Kennewick, WA — Est. 2014

Electronics
for Mass Spec
Research

Supporting mass spectrometry research through the development of custom electronics monitoring and control systems — tailored to your exact experimental needs.

200+
Systems Deployed
10+
Years Experience
Global
Customer Base
Request a Quote → Explore Products
MIPS Controller — Live System
MIPS controller front panel
MIPS
Modular Intelligent Power Sources
USBEthernetWiFi 84 MHz ARMOpen SourcemacOS + Windows
$3,000 – $10,000 configured to order
Quote →
MIPS Controller · RF Generator · RF Mega · Electrometer · FET Switch · SLIM Reverser · Multi-Function Twave · MIPS Quad · FAIMS System · Custom Engineering · Astraea · Digital quad drivers · High Q RF heads · FPGA module · Pulse sequence generation · Twave Reverser · Multi-Function Twave · MIPS Quad · Ion funnels · Custom Engineering ·
Product Lineup

Instruments Built
for Research

Every system configured to your exact needs. From the modular MIPS platform to purpose-built standalone instruments.

Front panel
MIPS controller front panel showing display, controls and GAACE branding
MIPS host application — system tab
MIPS host application home screen showing system tab with connected modules, version info and connection status
Flagship Platform
MIPS
Modular Intelligent Power Sources

The heart of GAACE's instrument ecosystem. A fully modular, software-configurable control platform that unifies DC bias, RF drive, digital IO, and pulse generation — controlled from a single application on your PC or Mac.

MIPS rear panel showing BNC connectors, module slots, DB connectors and power input
DC bias outputs, RF connectors, digital IO, trigger inputs, and 24VDC power input
  • 84 MHz ARM processor with color graphics display
  • Plug-in modules: DCbias, RF driver, ARB, TWAVE, FAIMS & more
  • Connect multiple controllers — one unified GUI for all hardware
  • JavaScript scripting for complex automation sequences
  • Custom control panel builder — no coding required
  • Open-source schematics, PCB designs, and software on GitHub
$3,000 – $10,000 configured to order
Request Quote →
Plug-In Modules
MIPS Module Options
Up to 4 modules can be installed in one MIPS system. Mix and match to build the exact configuration your experiment needs.
💬 Need a module not listed here, or a custom configuration? Contact us — we develop new modules and are always happy to discuss your requirements.
RF Generator standalone RF driver — front panel showing Ethernet, USB, Bias and Trig/Gate connectors
Standalone
RF Generator
Standalone RF Driver System

High-performance standalone RF driver for ion funnels and ion guides. Phase and anti-phase outputs, internal DC bias, full USB/Ethernet control.

500 KHz – 5 MHzUSB + Ethernet ±50V DC BiasAuto Tune
$2,295 starting
RF Mega high-power standalone RF driver front panel
Standalone
RF Mega
High-Power RF Driver

Our most powerful RF driver. Drives capacitance loads up to 5000 pF with 120–200W output. Ideal for large ion funnels and demanding RF applications.

120–200W OutputUp to 5000 pF 500 KHz – 5 MHzFreq Switching
$1,995 + options
Multi-Function Twave driver module showing SLIM interface and connection ports
Standalone
MFT
Multi-Function Twave Driver

Standalone traveling wave generator with two independent 8-channel output sets. Supports SLIM operations, accumulation, CRIMP, and programmable waveforms.

2× 8-Channel TW3–50V Output Up to 25 KHzCRIMP Support
$995
SLIM Reverser TWAVE direction control switch PCB with power supply and cables
Accessory
SLIM Reverser
TWAVE Direction Control Switch

16-pole analog bi-directional switch for reversing traveling wave direction in SLIM devices. Preserves signal shape and amplitude with isolated control input.

16-Pole Analog100 Vp-p Max Isolated Control12VDC Powered
$395
Electrometer pico-ampere current detector PCB — compact 2.3 x 1.75 inch format
Sensor
Electrometer
Pico-Ampere Current Detector

Ultra-sensitive current measurement down to 1 pA. Selectable gain and polarity, DC bias input, adjustable bandwidth. Compact 2.3″ × 1.75″ PCB.

1 pA Sensitivity±5V Bias Input Selectable Polarity24VDC Powered
Contact for pricing
FET TW Switch high-speed SPDT switch module
Switch
FET TW Switch
High-Speed FET SPDT Switch

15 ns rise/fall time FET switch for TWAVE applications. Passes analog signals and DC levels. Overvoltage protected with 300V GDTs. Powered from MIPS D15 connector.

