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EmStat Pico Core

Proven and tested dual-channel potentiostat chip

Attractive for high-volume applications
Small footprint of 5 x 6 mm
Works with MethodSCRIPT
PalmSens reference design for easy integration
Support from Analog Devices & PalmSens

PalmSens usually responds to your quotation request within one business day.

Description
Supported techniques
Specifications
Software Development
Downloads

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Description

The EmStat Pico Core is a high-volume potentiostat chip for use with MethodSCRIPT™ that enables you to perform electrochemical measurements using your own electrochemical sensor without programming skills. You can integrate this small dual-channel chip of 6 by 5 mm on your PCB without any technical knowledge of potentiostats thanks to the joint development by Analog Devices Inc and PalmSens. Our reference design, network, experience and support will help you succeed and save development time with the smallest potentiostat chip on the market.

Dimensions: 5 x 6 mm
Dual channel (2x WE, 2x RE, 2x CE)
EIS frequency range: 0.016 Hz to 200 kHz
Full dc-potential range: -1.7 V to +2 V
Current ranges: 100 nA to 5 mA
Four different versions available, each with different electrochemical techniques.

Prototype the features of the EmStat Pico Core easily using the EmStat Pico Module and the Development Kit, since the firmware of the EmStat Pico Core is exactly the same as the EmStat Pico Module. The firmware includes proven internal calibration modules for onboard calibration. A host microcontroller is not required in many cases, saving an additional microcontroller. The power consumption during hibernation of 10 µA enables low-power (wearable) applications. The robust UART bootloader enables firmware updates in the field if needed. The open-source parsing examples and libraries on GitHub will quickly get a programmer started in C, C3, Python and Android.

Advantages and Overview

The EmStat Pico Core is at the heart of the EmStat Pico Module. There are two main advantages of the EmStat Pico Core, compared with the EmStat Pico module:

Economical solution for high volumes
Small footprint

The EmStat Pico Core is an attractive option if you need >10k units. Lower quantities are available for prototyping. The EmStat Pico Core is distributed via PalmSens and .

Pico vs Pico Core	EmStat Pico	EmStat Pico Core
Based on ADuCM355
Works with MethodSCRIPT
Minimum Order Quantity	1	10k
Footprint	18 x 30 mm	6 x 5 mm
1TΩ Input impedance		Optional
Extra 100 nA current range		Optional
Calibration of external TIA resistors		Optional

The optional items depend on the implementation of the PalmSens reference design.

Supported techniques

There are four different versions available, each with different electrochemical techniques: A, B, C and ALL. The default version is ALL, from 50+ units the A, B and C versions are available.

Voltammetric techniques		A	B	C	ALL
Linear Sweep Voltammetry	LSV
Cyclic Voltammetry	CV
Square Wave Voltammetry	SWV
Differential Pulse Voltammetry	DPV
Normal Pulse Voltammetry	NPV
Techniques as a function of time
Chronoamperometry	CA
Pulsed Amperometric Detection	PAD
Open Circuit Potentiometry	OCP
MultiStep Amperometry	MA
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy	EIS

Missing a technique? See cross-reference list

Specifications

The EmStat Pico Core works at three different modes;
Low Speed mode: for scan rates up to 1 V/s or a bandwidth of 100 Hz.
High Speed mode: for high scan rates and frequencies.
Max Range mode: a combination of the Low and High Speed modes for optimal dynamic dc-potential range.

General
	Low Speed mode	High Speed mode	Max Range mode
Full dc-potential range	-1.2 to +2 V	-1.7 to +2 V	-1.7 to +2 V
Dynamic dc-potential range [1]	2.2 V	1.2 V	2.6 V
Compliance voltage	-2.0 to +2.3 V [2]
Maximum current	± 3 mA
Max. acquisition rate (datapoints/s)	100	1000	100
Supports FRA/EIS	NO	YES	NO

[1] The dynamic range is the range that can be covered during a single scan within the full potential range. For example; a linear scan can start at -1.5 V and end at 1.1 V or vice versa, covering 2.6 V dynamic range.
[2] The compliance voltage is the maximum potential between Working and Counter electrode and depends on the selected mode.
[3] If your main WE1 is scanning from -0.5V to +0.5V, the WE2 can only have a maximum offset of 0.6V.

