$79 Digilent OpenScope Open Source Multi-function Programmable Instrument Works over USB and WiFi (Crowdfunding)

Digilent OpenScope is an open source, portable, multi-function programmable instrument used for capturing, visualizing, and controlling analog and digital signals, that works with your smartphone or computer over USB or WiFi, and it can also be used in standalone mode as a development board, like you would use an Arduino or Raspberry Pi board.

OpenScope MZ key features and specifications:

  • MCU – Microchip PIC32 MZ (MZ2048EFG124) MIPS Warrior M-class micro-controller @ up to 200 MHz with 2048KB flash, 512 KB RAM
  • External Storage – micro SD slot
  • Wireless Connectivity – WiFi module
  • USB – 1x micro USB for power and programming over FTDI
  • Programming / Debugging – micro USB port, programming header
  • Expansion – 30-pin Fly Wire connector with:
    • 2x scope channels with 12 bits @ 2 MHz bandwidth and up to 6.25MS/s sampling rate
    • 1x function generator output with 1 MHz bandwidth and up to 10MS/s update rate
    • 10x user programmable DIO pins up to 25 MHz update rate
  • Misc – 4x user LEDs, programming and reset buttons
  • Power Supply – via micro USB or ext pin; programmable power supplies up to 50 mA and +/- 4V

The platform can be used with (soon-to-be) open source, web based Waveforms Live multi-instrument software written in JavaScript and allowing you to  use OpenScope as an oscilloscope, a function generator, a logic analyzer, a power supply, or a data logger.

Since the software runs in a web browser it will work with most operating systems including Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, Android or iOS. As mentioned in the introduction, OpenScope is also a development board, and can be programmed using the Arduino IDE or Microchip MPLAB-X IDE. The company will provide  a programmer’s guide, and make PIC32MZ firmware, the agent source code, the browser app for Android & IOS, the communication protocol, and the JavaScript API available on Github

Digilent launched OpenScope on Kickstarter, where the board can be backed together with a 3D printed enclosure for $79. An “OpenScope Learning Edition” is also offered for $150 with a “parts kit with workbook example”, but no details have been provided for the latter. Delivery is planned for June or August 2017 depending on selected reward, and shipping is free to the US, but adds $20 to the rest of the world.

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8 Replies to “$79 Digilent OpenScope Open Source Multi-function Programmable Instrument Works over USB and WiFi (Crowdfunding)”

  1. Can you elaborate on the 6.25MS/s. Could u recommend a device for the price that can perform the same function but performs better

  2. LOL what a piece of junk, not what I expected from Digilent (usually they are great FPGA designs)

    I smell some Microchip $$$

  3. I also think that this is an expensive device. I was looking at developing similar device some years ago and probably if it was based on some inexpensive processor with external fast ADCs might be cheaper and faster. A two channel 50 Msps USB oscilloscope starts from about 50 USD on eBay.
    @ Karl Johnson, I use 2 USD STM32 Blue Pill board with Miniscope (http://tomeko.net/miniscope_v2c/index.php?lang=en), it does sample 2×461 kSps. If need higher frequencies (only logic), I just connect external binary counters. There are other STM32 based projects claiming that do above 1 Msps.
    NXP LPC4370 offers 80 Msps 12-bit ADC. An 18 EUR LPC-LINK 2 board from Embedded Artists http://www.embeddedartists.com/products/lpcxpresso/lpclink2.php features LPC4370 and it is also bundled with their open source 99 EUR LABTOOL, advertised to support Analog 60 Msps (1 ch) and 30 Msps (2 ch) sampling . Haven’t tried if the software might work without the LabTool board.
    If need WiFi functionality, a cheap USB port router or just AR9331 board that supports OpenWRT is probably bellow 20 USD.
    Note that all those solutions are at least few years old and probably newer and cheaper might be available.
    Diligent used to have reasonably priced FPGA boards, but lately seems they are expensive too.

  4. Before I clicked through to read this post, I put clothes-pin on my nose. Good thing I did, this thing stinks. Typical Digilent.

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