The Analog Discovery Studio equipped with 13 test and measurement instruments providing the functionality of an entire benchtop worth of equipment in one device.
The Oscilloscope, Waveform Generator, Logic Analyzer, Protocol Analyzer, Spectrum Analyzer, Power Supplies and more provide a device that can become a pop-up
electronics laboratory anywhere. The physical design of the Analog Discovery Studio provides BNC connectors or MTE cables for the analog inputs and outputs,
MTE cables for the digital I/O, triggers, and power supplies, and a large removable and breadboardable design surface supporting a large variety of designs or projects.
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Analog Discovery Studio Reference Manual
Walk Around
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Click here (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications) to see the specifications
Oscilloscope
The Analog Discovery Studio can be used with WaveForms' Oscilloscope instrument to capture analog input data via the analog input (“Scope”) channels, using either
BNC cables or MTE cables. When this instrument is used, the Analog Discovery Studio's analog input channels act as a two-channel, 14-bit, 100 MS/s () oscilloscope.
When used with BNC cables, the oscilloscope channels are single-ended, however, the circuit under test must still share a common ground with the Analog Discovery
Studio. With BNC cables, the analog input channels have a bandwidth of 30+ MHz ().
When used with MTE cables, the oscilloscope channels' + and - pins are differentially paired. The - pins can be attached to a non-ground circuit net, but the circuit
under test must still share a common ground with the Analog Discovery Studio. With MTE cables, the analog input channels have a bandwidth of 9 MHz ().
Since the Analog Discovery Studio's analog input channels are shared, the Oscilloscope instrument cannot be used at the same time as the Voltmeter, Data Logger,
Spectrum Analyzer, Network Analyzer, or Impedance Analyzer instruments.
For more information on the analog input (“Scope”) channels, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Oscilloscope instrument, please visit the Using the
Oscilloscope (https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-oscilloscope/start) guide.
Triggering: edge, pulse, transition, hysteresis, and many others
Features
Cross-triggering with Logic Analyzer, Waveform Generator, Pattern Generator, or external trigger
Sampling modes: average, decimate, min/max
Mixed signal visualization (analog and digital signals share same view pane)
Real-time views: FFTs, XY plots, histograms, spectrograms, and others
Multiple math channels with complex functions
Cursors with advanced data measurements
Captured data files can be exported in standard formats
Scope configurations can be saved, exported, and imported
Important Note: Grounding Circuitry
Despite the fact that the Analog Discovery Studio analog input channels are fully differential, a GND () connection to the circuit under test is required to provide a
stable common mode voltage.
The Analog Discovery Studio's GND () reference is connected to the USB GND (). Depending on the PC powering scheme, and other PC connections (Ethernet,
audio, etc. – which might also be grounded) the Analog Discovery Studio GND () reference might be connected to the whole GND () system and ultimately to the
power network protection (earth ground). The circuit under test might also be connected to earth or possibly floating.
For safety reasons, it is the user’s responsibility to understand the powering and grounding scheme, and to make sure that there is a common GND () reference
between the Analog Discovery Studio and the circuit under test, and that the common mode and differential voltages do not exceed specifications. Furthermore, for
distortion-free measurements, the common mode and differential voltages need to meet specifications.
Waveform Generator
The Analog Discovery Studio can be used with WaveForms' Waveform Generator instrument to output analog voltage waves via either BNC cables or MTE cables.
The Waveform Generator converts 14-bit digital samples to analog at a rate of up to 100 MS/s () on each of two channels. When the Waveform Generator instrument
is used, the Analog Discovery Studio's analog output channels act as an Arbitrary Waveform Generator. The instrument supports everything from simple waveforms
like Sine and Triangle waves, up to more complicated functions like AM and FM modulation. Custom sets of samples can be defined by the user in applications like
Excel and imported to WaveForms.
Each waveform generator channel is considered a single ended pin, however, a connected circuit must share a ground with the Analog Discovery Studio. Each channel
has a bandwidth of 8MHz through both the BNC and MTE connectors. AC amplitudes of +-5V and DC offsets of +-5V are supported.
Since the Analog Discovery Studio's analog output channels are shared, the Waveform Generator instrument cannot be used at the same time as the Network
Analyzer, or Impedance Analyzer instruments.
For more information on the analog output (“Wavegen”) channels, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Waveform Generator instrument, please visit the Using
the Waveform Generator (https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-waveform-generator/start) guide.
