WOSM microcontroller (mcu)

The WOSM mcu is a networked microcontroller designed for microscope hardware control. On startup, the microcontroller negotiates an IP address, usually in less than a second, and thereafter can be commanded both locally, from our WOSM keypad, from a web browser, or from microscope acquisition software such as micromanager.

This control scheme allows nanostages, filter wheels, shutters, LEDs, stepper motors, r/c servos and other actuators to be precisely controlled either locally and/or remotely. The multiple modes of control can operate simultaneously, with each updating the other in real time. New firmware updates are automatically downloaded and applied on boot, or at user request.

The microcontroller has a plain text command set. WOSM mcu commands can be readily combined into macros which run locally on the mcu. These macros run locally on the controller and are fast (2 to 6 microseconds per command).