Can you design an educational engeering lab for $2000, $1000, $500, $200 ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 06:17:13 am
content: Basic needs:- oscilloscope- power supply- signal generatorCornell University lab has thisTek TDS1002 oscilloscope $1000B&K 4040a signal generator $481Agilent E3630A DC Power Supply $495STK500 AVR Starter Kit $86Custom PCB breakout board $priceless~ $2000 for their setupWhat if a school could afford only $1000 for- oscilloscope- power supply- signal generatorCan you recommend anything?What if $500 for the same thing? Could you put together something?Now how about $200 - Is this even possible? I think it is possible but I am unable to do so.thank you for your time and consideration

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 06:37:37 am
content: I've seen you post this video in about four threads now. I'm curious to know why you're so interested?Are you building a lab for a school?

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 07:13:37 am
content: I posted in your other thread.This thread might be of interested if you are looking to build a class lab.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/lots-of-rigol!/

author: alexanderbrevig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 07:23:28 am
content: I think you must enclose in url tags for the link to work (including the /, the forum does not like ! in urls)https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/lots-of-rigol!/EDIT: I'm curious to know how these things workGlobal Specialties PB-507for learning.

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 08:00:50 am
content: If you wanted to work through a text book for basic electronics (you know, the 500 page text book that goes from zero to opamps, simple rf, simple power supplies, didital logic, passing through MOSFETs and BJTs on the way) the I suggest you consider a. Digilent Electronics Explorer board.http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,842,883&Prod=EEBOARDesp if you can get it with educational pricing ($330) .I use mine with a Cubieboard (much like a Raspberry Pi), a 22" monitor and a wireless keyboard+mouse, but it works just fine with a low end laptop too.Low-spec 4ch scope, 2ch signal generator, multi-channel logic analyser, logic source, adjustable +/-9V PSUs + another PSU for digital VCC, meters, graphs, low freq spectrum analyser, Network analyser, Bode plots, and a breadboard all in about the same space as a text book.It is a very nice all-in-one package for experimenting with on a small desk.

author: rs20
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 08:03:21 am
content: Replacing the Tek TDS1002 with a Rigol DS1054Z (or two) would be a good start.

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 09:04:07 am
content: Based on another thread, you are looking for the least expensive kit you can put together that you can experiment with and learn very basic electronics. Here's a $100 bundle of random things that would allow quite a bit of experimenting and learning, with the aid of a good book. Now all of this is 'junk' but professional standards, but you could have some fun with it. You would want to buy one and evaluate them for yourself....A US$14.94 multimeter - (yeah don't measure the mains with it!):http://www.dx.com/p/nt-dt-9205a-3-lcd-digital-multimeter-black-orange-1-x-9v-g6f22s-259521Randomly selected component kit: ($22.99):http://www.dx.com/p/workshop-component-basic-element-pack-set-kit-case-for-starter-beginner-multicolored-193414Breadboard plus 5V /3.3V power supply ($2.24):http://www.dx.com/p/3-3v-5v-power-supply-module-for-mb102-breadboard-black-154872Very low-end (toy) Oscilloscope: ($55.59):http://www.dx.com/p/dso112-color-2-4-lcd-touch-screen-portable-2mhz-oscilloscope-without-battery-389066(Or even cheaper if you have a PC available: ($41.11)http://www.dx.com/p/usb-oscilloscope-and-logic-analyzer-93518)Side cutters: ($4.24)http://www.dx.com/p/wire-side-cutter-diagonal-cutting-pliers-121992And use a locally found DC wall-wart power supplyOT: Humm, this looks like an interesting way to waste a Saturday-http://www.dx.com/p/diy-dso138-digital-oscilloscope-kit-electronic-learning-kit-black-red-383995

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 09:09:14 am
content: Probably no good for a degree level course (well not the full 3/4 years) but anEmbedded Artists Labtoolcould be a good starting point for lower levels. Especially at 99 euros (about £75 or $115 US)QuoteAnd with it being an add on for the included LPC-Link 2 it's also a decent little devboard and debugger.

