FPGA-BASED MULTI-CHANNEL DYNAMIC LIGHT SCATTERING AUTOCORRELATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
20230010324 · 2023-01-12
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
G01N2015/0222
PHYSICS
Y02A90/10
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based multi-channel dynamic light scattering (DLS) autocorrelation system and method. The system includes a DLS generation apparatus, a photon correlator, and a host computer, where the photon correlator includes an FPGA and a universal serial bus (USB) communication module; the DLS generation apparatus is connected to the FPGA; the FPGA is configured to count and perform correlation calculation on photon pulses generated by the DLS generation apparatus; the USB communication module is connected to the host computer; the FPGA includes a dual counter module and a correlation calculation module; the dual counter module is connected to the DLS generation apparatus and the correlation calculation module; the correlation calculation module is connected to the USB communication module; the dual counter module includes a plurality of dual counters; and the correlation calculation module includes a plurality of correlators.
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based multi-channel dynamic light scattering (DLS) autocorrelation system, comprising a DLS generation apparatus, a photon correlator, and a host computer, wherein the photon correlator comprises an FPGA and a universal serial bus (USB) communication module; the DLS generation apparatus is connected to the FPGA; the FPGA is configured to count and perform correlation calculation on photon pulses generated by the DLS generation apparatus; the USB communication module is connected to the host computer; the USB communication module is configured to transmit a counting result and a correlation calculation result to the host computer; the host computer is configured to determine particle information based on the counting result and the correlation calculation result; and the particle information comprises a particle size and particle dispersibility; and the FPGA comprises a dual counter module and a correlation calculation module; the dual counter module is connected to the DLS generation apparatus and the correlation calculation module; the correlation calculation module is connected to the USB communication module; the dual counter module comprises a plurality of dual counters; and the correlation calculation module comprises a plurality of correlators.
10. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation system according to claim 9, wherein the FPGA further comprises a dynamic storage area; and the dynamic storage area is configured to store the counting result.
11. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation system according to claim 9, wherein the FPGA further comprises a clock control module, and the clock control module is connected to the DLS generation apparatus, the dual counter module, the correlation calculation module, and the USB communication module.
12. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation system according to claim 9, wherein the correlator is a proportional correlator.
13. An FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method, wherein the FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method is applied to the FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation system according to claim 9, and the FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method comprises: obtaining multi-path photon pulses emitted by the DLS generation apparatus; determining an autocorrelation function of a scattered light intensity signal with respect to sampling time based on the photon pulses; determining a normalized electric field autocorrelation function based on the autocorrelation function of the scattered light intensity signal with respect to the sampling time; and when particles are of a single particle size, determining the particle size based on the electric field autocorrelation function; or when particles are not of a single particle size, determining a particle size distribution function based on the electric field autocorrelation function; and determining particle dispersibility based on the particle size distribution function.
14. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 13, wherein the FPGA further comprises a dynamic storage area; and the dynamic storage area is configured to store the counting result.
15. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 13, wherein the FPGA further comprises a clock control module, and the clock control module is connected to the DLS generation apparatus, the dual counter module, the correlation calculation module, and the USB communication module.
16. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 13, wherein the correlator is a proportional correlator.
17. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 13, wherein when the particles are of the single particle size, a calculation formula of the particle size is:
18. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 14, wherein when the particles are of the single particle size, a calculation formula of the particle size is:
19. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 15, wherein when the particles are of the single particle size, a calculation formula of the particle size is:
20. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 16, wherein when the particles are of the single particle size, a calculation formula of the particle size is:
21. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 13, wherein the determining particle dispersibility based on the particle size distribution function specifically comprises: determining normalized variance of the particle size distribution function based on the particle size distribution function; and determining the particle dispersibility based on the normalized variance.
22. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 14, wherein the determining particle dispersibility based on the particle size distribution function specifically comprises: determining normalized variance of the particle size distribution function based on the particle size distribution function; and determining the particle dispersibility based on the normalized variance.
23. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 15, wherein the determining particle dispersibility based on the particle size distribution function specifically comprises: determining normalized variance of the particle size distribution function based on the particle size distribution function; and determining the particle dispersibility based on the normalized variance.
24. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 16, wherein the determining particle dispersibility based on the particle size distribution function specifically comprises: determining normalized variance of the particle size distribution function based on the particle size distribution function; and determining the particle dispersibility based on the normalized variance.
25. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 15, wherein a calculation formula of the normalized variance is:
26. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 22, wherein a calculation formula of the normalized variance is:
27. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 24, wherein a calculation formula of the normalized variance is:
28. The FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation method according to claim 24, wherein a calculation formula of the normalized variance is:
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or in the prior art more clearly, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments are briefly described below. The accompanying drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other accompanying drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.