Standard waveforms: sine, triangle, sawtooth, noise, and many others
Features
Advanced waveforms: Sweeps, AM, FM
User-defined arbitrary waveforms: defined within WaveForms software user interface or using standard tools (e.g. Excel)
The Analog Discovery Studio has a variety of different power supply rails that are can be used to power circuits under test. The V+ and V- rails are variable, while the
rest are fixed. The fixed rails are summarized in the table below:
Label Voltage Maximum Current
+12V 12V +/-5% 0.2A
-12V -12V +/-5% 0.2A
Power Supplies
Label Voltage Maximum Current
5.0V 5V +/-5% 1.0A
3.3V 3.3V +/-5% 1.0A
Note: The 3.3V and 5.0V power supply rails are only available from pins located on the Canvas.
The Analog Discovery Studio also features two variable power supply rails, labeled V+ and V-, which can be set to voltage levels between 1 to 5V and -1 to -5V
respectively, through the use of WaveForms' “Supplies” instrument. Each of these supplies can provide at most 2.1 W or 700 mA.
Note: Remove the protective foam from underneath the Breadboard Canvas before using the power supplies
For more information on using the programmable power supplies, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Power Supplies instrument, please visit the Using the
Power Supplies (https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-supplies/start) guide.
Variety of different fixed voltage power supply rails (+12V, -12V, 5V, 3.3V)
Programmable power supply rails (1V…5V or -1V…-5V)
Features
Voltmeter
The Analog Discovery Studio's analog input pins can be used with WaveForms' Voltmeter instrument to act as a simple voltmeter. DC voltages, AC RMS voltages, and
True RMS voltages can be viewed for each of the two Scope channels.
Since the Analog Discovery Studio's analog input channels are shared, the Voltmeter instrument cannot be used at the same time as the Oscilloscope, Data Logger,
Spectrum Analyzer, Network Analyzer, or Impedance Analyzer instruments.
For more information on the analog input (“Scope”) channels, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Voltmeter instrument, please visit the Using the Voltmeter
(https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-voltmeter/start) guide.
Measurements: DC, AC RMS, True RMS
Features
Data Logger
The Analog Discovery Studio can be used with WaveForms' “Logger” instrument in order to capture large buffers of analog input data on the Scope pins.
The Data Logger can capture buffers of data at update rates of up to 10 samples per second. The maximum duration of a log is dependent on the update rate, but at
the extreme, can run for over a thousand hours.
Since the Analog Discovery Studio's analog input channels are shared, the Data Logger instrument cannot be used at the same time as the Oscilloscope, Voltmeter,
Spectrum Analyzer, Network Analyzer, or Impedance Analyzer instruments.
For more information on the analog input (“Scope”) channels, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Data Logger instrument, please visit the Using the Data
Logger (https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-data-logger) guide.
Measurements: DC, AC RMS, True RMS, with Averages, Minimums, and Maximums
Up to 24 hours of data logged at a 1Hz sample rate
Scriptable conversion functions
Features
The Analog Discovery Studio can be used with WaveForms' “Logic” instrument to act as a Logic Analyzer. When used this way, the 16 digital input/output channels
are configured to capture high/low logic states on connected pins at a sample rate of up to 100 MS/s (). These channels are capable of interfacing with 3.3V and 1.8V
logic signals, and are tolerant to voltages of up to 5V.
Individual input/output channels can be grouped as buses and protocols. Protocol groups can be used to view the decoded contents of packets of many common
communications protocols, including SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, and I2S.
Signal states, decoded bus values, and decoded protocols can be used to trigger a Logic Analyzer capture. Protocol triggers include protocol-specific events, like start of
transmission, end of transmission, or packet contents matching a value.
Digital input/output channels used by the Logic Analyzer instrument can still be used by other instruments using the same digital input/output channels.
For more information on the digital input/output channels, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Logic Analyzer instrument, please visit the Using the
Logic Analyzer (https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-logic-analyzer/start) guide.
Logic Analyzer
Multiple trigger options including pin change, bus pattern, and many others
Cross-triggering between Analog input channels, Logic Analyzer, Pattern Generator, or external trigger
Interpreter for SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, I2S, 1-Wire, parallel buses
Scripted custom protocols
Data file import/export using standard formats
The Analog Discovery Studio can be used with WaveForms' “Patterns” instrument to generate logic signal sequences on the digital input/output pins.
