Digilent recently introduced the Analog Discovery Pro (ADP2230) mixed signal USB oscilloscope and function generator. In this engineering brief, we compare the new Pro with the Analog Discovery 3 (AD3). The instruments are shown side-by-side in Figure 1.
It’s challenging to provide a meaningful comparison between the ADP2230 and the AD3 since they are closely related in terms of capability and overall performance. Instead of looking at the overlapping specifications, we will step back and identify high-level attributes of each device. Once these attributes are identified, you will be better equipped to select the instrument suited to your needs.
Figure 1: Side by side comparison of the Digilent Analog Discovery Pro APD2230 (left) and the AD3 (right).
Digilent Analog Discovery 3 introduction
The Digilent AD3 is well-suited for students from high school through college junior and senior levels. It excels in mixed systems featuring both analog and digital circuits. The flywires facilitate easy connections to a breadboard.
It is important to view the AD3 as an expanding ecosystem. The AD3’s utility is enhanced by a variety of modules, as shown in Figure 2, including:
- transistor tester
- impedance analyzer
- BNC breakout
- Audio interface module (not shown)
- power analyzer (not shown)
Figure 2: A collection of modules offered as part of the AD3 ecosystem – missing is the new power analyzer module.
Digilent Analog Discovery Pro ADP2230
The ADP2230 is equally suited for introductory lessons through upper-level Electrical Engineering classes where mixed analog and digital experiments are conducted. To understand the difference between the ADP2230 and the AD3, it’s helpful to view the instruments on a continuum. The ADP2230 is closer to what is traditionally considered an oscilloscope. It is a larger device with increased on-board buffering and filtering capacity.
Perhaps the most important attribute of the ADP2230 is the improved analog front end. It offers increased bandwidth up to 50 MHz. This may be important for advanced RF signal analysis or for exploring the limits of analog circuits. The ADP2230 also includes the traditional oscilloscope provisions for AC and DC coupling. This is a welcomed addition, as the AD3’s BNC adaptor (Figure 3) module requires the operator to set the AC/DC input coupling using 0.1-inch header jumpers.
Tech Tip: Note that the ADP2230 and the AD3 have different connectors with unique pin assignments as shown in Figure 3. Consequently, the AD3 modules are not compatible with the ADP2230.
Which instrument is the best for you?
The answer depends on your individual needs. Some users will appreciate the convenience and oscilloscope-like feel of the new ADP2230. Others will appreciate the greater ecosystem associated with the AD3. For example, consider this post showcasing the impedance measurement module or this post featuring the transistor tester module
You need to decide which feature(s) are most important to your application.
Software
Both the ADP2230 and AD3 use the same Waveforms software. This provides an easy-to-use interface for the instrument including oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer (FFT), logic analyzer, voltmeter, protocol analyzer, waveform generator, power supply control, and a host of specialized test instrument interfaces including impedance measurement and transistor testing.
Multiwire connections
While the ADP2230 and AD3 have similar-looking flywire connections, they are not the same. The ADP2230 features a 32-pin connector (Figure 3 left), while the AD3 has a 30-pin connector (Figure 3 right). Observe that the wire color assignments are different. For example, the pink wire is the D0 input for the logic analyzer. The ADP2230 cable positions this wire on the second deck as the second wire from the left. The AD3 cable positions this D0 input wire on the upper deck as the 8th wire from the left.
Figure 3: Image of the Digilent flying leads. The 32-pin ADP2230 on the left with the 30 pin AD3 on the right. Observe that the wire color assignment is different.
Tech Tip: As a longtime Digilent Analog Discovery Legacy and AD3 user, I experienced a problem when switching to the ADP2230. From Figure 3, observe that the upper deck 7th from the left wire is pink. I had mistakenly assumed this was the D0 input. It took me a while to realize that the ADP2230 pink wire, (2nd wire from the left) is the D0 input.
Parting thoughts
This limited article barely scratches the surface when it comes to exploring the overlapping ADP2230 and AD3 specifications. However, as a starting point, you must carefully consider your needs by balancing the versatility of the AD3 ecosystem against the advanced oscilloscope performance of the ADP2230.
Drop a comment below if you would like to continue the conversation regarding these Digilent products.
Best wishes,
APDahlen
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About this author
Aaron Dahlen, LCDR USCG (Ret.), serves as an application engineer at DigiKey. He has a unique electronics and automation foundation built over a 27-year military career as a technician and engineer which was further enhanced by 12 years of teaching (interwoven). With an MSEE degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, Dahlen has taught in an ABET-accredited EE program, served as the program coordinator for an EET program, and taught component-level repair to military electronics technicians. Dahlen has returned to his Northern Minnesota home and thoroughly enjoys researching and writing articles such as this.