Digilent Analog Discovery 2 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Syntax_Error
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 04:21:49 pm
content: http://store.digilentinc.com/analog-discovery-2-100-msps-usb-oscilloscope-logic-analyzer-and-variable-power-supply/I didn't know if anybody noticed Digilent's new revision of the Analog Discovery module. I have the original Analog Discovery (and love it) and although I have not studied the datasheet yet, a cursory glance shows that they improved the power supply to be variable instead of fixed, increased its power output via external power option, and the oscilloscope bandwidth rating is increased to 30MHz, with the function generator being increased to 20MHz. It also supports Linux compatibility with the new software. I'm sure there are other improvements, but these are what I noticed right away.Makes me want one really badly. Honestly, just the 20MHz 14-bit arb gen is worth more than the cost of the unit without discounts. Even though I have the AD, having more logic channels and two additional, faster arb channels would be nice. It would be great if Digilent could patch the software to connect to multiple ADs simultaneously (without opening multiple instances of Waveforms, which is what currently works) and display their results on the same screen, so that for example, four wave gen and four scope traces could be displayed on one (large) screen.

author: ECEdesign
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 05:37:42 pm
content: Sounds cool. I was planning on getting an analog discovery soon and hadn't heard of this new version. Looks like its only $20 more for academic pricing

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 05:55:24 pm
content: When I looked at this recently the only difference to the original Analog Discovery were the variable power supplies.As far as I can see other than that it's largely cosmetic.They have also changed the specs to reflect what you can achieve with the same BNC board that you use on the original.If I didn't already have an AD I'd definitely consider this one, but I'm not sure there's a game changer in it unless those variable user supplies are important to you.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 06:32:50 pm
content: All evidence points to the hardware being the same with the exception of added external power input to allow somewhat better power supply output. Advertised bandwidth differences most likely reflect a marketing decision to use true -3dB figures for advertised bandwidth and not a hardware change. But if you wnat to buy a new one and do a side by side teardown then we'll know for sure

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 06:36:21 pm
content: I've heard that the crosstalk between analog channels, which is quite bad on the first version, is significantly improved. I guess the "hardware" (meaning circuit design) might be the same, but there is at least an improved PCB layout resulting in some improved performance.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 06:48:52 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on January 03, 2016, 06:36:21 pmThat's interesting. I hadn't heard that. It really would be great to see a side by side comparison of the hardware/layout and functiionality. Dave?

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 06:53:40 pm
content: There is Linux software for the original AD. It is (was?) is in beta with new features being continually added. One notable point is that it is scriptable in JavaScript.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 07:19:17 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on January 03, 2016, 06:53:40 pmThe newest softwaresuports windows, OSX, and Linux - including Linux on ARM.

author: 1design
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 09:01:05 pm
content: For that kind of money I would look at something a bit more powerful:http://store.redpitaya.com/red-pitaya-board-35.htmlIt gives you more options to upgrade the FPGA fabric, standalone operation and create way more fun stuff!

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 09:26:44 pm
content: Quote from: 1design on January 03, 2016, 09:01:05 pmI looked long and hard at the RP, but as far as I've been able to figure out from recent marketing including videos, the software isn't a patch on the AD's.I see the RP as great as a serious tinkering toy for people with a lot of time on their hands, but as a genuinely useful piece of test gear to the same level as the AD, not so much I'm afraid.They are in two different markets. The AD is a finished product primarily an introductory piece of integrated test equipment that's easy for an end user to plug in and go. The RP on the other hand isn't as far as I can see, you need to know what to download from an app store, and the software I've seen for it seems very basic, but I apologise if I've misunderstood.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 09:32:29 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on January 03, 2016, 06:36:21 pmIt's not something I've ever particularly noticed, but then again I rarely use it on the bench, it's usually on the move on a long journey somewhere.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2016, 05:17:23 am
content: Our forum member jaxbird is doing some pretty cool things with the 1st gen. the 2nd one should work as well.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/analog-disovery-as-audio-analyzer/