Digilent Analog Discovery 3 announced (June 14 release) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 06:18:59 pm
content: Digilent Analog Discovery 3 announced (June 14 release). No pricing details.-https://digilent.com/shop/analog-discovery-3/Seems like there's not much over the AD2. What am I missing?Maybe there will be a fire sale on AD2?

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 06:23:22 pm
content: Hello,125 MS/s like the Red Pitaya.Best regardsegonotto

author: xtech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 06:33:33 pm
content: Does WaveForms for AD is better than for DD? I've used in the past WaveForms with Digital Discovery and this was really a bad experience. Finally I've sold it because in my opinion it was barely usable. Using behemots like Tek TLA715 was more convenient than WaveForms. Or maybe simplicity of Saleae made me so lazy

author: switchabl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 07:20:52 pm
content: They claim a "larger-than-ever buffer size", unfortunately I couldn't find an actual number. The max. 16kpts per channel is the biggest gripe I have with the old one.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 08:08:05 pm
content: Does not looks like a significant improvement. I assume it is just a continuation with marginal spec bump, probably inspired by the need to update components. Availability of parts has shifted drastically over the years, so they may not be able to source stuff anymore.WaveForms is the same as for DD. For AD I would call it workable, not ideal, but not completely useless. Not enough to sell mine. It is is a useful thing to have in some cases.But I would not use DD, there are far better logic analyzers out there.

author: Anthocyanina
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 08:13:39 pm
content: Quote from: switchabl on May 31, 2023, 07:20:52 pmi was hoping for something along the lines of 1Mpoints, but no, it's only 32k per channel max with the AD3. got that from herehttps://twitter.com/ATaylorFPGA/status/1663932993742815234Quote from: xtech on May 31, 2023, 06:33:33 pmi think the waveforms software is great for the AD2, for things where i don't need to look at high frequency signals or too low level signals i end up using the AD2 over any of my other scopes, and the beta versions are released very regularly and they implement changes suggested by the users very often as well.the AD2 price has been updated to 299$ on their website.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 08:15:51 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on May 31, 2023, 08:08:05 pmI use mine mainly for the pattern generator with programmable output levels, but then I got it cheap used. I wouldn't buy it just for the logic analyzer indeed.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 10:03:41 pm
content: Resellers have the pricing for the AD3 listed:$428.72 -https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/digilent-inc/410-415/19235661$415.34 -https://www.arrow.com/en/products/410-415/digilentLike others, I had some hesitation with buying the Digital Discovery, especially given its age, but recently couldn't resist snagging the $280USD kit on ebay, basically new in box, for about $125USD delivered. I think I mostly bought the AD2 and DD for the educational value. I have more capable devices sitting around.

author: croma641
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 10:33:37 pm
content: From 99€ (AD1 introductory price) to 230€, to more or less 350€ for the AD 2..... I hope that a new open source or similar will be available..

author: switchabl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 10:52:12 pm
content: The bottom of my black AD1 says "Sponsored by Analog Devices, Xilinx". There is no way you could sell something like that for anything close to 100€ if you actually have to pay regular prices for all the parts. The ADALM2000 is slightly cheaper but it is only 12 bits and the software is not nearly as good (open source though).

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 11:21:00 pm
content: The specifications page is irritating.It has a USB "C" connector. That's Great. They don't actually say if it is USB 2 hi-speed or USB 3 , 3.1 or whatever.

author: Weston
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2023, 11:45:52 pm
content: Ouch, that pricing. The AD2 was creeping up in pricing over time too.I think they are cool devices, even if the WaveForms software has some rough spots. I have been having students use the AD2 in some feedback and controls labs I designed and it works pretty well. Due to the differential input channels its actually a very good impedance analyzer, you can measure mOhm range impedance up to the MHz range.I wonder what the edu discount will be, education is their biggest market. They sold a whole lot of AD2s during covid when all the students had to be remote.At a $400+ price point the AD3 (or the AD2) does not seem like a very good value for the money. Once you throw in the added cost of the BNC adapter board and oscilloscope probes the AD3 costs more than entry level DSO from Rigol/Siglent with a built in waveform generator and is not too much cheaper than a entry/edu level scope from Tek/Agilent.

