PalmSens EmStat4M User manual
Development Kit Manual
Rev. 4-2022-002
PAGE | 1
2Important before you start unpacking ..............................................................................2
3Customer support ...........................................................................................................2
4Terms and Definitions ......................................................................................................2
5Introduction .....................................................................................................................2
6EmStat4M Development Kit contents..............................................................................2
7Recommended software tools.........................................................................................3
8Development board.........................................................................................................3
8.1 Schematic ..............................................................................................................3
8.2 PCB Layout ............................................................................................................4
8.3 Pin descriptions ......................................................................................................5
8.4 Connecting to the PC via USB-C or micro-USB .....................................................7
8.5 Using the Bluetooth module ...................................................................................8
8.5.1 Hardware settings for connecting via Bluetooth with the EmStat4M ...................8
8.5.2 Connecting in PSTrace using SPP (Classic Bluetooth) ........................................9
8.5.3 Connecting using vSP (for iOS) .........................................................................10
8.5.4 Hardware settings for programming the Laird BT900 module ...........................11
8.6 Using the Real-Time Clock ...................................................................................11
8.7 Using the EEPROM ..............................................................................................11
8.8 Using an Arduino MKR Zero .................................................................................11
8.9 Powering the Development Board ........................................................................12
8.9.1 Powering from the micro-USB or USB-C port...................................................12
8.9.2 Powering from a Lithium-Ion battery .................................................................12
8.9.3 Powering from an Arduino MKR board..............................................................12
8.10 Heat dissipation when using EmStat4M HR..........................................................13
8.11 Connecting the cell (or sensor) .............................................................................13
9Software and documentation ..........................................................................................15
9.1 Communication protocols.....................................................................................15
9.2 Using PSTrace for Windows .................................................................................15
9.2.1 Generating MethodSCRIPT...............................................................................16
9.3 Windows drivers ...................................................................................................16
9.3.1 Development Board Micro USB connector .......................................................16
10 Development board and module dimensions...................................................................17
11 Software Development Kits for .NET................................................................................18
12 Document Revison History ..............................................................................................19
13 Disclaimer........................................................................................................................20
PAGE | 2
Make sure your software and firmware are up-to-date. You can update PSTrace for Windows via
the menu Help
→
Check for updates. The firmware of your instrument is updated automatically
in PSTrace upon connecting to the EmStat4M Development Board, if needed. In case of
problem as detailed as possible, photos and screenshots are often very helpful.
BT
Bluetooth
EEPROM
Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
ES4M
EmStat4M
GPIO
General Purpose Input Output (pin)
IC
Integrated Circuit
PCB
Printed Circuit Board
RTC
Real-Time Clock
SDK
Software Development Kit
UART
Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter
USB
Universal Serial Bus
The EmStat4M Development Board is intended as development, demonstration and testing
platform for electrochemical applications using the EmStat4M module.
The EmStat4M is a module (small PCB) of 62 x 40 mm functioning as Potentiostat,
Galvanostat, and optional Frequency Response Analyser (FRA) for Electrochemical Impedance
Spectroscopy (EIS).
The development board can be powered and communicate directly via its USB-C port, or it can
be connected using the pin headers for communication, power, and cell connections.
A high-end LEMO connector for use with our standard shielded sensor cables is available on
the EmStat4M module. It is always advised to use the LEMO connector for best performance.
The box you received contains the following items:
▪EmStat4M LR or HR module
▪Development Board
▪Micro-USB cable
▪USB-C cable
▪USB splitter cable for extra power (EmStat4M HR only)
▪Sensor cable (1 meter with 2 mm pins)
▪4 croc clips (EmStat4M LR) or 5 croc clips (EmStat4M HR)
▪2x SPE connector
▪Mini screwdriver
▪Dummy Cell
PAGE | 3
▪USB drive with PSTrace software for Windows and documentation
▪Quick Start document
▪Card with an overview of the development board
▪Card with an overview of the EmStat4M module
The following software tools are recommended:
▪PSTrace - software for Windows for use with EmStat4M
▪Tera Term - open-source terminal for direct serial communication
▪Notepad++ - free and simple source code editor to replace the default Windows
Notepad
▪Visual Studio Code - free and open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
for use with our SDK’s for .NET
The following schematic represent the main connections found on the Development Board.