The pins can be configured to be push/pull, open drain, open source, or three-state logic. The logic high output voltage level is 3.3V. Sample rates can go as high as
100 MS/s ().
Features
Pattern Generator
Digital input/output channels used by the Pattern Generator instrument can still be used by other instruments using the same digital input/output channels, however,
other instruments can only use these shared channels as inputs.
For more information on the digital input/output channels, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Pattern Generator instrument, please visit the Using the
Pattern Generator (https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-pattern-generator) guide.
Customized visualization for signals and buses
User defined patterns: Truth-table based ROM () logic
Data file import/export using standard formats
Features
Digital I/O
The Analog Discovery Studio can be used with WaveForms' Static I/O instrument to emulate a variety of user input/output devices on the digital input/output pins.
Virtual LEDs, buttons, switches, sliders, and displays can be assigned to specific digital I/O pins, and interacted with within the WaveForms user interface.
The Analog Discovery Studio's digital input/output channels use a 3.3V logic standard for output, and can accept either 1.8V or 3.3V logic signals as inputs. The digital
input/output pins are tolerant to input signals up to 5V.
Important Note: To prevent damage to the device, care must be taken not to drive input signals to the digital input/output channels over 5V.
Digital input/output channels used by the Static I/O instrument can still be used by other instruments using the same digital input/output channels, however, other
instruments can only use these shared channels as inputs.
For more information on the digital input/output channels, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Static I/O instrument, please visit the Using the Digital
I/O (https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-digital-io) guide.
Virtual I/O devices (LEDs, buttons, switches & displays)
Customized visualization options available
Features
Spectrum Analyzer
The Analog Discovery Studio can be used with WaveForms' “Spectrum” instrument to view the power of frequency-domain components of analog signals captured
on the analog input channels.
Signals with minimum/maximum frequencies between 0 Hz () and 50Mhz can be plotted in units of peak voltage, RMS voltage, and various voltage level ratio units.
Since the Spectrum Analyzer instrument uses the same hardware resources as the Oscilloscope, Network Analyzer, and Impedance Analyzer instruments, it cannot be
used at the same time as these other instruments.
Since the Analog Discovery Studio's analog input channels are shared, the Oscilloscope instrument cannot be used at the same time as the Oscilloscope, Voltmeter,
Data Logger, Network Analyzer, or Impedance Analyzer instruments.
For more information on the analog input channels, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-measurement/analog-
discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Spectrum Analyzer instrument, please visit the Using the Spectrum Analyzer
(https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-spectrum-analyzer) guide.
Power spectrum algorithms: FFT, CZT
Frequency range modes: center/span, start/stop
Features
Frequency scales: linear, logarithmic
Vertical axis options: voltage-peak, voltage-RMS, dBV, and dBu
Windowing: options: rectangular, triangular, hamming, cosine, and many others
Cursors and automatic measurements: noise floor, SFDR, SNR, THD and many others
Data file import/export using standard formats
The Analog Discovery Studio can be used with WaveForms' “Network” instrument to view the amplitude and phase response of a circuit under test. Nichols and
Nyquist plots can also be viewed with this instrument.
Frequency sweeps can be performed in ranges between 1 mHz and 10 MHz () with up to 10k samples per decade. The wave used for the sweep can be customized,
and uses the same resources as the Waveform Generator instrument.
The Network Analyzer instrument uses the analog output and analog input channels of the Analog Discovery Studio to probe a test circuit. The Network Analyzer can
be configured to use an external signal to provide input to the circuit under test, rather than using the analog output channels.
Network Analyzer
Since the Analog Discovery Studio's analog input and output channels are shared, the Network Analyzer instrument cannot be used at the same time as the
Oscilloscope, Waveform Generator, Voltmeter, Data Logger, Spectrum Analyzer, or Impedance Analyzer instruments.
For more information on the analog output and analog input channels, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Network Analyzer instrument, please visit the Using the
Network Analyzer (https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-network-analyzer) guide.
Available diagrams: Bode, Nichols, Nyquist, and FFTs
Settable input amplitude and offset
Analog input records response at each frequency
—-
Features
Impedance Analyzer
The Analog Discovery Studio can be used with WaveForms' “Impedance” instrument to view a wide variety of frequency response characteristics of a circuit under
test. Input, Phase, Voltage, Current, Impedance, Admittance, Inductance, Factor, and Nyquist plots are all available. In addition, Custom plots can be used to present
the results of a wide variety of different mathematical operations on buffered data.