author: Anthocyanina
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2023, 05:43:37 am
content: Quote from: chickenHeadKnob on May 31, 2023, 11:21:00 pmi asked them for more information, and they replied, with regards to USB speed, it will still be USB 2.0sadly, the AD3 seems like a mere incremental improvement over the AD2. They could have gone USB3 and leveraged USB C's power management thing and made the aux power connector unnecessary, but they didn't do either of those things. Another thing they mentioned was that it would still have the same 2 voltage ranges as the AD2, so the only improvements seem to be a faster sample rate, double the sample memory (and single channel can use 64k of memory), slightly higher waveforms per second, and a new case, which i'm not to fond of as i rather enjoy the AD2's translucent case since i like seeing the insides of it.link to their post partially answering my questions:https://forum.digilent.com/topic/25916-analog-discovery-3-information/i just noticed a curious thing, unlike the AD2, the AD3 doesn't have XILINX's logo at the bottom, nor does it have the ADI logo nor the TI logo as recent AD2s do. how curious! does that mean the end of their partnership? at least as far as providing ICs for the AD devices, hmmm!

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2023, 09:44:51 am
content: Quote from: chickenHeadKnob on May 31, 2023, 11:21:00 pmI'd imagine it'll be 480bps hi speed based on what's not said.Interesting they didn't go with Power Delivery, but chose an DC power jack instead, presumably based on the additional BOM cost.I'm sure I'll pick one up in time (I already have 2 x AD2, 1 x AD1 and 1 x DD) as the form factor & software are excellent for both field work and on-the-go hardware development, but the improvements over the AD2 are so marginal I have little incentive to dive in right away.The potential game changers for me would have been: substantially deeper memory, increased sampling rate to 250 if not 500MSa/s, and power supplies to +/-15V.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2023, 05:26:07 pm
content: Power Delivery is fairly widely available on chargers but is it well supported on PCs ? It certainly won't be supported from a USB 3 or 3.1 port which is often the source of a USB C cable.

author: jasonRF
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2023, 05:59:59 pm
content: I have never used any version of an AD, but am interested in seeing the specs of the lock-in amplifier they advertise for this new version.

author: Digilent
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 01, 2023, 06:11:51 pm
content: Hi! Digilent here. Thanks for discussing our humble new product! We wanted to drop in to clear up pricing questions: it will retail on our site for $379 (cheaper than AD2), and available to academia for $279.We've updated the page with this information, since you all aren't the first to want it!

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2023, 04:59:33 am
content: Hello,It would be fine if there were more than two levels of sensitivity.Best regardsegonotto

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2023, 07:04:28 am
content: Quote from: egonotto on June 02, 2023, 04:59:33 amAgree..It still has toy front end, max of only 32kS of memory. It should be max 200-250 USD retail and 100-120 USD academic.It is a didactic toy.. No doubt useful but too expensive for what it is...$379 buys you professional entry level standalone scope these days..

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2023, 08:34:12 am
content: Hello,They (AD, AD2) have an input divider that reduces the input voltage to a factor of 22/104 = 0.211 in the most sensitive area. This protects the input, but increases the noise. I would prefer a bigger factor.Best regardsegonotto

author: jasonRF
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2023, 12:17:36 pm
content: Quote from: Weston on May 31, 2023, 11:45:52 pmIn the US the AD2 often sold for $419 including the BNC adapter and two probes, and it looks like the AD3 will be about the same. Can you tell me which Rigol/Siglent models have built-in waveform generators and cost less?In any case, I think the AD2/AD3 compete more against other USB scopes than against traditional bench gear. And in that market I think the AD3 pricing isn't bad considering it is in the category of 'nice' USB scopes that work as advertised and have reasonable software with a lot of features. The closest 'nice' device in terms of performance that I am aware of is the picoscope 2205a MSO which sells for $539. It has 2 analog and 16 digital channels, nominally 25 MHz bandwidth, 48 kSamples shared memory, and can use all channels simultaneously at 250 MS/s (500 MS/s with only 1 analog or 8 digital channels). It does have a proper front-end with 4 mV/div sensitivity, and with an 8-bit ADC that makes it twice as sensitive as the AD. But the single-channel 1 MHz function generator (+/-2V, 600 Ohm output impedance) is way wimpier than the AD, it doesn't have true differential inputs if/when you want them, no pattern generator, and no power supply.Do I wish the AD3 was cheaper? Yes! But I think it is priced competitively.jason

