Computer controlled 8-channel Scanner and supporting software for Laboratory Instruments

It is important to utilize measuring instruments efficiently in experiments. A computer connected to the instrument for data acquisition and controlling purposes will further improve the efficiency. Generally, in a laboratory we want to take one measurement for several samples and repeat the measurement in periodic intervals. When the number of instruments available is limited the measurement procedure becomes time consumerble. In some cases one measurement takes more than 1000 hours. For example, in a situation, when a single digital source meter is used the time factor is prohibitively high. The computer controlled 8-channel scanner we designed, provides facilities to avoid these problems with optimum utilization of the measuring instruments.
This device is especially designed for measuring the long-term stability of solar cell samples. But it could also be used with the measuring instruments such as multimeter, thermometer, pH meter etc. Following Figure shows the block diagram of the computerized measuring system using this scanner.

The block diagram of the computerized measuring system using this scanner

8-channel scanner can be use with  KEITHLEY 2420 source meter for simultaneously recording open circuit Voltage, short circuit photo Current, Efficiency and Fill factor of Solar Cells during long period.

Inside view of the Scanner