System And Components - Dräger Alcotest 9510 Technical Manual

5

System and Components

5.1 Cuvette
The cuvette represents the IR absorption chamber, internally
housing the IR source and IR detector (see Section 6.2).
5.2 EC Sampling System
The sampling system with the EC sensor consists of a small
piston pump assembly which pulls a fixed sample (1cc) of gas
from the IR cuvette into the EC sensor.
5.3 Differential Pressure Sensor
The differential pressure sensor is used to measure the breath
flow rate. The instrument records the flow during the subject's
breath test from the beginning to the end. The recording allows
the instrument to calculate the breath volume. The sensor
monitors the pressure drop between the entrance of the
cuvette and the entrance of the gas into the IR chamber.
5.4 Pressure Sensor
The pressure sensor monitors proper operation of the pump.
Also, the pressure sensor constantly monitors ambient air
pressure, which is necessary if dry gas standards are used for
calibration.
5.5 Breath Hose
The breath sample is transferred through the breath hose into
the cuvette. The breath hose is heated to a minimum of 35°C,
and temperature controlled by the microprocessor to avoid
condensation. The instrument will halt an evidential breath test
sequence with a hardware error if the breath hose temperature
is outside the range of 35°C and 60°C. The temperature at the
time of the test is also recorded in the test data records within
the instrument. It has excellent insulation to keep power
consumption minimal at low temperatures. The breath hose is
46 inches long and flexible.
5.6 Microprocessor
All incoming signals from the sensors are passed to the
microprocessor via a multiplexer and 12 bit A/D converters for
further analysis. The microprocessor continuously checks all
supply voltages and important components to ensure proper
operation. It hands over the information directly to the
Windows CE controller. It also has an extra pathway to send
data/results to the internal printer, which is independent from
Windows CE.
5.7 Windows CE Controller System
The interface between the operator and subject is controlled by
the Windows CE controller system, which is handles the
display messages, addressing the peripherals, etc. It is an
embedded Windows CE operating system.
Dräger Alcotest 9510 Washington Technical Manual V3.1 2014
5.8 Signal Processing
The IR detector converts the pulses from the IR source to a
small sinusoidal electrical signal. This signal is first amplified
by a low noise amplifier and then sent through a band-pass-
filter stage. At the A/D converter, this signal is sampled 128
times per second with 12 bit resolution and then sent to the
microprocessor.
5.9 Keyboard
If an external keyboard is plugged into the instrument, all data
entry fields will take input from the external keyboard. If there
is no external keyboard connected to the instrument, the
instrument will display a virtual keyboard for all data entry
fields. To change the case of the characters displayed on the
virtual keyboard, press the "up arrow" button on the virtual
keyboard. The "left arrow" key is the "Enter" key, and the blank
key is the space bar.
5.10 Internal Printer
The internal printer prints on 2.25" thermal paper that does not
require a printer cartridge or ink ribbons. The internal printer
may be disabled, if desired.
Replace the paper roll when depleted. Press the black button
to open the paper flap and insert a new roll of paper with the
end of the paper outside of the compartment and press the
paper flap closed.

System and Components
6