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2023, 05:51:49 pm
content: Actually, the AD2 frequently could be bought direct from Digilent with $200 off if you buy a development board, of which a common choice was about $100. So that would be $299 for the base kit. (It currently is being listed for $299 as well.) Then they also have offered 10% off coupons for signing up to their newsletter. Finally, they offer student pricing, which you really just need access to a school/university e-mail address to access that. So add it all up and the AD2 was quite a bit less.

author: Nominal Animal
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2023, 05:24:17 am
content: Quote from: Anthocyanina on June 01, 2023, 05:43:37 amSad. I was hoping it would be USB 3, so it could stream the ADC data at 14 bits, 125 MS/s (2 Gbit/s + USB overhead), continuously.Many/most Windows machines probably can't handle that kind of USB bandwidth (in an userspace application), but who cares?

author: David Aurora
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2023, 08:36:23 am
content: Quote from: jasonRF on June 02, 2023, 12:17:36 pmThe issue with the Picoscope alternative has always been the half assed software. Diligent absolutely crushes them on that. I don't know why both companies are so locked into only working on half of the system each. Picoscope T&M 7 could have been a game changer, but after the eternity it took for a "stable" release it wasn't even stable. And at the other end- Diligent could have simply banged on a couple BNCs, done something about the input ranges and made the AD3 an absolute cracker... but they didn't.I really don't know what either of them are thinking with a lot of this stuff.

author: Anthocyanina
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2023, 01:44:13 am
content: Quote from: David Aurora on June 03, 2023, 08:36:23 ami don't know about Picoscope, but yeah, on Digilent's side, i wouldn't say BNCs would be super important, particularly at the bandwidth offered by the AD3, but even one extra voltage range, a 1vpp full scale range would have made it much more appealing. too late to call this one an AD2.5, lose some money, spend a few months updating the front end to support an extra voltage range, then release a 3 voltage range AD3 at the 400$ the AD2 used to cost lately? of course it's too latebut one can dream

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2023, 01:26:07 pm
content: Quote from: David Aurora on June 03, 2023, 08:36:23 amI concur.I bought a Picoscope 2206B MSO a few months ago as it deals with some of the AD/AD2 hardware shortcomings such as lack of deep memory, limited sample rate and the BNC thing you mentioned.The Picoscope software is positively primitive compare the Digilent's Waveforms, and the version 7 of Picoscope's software left me with a blank waveform windows on some of my PCs with Intel Iris iGPUs. After a handful of goes using it, the Picoscope's sitting in a drawer now.To me, it's as if the Picoscope software development team have limited if any EE input: it's tail-wagging-the-dog software.

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2023, 10:34:04 pm
content: Hello,I can't find a store in Germany where a private person can buy the Analog Discovery 3.Best regardsegonotto

author: guenthert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2023, 11:39:43 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on June 02, 2023, 07:04:28 amIt is clearly meant for the educational market. It is both more and less than an entry level scope. It (using the WaveForms software) offers a signal analyzer functionality (up to ~50MHz) with a dynamic range which is much more usable than the 'FFT' (check-mark) functionality of entry level DSOs. Otoh, I got the impression that the trigger is more dependable on my Rigol 1054Z, so if you're hunting down a fault, you'd prefer that. If I could keep only one, I'd keep the AD.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2023, 01:03:23 am
content: Quote from: egonotto on June 14, 2023, 10:34:04 pmCan you not order it direct from Digilent or from Digikey?

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2023, 01:02:58 pm
content: Hello,no Digikey only sells to companies.If I were to buy from Digilent, I might have to collect the goods from customs. I am not able to do that for health reasons.Best regardsegonotto

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2023, 01:13:05 pm
content: Quote from: guenthert on June 14, 2023, 11:39:43 pmI agree with your analysis but I would keep the DS1000Z. It is real scope despite its shortcomings.Before (this price hike up) I was of the opinion that you could combine a small but real scope (DS1000Z, Miscig, SDS1000X-E) and AD2 and have very nice set of capabilities for not too much money....Of course AD3 is better than no scope, but you can get real scope for that money now...Ehhh... we are all different, aren't we....Best,

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2023, 03:09:08 pm
content: Quote from: egonotto on June 15, 2023, 01:02:58 pmYou can buy them on Farnell, etc.https://www.newark.com/b/digilent?ost=digilent&rd=digilent

