In this episode Shahriar reviews the Analog Discovery Pro 3000 Series, particular the ADP3450 model. The instrument offers a combination of mixed signal oscilloscope and dual-channel arbitrary waveform generator. The WaveForms free software can be used to perform a wide range of measurements. You can find more information about this product at:

https://digilent.com/shop/analog-discovery-pro-3000-series-portable-high-resolution-mixed-signal-oscilloscopes/

Build an analog theremin using only the Analog Discovery 2, the Digilent Analog Parts Kit, and your choice of an empty beverage can!

Mouser is now stocking the Digital Discovery module from Digilent. This pocket-sized, high-performance device combines a logic analyzer and built-in pattern generator in a single instrument. The Digital Discovery provides designers a suite of advanced features to debug, visualize and simulate digital signals for a broad array of embedded projects. The small form factor of this module facilitates easy storage, and its robust exterior design helps it to withstand a variety of environments.

The device evaluates the Xilinx XC6SLX25-2 FPGA. In addition to the 16-channel pattern generator and 32-channel digital logic analyzer, the module includes a protocol analyzer for reading and writing SPI, UART and I2C and virtual I/O for debugging projects.

The module offers the flexibility to customize design specifications to a specific project, enabling designers to choose 200MS/s with up to 32 inputs or — using the high speed adapter — 400MS/s with up to 16 inputs, or 800MS/s with up to eight inputs.

The Digilent Design Contest is an international student hardware design competition open to all students who are passionate about electronics, digital design and electrical engineering in general. The competition gives students the opportunity to showcase and improve their technical and creative skills and face new challenges in developing projects using the latest technologies.

Digilent Design Contest Europe Region has reached its 13th Edition, with a rich history behind, many interesting and cool projects along the years, many smart and competitive participants, as well as appreciated advisers and targets students from all over Europe. It is held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, in May 2017.

Let’s get one thing out of the way up front. This thing isn’t cheap ($279, list price). You have to look at it from the standpoint of value. You are getting a lot of instruments in one and — unlike some others — you can use them (mostly) at the same time.

The reason this surprised me is the scope is pretty capable (see below) which means you really want a good set of probes on it. They do sell a $20 board that has BNC connectors on it

The Specs

The scope can do 100 megasamples per second and uses a 14-bit A/D. If you have the BNC connectors, you can get 30MHz. The inputs are actually differential (although the device isn’t ground isolated). The waveform generator can go to 12MHz.

The Analog System Lab Kit PRO (ASLK PRO) provides students exposure to the fascinating world of analog and mixed-signal processing. The kit comes with 14 step-by-step experiments and the course can be adapted for an undergraduate or postgraduate curriculum. As part of the lab course, students will build analog systems using analog ICs and study their macro models, characteristics and limitations.

TI University Program will donate up to 10 ASLK PRO boards per university.