Figure 1 - Top level schematics of the Development Board
PAGE | 4
PAGE | 5
Table 1 - CON1 Arduino MKR Socket (left row)
Pin
Arduino MKR Zero
Dev. Board
Dev. Board Function
1
AREF / AIN / PA03
NC
-
2
DAC0 / A0 / D15
NC
-
3
A1 / D16
NC
-
4
A2 / D17
NC
-
5
A3 / ~D18
NC
-
6
A4 / ~D19
NC
-
7
A5 / D20
NC
-
8
A6 / D21
NC
-
9
~D0
NC
-
10
~D1
NC
-
11
~D2
MKR_Trig
Connected to EmStat4M D4
12
~D3
NC
-
13
~D4
NC
-
14
~D5
NC
-
Table 2 - CON2 Arduino MKR Socket (right row)
Pin
Arduino MKR Zero
Dev. Board
Dev. Board Function
1
+5V
+5V_MKR_OUT
-
2
VIN
+5V_MKR_IN
-
3
+3V3
NC
-
4
GND
GND
Ground
5
RESET
NC
-
6
D14 / Tx
MKR_TX0
Connected to EmStat4M (ES4M) RX via SW6
7
D13 / Rx
MKR_RX0
Connected to EmStat4M (ES4M) TX via SW6
8
~D12 / SCL
NC
-
9
D11 / SDA
NC
-
10
D10 / CIPO
NC
-
11
D9 / SCK
NC
-
12
~D8 / COPI
NC
-
13
~D7
NC
-
14
~D6
NC
-
Table 3 - CON3 Digital I/Os
Pin
To EmStat4M
Function
Pin
To EmStat4M
Function
1
-
+5V out
11
CON2-1
TX
2
CON3-3
I2C SDA
12
CON1-1
D3
3
CON3-10
+3.3V out
13
CON3-1
CTS
4
CON3-4
I2C SCL
14
CON1-7
D4
5
-
GND
15
CON3-2
RTS
6
CON1-4
D0
16
CON2-5
D5
7
CON3-8
~SHDN (Shutdown)
17
CON2-8
~DL (Download)
8
CON1-3
D1
18
CON3-9
D6
9
CON2-2
RX
19
CON2-7
~RST (Reset)
10
CON1-2
D2
20
-
GND
For more detailed information on the EmStat4M pinout, please refer to the EmStat4M datasheet.
PAGE | 6
Table 4 - CON5 Potentiostat Screw Terminals
Pin
To EmStat4M
Function
1
GND
Ground
2
CON1-8
Sense (Working Sense Electrode)
3
CON1-12
CE (Counter Electrode)
4
CON1-10
WE (Working Electrode)
5
CON1-11
RE (Reference Electrode)
Table 5 - CON7 Analog I/Os
Pin
To EmStat4M
Function
Comments
1
CON2-3
E out
To potentiostat Voltage Follower
2
-
GND
3
CON2-4
I Out
To potentiostat Current Follower
4
-
GND
5
CON3-7
E Set
To input an external potential to control
the ES4 potentiostat voltage set point.
Can be used for IR compensation. Input
impedance = 4.99k
6
CON2-9
(via IC5B)
ADC in
Unipolar ADC input: 0-3V, 16 bits
7
CON3-11
ES +VPST
Positive rail voltage output: ~+7.2V (LR) /
~+9.75V (HR) , max. 20mA
8
CON2-10
(via IC5A)
DAC out
Unipolar DAC output: 0-3V, 12 bits
9
CON3-12
ES -VPST
Positive rail voltage output: ~-7.0V (LR) /
~-9.75V (HR) , max. 20mA
10
-
GND
PAGE | 7
You can either connect the PC directly using the USB-C port on the EmStat4M module or you
can use the micro-USB connection of the development board.
The micro-USB port on the development board is meant for programming the BT module,
charging, or testing the UART lines to the EmStat4M.
When using the USB-C port on the EmStat4M module, the communication on the PC side is
handled by the Windows CDC drivers. The micro-USB port works using an FTDI chip for USB
to serial communication. With both USB ports a connection can be made via a serial virtual COM
port to use a terminal program like Tera Term for example.
The following table shows the implications for connecting either to the micro-USB of the
development board or the USB-C cable of the EmStat4M module.
Table 6 - Differences between USB ports
Micro-USB cable to development
board
USB-C cable directly to EmStat4M
▪Speed
230.000 baud (default) allowing for
+/- 700 datapoints/second
Full-speed USB allowing for
+/- 2500 datapoints/second
▪Connecting to
PSTrace
Shows as “ES4Dev”
Enable SW7 3+4 (Rx and Tx) leave
SW7 1+2 OFF1
Shows as “EmStat4 LR”
or “EmStat4 HR”
SW7 setting is ignored
▪Drivers
Works standard in Windows 7 to 11
without installation of special drivers
Works out-of-the box in Windows 10,
requires EmStat drivers to be installed
(via PSTrace) in Windows 7
▪Other functions
Allows for direct communication
between PC and the Laird BT900
Bluetooth module
SW7: ALL OFF
SW4: ALL ON
Allows for automatic firmware updating
of the EmStat4M module in PSTrace
1
Flow control will be added with a software update. Until then, leave SW7 1+2 OFF.
