Hardware
- Custom AVR ATmega64 PCB
- External 16-bit ADC
- Stepper motor drive system
- Precision linear positioning mechanism
- LCD interface
Embedded Systems
Automated Alpha Particle Beam Measurement System
Designed and developed an AVR-based embedded instrumentation system for precision scanning and measurement of alpha-particle beam intensity using sub-millimeter motion control, high-resolution current acquisition, and serial communication.
Summary
Engineering context
Designed and developed an AVR-based embedded instrumentation system for precision scanning and measurement of alpha-particle beam intensity using sub-millimeter motion control, high-resolution current acquisition, and serial communication.
- Category
- Embedded Systems
- Year
- Nov 2016 - Jul 2020
- Status
- Completed
- Context
- Faraz Sanaat (Nov 2016 - Jul 2020)
My Role
Embedded Systems Engineer
Technical Stack
System Architecture
- AVR ATmega64 coordinated synchronized motion and acquisition control
- Stepper motor translated the sensing window through the beam path
- External 16-bit ADC captured precision current measurements
- Measurements were sampled every 0.01 mm of movement
- UART serial communication transmitted acquisition data externally
Engineering Challenges
- Synchronizing motion and current measurement timing
- Maintaining stable acquisition at 0.01 mm intervals
- Reducing electrical noise in analog measurements
- Implementing precision motion control on limited embedded hardware
Hardware / Firmware / Software
Firmware
- Embedded C firmware
- Stepper motor sequencing
- ADC acquisition routines
- Serial communication protocol
Software
- Embedded measurement and synchronization logic
- Real-time data acquisition firmware
Sensors
- Precision current sensing interface
Protocols
- UART Serial Communication
Results / Outcomes
- Automated alpha-particle beam scanning process
- Achieved synchronized motion and measurement acquisition
- Improved repeatability compared to manual measurements
- Successfully integrated motion control with high-resolution sensing
Engineering Notes
System Architecture
The system combined precision linear motion control with analog current acquisition. A stepper motor translated the sensing mechanism through the beam path while the microcontroller synchronized position increments and ADC sampling operations.
Measurements were collected every 0.01 mm of movement and transmitted through serial communication for external analysis and visualization.
Results
The system successfully automated the scanning and acquisition process and produced repeatable current measurements across the scanning range. The project demonstrated early experience in embedded systems, mixed-signal PCB design, precision motion control, and scientific instrumentation development.
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