[0031]
[0032]
[0033]
[0034]
[0035]
[0036]
[0037]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0038] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure are clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other examples obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.
[0039] An objective of the present disclosure is to provide an FPGA-based multi-channel DLS autocorrelation system and method to simultaneously collect and calculate sample particle sizes and distribution thereof at a plurality of angles.
[0040] FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, field programmable gate array.
[0041] Autocorrelation: Autocorrelation is also referred to as sequence correlation, and is cross-correlation of a signal at different time points.
[0042] To make the foregoing objective, features, and advantages of the present disclosure clearer and more comprehensible, the present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementations.
[0043] As shown in
[0044] The photon correlator includes an FPGA and a USB communication module; the DLS generation apparatus is connected to the FPGA; the FPGA is configured to count and perform correlation calculation on photon pulses generated by the DLS generation apparatus; the USB communication module is connected to the host computer; the USB communication module is configured to transmit a counting result and a correlation calculation result to the host computer; the host computer is configured to determine particle information based on the counting result and the correlation calculation result; and the particle information includes a particle size and particle dispersibility.
[0045] The FPGA includes a dual counter module and a correlation calculation module; the dual counter module is connected to the DLS generation apparatus and the correlation calculation module; the correlation calculation module is connected to the USB communication module; and the dual counter module includes a plurality of dual counters.
[0046] During practical applications, the FPGA further includes a dynamic storage area; and the dynamic storage area is configured to store the counting result.
[0047] During practical applications, the FPGA further includes a clock control module, and the clock control module is connected to the DLS generation apparatus, the dual counter module, the correlation calculation module, and the USB communication module.
[0048] During practical applications, the correlator is a proportional correlator.
[0049]
[0050] Step 701: Obtain multi-path photon pulses emitted by a DLS generation apparatus.
[0051] Step 702: Determine an autocorrelation function of a scattered light intensity signal with respect to sampling time based on the photon pulses, where the photon pulses are counted, and the autocorrelation function is determined based on a counting result and the photon pulses.
[0052] Step 703: Determine a normalized electric field autocorrelation function based on the autocorrelation function of the scattered light intensity signal with respect to the sampling time.
[0053] Step 704: When particles are of a single particle size, determine the particle size based on the electric field autocorrelation function, where when the particles are of the single particle size, a calculation formula of the particle size is:
where R.sub.h is the particle size to be calculated, K.sub.B is a Boltzmann constant, T is an absolute temperature, θ is a scattering angle, Γ is a decay line width, η is viscosity of a dispersion medium, and λ is a wavelength of incident light in vacuum.
[0054] Step 705: When particles are not of a single particle size, determine a particle size distribution function based on the electric field autocorrelation function, and determine particle dispersibility based on the particle size distribution function.
[0055] The determining particle dispersibility based on the particle size distribution function specifically includes:
[0056] determining normalized variance of the particle size distribution function based on the particle size distribution function, where a calculation formula of the normalized variance is:
where Γ is a decay line width,
[0057] determining the particle dispersibility based on the normalized variance.
[0058] In the present disclosure, an FPGA is used to collect and calculate photon pulses generated by a DLS apparatus and to obtain an autocorrelation function. The autocorrelation function is transmitted to a PC, namely, a host computer. An average sample particle size and distribution are obtained through inverse calculation in the host computer. A technical solution of an FPGA-based photon correlator system is mainly divided into an FPGA-based photon correlator and the host computer used for control and data display on a PC end. The photon correlator collects and performs autocorrelation calculation on the multi-angle photon pulses output by the DLS apparatus and uses a USB communication module for real-time communication and high-speed data transmission with the PC (host computer).
[0059] The FPGA will receive four paths of photon pulses from a DLS generation apparatus. The four paths of photon pulses are scattered light signals at different scattering angles. Each path of signal is processed by a dual counter module and a correlation calculation module. Finally, correlation calculation results of the fours paths of signals are transmitted to the PC by a USB transceiver control module. A clock control module divides and multiplies a frequency of a system clock to provide a clock for running of other modules. The USB transceiver control module can also accept instructions from the PC, to modify frequency division and frequency multiplication parameters of the clock control module.
