Traditional optical and electronic systems often rely on standalone test devices, leading to challenges such as instability, noise, and complexity. Flexible, digitally implemented instruments now offer a powerful solution for optimizing control and characterization systems with enhanced speed and precision.

In this presentation, Liquid Instruments engineer Hank Long will present innovative strategies for modernizing experimental setups through the use of agile, reconfigurable FPGA-based technology.

The session will highlight the use of several instruments, including a lock-in amplifier, phasemeter, PID controller, and frequency response analyzer, all available in one easy-to-use platform. You’ll see new methods for phase detection, learn how to streamline system response characterization for both open- and closed-loop setups, and discover how consolidating traditional equipment into software-based solutions can simplify lab operations while reducing costs. Additionally, you’ll gain fresh insights into optimizing your optical and photonic experiments by:

• Understanding the advantages of real-time digital signal processing for photonic and electronic experiments.
• Leveraging flexible, FPGA-based processing with a digital-first approach to quickly adapt instrumentation to your measurement requirements.
• Building sophisticated signal-processing pipelines with multi-instrument capabilities, specifically targeting the construction and characterization of phase-locked loops.