Digilent Analog Discovery Studio Max: Portable Electronics Trainer Kit

Analog Discovery Studio Max: electronics trainer kit

Digilent has come out with the Analog Discovery Studio Max (ADS Max), an all-in-one portable electronics training kit with four breadboards envisioned for academic and engineering experiments. It is designed for both classroom and remote learning, combining the capability of 14 essential test equipment into one, making it perfect for circuit design, signal analysis, and embedded systems instruction.

The instruments encompass an oscilloscope, a waveform generator, logic and spectrum analyzers, a digital multimeter (DMM), programmable and static power supplies, and a protocol analyzer. It includes a 100 MS/s, 14-bit oscilloscope, ±15V power supplies, 16 digital I/O channels, and the WaveForms SDK, making it a comprehensive learning and experimentation environment. One of the ADS Max’s distinguishing qualities is its ability to enable continuous circuit prototyping. Furthermore, the ADS Max is part of a larger ecosystem of devices, which includes the Canvas Max.

Analog Discovery Studio Max Top View

Digilent Analog Discovery Studio Max Specifications:

• Core Instruments:
  • Oscilloscope:
    • 4x single-ended BNC channels with a resolution of 14 bits (16 bits with averaging)
    • 50 MHz @ -3 dB bandwidth, ±25 V input range (50 V p-p max).
    • 1 MΩ ‖ 15 pF input impedance, 100 MS/s per channel
    • ±50 V DC or ±30 V RMS overvoltage protection
    • DC/AC coupling, 200 µV/div – 5 V/div
  • Arbitrary Waveform Generator:
    • 2x BNC channels, ±10 V output, 14-bit resolution
    • 15 MHz bandwidth with –3 dB, 100 MS/s sample rate
    • DC offset ±10 V, 30 mA max drive current
    • Supports sine, square, ramp, AM/FM modulation, and custom waveforms
  • Logic Analyzer:
    • 16x configurable 3.3 V CMOS I/O (5 V tolerant)
    • Up to 100 MS/s per channel
    • Supports SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, I²S, SWD, JTAG, 1-Wire, etc.
    • A further 8 DIO pins are available via Canvas (add-on)
  • Pattern Generator:
    • Provide up to 100 MS/s sample rate DIO pins
    • Generates clocks, counters, ROM logic, random patterns, and custom digital data
  • Digital Multimeter (DMM):
    • 4½-digit resolution
    • DC voltage range: 50 mV – 50 V (0.1 – 0.2 % accuracy)
    • AC RMS voltage range: 50 mV RMS – 30 V RMS (0.1 – 0.2 % accuracy, frequency range: 40 Hz – 8 kHz)
    • Max. 2 A DC/AC current with 0.1 % accuracy
    • Resistance range: 50 Ω – 50 MΩ (0.1 – 1 % accuracy)
    • Diode and continuity test capability
  • IV/ Impedance Analyzer:
    • Voltage sweep: ±10 V, current range: ±30 mA
    • Frequency range: 1 Hz – 15 MHz
    • Capacitance range: 50 pF – 500 µF
    • Inductance range: 10 µH – 100 mH
    • Diode and transistor tracing (NPN/PNP/FETs)
  • Spectrum / Network / Protocol Analyzers:
    • Spectrum analyzer with 0 Hz – 50 MHz range, FFT, and CZT modes
    • Network analyzer with frequency range of 20 µHz – 10 MHz
    • Impedance analyzer with 20 µHz – 10 MHz range, multiple plot modes
    • SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, CEC, SWD, AVR protocol analyzer
• USB:
  • USB 2.0 Type-C (host + device modes)
  • Integrated USB hub for Canvas and external devices (900 mA output)
  • The USB data pins and VBUS pins are connected to the PCI connector pins for use of the Canvas
• Expansion: PCI connector for the canvas add-on boards
• Misc:
  • Canvas Max is supported with 4x breadboards, Pmod ports, switches, buttons, and LEDs
  • External Trigger I/O with 10 ns resolution
  • Cross-triggering support for both analog and digital channels
• Power:
  • Input power (supplied adapter) +19 V DC, 4.74 A
  • 2x variable rails with +1 V to +15 V / –1 V to –15 V, ±500 mA max
  • 4x fixed rails with +15 V (500 mA), –15 V (500 mA), +5 V (2 A), +3.3 V (310 mA)
  • To meet proper regulation, input ripple is less than 150 mV p-p (20 MHz BW), short-circuit protected
  • Consumption: to max 76 W, typical 20 W
• Temperature:
  • Operating: 10 °C – 35 °C
  • Storage: –20 °C – 70 °C
• Humidity: 10% – 90% (non-condensing), Altitude ≤ 5000 m
• Maximum Altitude: 5000 m
• Dimensions: 390.9 x 266.8 x 55.1 mm (L x W x H)
• Weight: 2.86 kg (base unit), 3.49 kg with Canvas Max
• Certifications: CE / KC EMC Certified, Environmental & Safety Compliant

Analog Discovery Studio Max electronics trainer kit Ports

In addition to being sold individually, the Analog Discovery Studio Max also pertains to the Analog Discovery Studio Canvas Max. With four breadboards, power connectors, buttons, LEDs, and I/O ports, the Canvas Max serves as the primary board for circuit construction and testing. It can be purchased autonomously for use with different canvas boards or as a substitution.

1. Static Power Supply LED indicators, 2. BNC and Banana jacks, 3. Audio In and Out Connectors, 4. User buttons, switches, and LEDs,
5. Terminal block and Test Point headers, 6. Two Pmod Host ports.
7. Breadboard contact points for all of the surrounding user I/O, 8. Eight additional DIO pins for the Logic Analyzer and Pattern Generator, 9. Four full sized breadboards.

Digilent’s WaveForms software for Windows, macOS, and Linux fully supports the ADS Max electronics trainer kit, encompassing tools like a logic analyzer, oscilloscope, and waveform generator. Additionally, the firm offers the WaveForms SDK, which enables customers to operate the device with Visual Basic, C/C++, Python, or C#. Lastly, the LabVIEW WaveForms Toolkit makes it simple to integrate LabVIEW technologies for data collection and analysis as well. Additional information can be gathered from the company’s resource center page.

Digilent’s WaveForms software

Analog Discovery Studio Max can be purchased directly from the Digilent store for $2,115.00. The Analog Discovery Studio Canvas Max is also sold standalone for $200 as a replacement or add-on board for the Analog Discovery Studio Max system. Regional power cords (US, EU, UK) and optional probe or cable kits are sold separately.

Images used courtesy of Digilent