Abstract
A sinusoidal voltage wave generator is proposed based on the use of micro-processor digital signals with programmable duty-cycles, with application to real-time Electrical Cell-substrate Impedance Spectroscopy (ECIS) assays in cell cultures. The working principle relies on the time convolution of the programmed microcontroller (μC) digital signals. The expected frequency is easily tuned on the bio-impedance spectroscopy range [100 Hz, 1 MHz] thanks to the μC clock frequency selection. This system has been simulated and tested on the 8 bits μC ArduinoTM Uno with ATmega328 version. Results obtained prove that only three digital signals are required to fit the general specification in ECIS experiments, below 1% THD accuracy, and show the appropriateness of the system for the real-time monitoring of this type of biological experiments.
Highlights
Sinusoidal voltage generators are basic building blocks in many instrumentation and signal acquisition systems, as in spectroscopy analysis, where AC voltage signals must be generated in a defined frequency range [1] [2] [3]
Results obtained prove that only three digital signals are required to fit the general specification in Electrical Cell-substrate Impedance Spectroscopy (ECIS) experiments, below 1% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) accuracy, and show the appropriateness of the system for the real-time monitoring of this type of biological experiments
This paper describes how sinusoidal voltage signals required in ECIS setups can be derived from digital signals using a microcontroller
Summary
Sinusoidal voltage generators are basic building blocks in many instrumentation and signal acquisition systems, as in spectroscopy analysis, where AC voltage signals must be generated in a defined frequency range [1] [2] [3]. Electrical Cell-substrate Impedance Spectroscopy (ECIS) technique [3]. Realtime signal generation is essential for the monitoring of many biological processes. The cell bio-impedance obtained can be directly related with several biological processes, such us motility, cell attachment, cell index, membrane transfer, tumor cells detection, etc., employing only one cell seeding, since all data are obtained from the same cell culture. This means the employment of a non-destructive process that avoids endpoint-based protocols
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