Contextual Electronics is an online course designed to teach you how to design custom electronics. The first course of its kind, this “online apprenticeship” pairs theory and practice and has students designing electronics from scratch using readily available and affordable tools.
The Analog Discovery 2 (AD2) is a key part of that toolset, both as a tool for probing the inner-workings of basic electronics and for troubleshooting circuit boards. This "Swiss Army Knife" of test equipment (multiple tools) allows users to properly diagnose common errors during circuit board assembly and squash any hardware bugs they encounter. The power supplies, signal generators, oscilloscopes, logic functions (and more!) enable users to move from an idea on a screen to a custom-built piece of hardware in no time. With the addition of the BNC adapters, students will get the experience of traditional BNC probes and maximum signal integrity. Though this is not a required part of participating in Contextual Electronics, it is by far the best option for someone beginning to build out their circuit workbench.
Note: The Analog Discovery BNC adapter board does not have differential analog (scope) inputs.
Analog Discovery 2
Digilent Analog Discovery 2 is a USB oscilloscope, logic analyzer, and multi-function instrument that allows users to measure, visualize, generate, record, and control mixed-signal circuits of all kinds. Developed in conjunction with Analog Devices and supported by Xilinx University Program. This test and measurement device is small enough to fit in your pocket, but powerful enough to replace a stack of lab equipment, providing engineering professionals, students, hobbyists. and electronic enthusiasts the freedom to work with analog and digital circuits in virtually any environment, in or out of the lab. The analog and digital inputs and outputs can be connected to a circuit using simple wire probes; alternatively, the Analog Discovery BNC Adapter and BNC probes can be used to connect and utilize the inputs and outputs.
Driven by the free WaveForms software (Mac, Linux, and Windows compatible) software, Analog Discovery 2 can be configured to work as any one of several traditional test and measurement instruments including an Oscilloscope, Waveform Generator, Power Supply, Voltmeter, Data Logger, Logic Analyzer, Pattern Generator, Static I/O, Spectrum Analyzer, Network Analyzer, Impedance Analyzer, and Protocol Analyzer.
USB Oscilloscope
The Analog Discovery 2 is designed to be a portable alternative to a stack of benchtop equipment. It's durable enclosure measures (3.23 inch x 3.25 inch x7/8inch) and fits in a pocket. The Analog Discovery can be connected to circuits and designs via the included female flywires, or used in conjunction with the included gender changers when a male connection is necessary.
Accessories can be purchased separately to provide additional functionality, such as the BNC Adapter for higher bandwidth and BNC connectors, or the Breadboard Adapter and Breadboard Breakout for a direct connection to the breadboard, or the Impedance Analyzer for additional Impedance measurement functionality. The Analog Discovery 2 comes packaged in a durable project box that will fit all the included accessories and some additional adapter boards. The project box measures (7" x 5.75" x 1.5") and provides even more durability when stashing your portable Oscilloscope and multi-function instrument in your backpack or briefcase.