author: TheElectricChicken
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 09:13:48 am
content: A good Teacher, a collection of screwdrivers, and a tree to sit under. Students can find discarded equipment and bring it in.Then to spurge,side-cuttersplierssoldering irons and solder.and you're done. They can make the rest with a good teacher.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 10:16:15 am
content: Quote from: ez24 on August 25, 2015, 06:17:13 amThat is a preatty bad setup. I think I've worked with a HP 54000 series scope, Agilent 3320 or so signal generator, several boards, including Spartan 3, 8051, ARM7TDMI and so on, lots of cables, Wayne Kerr 6000 series LRC meter, bunch of RF boards and Agilent spectrum analiser (I think that one alone breaks the budget 10 times) and logic analyzers.The total price is like 50 times more than what you described. OK this was scattered around 5 labswith different thematics, but all had a scope for example.I mean one of the purpose of a university is to teach you how to use these tools, and that the tools actually exist, and give you a good example of the possibilities and limitations. Not to mention I would rather not see chinatek instruments at universities, only top brands.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 04:51:22 pm
content: QuoteThinking about it for 3rd world schools if I could get to the $200 level and find a school. Trying to find a school in Chile or Uruguay. Just picked two countries that are reasonably friendly to US citizens in case I go there someday. Open to any country if I could find an educator that is interested.

author: TheElectricChicken
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 07:19:44 pm
content: I didn't see one straight off, but searchinghttp://www.kiva.orgmay find one.

author: TheElectricChicken
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 07:27:14 pm
content: Oh here is one, a teacher for physicshttp://www.kiva.org/lend/928705at the time of writing, this one is 44% funded.courtesy Kiva.orgQuote

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2015, 07:36:04 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on August 25, 2015, 06:17:13 amI bet they got the Tek TDS1002 and STK500 for (almost) free and a hefty discount on the other gear.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2015, 03:11:05 am
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/lots-of-rigol!/DSA815-TG (spectrum-analyzer) = $1500DP832 (power supply) = 450DG1022 (function generator) = 400DM3058E (multimeter) = 470Looks like a community college has better stuff than Cornell - over the 2k limitI wondered what CC would havethanks================================I'm curious to know how these things work Global Specialties PB-507 for learning.-- seems like these are too expensive for what they are. Also in a classroom, the students would have to tear apart their project if other students need to use it. Notice in the video only one is in use.==========================================QuoteInteresting I am trying to figure out "whats in the box" ie how much is software and how much is hardware. Lots to study here -- thanksQuoteIs there any chance that you could post a picture of it in use?thanks===============================QuoteI agree about a 600 reductionthanks=============================hamster_nzYou and I think the same. First question what is dx.com ? Is it another Aliexpress?I need to go through all your links one at a time.Regarding the DSO112, I got one and was lucky to get it from Singapore so I got one with a battery. I really like it. I ran it through all the settings and compared them to my Rigol 1054 and all waveforms and measurements are dead on. I believe it was very accurate to 5 megs. I need to start taking notes, I am forgetting these things.This is my choice for my $200 lab. I do not mention it here because low cost scopes are looked down on by people who do not use them. I wish people would not use the term "toy". I believe this has a use in a real lab for schools that cannot afford $2000 lab stations.There is bad marketing on this because of the battery problems (cannot airmail it)Nice component kit.QuoteI am going to use a laptop power supply but now I think I should have that version and one with a wall wart. What voltage wall wart were you thinking of?QuoteI also have one of these kits, but I like the DSO112 so much, this one is on the back burner.thanks======================================================Quotewill take a look at thisthanks==================================QuoteBoy - the first time I read this - this is what I thought it said:Give some kids some tools and let them out at night to find something to work on !I had to re-read this. And this is not a bad idea.thanks----------------------------------------QuoteI need to spend some time here. I think this could be useful for me.thanks===========================QuoteJust to see how this works - I paid $25. Kiva charged $3.75 so the total was $28.75. The payment goes through Paypal and was charged. Now I have to see what happens.I have heard of micro loans before but this is the first time I have seen one. Are there other micro loan sites?thanks--------------------------------QuoteActually I think any equipment for a school will get a discount. I even got a PM from a company offering me an educational discount. But it was in the $1,000s (after discount)===================================Boy I thought I lost this - I better hit POST

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2015, 03:32:35 am
content: Quote from: TheElectricChicken on August 25, 2015, 09:13:48 amI agree with your answer, But I would add a low cost DMM, some small wrenches,nut drivers.

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2015, 06:14:38 am
content: You dont need much if your teaching basic electronics.Passives, transistors, leds on a breadboard.You dont want junk test equipment, because that stuff will get abused. Needs to have protection from student abuse.If you are teaching microcontroller, arduino hardware is good since it has programmer built in.

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2015, 12:53:39 am
content: Get in contact with Tek, Rigol, Keysight, etc. and lay out your proposal. They might be interested in donating new or refurbished gear. (Tek was very good to me when I was writing a book and gave me $$$$ worth of brand new gear. I didn't have any special contacts or anything, I just got in touch with their PR department.)Sent from my Tablet