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2023, 04:15:40 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 15, 2023, 03:09:08 pm24. Business CustomersThe Company is a business to business supplier. The Catalogue and any specialogues and other product brochures produced by the Company are intended for use by business customers and not consumers. By ordering, the Customer confirms that he, she or it wishes to obtain the Supplies for the purposes of his, her or its business and not as a consumer.

author: switchabl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2023, 06:00:23 pm
content: Quote from: egonotto on June 15, 2023, 01:02:58 pmI haven't had any trouble ordering from Digikey for personal use (Farnell is a different story). They don't have any in stock yet though.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2023, 06:59:26 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on June 15, 2023, 04:15:40 pmSurely you must knowsomebodywho could order one for you...

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2023, 07:01:10 pm
content: Full Digilent distributor list:https://digilent.com/shop/distributors/Germany:https://www.distrelec.de(site is offline currently?)https://de.farnell.com(already mentioned)https://www.reichelt.de(has Digilent products for sale, AD3 not listed currently)https://www.trenz-electronic.de(has it listed for sale, no stock yet:https://shop.trenz-electronic.de/de/33704-Analog-Discovery-3)

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2023, 09:16:59 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 15, 2023, 06:59:26 pmI am a business customer.... Just saying, for those that are not.....

author: Anthocyanina
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2023, 09:51:21 pm
content: but isn't the analog discovery series aimed at students and hobbyists more than businesses? if they sold only to businesses, why would digilent have chosen them as distributors for the AD series? has anyone bought stuff from them as not-a-business?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2023, 01:07:13 am
content: Quote from: Anthocyanina on June 15, 2023, 09:51:21 pmI think the main target is education.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2023, 06:14:14 am
content: Zero issues here with ordering direct from Digilent, or any other reseller (Digikey, Mouser, Newark/Avnet/Farnell, etc.). Based on what I've seen from other threads, issues are primarily due to import taxes/fees/restrictions of the destination country.Digilent has been great to work with. I was able to get a student discount, plus stack the additional 10% discount, and to top it off I got free expedited shipping from Taiwan.

author: Antonio90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2023, 11:01:32 am
content: Germany and Austria can get it from Trenz. They also have good prices, but won't sell academic articles outside of Germany. I guess they don't have a way to verify the status.Sadly, none of the spanish distributors have educational pricing, AFAIK, and I just got a quote in one of them for well over 500 USD.I recall getting in touch with National Instruments, which were able to supply the AD2 with academic discount, but I don't know if that is still the case.I might buy another AD2 second hand. They have implemented a "dual mode" in Waveforms which allows to sync two devices via the trigger lines, and that could make do for a 4-channel scope.

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2023, 12:13:13 pm
content: Hello,Antonio90: "Germany and Austria can get it from Trenz. They also have good prices, but won't sell academic articles outside of Germany. I guess they don't have a way to verify the status."They check whether you are enrolled in a university.Antonio90: "They have implemented a "dual mode" in Waveforms which allows to sync two devices via the trigger lines, and that could make do for a 4-channel scope."Is this new or the old "Cross Triggering between Devices" with more instances of WaveForms?Has anyone tried the new LockIn function? I still have problems with it.Best regardsegonotto

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2023, 01:25:53 pm
content: Quote from: Antonio90 on June 16, 2023, 11:01:32 amI got mine direct from NI in Spain. The contact info was listed in the "Buy one" button on the Digilent web site.

author: Antonio90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2023, 03:04:12 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 16, 2023, 01:25:53 pmYeah, you actually got a rather good price if I remember correctly. I will contact them asking for a quote.Quote from: egonotto on June 16, 2023, 12:13:13 pmHi, yes, I meant they probably don't have a way to reliably check with a foreign university, and that's why academic pricing is only offered locally.As per the dual mode, I think it's based on the same cross triggering, but implemented in a single waveforms instance:"WaveForms also now introduces Dual mode for all devices. [...] Previously, you had to pull up a second instance of WaveForms, assign the second ADP3450 to that instance, then individually configure the instruments on each device to properly send and receive triggers, all so you could cross compare separate sets of data together afterwards. With dual mode, the hassle is taken away; simply choose your first device, then select your dual second identical device, connect the trigger lines as instructed by WaveForms, and enjoy a unified single view of the two Test and Measurement devices working in tandem."

