer port.
2. Sequence numbers are limited to 001 to 999 with a prefix of 0 to 9 or S (STAT) only"
(e.g.: "1-123" or "S-123" for a STAT sequence number).
3. STAT test results may be optionally output to a computer (the default mode for this is ON).
The STAT number resets at midnight (default mode) or at a time selected by the user.
4. No internal bar code confirmation of specimen identifications from the LIMS (computer)
load list or a manually entered load list is permitted in this mode.
5. Sample color, clarity and identification data, as defined in Set Up Analyzer (see operating
manual) may be entered into the Clinitek Atlas unit sample records manually at the end of
tray analysis of samples in a "run a tube sample if it is seen" operation.
6. Sample color and clarity data, as defined in Set Up Analyzer (see operating manual) may be
entered into Clinitek Atlas sample records at the end of tray analysis in load list operation.
7. Manual entry and editing of color, clarity and specimen identification is supported in a
manually entered load list function.
8. LIMS computer load lists may be completely deleted at the Clinitek Atlas instrument if this
option was enabled in Set Up Analyzer.
9. LIMS computer load list size is limited to the number of routine samples defined for a single
sample tray (typically forty samples or forty load list numbers).
10. Low volume samples and non-dispensed samples run on the Clinitek Atlas unit are reported
to the computer as an ERROR value (e.g. "GLU ERROR") for each analyte test value for
that sample in the LIMS computer data output.
11. Missing samples in the load list mode are reported on the Clinitek Atlas unit to the LIMS
computer as an ERROR value (e.g. "GLU ERROR") for each analyte test value for that
sample in the LIMS data output.
12. In Set Up Analyzer, the user may select to have SG values reported from <=1.005 to
>=1.030 with a resolution of 0.005 or from 1.000 to 1.099 with a resolution of 0.001.
13. Control test results may be optionally reported to a computer, using an option in Set Up
Analyzer. These control results are assigned a non-resettable three digit sequence
number beginning with a "#C-" prefix (e.g.: "#C-123").
14. Abnormal analyte levels may be optionally flagged with an asterisk, output to a computer
(e.g. "*GLU 500 mg/dL").
NOTE: Existing data management, LIMS software or other software interface programs designed to
interface specifically with the emulated instruments may require re-writing if the programs
are data sensitive to changes in analyte values or other possible variations in format or content.
Some of these programs may require the Clinitek Atlas unit to report SG values from <=1.005
to >=1.030 with a resolution of 0.005.

EIA-232D COMPUTER INTEFACING

2-5 Load list operations and Instrument ID (ENQ or Query) functions as supported by the
CLINITEK 200+ instrument are supported and will be functional in this CT200+ emulation mode.
If a computer sends an ENQ and a DC1 or DC2 in the CT200+ mode, the Clinitek Atlas will respond
with the following Instrument ID message:
Characters/Columns
01
STX
I
C
E
M
C1

02
CR
D
T
n
U
C2

03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
LF
SP 1 4
:
5 1 SP 0 2
- 2 2 9
4 CR LF (19 characters)
2
0 0 + SP SP SP 0 2
. 0 4 CR LF (16 characters)
g
l
i
s h SP C o n
v (22 characters maximum)
L
T I
S T I
X
- 1
0 SP S G CR LF (22 characters maximum)
ETX

Line 1 identifies this an ID message and gives the instrument date and time.
Line 2 identifies the instrument (CT200+) and gives the software version (2.04).
Line 3 identifies the country selected (USA) and line 4 identifies the strip type being used.
2-6 In the response to the ENQ, the Clinitek Atlas identifies itself as a "CT200+" with software version
"2.04" and using "MULTISTIX-10 SG" in an "English Conv[entional]" format. This is misleading but
necessary to maintain compatibility with an existing CLINITEK 200+ software interface. Also, the 100
millisecond delay between an ACK and DC1, required in the CLINITEK 200+, is not necessary when using
the CT200+ version of the Clinitek Atlas interface. A CLINITEK 200+ unit will not respond to this query
while in its RUN Mode; the Clinitek Atlas instrument will respond while in its ANALYZE Mode.
2-7 The Clinitek Atlas unit assigns tray locations for each specimen identification in the load list.
Only
one load list at a time can be maintained in the instrument in this mode. A new load list will be accepted
only after the previous load list has been analyzed. Load lists with more specimen identifications than
are supported for a single tray will have the excess load list numbers rejected from the list. Current 4.10
software can support up to 50 numbers in a load list. If the Load List function is used,
during Analyze Mode the internal bar code reader will not confirm specimen identity in the sample tray.
Each load list number sent must be preceded by an STX and followed by an ETX. The load list
format, matching the Clinitek 200+ style, is as follows:
Characters/Columns
01 02 03 04 05
STX 1
2
3
4

