Liquid Instruments
Driving the Next Wave of Test and Measurement Technologies

When it comes to test and measurement, the semiconductor industry faces a number of unique challenges directly related to the intricate nature of semiconductor devices and the manufacturing processes required to develop them. As devices become more integrated, legacy testing techniques cannot always identify defects or verify functionality while meeting the demand for faster production, keeping up with the pace of new technology, and optimizing costs. The increasing complexity of integrated circuits requires new, advanced testing methods to ensure that each component is functioning properly while meeting the bottom line.

Enter software-defined instrumentation. Acting as a catalyst for change, this type of flexible architecture enables real-time optimization and deep customization of test systems, allowing single devices to target multiple applications.

At the forefront of this transformation is Liquid Instruments, delivering a modern test and measurement platform that provides advanced features built around field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), offering unmatched versatility. The true value of this instrumentation lies in its ability to provide highly targeted solutions across diverse industries, from aerospace to telecommunications to photonics.

Delivering up to 14 test instruments — from bench essentials like an oscilloscope to advanced tools like a frequency response analyzer, plus high-speed data logging — in one easy-to-use device, the Moku product range harnesses the processing power and reconfigurability of FPGAs, creating a versatile ecosystem for diverse testing needs. The company’s flagship product, Moku:Pro, is a high-channel-count system with a sample rate of up to five gigasamples per second.

This powerful device is designed for complex applications in research, technology development, and industrial use. It can deploy up to four instruments simultaneously on the FPGA to build sophisticated signal-processing pipelines and data-saving workflows. Users can also upgrade their device by adding new features and instruments over time as their needs and experiments evolve.

“Software-defined instrumentation is blurring the line between measurement equipment and hardware-in-the-loop test systems,” said Daniel Shaddock, co-founder and CEO of Liquid Instruments. “The versatility and extensibility of Moku technology means one device can provide a solution over the complete technology development life cycle, from prototyping and validation all the way through to the production line.”

Moku products have demonstrated their effectiveness across industry, government, and academia by providing tangible benefits with reduced costs. For example, photonics researchers at Intel Labs use Moku:Pro to propel the development of heterogeneously integrated silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs). As team members typically explore new designs at a rapid pace in a highly experimental setting, they need reconfigurable, scalable tools with a small footprint to adapt to various situations. Thanks to Moku:Pro, the researchers have significantly streamlined their workflow across advanced experimental projects, reduced the hundreds of steps previously required to conduct a multidimensional sweep to just a few iterations, and enabled easier, faster tuning of control loops to maximize cost and time savings.

Liquid Instruments has designed each device to help engineers hit the ground running. From getting the devices operational to making initial measurements, the configuration process is completed within minutes. The user-friendly software interface combined with the versatility of efficient integration make Moku devices valuable tools that deliver exceptional performance across a wide range of applications.

Disrupting the test and measurement space and redefining how scientists and engineers interact with tools, Liquid Instruments is pushing the boundaries to unlock the true potential of software-defined instrumentation. With the unparalleled flexibility of its devices, the company empowers users to break free from legacy test boxes and embrace a future where customization, efficiency, and adaptability enabled by upgradable software is the norm.