[0060] A width of the photon pulse is approximately 20 ns. Each time a pulse is collected, a counter is increased by one. A counting result of the counter is stored into a register area every τ.sub.min, to wait for use in correlation calculation. To avoid a counting error caused by not clearing the counting result in time and missing counting caused by a timing error, two counters are designed to cooperate to complete seamless pulse counting. The two counters do not interfere with each other during operation and can be cleared in time to re-count after each sampling period is over. As shown in
[0061] To meet the autocorrelation calculation, each path of photon pulse may produce a large quantity of counting results. It is unrealistic to store all results in the register. Therefore, a dynamic storage area is designed. As shown in
[0062] A formula of the correlation calculation is as shown in formula (4-1):
where G(kτ) represents an autocorrelation function of scattered light intensity, τ represents sampling time, n.sub.i represents a quantity of photon pulses obtained in i.sup.th sampling, n.sub.i+k represents a quantity of photon pulses obtained in (i+k).sup.th sampling, N is a total quantity of sampling times, and M is a quantity of correlation channels. An autocorrelation function (discrete) of a scattered light intensity signal of a test sample with respect to sampling time τ may be calculated according to the formula. Each delay kτ corresponds to an autocorrelation function value. M correlation channels have M autocorrelation function values to form the discrete function curve.
[0063] The correlation calculation uses a proportional correlator method. As shown in
where τ.sub.k is delay time of a k.sup.th channel .sup.int(|i-3|/2) means that an absolute value of (i−3) is divided by 2 and rounded up (no actual physical meaning), and T.sub.s is a unique sampling period, namely, τ.sub.min. It can be learned from
[0064] A correlation function value is transmitted to the PC through the USB module, and an autocorrelation function g.sub.2(τ) can be fitted based on the correlation function value and corresponding delay. A counting result is used in calculation of g.sub.1(τ), and a normalized electric field autocorrelation function g.sub.1(τ) may be obtained based on light intensity proportional to a square of an electric field, as shown in formula 4-3.
g.sub.1(τ)=(g.sub.2(τ)−1).sup.0.5 (4-3)
[0065] The obtained autocorrelation function g.sub.1(τ) is an exponential decay function increasing with τ. When particles are of a single particle size,
g.sub.1(τ)=e.sup.−Γτ (4-4)
where
where Γ is a decay line width, D is a translational diffusion coefficient of a particle, q is an optical constant, θ is a scattering angle, η is a refractive index of a dispersion medium, λ is a wavelength of incident light in vacuum, K.sub.B is a Boltzmann constant, T is an absolute temperature, η is viscosity of a dispersion medium, and R.sub.h is a particle size to be calculated. A calculation formula for calculating the particle size to be calculated may be derived from the foregoing formula, as shown in formula 4-8.
[0066] Usually, particles in a solution are not of a single size, and a particle size distribution function G(Γ) is introduced.
g.sub.1(τ)=∫G(Γ).Math.e.sup.−ΓτdΓ (4-9)
[0067] The formula 4-9 is a Laplace transform equation of the function G(Γ) with the decay line width Γ as an independent variable. G(Γ) represents the particle size distribution function.
g.sub.1(τ=e.sup.−
where
[0068] Set
μ.sub.n=∫(Γ−
[0069] Normalized variance of G(Γ) is obtained, as shown in formula 4-12, and is usually used to evaluate particle dispersibility.
where μ.sub.n is a specified intermediate variable, and μ.sub.2 is a situation when n=2.
[0070] At present, collection and calculation capabilities of the FPGA may implement functions of counting and autocorrelation calculation in one chip without a need to use two devices. That is, the functions of counting and autocorrelation calculation are integrated into one chip. The FPGA has an excellent parallel processing capability and can process multi-angle simultaneous collection and calculation. Counting and autocorrelation calculation in the present disclosure are both completed on the FPGA without an aid of additional DSP or an algorithm on a computer. An FPGA chip is used to implement the simultaneous collection and calculation of multi-channel and multi-scattering angle signals. A degree of integration is high. In terms of processing of one path of signal, collection, counting, and autocorrelation calculation are completed in a same chip, and a plurality of paths of signals can be processed on one chip simultaneously. This reduces time of measuring a particle size by using a multi-angle DLS method, and also reduces a test experiment error caused by an external factor such as an environment as time changes.
[0071] Each embodiment of the present specification is described in a progressive manner, each embodiment focuses on the difference from other embodiments, and the same and similar parts between the embodiments may refer to each other.
[0072] In this specification, several examples are used for illustration of the principles and implementations of the present disclosure. The description of the foregoing embodiments is merely used to help understand the method of the present disclosure and the core ideas thereof. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art can make various modifications in terms of specific implementations and scope of application in accordance with the ideas of the present disclosure. In conclusion, the content of this specification shall not be construed as a limitation to the present disclosure.