Frequency sweeps can be performed with in ranges between 100 uHz and 25 MHz (), with as many as 10k samples per decade. The signal used to perform the sweep
can be selected from a variety of preset, with configurable amplitude and offset. An external network analyzer reference circuit can be selected from a variety of
options.
The Impedance Analyzer instrument uses the analog output channels and analog input channels of the Analog Discovery Studio to probe a test circuit.
Since the Analog Discovery Studio's analog input and output channels are shared, the Impedance Analyzer instrument cannot be used at the same time as the
Oscilloscope, Waveform Generator, Voltmeter, Data Logger, Spectrum Analyzer, or Network Analyzer instruments.
For more information on the analog output and analog input channels, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Impedance Analyzer instrument, please visit the Using the
Impedance Analyzer (https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-impedance-analyzer) guide.
Chart views for Voltage, Current, Impedance, Admittance, Capacitance, and others
Alternative simple Meter view
Selectable external compensation circuit
Data file export using standard formats
Features
Protocol Analyzer
The Analog Discovery Studio can be used with WaveForms' “Protocol” instrument to work with common communications protocols. UART, SPI, I2C, and CAN
transactions can be received, transmitted, and/or spied upon by the Analog Discovery Studio using any of the 16 digital input/output channels at a sample rate of 100
MS/s ().
Custom scripts can be written within the Protocol Analyzer instrument to generate sequences of SPI or I2C transactions.
Since it uses the same hardware resources as the Logic Analyzer and Pattern Generator instruments, the Protocol Analyzer cannot be used at the same time as these
instruments.
For more information on the digital input/output channels, please visit the Analog Discovery Studio Specifications (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/analog-discovery-studio/specifications). For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Protocol Analyzer instrument, please visit the Using the
Protocol Analyzer (https://digilent.com/reference/learn/instrumentation/tutorials/analog-discovery-studio-protocol-analyzer/start) guide.
Supports UART, SPI, I2C, and CAN protocols
Scriptable transaction sequences for SPI and I2C
Configurable data rates, modes, and others
Send/receive directly from/to data files
Features
Each of WaveForms' instruments can be controlled through scripts within the WaveForms application itself. WaveForms' “Script” instrument allows the user to write
and run javascript code that can control the rest of the application through an extensive API (). This allows the user to configure and run many instruments at the same
time, in an easily repeatable way.
A variety of code examples are available in the application to aid in learning to write WaveForms scripts. Additional resources for writing scripts can be found on the
Scopes and Instruments Digilent Forum (https://forum.digilentinc.com).
A plot pane within the Script instrument itself can be used to integrate data from many different instruments, and display it in a highly customizable way.
For a walkthrough of the different features of WaveForms' Script instrument, please visit the Using Scripts (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/guides/waveforms-script-editor) guide.
Available within the WaveForms application
WaveForms Script Editor
Features
Simultaneous control of all instruments through JavaScript
Automatable GUI
() actions
Custom data analysis and manipulation functions
The WaveForms SDK is a set of software libraries and examples that can be used to develop custom applications that can control Digilent Test and Measurement
devices. Supported languages include C, C++, C#, Visual Basic, and Python. Third party toolkits are available for LabVIEW and MATLAB. Instructions for using
WaveForms with LabVIEW are available through our guide Getting Started with LabVIEW and a Test and Measurement Device (https://digilent.com/reference/test-and-
measurement/guides/getting-started-with-labview). The MATLAB support package is available through the MathWorks website (https://www.mathworks.com/hardware-
support/digilent-analog-discovery.html). More information about WaveForms SDK can be found through the WaveForms SDK Reference Manual
(https://digilent.com/reference/software/waveforms/waveforms-sdk/reference-manual-legacy).
Downloaded via the WaveForms installer, used independently of the WaveForms application
Languages supported: C/C++, C#, MATLAB, Python, Visual Basic
Provides control of hardware channels and virtual instruments to custom applications
analog-discovery-studio (https://digilent.com/reference/tag/analog-discovery-studio?do=showtag&tag=analog-discovery-studio), rm (https://digilent.com/reference/tag/rm?
do=showtag&tag=rm), doc (https://digilent.com/reference/tag/doc?do=showtag&tag=doc)
WaveForms Software Development Kit (SDK)
Features
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