Introduction; Emstat Communications; Usb Or Serial / Ttl - PalmSens EmStat3+ Getting Started

Getting started with the EmStat3+ module for OEM

1 Introduction

The EmStat-series are potentiostats with an embedded microcontroller. They provide all the major
potentiostatic techniques with automatic current ranging and peripheral control.

1.1 EmStat communications

The EmStat is interfaced to a PC or host controller by means of a powered USB bus or serial (TTL) port.
The instrument can be used with the Windows program PSTrace.
Several Software Development Kits (SDKs) for .NET platforms are available to quickly and easily develop
your application for EmStat. The SDK's allow you to:
– easily connect to instruments;
– run measurements;
– store data in PSTrace / PStouch compatible format;
– peak detection;
– equivalent circuit fitting;
– manually control the cell;
– and many other things.
SDK's are available for:
– WinForms
– WPF
– Android (Xamarin)
– UWP
All SDK's can be downloaded from
The instrument can also be controlled by using the commands as described in the 'Communications
protocol' document.

1.2 USB or serial / TTL

EmStat3+ is normally controlled and power via its mini USB port. This requires the PalmSens drivers to
be installed (automatically installed with PSTrace or the .NET SDK).
Optionally the USB port can be re-programmed to function as a virtual COM port, see appendix A.
Make sure the USB chip is not programmed as
VCP (Virtual COM port) when using the Rx/Tx lines on CON2.
EmStat3+ can also be controlled from a host controller by means of Tx and Rx (5V TTL). Use the
following pins for TTL communications (see next page for pin locations):
CON2 - pin 12: +5V power supply (500 mA min.)
CON2 - pin 11: GND (or CON2 – pin 6)
CON2 - pin 1: Tx
CON2 - pin 2: Rx
Getting started with the EmStat3+ module for OEM
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