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2023, 08:56:34 pm
content: Hello,now i found the new dual mode. It works not with an Analog Discovery and an Analog Discovery 2 only with two Analog Discovery or two Analog Discovery 2 (or two Analog Discovery 3?)If I have time I will try it.Digilent held a webinar, "Exploring the Features of the Analog Discovery 3!" on July 11, 2023 at 9:30AM (PT)Best regardsegonotto

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 30, 2023, 09:11:37 am
content: Teardown photos:https://www.flickr.com/photos/eevblog/albums/72177720309434350

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2023, 01:09:26 pm
content: Any idea what's underneath the long can along the edge of the PCB? The AD2 doesn't have a similar characteristic.

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2023, 02:31:25 pm
content: Hello,to the right of the USB C socket, is this a card reader? According to Digilent's picture, there should be a 5 V DC socket here.Best regardsegonotto

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2023, 03:31:31 pm
content: Quote from: egonotto on June 30, 2023, 02:31:25 pmIt is a shielded power socket. The shield is for mechanical mounting. It appears to be the same exact one as on the AD2.The shield may be for the clock generator. AD2 also had one, but it was tiny. It was located next to the ADC.AD3 is also missing audio jack.

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2023, 03:28:55 am
content: Hello,two Analog Discovery 3 can synchronize the clock.And the power supplies are programmable and can be used as a waveform generator with at least 2,5 Hz.Best regardsegonotto

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2023, 04:27:08 pm
content: Hello,the Analog Discovery 3 needs quite a lot of electricity (about 600 mA). If it is not enough, but Waveforms is still running, it is possible that nasty spikes occur in the scope every 10 ms.Best regardsegonotto

author: Veteran68
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2023, 08:15:48 pm
content: Quote from: egonotto on June 15, 2023, 01:02:58 pmSince when? I've ordered from Digikey as an individual, the last time in November of last year when I ordered a handful of IC's totaling about $20. Never had an issue ordering as an individual/consumer/hobbyist.

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2023, 09:54:30 pm
content: Quote from: Veteran68 on July 07, 2023, 08:15:48 pmHello,I guess I was wrong.But I ordered from Trenz. I got an Analog Discovery 3 today. It's bigger and heavier than the Analog Discovery. Using USB-C to USB-C cables isn't that good.Best regardsegonotto

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2023, 01:17:26 am
content: Hello,Dave made a good video about the AD3.EEVblog 1552 - Digilent Analog Discovery 3Best regardsegonotto

author: Anthocyanina
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2023, 02:51:50 am
content: Quote from: egonotto on July 08, 2023, 01:17:26 amit was a lot more about waveforms itself than AD3 specific, still showed a bit of the differences between the AD2 and 3, but it would be nice to see how they actually compare, because software-side, they have basically the same features, but no information about things like the noise floor difference with that new frontend, or waveform update rate, or how it does in spectrum analyser having that extra sampling rate, or anything else that would be good to know

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2023, 02:51:48 pm
content: Hello,Nothing has improved in terms of noise. Unfortunately, I don't know yet how to set 15 and 16 bits on the AD3.Best regardsegonotto

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2023, 03:13:18 pm
content: Hello,FFT.Best regardsegonotto

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2023, 05:31:57 pm
content: Hello,If the USB-C line does not allow enough power, you have a problem.The inputs are short-circuited.Best regardsegonotto

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2023, 08:25:32 pm
content: Hello,a sweep from 10 MHz to 31,25 MHz if I remember right and 31,25 MHz sine.For the sweep I have a RL series connection, however, there are probably other determining dirt effects. L = 1 uH.Channel 1 = voltage at R and channel 2 = voltage at L.Best regardsegonotto

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2023, 08:34:44 pm
content: Hello,The same RL series connection excited with 5 MHz square waveBest regardsegonotto

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2023, 11:50:05 pm
content: Hello,I modified a program from Peter (PeDre) to determine histogram and RMS and peak peak for AD3 noise in record mode with 500 MSamples and 500 mV/div.If I remember correctly, the sampling rate was about 7 MSamples/s.Since I am not familiar with Matlab, my changes are certainly quite bumbling.Best regardsegonotto

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2023, 03:04:35 pm
content: Hello,4 channel AD3! (dual mode)Best regardsegonotto

