Design and test analog circuits with laboratory equipment-level performance in real-time

Analog Devices has launched two active learning modules. The ADALM2000 active learning module, used with graphical application software, enables real-time design and testing of analog circuits based on laboratory equipment-level performance. The widely applicable ADALM-PLUTO software-defined radio active learning module helps students learn fundamental concepts in Software-Defined Radio (SDR), radio frequency (RF), and wireless communication, and allows them to conduct experiments using full-duplex individual transmit and receive channels.

ADALM2000 Active Learning Module
When used with Analog Devices' Scopy graphical application software running on a computer, users can easily access high-performance measurement functions. The measurement functions include DC/AC voltmeter, 30MHz oscilloscope, +/- 5V power supply, 50MHz spectrum analyzer, 30MHz signal generator, 30MHz arbitrary waveform generator, 100MHz logic analyzer, protocol bus analyzer supporting more than 60 different protocols, and 100MHz digital pattern generator.
Scopy, an open-source application, supports all major platforms used by faculty and students including Windows, Linux, and OS X, and provides a plug-in architecture for support of user-developed instruments such as network analyzers.

ADALM-PLUTO Software-Defined Radio Active Learning Module
It helps electrical engineering students encounter practical operating scenarios in SDR, RF, and wireless communications. The individual transmit and receive channels provided by the active learning module operate in full-duplex mode and can generate or collect RF analog signals in the range of 325MHz to 3,800MHz at up to 61.44MSPS. It operates independently and can be powered via USB. Because access is available through the libiio library commonly supported on Windows, Linux, and OS X, students can learn and experience both x86 and ARM. Additionally, beyond communications, it can be used in RF laboratories supporting SDR signal processing or visualization frameworks such as MATLAB, Simulink, and GNU Radio, allowing students to use it without geographical constraints through online education or remote learning.

Alexander Wiglinski, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, stated, "Through ADALM-PLUTO, students were able to rapidly design actual wireless communication systems and perform over-the-air (OTA) experiments in just a few weeks."