06
5

07
6

08
7

09
8

10
9

11
10

12
11

13
12

14
13

15
ETX

2-8 The computer may send up to fifty load list specimen ID numbers to the Clinitek Atlas unit; each
number sent must contain one to thirteen ASCII-printable characters (alpha or numeric) or spaces
(SP) between STX and ETX.

EIA-232D COMPUTER INTERFACING

2-9 The Clinitek Atlas unit responds with an ACK to indicate it had successfully received each number,
otherwise it responds with a NAK. If more than 50 load list numbers are sent, the Clinitek Atlas unit
responds with a NAK to the fifty-first. All 50 specimens must be assigned (all 50 specimens run) to urine
samples before the instrument will accept (ACK) additional load list numbers.
2-10 Below is shown a typical CLINITEK 200+ sample data output format.
format. This is the format of a sample record output by the Clinitek Atlas unit if the CT200+ emulation
mode is selected:
Characters/Columns
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22

STX CR LF
# N - N
I D = X
C o
l
o
C l
a
r
A A A SP

N N SP SP SP SP SP SP M M - D D - Y Y CR LF
X X X X X
X X X X SP SP SP SP SP SP SP CR LF *
r : SP X X
X X X X X X X X SP SP SP CR LF +
i t
y
: SP X X X X X X X X X X SP CR LF +
R R R R R
R R R R R R R R R R R CR LF
.
.
.
.
.
.
[up to ten lines total for Versions 6.02 or lower and ATLAS 10 mode in Version 7.11, or
up to twelve lines for ATLAS PRO 12 mode in Version 7.11]

C1 C2 ETX
All lines except for STX, ETX and blank lines will be 22 characters including CR and LF.
There are a variable number of spaces between the mnemonic and the value fields for each
strip analyte. There are at most 10 reagent analytes/values ordered differently for different reagent
formats.
The value is always right aligned and the mnemonic left aligned. One reading has a
maximum of 314 characters for Versions 6.02 or lower and ATLAS 10 mode in Version 7.11, and one
reading has a maximum of 358 characters for ATLAS PRO 12 mode in Version 7.11.
where:
STX and ETX = start of text (Hex 02) and end of text (Hex 03)
CR and LF = carriage return and line feed
N-NNN = sequence number
MM-DD-YY = date
C1 and C2 = checksum digits 1 and 2 (calculated by adding all characters between STX and ETX,
not including checksum, ignoring any carry. Result is an 8-bit number (0 to 255)
converted into two Hex ASCII codes (0 to 9, A to F). For example, 01011010 = 5A.
SP = space (Hex 20)
AAA = analyte reagent abbreviated name, left justified.
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR = analyte result, right justified.
* This line is sent only if specimen ID Entry was enabled.
+ This line is sent only if Color Entry and Clarity Entry were enabled.