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2023, 10:18:45 am
content: This video goes into more detail why the AD3 was made:This URL skips the somewhat slow start:https://youtu.be/RcCWfzpuDcA?t=547

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2023, 11:02:51 am
content: Here is a transcript of the Q&A from the webinar:https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-measurement/analog-discovery-3/webinar-q-and-a

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2023, 10:42:54 pm
content: One interesting thing: the reasons for moving from Analog Devices to TI parts in the AD2 are now stated rather than being guesswork.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2023, 10:08:27 pm
content: Quote from: mwb1100 on July 17, 2023, 10:42:54 pmFor anyone who doesn't want to watch the video:- Digilent "had really good pricing from analog devices", but that ended ~2020- 16k to 32k buffer size increase, smoother waveform interaction- spartan 7 more compute power, sounds like it will get more use in the future

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2023, 10:46:57 pm
content: The bad part is that AD2 will not be made anymore. So, this minor increase in functionality is used to justify jacking up the price. Schools probably won't care, but for hobby the new price is hard to justify.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2023, 11:29:58 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on July 18, 2023, 10:46:57 pmXilinx(AMD) announced the Spartan 6 was being discontinued and as already mentioned the deal with Analog Devices ended and they had to switch to Texas Instruments for some other components. So the AD3 was specifically made to be able to continue selling the product and to keep pricing down.From my research the price of the AD2 from about 2016 to now has been $299 which counting for inflation is almost the same as the $379 launch price of the AD3. So in reality, there is no price increase, which is pretty good considering the last few years.

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2023, 12:32:19 am
content: Hello,You can overclock AD3.Best regardsegonotto

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2023, 02:56:20 pm
content: Hello,AD3 now has relays to switch the input sensitivity.Best regardsegonotto

author: asmi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2023, 06:23:54 pm
content: Quote from: J-R on July 18, 2023, 11:29:58 pmhttps://www.xilinx.com/products/silicon-devices/fpga.htmlQuote

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2023, 07:21:51 pm
content: https://community.element14.com/technologies/fpga-group/b/blog/posts/moving-from-spartan-6-to-spartan-7-a-high-level-review

author: Nominal Animal
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2023, 09:55:03 pm
content: Quote from: J-R on September 21, 2023, 07:21:51 pmRough summary: Not discontinued, but because of supply chain issues et cetera, Spartan 7 production is prioritized over Spartan 6, with migration from 6 to 7 encouraged.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2023, 02:36:03 am
content: https://community.amd.com/t5/adaptive-computing/amd-extends-spartan-6-product-lifecycle-through-at-least-2030/ba-p/610178"...building on the success of our recent extensions to AMD 7 Series device longevity, AMD is excited to formally announce that support for Spartan 6 FPGAs is being extended through at least 2030."So it seems AMD told their customers that the Spartan 6 was going EOL, but then on June 1st, 2023, changed their mind and decided to formally extend support.

author: asmi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2023, 02:08:11 am
content: Quote from: J-R on September 22, 2023, 02:36:03 amIt wasn't the first time they've tried that. They wanted to do the same with 7 series devices, but their problem is that there is no replacement for lower cost SKUs of Artix-7 and Spartan-7 - and I mean real low cost, not their "Cost optimized" BS, when they call $600 parts "low cost". Xilinx have been pushing customers towards their US/US+ lines, but customers by and large are not buying this as they can count $$$ as well as Xilinx can, but Xilinx is too used to defence/space/comms clients with blank cheques who don't care about the price of parts.

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2023, 06:13:21 am
content: Hello,I did the curvetracer function with a BF245B with the AD2 and the AD3 with the otherwise same setup. The result is slightly different. However, I have not checked whether my breadboard construction is perhaps too wobbly.Best regardsegonotto

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2023, 01:02:01 am
content: Hello,"I did the curvetracer function with a BF245B with the AD2 and the AD3 with the otherwise same setup."Now the same with an AD. I still have to investigate why there are differences.Best regardsegonotto

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2023, 09:55:09 pm
content: Hello,in the new WaveForms 3.21.2 the dual mode has been improved. Now you have a 4 channel logger.There is also a 4 channel scope and a 32 channel logic analyzer. With two AD 3 you also have a synchronization of both devices.Best regardsegonotto