Advanced Research
Consulting Corporation
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Advanced Research Consulting · Newcastle, California · Est. 2014

If the tool doesn’t exist, we draw it. Then we build it.

We design, test, prototype, program, build and service a wide range of optical, mechanical, electronic and software devices for research and industry.

  • Design
  • Test
  • Prototype
  • Program
  • Build
  • Service
Book a call See the Triggerscope Mini
Triggerscope Mini, front, side and end views Line drawing traced from the Triggerscope Mini CAD drawing. The case measures 101 by 108.02 millimetres and the side view is 21.3 millimetres deep. Seven SMA connectors: 4X TTL, 2X DAC and a 3.3/5V input. The end view shows the USB Type C port. 4X TTL2X DAC3.3/5V INPUTUSB TYPE CFRONTSIDEEND 101108.0221.3
FIG. 1 Triggerscope Mini · front, side & end views · dimensions in mm Released · Rev A
Scroll to keep drafting

Note 1 · Problem statement

The tools researchers needed didn’t exist.

Researchers in the life-science and industrial research markets needed instruments that nobody made. Austin couldn’t find products that addressed those needs.

Note 2 · Garage, 2014

So he decided to build them himself.

ARC began in a garage, with the goal of designing and producing solutions for the life science and industrial research market. Breadboards, rainbow jumper wires, hand-built control boxes with glowing LEDs.

We started in a garage back in 2014, and now provide products and services to clients around the world.

A workbench at night lit by a magnifier lamp, with parts and tools laid out
2014: the garage
A hand-built black control box with glowing coloured LEDs, toggle switches and a big red button
hand-built control box, glowing LEDs
A circuit board wired up with rainbow jumper wires
nothing on the market did this, so we built it
Black and white photo of a part being turned on a lathe
turning our own parts
An early Triggerscope V-3B controller with rows of gold SMA connectors and red status LEDs
Triggerscope V-3B, gold SMA

Section C–C · The craft

Four kinds of drawing. One team.

A group of hard working engineers at your disposal. Our engineers come from diverse backgrounds, bringing a unique perspective to solving problems.

  1. 1Electronics
  2. 2Mechanical
  3. 3Optical systems
  4. 4Software
View 1

Electronics

Schematic

Analog & digital design, schematic drawing & PCB design, small-run prototype production of PCBAs.

View 2

Mechanical

Isometric, exploded

Parametric CAD modeling, dimensional & assembly drawings, low-volume production via CNC machining, lathe turning, 3D printing and laser cutting.

View 3

Optical systems

Ray trace

Certified in Zemax OpticStudio: optical modeling, design, test and low-volume assembly.

View 4

Software

Source
// sketch: one hardware-timed step
void onTrigger() {
  ttl.write(CAMERA, HIGH);
  dac.write(LASER, 2.50);  // volts
  delayMicros(exposure);
  ttl.write(CAMERA, LOW);
}

Well versed in C++, AVR, Nordic & Raspberry Pi microcontrollers, with extensive experience in Python and PyQt5.

Detail D · Assembly, exploded

Triggerscope Mini.

Hardware-timed DAC and TTL control for any microscope, at an accessible price.

Parts list
ItemQtyDescription
12End capsMatte black. The USB-C port: power and data on one cable, no external supply.
22Aluminum railsBrushed aluminum extrusion. Case 101 × 108 × 22 mm.
31PCB12-bit DAC (0–5 V) and 5 V TTL outputs plus a trigger input, on gold SMA connectors. 250 programmable states per channel.
41Cover plateFront panel over the board, four corner screws.
Analog outputs
2 ch, 12-bit (0–5 V)
Digital outputs
4 TTL (5 V)
Interface
USB-C (bus-powered)
Micro-Manager
Native driver, shared with TS4

$1,500Upgrade path to TS4 · zero software changes

Product sheet

Block E · Triggerscope

Revision history

Six generations of refinement for external device control. Now the Triggerscope Mini.

RevModelDescriptionDateImage
Revision 1TS1Triggerscope 1First generation.—
Revision 2TS16Triggerscope 16Second generation.—Triggerscope 16
Revision 3TS2Triggerscope 2Third generation.—
Revision 4TS3Triggerscope 3Fourth generation.—
Revision 5TS3BTriggerscope 3B5th generation. 80 MHz processor, 4× trigger inputs, new benchtop case. Superseded by the TS4; refurbished units carry a 1-year warranty.—Triggerscope 3B
Revision 6TS4Triggerscope 46th generation. 600 MHz processor, 16 DAC channels (16-bit, ±10 V), 16 TTL, 4 trigger inputs, real-time clock.Mfg. 2020Triggerscope 4
Revision MMINITriggerscope MiniCompact and USB-C bus-powered. Same Micro-Manager driver as the TS4.2026Triggerscope Mini
Product line · Universal Translator
Revision UTUT V1.0Universal TranslatorProtocol emulation: drives one serial device using the serial commands from a different device.2022Universal Translator

Client list

Trusted by Stanford, Yale, NIH, Google and 17 more.

From a garage in 2014 to products and services for clients around the world.

  • Stanford University
  • Yale
  • Caltech
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Google
  • Nest
  • UCSF
  • Allen Institute for Brain Science
  • Boston University
  • University of Cambridge
  • Keysight
  • Arizona State University
  • Colorado State University
  • CAL FIRE
  • Biosearch Technologies
  • Fellowes Brands
  • Carthage College
  • Universität Potsdam
  • Université Laval
  • 89 North
  • Shared Studios

Unless otherwise specified

General notes

Mission: Design, test and build the products our clients need, using creative methods and approaches to overcome difficult challenges.

  1. 1.

    Self-financed. Not beholden to investors.

  2. 2.

    We invest in our employees.

    We believe it is the highest calling of a business to provide beneficial, meaningful work to those who work alongside us, both providing value and dignity through effort, and by providing financial security for our employees and those who depend on them.

  3. 3.

    We admit our mistakes, and learn from them.

  4. 4.

    We never stop learning.

  5. 5.

    We never give up.

Three ARC team members smiling in the cockpit of a small plane
FIG. G The team. Engineers from diverse backgrounds.

Detail views · Ways to work together

Four ways in.

Approval block

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Tough problem? We are here with a creative solution. Let’s chat.

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StatusOpen for reviewNewcastle, CA