FPGA Multi-Channel DLS Autocorrelation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DLS particle measurement systems are not highly integrated, requiring separate commercial counters and correlators for signal processing and limiting the ability to perform multi-angle measurements simultaneously, which increases costs and introduces errors due to environmental changes.
Innovation Solution
An FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation system that integrates photon counting and correlation calculation within a single FPGA chip, enabling simultaneous collection and calculation of particle sizes and distributions at multiple angles, reducing test time and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate commercial counters and correlators are used for signal processing, then the system can perform basic DLS measurements, but the device complexity increases and multi-angle simultaneous measurement capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the counter and correlator functions into a single integrated device. The FPGA-based system simultaneously performs photon counting and autocorrelation calculation, eliminating the need for separate commercial counters and correlators. This merging enables multi-angle simultaneous measurement while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated photon correlator is designed to handle multiple measurement channels simultaneously. The FPGA-based architecture provides universal functionality that can process signals from multiple scattering angles at the same time, making the system adaptable to various DLS measurement configurations without requiring additional separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of devices are configured for multi-angle measurements, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement channels into a single integrated device. The FPGA-based photon correlator can process multiple scattering angle signals simultaneously through parallel processing, eliminating the need to sequentially measure different angles with separate devices, thus significantly reducing measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous simultaneous measurement across multiple angles. By using parallel processing in the FPGA, all measurement channels operate continuously at the same time rather than sequentially, maintaining continuous useful action and eliminating idle time between measurements.
3Device complexity
If sequential measurement at different angles is performed, then device simplicity is maintained, but environmental factor errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement channels into one synchronized system. By integrating counter and correlator functions in an FPGA-based device, all angles are measured simultaneously under identical environmental conditions, eliminating errors caused by environmental changes during sequential measurements while maintaining system simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves efficient and accurate multi-angle particle size and distribution measurements by integrating counting and autocorrelation functions in the FPGA, reducing measurement time and minimizing errors caused by environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
the particles continuously perform Brownian motion due to collision of surrounding medium molecules
Implementation Method 2
The Brownian motion makes a frequency of scattered light of the particles produce a Doppler shift relative to incident light
Implementation Method 3
transmit a photon pulse signal generated by a DLS generation apparatus to the FPGA and count collected photon pulses by using a dual photon counter designed in the FPGA
Implementation Method 4
a correlation function is calculated. Finally, communication with a computer is performed through a USB interface, and a total quantity of the collected photon pulses, a total quantity of sampling times, and a correlation function value are sent to a personal computer (PC). The PC performs normalization processing to obtain a light intensity autocorrelation function
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based multi-channel dynamic light scattering (DLS) autocorrelation system and method. The system includes a DLS generation apparatus, a photon correlator, and a host computer, where the photon correlator includes an FPGA and a universal serial bus (USB) communication module; the DLS generation apparatus is connected to the FPGA; the FPGA is configured to count and perform correlation calculation on photon pulses generated by the DLS generation apparatus; the USB communication module is connected to the host computer; the FPGA includes a dual counter module and a correlation calculation module; the dual counter module is connected to the DLS generation apparatus and the correlation calculation module; the correlation calculation module is connected to the USB communication module; the dual counter module includes a plurality of dual counters; and the correlation calculation module includes a plurality of correlators.