EIA-232D COMPUTER INTEFACING

3 CLINITEK Auto 2000 (CT A2000) Emulation Mode

3-1 If a user selects the CT A2000 option in Results Format (from Set Up Analyzer), the following unique
characteristics will apply to the LIMS serial interface as used on the Clinitek Atlas unit.
Note the EIA-232-D format used with the Clinitek Atlas unit differs from the RS-232-C format used
with the CLINITEK Auto 2000 unit: in particular, DSR (pin 6) and DTR (pin 20) are not used with
the Clinitek Atlas interface. For those LIMS computers using DTR and DSR signals, tie DTR (20) and
DSR (6) together or connect a DC voltage (+5 to +12 VDC) to the DTR (20) line returning to the computer.
3-2 This serial mode outputs test results using the same message format and transfer protocol as the
CLINITEK Auto 2000 RS232 Interface, with the following exceptions:
1. The data characteristics options (i.e., BAUD rates, data length, etc.) are defined
by the user in the Clinitek Atlas Set-Up Analyzer routine (see operating manual).
2. No service data formats or "Instrument Test" modes are provided in this mode.
3. The number of test records and the order of Analytes are defined (and re-arranged) by
the user in Set Up Analyzer (see the operating manual).
4. Color and Clarity are not output in this mode and load list input from the LIMS computer
is not available as an option.
3-3 Test result values output in the emulation mode duplicate the CLINITEK Auto 2000 test results
resolution and the minimum and maximum values for each analyte if those are within the Clinitek Atlas
test result capability as defined in the operating manual.
Test values outside the Clinitek Atlas test capability will not be output. To emulate the CLINITEK
Auto 2000 instrument in this mode, the following levels are not reported:
1. Glucose >=2000 mg/dL (maximum level reported is 1000 mg/dL)
2. pH >=9.0 (maximum level reported is 8.5)
3. Protein >= 2000 mg/dL (maximum level reported is 300 mg/dL for USA, Spain and Italy
and 1000 mg/dL for Japan)
4. Urobilinogen >=12.0 E.U./dL (maximum level reported is 8.0 E.U./dL)

EIA-232D COMPUTER INTERFACING

3-4 The following features available in the Clinitek Atlas instrument are not available or are modified as
listed below when using the CLINITEK Auto 2000 (CT A2000) Emulation Mode:
1. No LIMS (computer) downloaded or manually entered load list are supported.
2. Screening sieve results are NOT reported to a computer (but are to the display and printer).
3. Sequence number selection is limited to #0001 to #9999 with no prefix (e.g. "#1234").
4. STAT data printouts are assigned sequence numbers from ST01 to ST99, preceded by a space
(e.g. " ST12"). STAT numbering resets at midnight (the default mode) or at a selected time.
5. STAT sample results may be optionally reported to a computer (see Set Up Analyzer routine).
6. Control sample test results may be optionally reported to a computer (see Set Up Analyzer) with
non-resettable numbers from 01 to 99, with a "CN" prefix preceded by a space (e.g. " CN12")
7. Calibration data is assigned a two-digit sequence number with a "KL" prefix.
8. Sample and Control specimen identification, color and clarity data is not available for output
to a computer (but is reported on the display and printer)
9. Sample color, clarity and identification data as defined in the Set Up Analyzer routine, may
be entered into the instrument sample record at the end of tray analysis in a "run a sample
tube if it is seen" operation.
10. Sample color and clarity data, as defined in Set Up Analyzer (see operating manual) may be
entered into Clinitek Atlas sample records at the end of tray analysis.
11. User may select reporting of instrument measured color or manually enter the color for each
sample as selected in the Set Up Analyzer routine.
12. In Set Up Analyzer, the user may select to have SG values reported from 1.000 to >=1.030
with a resolution of 0.005 or from <=1.000 to >=1.099 with a resolution of 0.001.
13. Abnormal analyte levels may be optionally flagged with an asterisk, output to the computer
(e.g. "*GLU 500 mg/dL").
14. ATLAS PRO 12 and CT A2000 emulation mode are mutually exclusive.
Ie. CT A2000 emulation mode is not selectable when in Atlas Pro 12 mode, and Pro 12 mode is not
selectable in CT A2000 emulation mode.
NOTE: Existing data management, LIMS software or other software interface programs designed to
interface specifically with the emulated instruments may require re-writing if the programs
are data sensitive to changes in analyte values or other possible variations in format or content.

