BitFlow, Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-performance frame grabbers and a business unit of Advantech, today highlights the exceptional longevity and reliability of its Alta-AN analog frame grabber series, with two boards operating continuously since 2014 in a critical atmospheric research application at ETH Zurich's Institute for Atmospheric & Climate Science in Switzerland.
Micron sized particle in an EDB illuminated with a 532 nm laser. Image Credit: Photo courtesy of ETH Zurich
Dr. Ulrich Krieger and his research team have been utilizing two BitFlow Alta frame grabbers – the first purchased in 2008 – to capture, control, and measure single levitated particles suspended in an electrodynamic balance. The boards, paired with analog JAI cameras, recently transitioned seamlessly to a new Windows 11 PC platform, demonstrating remarkable forward compatibility despite the original hardware's vintage.
Precision Imaging for Next-Generation Particle Analysis
The ETH Zurich team is pioneering a novel methodology for analyzing two-dimensional angular light-scattering patterns of individual aerosol particles through advanced image processing techniques. This research requires the rock-solid stability and precise analog signal acquisition that the Alta-AN platform delivers – frame after frame, year after year.
Engineering Excellence that Endures
Introduced in 2007, the BitFlow Alta-AN represented the pinnacle of versatile analog frame grabber technology during its production run. Engineered to acquire from virtually any analog camera – from high-speed asynchronous-reset monochrome sensors to super high-resolution color HDTV cameras – the Alta series combined exceptional image quality with the flexibility demanded by scientific and industrial imaging applications.
Built on the PCI Express bus architecture and backed by comprehensive SDK support and drivers for major imaging software packages, Alta frame grabbers set the standard for reliable, high-quality analog video acquisition.
Strategic Technology Evolution
BitFlow discontinued the Alta product line in 2017 to focus resources on advancing CoaXPress technology and expanding its CameraLink interface card portfolio – strategic decisions that have positioned the company at the forefront of modern digital imaging interfaces.
"This installation exemplifies the build quality and engineering rigor that define BitFlow products," said Donal Waide, Director of Business Development, iSystems, Advantech. "When research teams depend on continuous operation for multi-year scientific studies, there's no room for compromise – and Alta continues to prove its worth in the most demanding applications."