PAGE | 8
To communicate to the EmStat4M via the USB port make sure all switches (1-4) of SW7
(ES_to_USB) are set to ON and for SW4 (BT_to_USB) and SW5 (BT_to_ES) all switches are set
to OFF.
The Laird BT900 Bluetooth module comes programmed for use in either Bluetooth 5.0 (BLE) or
in Serial Port Profile (SPP, Classic Bluetooth) mode.
See for more detailed information the Documents section of the Laird BT900 module.
To allow for Bluetooth communication with the EmStat4M module, make sure to set all switches
on SW4, SW6 and SW7 OFF and all dipswitches on SW5 ON.
Set SW2 to BT_PWR_ON (up) and SW3 to AUTO (down):
Figure 2 - Dip switch settings for allowing a Bluetooth connection to the EmStat4M module
PAGE | 9
When connecting via Bluetooth using SPP, a serial COM port for Bluetooth communications will
become available on the host side (e.g. Windows) when connecting to the Bluetooth device.
The Bluetooth name has the format “PS-xxxx” where xxxx is the last digits of the Bluetooth MAC
address. (This MAC address can be found on the sticker of the Bluetooth module between the
QR code and “CE” logo):
Figure 3 - The MAC address of the Bluetooth module
In PSTrace the Bluetooth device appears after clicking the Bluetooth icon in the upper left
corner:
Figure 4 - The Bluetooth device appears here after clicking the blue Bluetooth icon
The first time PSTrace connects with a new Bluetooth device Windows show a pop-up message
in the right bottom corner of the screen.
PAGE | 10
Figure 5 - Windows Pop-up asking to pair with the Bluetooth device
Click on this message and Allow Windows to pair the device.
Figure 6 - The Bluetooth Classic device shown in the Windows 10 Bluetooth devices list
Now you can click the Connect button in PSTrace to connect.
Figure 7 - Possibilities with vSP (image courtesy of Laird)
vSP (Virtual Serial Port) is a method of sending data over BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), similar to
how SPP works in Classic Bluetooth. Laird developed vSP as a proprietary feature enhancement
at the request of our customers. vSP is relatively low throughput and does not take advantage of
the low power features of BLE.
For further details about vSP, please see the vSP smartBASIC Application Note.
In Windows 10, the vSP device identifies as a Bluetooth Device with a heartbeat icon.
See for an iOS code example with Getting Started guide:
https://github.com/PalmSens/MethodSCRIPT_Examples
PAGE | 11
Set SW2 to the BT_PWR_ON position to enable the BT900 module power supply.
Set SW3 to the DEV position to enter the programming mode of the BT900 module
The BT900 can be programmed via USB by setting all switches of SW4 (BT_to_USB) to ON and
set all switches OFF for SW7 (ES_to_USB) and SW5 (BT_to_ES).
See https://www.palmsens.com/knowledgebase-article/change-bluetooth-settings/
Place CR1216 in BT1 battery-holder as backup supply for the S-3590A RTC.
S-35390A REAL-TIME CLOCK (ablic.com)
The RTC can be accessed via MethodScript i2c commands.
See https://www.palmsens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/MethodSCRIPT-v1_3.pdf
Chapter13.5 I2C example –Real time clock
Non-Volatile data can be stored in the 32-Kbit I2C Serial EEPROM (24LC32AT)
The EEPROM can be accessed via MethodSCRIPT I2C commands.
See https://www.palmsens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/MethodSCRIPT-v1_3.pdf
Chapter 13.6 I2C example - EEPROM example
To access the EmStat4M from the Arduino MKR set all switches of SW6 to ON and all switches
OFF for SW4, SW5, SW7.
Note: There’s no hardware-handshaking (CTS/RTS) between the Arduino MKR and the
EmStat4M.
For code examples see:
MethodSCRIPT_Examples/MethodSCRIPTExample_Arduino at master ·
PalmSens/MethodSCRIPT_Examples (github.com)
Remark for development board V2 only
This only applies to boards with the text found at the bottom of the board: “ES Dev V2”.
The MKR can be used with the Arduino software using the USB connector from the MKR. The
development board can be power from the MKR in this case by setting SW10 to the MKR
position and make sure SW1 (Pwr to MKR) is in the OFF position.
Caution: Having SW10 in the MKR position and SW1 in the ON position may damage the MKR
and/or the board.
PAGE | 12
The EmStat4M Development board can be powered from 3 sources selectable with SW10:
Figure 8 - SW10 on the development board
When an EmStat4 HR is installed, the maximum current drawn from the USB port will exceed
500mA when using the 100 mA range. Use a Y-cable to split the total current into 2 USB ports
or make sure the port can handle current up to 900mA.
The JST PH2 connector (CON10) is suitable for Adafruit batteries like
https://www.adafruit.com/product/328 or https://www.adafruit.com/product/2011
It is recommended to use a battery capacity of 2000mAh or more.
The battery is charged when the Development board is connected via CON8 (Micro USB).