EIA-232D COMPUTER INTEFACING

10

3-5 Below is shown a typical CLINITEK Auto 2000 sample data output format:
Characters/Columns
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
STX CR LF
# N N N N
SP M M - D
A A A SP R

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

SP SP SP SP SP SP
D - Y Y CR LF
R R R R R R R R R R
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. [up to ten lines total]

CR LF

C1 C2 ETX
All lines except for STX, ETX and blank lines will be 22 characters including CR and LF. There will
be a variable number of spaces between the mnemonic and the value fields for each strip analyte.
There are at most 10 reagent analytes/values ordered differently for different reagent formats.
The value is always right aligned and the mnemonic left aligned. One reading has a maximum of
314 characters.
where:
STX and ETX = start of text (Hex 02) and end of text (Hex 03)
CR and LF = carriage return and line feed
N-NNN = sequence number
MM-DD-YY = date
AAA = analyte reagent abbreviated name, left justified
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR = analyte reagent result, right justified
C1 and C2 = checksum digits 1 and 2 (calculated by adding all characters between STX and ETX,
not including checksum, ignoring any carry. Result is an 8-bit number (0 to 255)
converted into two Hex ASCII codes (0 to 9, A to F). For example, 01011010 = 5A.
SP = space (Hex 20)

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EIA-232D COMPUTER INTERFACING

4 ASTM Mode
4-1 Introduction
4-1-1 The third option mode of computer interfacing is the ASTM (American Society for Testing and
Materials, see Section 1-2). This mode conforms to the following standards:
1. ASTM E 1381-4, "Specifications for Low-Level Protocol to Transfer Messages between Clinical
Laboratory Instruments and Computer Systems"
2. and ASTM E 1394-91, "Standard Specification for Transferring Information Between Clinical
Instruments and Computer Systems"
In the United States, copies of these two ASTM standards may be acquired by phoning our toll-free
customer service telephone number: 1-877-229-3711.
NOTE: The ASTM mode does not use query, either from or to the LIMS computer, nor requests to
the LIMS computer for test results or for demographic data.
If a query record is received
by the Clinitek Atlas instrument from the computer in this mode, the Clinitek Atlas unit
will not respond.
4-1-2 In compliance with the ASTM standards, in this ASTM mode:
1. RTS (pin 4) and CTS (pin 5) lines are not used (not active).
2. XON - XOFF transfer flow control is not used (not active)
3. ACK-NAK-ENQ protocols are always used (see Section 1-2, under item 6)
4. All messages include a Checksum (see Section 1-2, item 7)

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4-2 Message Frame

4-2-1 All serial output messages to a LIMS computer are framed in the following manner.
Each message may consist of several frames, each frame limited to 247 characters including the
frame overhead. Test results for one sample with all analytes reported and in its longest,
most detailed format will take a maximum of three frames to complete. If a single message is
sent in multiple frames, the intermediate frames are terminated with <ETB>. The final frame
for the message terminates with <ETX>.
<STX> f

{frame}

[complete or partial message]

<ETX or ETB> cs1 cs2 <CR> <LF>
where:
STX = Start of Text (ASCII hex 2)
f = frame number, 0 through 7, starting at 1 and incrementing with each message frame.
ETX = End of Text (ASCII hex 3), used if the message is completed in this transmission.
ETB = End of Transmission Block (ASCII hex 17), used if the message will be continued.
cs1 = ASCII representation of the Checksum first digit
cs2 = ASCII representation of the Checksum second digit
CR = Carriage Return (ASCII hex D)
LF = Line Feed (ASCII hex A)

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EIA-232D COMPUTER INTERFACING

4-3

Message Header and Terminator

4-3-1 Each complete message sent by the Clinitek Atlas to a LIMS computer consists of a header record,
information records and a terminator record as shown below:
H|\^&|||5001^snsn^vv.vv^SSSS||||||rrrrrrrrrrrr|z^y00|V|yyyymmddhhmmss <CR> {header}
[Information Records: the various record formats are described in the following paragraphs]
L|1|tc <CR>

