FPGA Data Acquisition and Control

The primary objective of this project is to explore using low end, off the shelf FPGA boards to implement modular and extendable data aquisitions and control systems. The goal of the first mini-project that will aid in the main project is to be able to connect two Red Pitaya FPGA's together, synchronize them, and perform some data acquisition. There are three goals in the main project. Firstly, to implement a Pound-Drever-Hall control loop. Secondly, to expand the first project to control a laser interferometer running at a much faster rate. Lastly, to conduct a literature and product review to establish methods and limitations of moving data to disk at very high rates.

=Problem Definition= As lasers have gotten smaller and cheaper, they are ending up in scientific laboratories and fields that are not specialized in laser optics. In order for sensitive, scientific instruments to give valid results, the lasers need to be controlled to remove the impact of thermal, electrical, and mechanical noise. Our goal is to produce an inexpensive, modular, and expandable solution for data acquisition from a laser and to control this laser system. This will lower the cost of entry for less specialized labs and independent researchers, helping promote the use of optical instruments in a wide range of scientific fields.

Background
This project will have multiple background portions. Firstly, we will be using a Red Pitaya Board that uses a Zynq chip. This will be the main location for the data acquisition and control loop. Then one needs to understand what a laser interferometer does and how we will be using it. Another important aspect of this project is the Pound-Drever-Hall control loop that will be used to control the entire system, from laser to data acquisition.

STEMlab Red Pitaya


The Red Pitaya board from STEMlab is an Field Programmable Array (FPGA) that has 2 Analog to Digital Converters (ADC) that sample data at a rate of 125 MSPS and 2 Digital to Analog Converters (DAC) that sample data at a rate of 125 MSPS. This FPGA utilizes a Xilinx Zynq 7010 SoC that has 512 MB of DDR3 random access memory. This Red Pitaya board also utilizes a dual core ARM Cortex A9 processing system.

Laser Interferometer
A laser interferometer consists of two laser beams that are generated by the same source. The first beam goes through a beam expander and illuminates the target of the beam. The second beam is directed to a sensor to pick up the data. The main path depends on the main laser and how it reacts when the two beams interfere with one another producing 'spackle'. This spackled pattern is then captured and stores that data for interpretation. A laser interferometer is basically a filter that filters the spackle from the original beam to the FPGA.

Pound-Drever-Hall Control Loop


This type of a control loop is used for controlling lasers and laser like functions. This control loop is needed for high precision because all lasers have frequencies that wander. The Pound-Drever-Hall technique is used to stabilize the frequency of light being emitted by stabilizing the frequency. A laser can have instability due to temperature variations, mechanical imperfections as well as laser gain.

Specifications
=Design Considerations=

=Project Learning=

=Final Design=

=Validation=

=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=

This section involves any additional URL's and files that we used to design, implement, and test our projects. This includes our Project Schedule, our Meeting Minutes, all presentations, and more.

Project Schedule



Meeting Agenda and Minutes

"https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N3VZ4ltA2Oxs-BCvWhRuyVUYpKuJwwT_"

Presentations



Client Interview