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Development of small and inexpensive digital data acquisition systems using a microcontroller‐based approach
Author(s) -
Naivar Mark A.,
Wilder Mark E.,
Habbersett Robert C.,
Woods Travis A.,
Sebba David S.,
Nolan John P.,
Graves Steven W.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
cytometry part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.316
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1552-4930
pISSN - 1552-4922
DOI - 10.1002/cyto.a.20814
Subject(s) - data acquisition , computer science , microcontroller , computer hardware , millisecond , embedded system , real time computing , physics , astronomy , operating system
Fully digital data acquisition systems for use in flow cytometry provide excellent flexibility and precision. Here, we demonstrate the development of a low cost, small, and low power digital flow cytometry data acquisition system using a single microcontroller chip with an integrated analog to digital converter (ADC). Our demonstration system uses a commercially available evaluation board making the system simple to integrate into a flow cytometer. We have evaluated this system using calibration microspheres analyzed on commercial, slow‐flow, and CCD‐based flow cytometers. In our evaluations, our demonstration data system clearly resolves all eight peaks of a Rainbow microsphere set on both a slow‐flow flow cytometer and a retrofitted BD FACScalibur, which indicates it has the sensitivity and resolution required for most flow cytometry applications. It is also capable of millisecond time resolution, full waveform collection, and selective triggering of data collection from a CCD camera. The capability of our demonstration system suggests that the use of microcontrollers for flow cytometry digital data‐acquisition will be increasingly valuable for extending the life of older cytometers and provides a compelling data‐system design approach for low‐cost, portable flow cytometers. © 2009 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.