~15 ns Rise/Fall300V GDT Protection SPDTMIPS Compatible
$295
Software Architecture

One Interface.
Every Instrument.

The MIPS host application runs on your PC or Mac and simultaneously communicates with multiple MIPS controllers and standalone instruments. Each researcher gets a custom GUI built for their experiment — all hardware unified behind one screen.

MIPS system architecture Host PC running MIPS application communicates via USB, Ethernet, WiFi to multiple MIPS controllers and standalone instruments, unified in one custom control panel. HOST COMPUTER — macOS or Windows MIPS Host Application Qt-based · macOS & Windows · Open source USB · Ethernet · WiFi · RS232 Free download — GitHub / Google Drive Custom Control Panels User-designed GUI — one screen for ALL connected hardware Tabs · sliders · plots · status lights · pulse editors JavaScript scripting for automated sequences & workflows Defined by a plain-text .cfg file — no compiled code required USB · Ethernet · WiFi — simple ASCII protocol — same interface for all devices USB Ethernet WiFi MIPS Controller A 84 MHz ARM · color display · 24VDC MIPS Controller B 84 MHz ARM · color display · 24VDC RF Generator / RF Mega Standalone · USB or Ethernet standalone instrument Plug-in modules — auto-detected on connect DCbias up to 32 ch RF driver 500kHz–5MHz ARB TWAVE FAIMS + more Plug-in modules — auto-detected on connect DCbias up to 32 ch RF driver Quad control PSG pulse seq DIO digital IO Controls via MIPS app Drive Freq · Vpp Bias Relays · Tune Monitor ADC readbacks What the researcher sees — one unified interface for all connected hardware CUSTOM CONTROL PANEL — defined by .cfg file, loaded by MIPS app Custom control panel · right-click for options Ion optics RF sources Pulse sequences Scripts MIPS-A DC bias CH 1 200.00 199.89 V CH 2 -200.00 -200.14 V ☑ DC bias enable | Offset 0.00 V MIPS-B DC bias CH 1 -200.00 -200.14 V CH 2 200.00 199.90 V ☑ DC bias enable | Offset 0.00 V RF generator Enable ☑ Drive 20.00 % Freq 1145000 Hz RF+ 479.81 Vpp Power 14.18 W see panels below ▶ Run scan ■ Abort ⚙ Auto-tune RF 💾 Save method MIPS-A connected MIPS-B connected RF Generator connected The researcher sees one panel — MIPS handles all hardware communication transparently Host / app MIPS controller Standalone instrument Plug-in module Custom GUI panel photo placeholder
MIPS App
Multiple Systems, One App

Connect multiple MIPS controllers simultaneously. Each gets a unique name and its modules appear automatically — no configuration needed.

Custom Panels
GUI Built for Your Experiment

Define a control panel in a plain text file. Place voltage sliders, RF controls, status lights, plots, and script buttons exactly where your workflow needs them.

Scripting
JavaScript Automation

Write scripts that run automated scan sequences, respond to trigger events, log data, and control every connected instrument — all from within the MIPS app.

Example Custom Control Panels
Custom control panel
MIPS custom control panel showing 2 RF channels, 24 DC bias channels and ESI control for a mass spectrometry experiment
2 RF · 24 DCbias · 1 ESI
Two RF channels, 24 DC bias outputs, ESI control, digital IO, ADC readback, and timing generation — all in one panel.
Custom control panel
MIPS custom control panel showing 2 RF channels and 16 DC bias channels for Astraea instrument configuration
2 RF · 16 DCbias · Astraea
Two RF channels, 16 DC bias outputs with live readbacks, digital IO, and timing generation — configured for the Astraea instrument.
Each panel is defined by a plain-text configuration file — no programming required. Green values show live hardware readbacks from a running experiment.
Application Examples

MIPS in the Lab

Real systems built for real research. Each configuration is customized to the experiment — from single-module setups to full multi-system integrations.

