Work

Experimental timing and control using microcontrollers

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Modern physics experiments rely on precise timing provided by programmable digital pulse generators. In many experimental control systems, this role is filled by custom devices built on field-programmable gate arrays. While highly flexible and performant, these devices can be difficult to scale to very large systems due to cost and complexity. Recent advances in microcontroller systems allow these much simpler devices to fill the role of digital pulse generators. Here, we demonstrate one such alternative based on the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller, which allows for timing resolution down to 7.5 ns with a minimum pulse width of 37.5 ns.

Source: Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI: 10.1063/5.0225550

Authors: Philip T. Starkey, Carter Turnbaugh, Patrick Miller, Kermit-James LeBlanc, David H. Meyer

Institutions: MIT-Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command

Language: English

Topic: Embedded Systems and FPGA Design

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Defense, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Awards: G4109425323, Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)