The charge current is set to ~150mA, a 2000mAh battery may take 10 to 14 hours to be
completely charged. The charge current can be changed by changing the value of R31
See the datasheet of IC8 for detailed information:
https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/data-sheets/4053-4.2fs.pdf
In case an Arduino MKR board is connected to the bottom side of the development board, all
boards can be powered by a single USB connection to the Arduino. This can be done by setting
SW10 to OFF and connecting the Arduino board via a micro-USB cable to the PC or other USB
power source.
PAGE | 13
Figure 9 - Powering all stacked boards via the Arduino MKR
The EmStat4M HR is designed for higher currents and is protected against over-current and
high temperature. To prevent entering these overload conditions make sure that the setup has
good airflow. When the EmStat4M is used in a closed environment (housing) forced air-cooling
(fan) is strongly recommended.
Note: MethodSCRIPT error 0x0032 will be thrown in case of an overload condition
See https://www.palmsens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/MethodSCRIPT-v1_3.pdf
Section 14 “Error handling”
To do valid measurements on an electrochemical cell, the RE, WE and CE of the EmStat4M
module and the Sense lead (for the EmStat4M HR) need to be connected.
PAGE | 14
There are multiple ways to connect a sensor or cell to the EmStat4M.
Using LEMO connector on the EmStat4M module:
Or using the screw terminals on the development board:
Figure 10 - Using the screw terminals
A small screwdriver is supplied for using the screw terminals.
The SPE connector for use with Screen Printed Electrodes that have the common 2.54 mm
pitch can be screwed in directly to the screw terminals.
When using the EmStat4M HR:
In case of using the SPE connector with an EmStat4M HR, make sure the Sense is also
connected to the WE. This can be done by using a small wire and screwing it in together with
the SPE connector.
PAGE | 15
The EmStat4M module works with the human-readable MethodSCRIPT
protocol for direct serial (USB or UART) communication. This allows for
connecting and using the module in a terminal window or with any
microcontroller, PC or operating system.
The simple script language allows for running all supported electrochemical
techniques and makes it easy to combine different measurements
and other tasks.
Code examples are available for:
▪Android
▪Arduino
▪C/C++
▪Python
▪iOS
▪and C#
MethodSCRIPTs can be sent to the EmStat4M by using the EmStat4M communications
protocol. This is the device-specific communication protocol and also covers other device-
specific functionality like calibration and firmware updates.
The EmStat4M can be used with PSTrace for Windows to run all the supported electrochemical
techniques and to some extend to use the auxiliary and GPIO pins.
PSTrace is ideal for evaluating the performance of the EmStat4M, but can also be used for
generating MethodSCRIPT (see next paragraph for more information). The MethodSCRIPT
snippets can again be used in any custom code project that controls the EmStat4M.
PAGE | 16
The Method Editor in PSTrace can be used to define a method (set of measurement
parameters).
Figure 11 - Method Editor in PSTrace
When being connected to the EmStat4M, the Method Editor will automatically validate the
parameters with the EmStat4M hardware any time a parameter is changed. Pressing the button
“Show MethodSCRIPT” opens a window that contains the MethodSCRIPT which is generated
for the method. See next section for more information about MethodSCRIPT.
The EmStat4M USB connection with Windows uses the USB CDC device class, which emulates
a RS-232 “Serial port” for ease of use. This class can be used without drivers in most operating
systems, the device will show up as a “Serial port”.
Starting from Windows 10, the EmStat4M is supported without having to install drivers. The
PalmSens USB drivers can be used to ensure the devices are named “EmStat4”, rather than the
generic “USB Serial Device”. This driver is automatically installed during the installation of
PSTrace.
The Micro USB connector on the development board is implemented using an FTDI USB to
serial converter. A USB driver is needed for this converter. However, most operating systems will
install this driver automatically. If this is not the case, the drivers can be found here.
PAGE | 17
PAGE | 18
Develop your own application in no time for use with any PalmSens instrument or potentiostat
module. Our SDKs are free of charge.
There are three PalmSens Software Development Kits (SDKs) for .NET. Each SDK can be used
with any of our instruments or OEM potentiostat modules to develop your own software. The
SDK’s come with a set of examples that shows how to use the libraries. PalmSens SDKs with
examples are available for the following .NET Frameworks:
▪WinForms
▪Xamarin (Android)
▪WPF
Each SDK comes with code examples for:
▪Connecting
▪Running measurements and plotting data
▪Manual control of the cell
▪Accessing and processing measured data
▪Analyzing and manipulating data
▪Peak detection
▪Equivalent Circuit Fitting on impedance data
▪Saving and loading files
PAGE | 19
Revision
Section/Figure/Entry
Correction
3-2022-001
Document release
4-2022-002
Terms and definitions
Added new relevant and
removed irrelevant terms