Dual-channel and Bipotentiostat functionality
The second channel of the EmStat Pico Core can be used for running sequential measurements on two different cells each with their own Reference, Counter and Working electrodes. The second channel can also be used in Bipotentiostat mode, functioning as second Working Electrode versus the Reference and Counter electrode of channel 1. Both channels are recorded simultaneously in the Bipotentiostat mode. The second Working Electrode (WE2) can either be set at a potential offset with respect to WE1 or at a fixed potential with respect to RE1. The Bipotentiostat mode is supported in Low Speed mode (see table above) for all techniques, excluding EIS and OCP.

Dual-channel and Bipotentiostat functionality

The second channel of the EmStat Pico Core can be used for running sequential measurements on two different cells each with their own Reference, Counter and Working electrodes.
The second channel can also be used in Bipotentiostat mode, functioning as second Working Electrode versus the Reference and Counter electrode of channel 1. Both channels are recorded simultaneously in the Bipotentiostat mode.
The second Working Electrode (WE2) can either be set at a potential offset with respect to WE1 or at a fixed potential with respect to RE1.
The Bipotentiostat mode is supported in Low Speed mode (see table above) for all techniques, excluding EIS and OCP.

Potentiostat (controlled potential mode)
Channels	2 (2x WE, 2x RE and 2x CE)
Applied dc-potential resolution	537 µV	395 µV	932 µV
Applied potential accuracy	< 0.2%	< 0.5%	< 0.5%
Current ranges	100 nA, 2 uA, 4 uA, 8 uA, 16 uA, 32 uA, 63 uA, 125 uA, 250 uA, 500 uA, 1 mA, 5 mA	100 nA, 1 uA, 6 uA, 13 uA, 25 uA, 50 uA, 100 uA, 200 uA, 1 mA, 5 mA	100 nA, 1 uA, 6 uA, 13 uA, 25 uA, 50 uA, 100 uA, 200 uA, 1 mA, 5 mA
Current accuracy	< 0.5 % of current ±0.1% of range	< 1 % of current ±0.1% of range
Measured current resolution	0.006% of selected current range (5.5 pA on 100 nA range)
Measured potential resolution (for OCP)	56 uV

FRA / EIS (impedance measurements)
Frequency range	0.016 Hz to 200 kHz
Ac-amplitude range	1 mV to 0.25 V rms, or 0.708 V p-p

Bipotentiostat
Modes	1. WE2 at fixed potential (E offset vs RE1) 2. WE2 scanning (E offset vs WE1)
Max. potential WE2	ΔE(WE1) + ΔE(WE2) < 1.6 V [3]

Electrometer
Electrometer amplifier input	> 1 TΩ // 10 pF
Bandwidth	250 kHz

Communications and peripherals
Communication	UART
Communication with external peripherals	SPI and I²C
Analog I/O	3 analog input pins
Digital I/O	7 general-purpose I/O pins 1 wake-up pin
On-chip temperature sensor	±2 °C

Other
Power Consumption	Hibernate: 10 μA Active: 5 mA to 15 mA (depending on activity)
Storage	4000 datapoints on-chip (supports optional external SD card or NAND chip for mass storage)
Mounting	72-lead LGA package
Dimensions	6 mm X 5 mm
Operation temperature range	-40°C to +85°C

EIS Accuracy Contour Plot

Develop software for PC, smartphone or microcontroller

Whether you want to write a simple or advanced Windows application, develop an Android or iPhone app or integrate the EmStat Pico in your own hardware, you can do it with our software development tools and code examples.

