I N N O V A T I V E D E S I G N S F O R I N N O V A T I V E M I N D S

Presco was challenged to capture ultra-faint hydrogen ion signals generated during DNA

nucleotide incorporation. The problem was high bandwidth (1 GHz x 16 bit aggregate sample rate)

and a noise floor very near the theoretical limit. An unusual factor was that the long observation

time of this experiment stressed 1/f noise performance in addition to the usual thermal noise

limits. Prototype circuitry was developed and tested in an astonishing four months. Extraordinary

low noise performance and speed to market were two factors that helped our client get acquired

for $750M shortly after product introduction.

R E A C H I N G T H E T H E O R E T I C A L N O I S E F L O O R

YO U R P R O D UCT TO M A R KE T GAT E WAY

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E M B E D D E D S Y S T E M D E S I G N: H A N D H E L D S P E C T R O M E T E R

YO U R P R O D UCT TO M A R KE T GAT E WAY

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Working with one of the leading global providers of scientific measurement tools, Presco helped to develop a next

generation handheld spectrometer. Due to packaging constraints, the electronics were partitioned amongst several

circuit boards, making use of all available space. The design featured a total of four processors: a Torpedo DM3730

System on Module (SOM) that employed package-on-package (POP) technology, and three Kinetis K10 ARM Cortex-M4

processors. The design also featured a Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA used for high speed data manipulation, compression, and

transmission. The Torpedo SOM connected to a color touch screen display to express the client’s custom user interface

and data analysis tool, running on Windows CE.

The three Kinetis processors used state-driven bare metal architectures to provide the core processing logic for the

instrument, interfacing with numerous peripherals including dual smart batteries, an RFID reader, a thermoelectric

cooler (TEC), and various sensors. The state-driven architecture ensured predictable and reliable operation. The primary

responsibilities of the Kinetis processors were supervising feedback loops for hardware alignment and control voltages,

implementing a PID control loop capable of regulating temperatures to 0.005°C, implementing power management logic

including Smart Battery System (SBS) algorithms, and providing a database-driven control and status interface for

communications with the SOM processor over I2C.

Integrated Controller Area Network (CAN) transceivers were used for inter-processor communications and synchroniza-

tion, employing a multi-channel messaging layer developed in-house. The system also featured Presco’s proprietary

firmware update library, which provides reliable firmware update capabilities through virtually any interface including

CAN, I2C, Ethernet, Modbus, and Serial.

CyVek Inc. selected Presco as their design partner for a ground breaking high speed immunoassay

instrument. Starting with off-the-shelf components, CyVek developed a proof-of-concept prototype to

confirm their methodology. Then they challenged Presco to design all-new electronics with a much

smaller footprint and lower cost. The result was a custom single-board data acquisition and control

module which interfaced to a wide variety of peripherals. Presco’s software team wrote the embedded

code to execute complex control sequences based on high level commands from a personal computer.

This real-time software controls multiple machine axes independently while maintaining high sequencer

throughput and sub-millisecond valve timing. The code also implements multiple servo loops for

temperature and laser control as well as internal data logging to facilitate performance optimization.

This startup was acquired by Bio-Techne for $60M with a potential total earn-out of $195M.

E M B E D D E D C O N T R O L S : Multi-analyte immunoassay instrument

YO U R P R O D UCT TO M A R KE T GAT E WAY

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It’s a challenge to design a robust electro-optical system for the automotive environment. For this

project, Presco integrated six thermal imagers, thermal illuminators, two LIDAR systems, GPS and

on-board server class computers. System wide thermal controls were established to protect the electro-

optics and prevent lens fogging under extreme cold conditions. Finite element analysis established the

correct patterns of air flow and heat exchange. Custom electronics addressed the synchronization

needs among the cameras, LIDAR and GPS. The mechanical structure was designed for minimal weight

(man portable) and simple maintenance. Vehicle modifications were performed in our shop.

C O M P L E X T H E R M A L I M A G E R G O E S A U T O M O T I V E

YO U R P R O D UCT TO M A R KE T GAT E WAY

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Presco is in the forefront of developing innovative thermal solutions for power electronics that

exceed Mil-spec requirements for temperature, vibration and weight. We start by designing the

circuitry for very high efficiency so that waste heat is minimized. Inexpensive metal composite matrix

backing plates and heat pipes are laminated to conventional FR4 substrates to provide extraordinary

thermal transport. This makes a cool running, rugged assembly with no fans, filters or contaminant

infiltration. Finite element modeling in the design stage is backed up by tests in our thermal

chamber to validate performance.

T H E R M A L I N N O V A T I O N I N M I L - S P E C P O W E R E L E C T R O N I C S

YO U R P R O D UCT TO M A R KE T GAT E WAY

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