Complete soft landing research system showing two MIPS controllers in rack below vacuum chambers and ion optics assembly mounted on mobile aluminum extrusion cart
Ion Soft Landing

Complete Soft Landing Research System

This fully integrated soft landing instrument demonstrates the flexibility of the MIPS platform in a complete research system. Two MIPS controllers (MIPS-1 and MIPS-2) are rack-mounted below the instrument, providing unified control of all ion optics, RF ion guides, DC bias voltages, and timing across the entire experiment from a single host application.

The mobile aluminum extrusion cart houses the vacuum chambers, ion optics assembly, and all electronics in a compact, portable footprint — ready to move between lab spaces or ship to a collaborator's facility.

Controllers
2× MIPS Systems
Interface
Single Unified GUI
Platform
Mobile Cart System
Application
Ion Soft Landing
Discuss your application →
More Application Examples Coming
Ion mobility · FAIMS · Quadrupole mass filters · Ion funnels · SLIM separations · Custom OEM integrations
Tell Us About Your Experiment
Global Reach

Deployed Worldwide

MIPS systems and GAACE instruments are running at universities, national laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and instrument manufacturers across 47 locations in 14 countries.

200+
Systems Deployed
16+
Countries
47
Institutions
10+
Years in Service
Hover or tap a pin to see location details. Data shown through invoice #1,035.
How We Work

From Problem
to Solution

Most engagements start with a phone call. We listen to what you're trying to accomplish, then find the fastest, most cost-effective path — often adapting proven designs from our library.

01

Describe Your Need

Call or email with your requirements. First 30 minutes of consultation is always free.

02

We Develop a Quote

We identify how our existing designs can be adapted — keeping development costs low.

03

Build & Test In-House

Circuit design, PCB fabrication, pick-and-place assembly, and full bench testing at our Kennewick facility.

04

Ongoing Support

One-year warranty, free firmware updates, phone support, and full open-source documentation with every system.

⚡
Electronic Design
Analog & digital circuit design, SPICE simulation, PCB layout, prototyping and low-volume production.
🔧
Embedded Software
ARM microcontroller firmware, real-time control software, Python scripting, and MIPS JavaScript automation.
🏭
In-House Fabrication
SMT pick-and-place, reflow oven, 3-axis CNC mill, lathe, drill press, and 3D printing (FDM & resin).
🔬
Mass Spec Expertise
In-house triple TOF and triple quad instruments for development and validation. Deep knowledge of ion optics.
📐
Mechanical Design
3D CAD, bespoke enclosure design, custom panel fabrication, and chassis sourcing from METCASE and others.
🌐
Open Source
All schematics, PCB layouts, firmware, and software available on GitHub. Full documentation with every system.
Our Story

A Family Business
Built for Science

GAA Custom Electronics was founded in 2014 with a simple mission: give the mass spectrometry research community access to high-quality custom electronics at a price that doesn't require a grant committee.

We keep overhead low so researchers get more. By reusing and adapting proven designs, we deliver fast — without sacrificing quality. Over 200 MIPS systems are running worldwide, with customers at universities, national labs, pharmaceutical companies, and instrument manufacturers across the globe.

International customer base — universities, national labs, instrument OEMs
Open-source hardware and software — full design transparency
Eco-friendly assembly using water-based cleaning processes
PCB fabrication via PCBWay, in-house SMT assembly
800 sq ft instrument development laboratory, Kennewick WA
The Team
GA
Gordon Anderson
Founder · Electrical Engineer
Lead engineer responsible for circuit design, embedded software, client relationships, and quote development. Over a decade of mass spectrometry electronics experience.
CA
Christopher Anderson
Mechanical Design
Specializes in mechanical design and CAD. Proficient with FDM and resin 3D printing for custom enclosures and instrument packaging.
MA
Meri Anderson
Administration & Operations
Manages company administration, customer communications, and office operations — keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Resources

Support & Downloads

All documentation is freely available — no login required. Files are updated in place so links never change when new revisions are released.

🛡

One-Year Warranty

All products warranted against defects in workmanship and materials for 12 months from date of sale. Includes free phone support and firmware updates for one year.

Get In Touch

Tell Us About
Your Project

Most projects start with a conversation. Describe what you're trying to accomplish and we'll respond quickly with ideas and pricing. First 30 minutes is always free.

📍
Location
101904 Wiser Pkwy, Suite 105
Kennewick, WA 99338
📞
✉️
🌐
📍 Our facility — Kennewick, WA
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// Request a Quote or More Information

We typically respond within one business day. First 30-minute consultation is free.