Sony Biotechnology Inc. Technical Bulletin
Low noise electronics from high end audio technology,
introduced into SP6800 spectral cell analyzer
Low Noise Electronics from High End
Audio Technology, Introduced into
SP6800 Spectral Cell Analyzer
Nao Nitta, Ph.D., Greg Veltri, Ph.D., Mark Dessing –
Sony Corporation
June 3, 2015
Page 1
Abstract: Reducing electronic noise is central to achieving high sensitivity in a flow cytometer. This technical
note will explain the engineering behind Sony audio
electronics design used in the entertainment industry
and how this technology helps Sony analyzers achieve
the very low noise electronics.
Background
Sony has consistently brought purer, truer sound to music
lovers. Audio sound is generated by the vibration of
membranes in speakers controlled by an electric current
to form music. To achieve a sound experience that rivals
the purity of the original, signal noise from electric circuit
currents needs to be reduced.
In flow cytometers, light signals emitted from cells are
captured by a photo-detector (PD) or a photo-multiplier
tube (PMT) and converted into electric current. The electric
current is then converted into digital signal with an analogdigital converter (ADC) and subsequently processed by a
computer. By introducing know-how that Sony accumulated
in the audio industry, Sony engineering reduced the electric
noise on the detected signal to achieve very low noise
electronics in the SP6800 cytometer.
Sony Biotechnology Inc. Technical Bulletin
Low noise electronics from high end audio technology,
introduced into SP6800 spectral cell analyzer
June 3, 2015
Page 2
A
Classification of devices based on noise
Electronic noise reduction begins by determining the source
of the noise contamination. Figure 1 shows examples of
electrical devices used in flow cytometers. Optical detectors
are particularly sensitive to noise and are a starting point to
decrease electronic noise level (A).
In addition, mechanical parts such as the motors, valves,
pumps, and fans, are likely to produce noise when in operation. Preventing noise contamination from these devices is
achieved by isolating their electric circuits. Figure 2 shows
how noisy devices are separated from the power supply and
allocated to a different branch in the circuit to minimize their
noise contamination from clean devices.
B
Figure 1. Electric devices found in a flow cytometer.
A Optical devices such as photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) are very
sensitive to noise. B A number of devices such as electric valves,
pump, fan and motor generate noise.
Clean devices
Optical
detector
ADC
Noisy devices
Sensors
Motor
Valve
Power inlet
Figure 2. Power source isolation separates noisy devices by allocating
them to a different branch in the circuit to minimize impact.
Sony Biotechnology Inc. Technical Bulletin
Low noise electronics from high end audio technology,
introduced into SP6800 spectral cell analyzer
Mechanical devices
Power supply
ADC
June 3, 2015
Page 3
Physical separation of noise
Even with this separation, some noise contamination can
persist. That’s because as electric current flows, it raises
electromagnetic induction and causes noise induction to
nearby circuits. Thus, if noisy circuit lines and clean circuit
lines are aligned side-by-side, noise will contaminate the
clean circuit. To prevent this, clean circuits and noisy circuits
are physically separated in the SP6800 design. Figure 3
illustrates how the SP6800 design minimizes the impact of
noise induction from noisy circuits.
Conclusion
Optical devices
Figure 3. Circuit separation.
This diagram illustrates the electric circuit of the SP6800 spectral
cell analyzer showing how noisy devices and circuits (in red) are
separated from clean devices and circuits (in green). This design which
separates the circuits, the prevents noise induction from noisy circuits
to clean circuits.
As a global leader in the design of audio electronics in
the entertainment industry, Sony has developed
technologies to ensure low noise sound signal production.
These advancements are incorporated into Sony Spectral
Analyzers to deliver high sensitivity to help scientists
achieve more accurate results.
North America/International
Japan
Europe
1730 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112 U.S.A.
Voice: +1 800-275-5963
FAX : +1 408-352-4130
sales@sonybiotechnology.com
http://www.sonybiotechnology.com
1-7-1, Konan, Minato-Ku,
Tokyo , 108-0075 Japan
Tel : +0120-677-010
Fax :+0120-388-060
sales_Japan@sonybiotechnology.com
http://www.sony.co.jp/LS
The Heights, Brooklands.
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0XW, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1932 817448
sales_EU@sonybiotechnology.com
©2015 Sony Biotechnology Inc. All rights reserved. Sony, the Sony logo, Sony Biotechnology Inc. and logo, are trademarks of Sony Corporation. Brilliant Violet 510™ and BV510 are trademarks of
Sirigen Group Ltd. Cy and CyDye are trademarks of GE Healthcare Limited. iCyt products containing Cy5, Cy5.5 or Cy7 are manufactured under license from GE Healthcare under U.S. Patent Numbers
5,569,587; 5,627,027 and patents or pending applications that are continuations, continuations-in-part, re-examinations, divisionals, reissues or foreign equivalents thereof. All other trademarks are
property of their respective owners. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The SP6800 Spectral Analyzer is classified as a Class 1 laser product.
1.02.060315.1