When Arduino Isn't Enough, But A Custom FPGA Solution Is Overkill
64 channels • Microsecond resolution with nanosecond jitter • Unlimited branch nodes
Professional APIs for complex experiments
| Specification | Arduino | SyncNode | FPGA Systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Output Channels | 4-8 | 64 digital outputs | Varies (8-32 typical) |
| Timing Resolution | Millisecond | 1 microsecond | Nanosecond |
| Timing Jitter | ±50μs typical | <10ns | <10ns |
| Event Capacity | Hundreds to few thousand | 10,000+ event buffer (unlimited via streaming) |
Varies |
| Branch Nodes | Limited/None | Unlimited nested nodes | Complex programming |
| Protocol Changes | Recompile firmware | Dynamic table uploads | Reprogram FPGA |
| Multi-channel Sync | Software (unreliable) | Hardware clocked | Hardware clocked |
| API Integration | DIY | Python | Varies |
| Platform Support | Varies | Windows, Linux | Varies |
| Connectivity | USB/Serial | PCIe or Ethernet | Varies |
| Typical Price | $25 + time* | $4,995 | $5,000-$25,000+ |
*Plus countless hours of debugging and integration
Define your experimental protocols as data, not firmware. Update in seconds, not hours.
import fvs_syncnode as fvs
# Connect to device
device = fvs.SyncNode()
# Define a simple pulse sequence
sequence = device.create_sequence()
sequence.add_pulse(channel=1, start=0, duration=1000) # 1ms pulse
sequence.add_pulse(channel=2, start=5000, duration=500) # 500μs pulse
sequence.add_pulse(channel=1, start=10000, duration=2000) # 2ms pulse
# Upload and execute
device.upload(sequence)
device.run()
# Create decision nodes in your protocol
branch_node = sequence.add_branch(
input_channel=0
)
# Different paths from each node
branch_node.then(
sequence_A # High signal
).otherwise(
sequence_B # Low signal
)Real-time decision nodes without software overhead
# Coordinate 64 channels precisely
channels = [1, 2, 5, 10, 15]
# All channels synchronized
sequence.add_multi_pulse(
channels=channels,
start=0,
duration=1000
)
# Guaranteed simultaneityHardware-clocked synchronization across all channels
# Save and load protocols
sequence.save('cooling_protocol.json')
# Modify on the fly
sequence.set_parameter(
'cooling_duration',
new_value=1500
)
device.upload(sequence)Iterate faster with data-driven protocols
Note: API examples shown are illustrative. Full documentation will be available with product release.
Control analog signals and sensors directly—no external adapters needed
Hardware-timestamped events—not an afterthought
SyncNode records every event with hardware-generated timestamps synchronized to your system clock. No software delays, no timestamp interpolation, no guessing.
Too many control systems treat data logging as an afterthought—forcing you to cobble together timestamps from multiple sources or reconstruct event timing from software logs. With SyncNode, every event is timestamped in hardware at the moment it occurs.
Let's discuss your migration path
I understand that switching control systems isn't trivial—you've built your experiment around your current setup, and migration has real costs in time and effort.
That's why I offer personalized migration support. Whether you're currently using Arduino, custom microcontrollers, commercial timing systems, or lab-built solutions, I can help you plan the transition, understand integration requirements, and get your experiment running with SyncNode.
Let's start a conversation about your current setup, timing requirements, and what migration would involve for your specific experiment.
Get started with SyncNode