Accelerate Channel Switching

[AdvancedImagingUTSW]

UTD Capstone

As we discussed today, here is your second option.

Problem: Writing our analog waveforms to our tasks on NI cards, which we must do when we change channels, is currently rate-limiting. I would like you to propose a solution to solve this, preferably with sub-millisecond latency.

The two solutions that come to mind include an FPGA (e.g., NI PCIe-7852R) or a multiplexing switch (e.g., PXI-2503). You are welcome to explore other creative solutions.

Whatever you come up with, it should include all necessary code to work well with navigate. It should also include a nice interface for hardware (e.g., a breakout box) that is nicely labeled. It should be able to deliver analog and digital waveforms to 7 lasers, an external trigger to our camera, send analog signals to 4 galvos, send 1 analog signal to a voice coil, and send 2 digital signals to shutters.

[AdvancedImagingUTSW]

This could be useful: https://nifpga-python.readthedocs.io/en/latest/