{Terminator}

4-3-2 Note the Information Records portion in the complete message format shown above may vary,
depending upon the format used; see the following paragraphs for the various message formats.
where:
H = identifies field as a header record
|\^& = the delimiter definitions for this message
5001 = Instrument Product Code (5001) - field number 5
Note software versions before V4.10 used a different format: "5001ve", where 5001
represents the model number and "ve" is a two-digit version (ve) number.
snsn = Instrument Serial Number
vv.vv = Software Version Number
SSSS = Installed Sample Handler product code (5003 for a Clinitek Atlas Sample Handler
instrument or EXTN for any alternative sample handler which may be used)
rrrrrrrrrrrr = Reagent type, either Atlas 10 or Atlas Pro 12 in version 7.11 or (empty) in
versions 6.02 or lower
z = identifies the Processing ID (field number 12), which may be:
Q = Control testing (Control and Calibration testing modes only)
P = Normal Routine and STAT testing modes only
y = identifies the Instrument test mode, which may be:
N = Normal routine test mode (used with P processing mode only, see z explanation)
C = Calibration mode (used with Q processing mode only, see z explanation above)
S = STAT mode (used with P processing mode only, see z explanation above)
K = Control mode (used with Q processing mode only, see z explanation above)
V = ASTM specification E1394 version "1" (field number 13)
yyyymmddhhmmss = Current year, month, day, hour, minute, seconds of the message
transmission (24 hour time). Regardless of time and date Set Up choices,
computer serial output is always reported as year/month/day and
24 hour (field number 14)
tc = Termination code "N" (normal termination)
Note: In version 7.11, the Atlas instrument will transmit the Header Record upon receipt of a <bel>
character from the Host LIMS

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4-4

ASTM Normal Output Formats

4-4-1 Test Results Output Format

4-4-1-1 Test results for routine, STAT and control solutions have the following result record format for the
test results for each sample. Test results for a single sample are reported in a single message.
P|1 <<CR>>

{patient}

where:
P = Patient record
CR = Carriage Return (ASCII hex D)
O|1|ppppppppppppp^ccc^lll|s-sssss|^^^testid||||||||||||||||||
yyyymmddhhmmss|||r <CR> {order}
where:
O = Order record
ppppppppppppp = Sample identification number, up to 13 ASCII characters.
ccc = Identifying the tray ID number, up to three digit ASCII numerical characters
lll = Identifying the tube number location in a tray, up to three digit ASCII numerical characters
s-sssss = Assigned sample sequence number with leading zeroes (example : 0-00001);
sequence number prefix can be 0 through 9, suffix can be 00001 through 99999,
or 0-00001 through 9-99999. For control solutions, the prefix will be C. For STAT
solutions, the prefix will be S. For calibration solutions, the prefix will be K.
testid = Bayer test identification of the reagent format used and the method of determining or
entering color and clarity values. The test identification is expressed in the format
50xxab, where 50xx = reagent format used in the instrument (for example: 5012),
a contains a "C" for manual color entry, "_" (underscore) appears here otherwise and
b contains a "C" for manual clarity entry, "_" (underscore) appears here otherwise - field 5.
yyyymmddhhmmss = Date and time of sample dispense onto first reagent pad.
Regardless of the time and date formats selected in Set Up, computer
serial output format is always year/month/day and 24 hours. - field 23
r = Report type (field 26), which may be:
"F" (final results) for all routine, STAT and control results
"R" (this result was previously transmitted) if output is generated from the recall function
CR = Carriage Return (ASCII hex D)

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EIA-232D COMPUTER INTERFACING

R|1|^^^aaa|vvvvvvv|uuuuuuu||f||r^code <CR>
.
.
.
R|n|^^^aaa|vvvvvvv|uuuuuuu||f||r^code <CR>

{test result 1}

{test result n}

where:
R = Result record
n = Line sequence number incremented from 1 for each result record (R) following an order
record (O) in the message.
aaa = Test name abbreviation which may be: pH, SG (or DEN or PS), PRO, GLU, KET
(or CET), BIL, BLO (or OB, BLD, SAN or SNG), NIT, URO (or UBG), LEU
(or WBC), COL, CLA (or ASP), and in Atlas Pro 12 mode in Version 7.11, CRE, P:C.
vvvvvvv = Test result value. See the operating manual for
a list of all possible test result values.
uuuuuuu = Test units, if applicable; if not applicable, a null value will appear here instead.
See the Clinitek Atlas operating manual, Tables 4-1 to 4-8, for a list of test units.
f = Result abnormal flag (field 7), which may be:
"A" if a result is determined abnormal per limits defined in Set Up Analyzer (see
the Clinitek Atlas operating manual, Section Four).
"N" if otherwise.
r^code = Result Status (field 9), which may be:
"F" (final results) for all routine, STAT and control results - no "^" delimeter or code
for all valid results
"X" (results cannot be done, request canceled) followed by error code 10 for a Clarity
error only
CR = Carriage Return (ASCII hex D)
4-4-1-2 The number of test records and order of analytes are defined by the operator in Set Up Analyzer
(see Clinitek Atlas Operating manual, Section Four). If an error is generated during
the measurement of clarity and user-defined clarity is not entered during end-of-run review, that order
record will have a null value for the test result value. The Result Status field will indicate an "X" status
and an error code. For other sample error reports, see Section 4-4-3 in this document.

