High-Performance Small Signal Detection System for Microfluidic Biosensing Using Excitation Signal and Signal Control via Analog Discovery and Saleae Logic Analyzer

Abstract

This paper introduces a high-performance small signal detection system for microfluidic biosensing, employing dynamic excitation and precise signal control via Analog Discovery and Saleae Logic Analyzer. The system operates through an integrated sequence of sensing, excitation, measurement, and digital analysis stages. Excitation signals are generated using the Analog Discovery module and directly applied to the sensor, enabling frequency-dependent stimulation of microbeads and cells in microfluidic environments. The sensor’s electrophysiological response is captured by the Analog Discovery’s input channels and digitized with high fidelity by the Saleae Logic Analyzer, ensuring accurate, time-synchronized data acquisition. Advanced MATLAB algorithms then process the recorded data, enabling the extraction of amplitude and phase metrics, the visualization of impedance spectra, and the comprehensive characterization of biological sensor features. Experimental validation using two microbead types (10.4 and 24.9) demonstrates the system’s ability to distinguish subtle variations in bioelectric signals and impedance profiles, highlighting its robustness, scalability, and suitability for sensitive biosensing and diagnostic applications in microfluidics.