The new software-defined platform could allow researchers to eliminate the need for stand-alone devices.
Instrumentation provider Liquid Instruments recently announced a new platform for engineering and research labs called Moku:Pro. According to the company, the platform allows researchers to move away from traditional fixed-function hardware toward a software-upgradable device that uses a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based design.
The Moku:Pro Platform
The Moku:Pro platform combines nine instruments, including a lock-in amplifier, phasemeter, oscilloscope, PID controller, arbitrary waveform generator, spectrum analyzer, frequency response analyzer, waveform generator, and data logger. Liquid Instruments designed the Moku:Pro system for use across multiple research fields, from semiconductor research to aerospace design.
The suite of nine instruments combined in Moku:Pro are uniquely suited for applications in physics research and photonics in particular, where researchers can apply it to spectroscopy, quantum computing, microscopy, active laser stabilization, gravitational wave detection, and metrology. Beyond data collection, Moku:Pro also enables high-speed data processing and visualization to support broad research applications.
The Moku:Pro system includes four analog inputs, four analog outputs, high-speed onboard storage, 120GB of onboard SSD storage, and connectivity to Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB-C. The platform starts at $12,000 for the base configuration and $20,000 for the full platform.
“Researchers in engineering and physics face constantly evolving requirements—with changes occurring on timescales much shorter than the lifespan of test equipment,” said Daniel Shaddock, CEO of Liquid Instruments. “Moku:Pro’s software-enabled-hardware architecture allows it to evolve as your applications evolve, something that is simply not possible with conventional test equipment.”
Through Moku:Pro, high-quality instruments are accessible and reflective of fast-paced modern research environment, enabling scientists and engineers to upgrade systems to meet their research needs. Moku:Pro complements the suite of products available from Liquid Instruments, including its Moku:Lab and the portable Moku:Go.
Modern Instrumentation for Cutting Edge Research
One of the main benefits of software-defined instrumentation for research companies and academic labs is the ability of the system to improve with time. The Moku:Pro system was designed to receive over-the-air updates that will improve performance, new instruments, and even new capabilities.
Starting in September 2021, users will see an update from Liquid Instruments to allow Moku:Pro to run multiple instruments in parallel. The multi-instrument mode will enable researchers to create signal-processing pipelines by combining multiple instruments in one process. At the same time, Liquid Instruments will release a cloud-based tool that will enable researchers to program the FPGA directly. Researchers will then be able to create custom instruments and process pipelines to suit their individual needs.
Quantum computing company Quantum Brilliance has praised the new Moku:Pro platform.
“We see software-defined instrumentation as the future of test and measurement systems for quantum computing,” said Andrew Horsley, CEO of Quantum Brilliance. “Moku:Pro is a workhorse of the lab and one of the most versatile photonics tools we’ve seen.”