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4-4-2 Calibration Data Report Format

4-4-2-1 If calibration reporting to a LIMS computer is selected in the instrument Set-Up routine, the
following format will be reported at the end of each successful calibration sequence:
P|1|rrrrrrrrrrrrr <CR>

{patient}

O|1|ppppppppppppp^ccc^lll||^^^testid||||||||||||||||||
yyyymmddhhmmss|||r <CR>

{order}

O|2|ppppppppppppp^ccc^lll||^^^testid||||||||||||||||||
yyyymmddhhmmss|||r <CR>

{order}

O|3|ppppppppppppp^ccc^lll||^^^testid||||||||||||||||||
yyyymmddhhmmss|||r <CR>

{order}

O|4|ppppppppppppp^ccc^lll||^^^testid||||||||||||||||||
yyyymmddhhmmss|||r <CR>

{order}

where:
P = Patient record
O = Order record
1 = Line sequence number, incremented in the Order records (1, 2, 3 and 4)
rrrrrrrrrrrrr = Reagent lot identification number, entered by the operator
ppppppppppppp = Calibrator lot identification entered by the operator for calibrators
1, 2, 3 and 4 in order.
ccc = up to three-digit ASCII numerical characters, identifying the tray ID number
lll = up to three-digit ASCII numerical characters, identifying the tube number location in a tray
testid = Bayer test identification of the reagent format used and the method of determining or
entering color and clarity values (field 5). The test identification is expressed in the format
50xxab, where 50xx = reagent format used in the instrument (for example: 5012),
a contains a "C" for manual color entry, "_" (underscore) appears here otherwise and
b contains a "C" for manual clarity entry, "_" (underscore) appears here otherwise
yyyymmddhhmmss = Date and time of sample dispense onto first reagent pad. Regardless
of the options selected in Set Up, computer serial output format is
always year/month/day and 24 hours. - field 23
r = Report status "F" (final results) - field 26
CR = Carriage Return (ASCII hex D)

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EIA-232D COMPUTER INTERFACING

4-4-3 Sample Error Report Format

4-4-3-1 The instrument reports an error in place of the normal sample test values if the following
detectable and recoverable errors are detected during testing of a specified sample:
1. Inadequate sample volume in tube - Error code 1
2. Non-dispense of sample onto reagent - Error code 10000
4-4-3-2 These errors are reported in the following message format.
P|1 <cr> {patient}
O|1|ppppppppppppp^ccc^lll|s-sssss|^^^testid||||||||||||||||||
yyyymmddhhmmss|||r^code <CR>

{order}

where:
P = Patient record
O = Order record
ppppppppppppp = Sample identification number
ccc = up to three-digit ASCII numerical characters, identifying the tray ID number
lll = up to three-digit ASCII numerical characters, identifying the tube number location in a tray
s-sssss = Assigned sample sequence number with leading zeroes (example : 0-00001);
sequence number prefix can be 0 through 9, suffix can be 00001 through 99999,
or 0-00001 through 9-99999. For control solutions, the prefix will be C. For STAT
solutions, the prefix will be S.
testid = Bayer test identification of the reagent format used and the method of determining or
entering color and clarity values. The test identification is expressed in the format
50xxab, where 50xx = reagent format used in the instrument (5012, 5015 or 5017),
a contains a "C" for manual color entry, "_" (underscore) appears here otherwise and
b contains a "C" for manual clarity entry, "_" (underscore) appears here otherwise
yyyymmddhhmmss = Date and time of sample dispense onto first reagent pad
r = Report status "X" (Results cannot be done, request canceled) -field 26 of order record
code = Assigned code for the corresponding sample error
CR = Carriage Return (ASCII hex D)
Also refer to paragraph 4-4-1-2 in this document for the clarity error handling format description.

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