The EmStat Pico Development Board can also be controlled directly with our PSTrace software for Windows and PStouch app for Android.

Overview of software development tools

Software Development Kits for .NET

The PalmSens Software Development Kits (SDKs) for .NET can be used with any of our instruments or OEM potentiostat modules to develop your own software. The SDK’s come with a set of examples that shows how to use the libraries.

PalmSens SDKs with examples are available for the following .NET Frameworks:

WinForms
WPF
Xamarin (for Android)
UWP

SDKs for .NET

MethodSCRIPT™ communications protocol

The EmStat Pico potentiostat module has an on-board parser for the MethodSCRIPT™ scripting language. This language allows developers to program a human-readable script for the EmStat Pico module on any platform or operating system. The simple script language allows for running electrochemical techniques supported by EmStat Pico and makes it easy to combine different measurements and other tasks.

More information about MethodSCRIPT

Downloads

Documentation (4)

	Name	Last updated
	EmStat Pico communication protocol v1.3 This document describes the “online” communication protocol of the EmStat Pico. Initial communication with an EmStat Pico is always done using this online communication. Measurements and other scripts can be started by sending a MethodSCRIPT,	13-06-22
	MethodSCRIPT communication protocol v1.3 The MethodSCRIPT scripting language is designed to improve the flexibility of the PalmSens potentiostat and galvanostat devices for OEM users. It allows users to start measurements with arguments that are similar to the arguments in PSTrace. PalmSens provides libraries and examples for handling low level communication and generating scripts for MethodSCRIPT devices such as the EmStat Pico and EmStat4.	19-01-22
	MethodSCRIPT communication protocol v1.2 MethodSCRIPT v1.2 protocol description	28-04-20
	EmStat Pico communication protocol v1.2 Describes the EmStat Pico communications protocol which is based on MethodSCRIPT	08-04-20

Software (7)

	Name	Last updated
	PSTrace – PC software for all single channel instruments PSTrace software is shipped as standard with all single channel and multiplexed instruments. The software provides support for all techniques and device functionalities.	17-03-22
	EmStat Pico Firmware v1.3.4 See app note "EmStat Pico firmware updating" for more information about updating built-in and bare EmStat Pico modules.	13-12-21
	EmStat Pico Firmware v1.2 See app note "EmStat Pico firmware updating" for more information about updating built-in and bare EmStat Pico modules.	13-12-21
	Getting started with PalmSens SDK for WPF This manual explains how to use the SDK with the included libraries and examples.	07-06-21
	Getting started with PalmSens SDK for WinForms This manual explains how to use the SDK with the included libraries and examples.	07-06-21
	Getting started with PalmSens SDK for Android This manual explains how to use the SDK with the included libraries and examples.	07-06-21
	MethodSCRIPT code examples MethodSCRIPT code examples include: - MethodSCRIPTExample_C - MethodSCRIPTExample_C_Linux - MethodSCRIPTExample_C# - MethodSCRIPTExample_Arduino - MethodSCRIPTExample_Python - MethodSCRIPTExample_iOS - MethodSCRIPTExample_Android Every code example comes with a "Getting Started" document.	08-04-20

Application Note (3)

	Name	Last updated
	EmStat Pico Core – Brochure EmStat Pico Core brochure, Development kit, SDK and more.	27-10-21
	Limitations for EIS on EmStat Pico	18-12-20
	pH Measurement using EmStat Pico This article shows the ease of integration of the device into a system and demonstrates the range of applications of the potentiostat module by detailing three different electrochemical measurements: OCP (pH), cyclic voltammetry, and EIS.	07-09-20

Other (1)

	Name	Last updated
	Introduction to electrochemical sensing – Tutorial The first part of this presentation contains how electrochemistry works and how it can be used for sensing applications. The second half explains what a potentiostat is and which applications are suitable for the EmStat Pico potentiostat offered by PalmSens. Details of the EmStat Pico’s capabilities will be shown, as well as instructions on how to use it.	15-07-21