Red Piraya Product Line - SoC-Based RF Measurement and Test Platform
Benefits
- SoC-based, compact T&M modules for RF applications.
- Ideal for embedded, industry, education, hobby and more.
- Programmable, multifunctional open-source platform.
The "Swiss Army Knife" for Engineers
The Red Pitaya series are very compact boards. Their technology is based on a System-On-a-Vhip (SoC) with CPU and FPGA. This makes them multifunctional and they can be used for various measurement and test functions in the RF range by programming. For example, ▸apps are available for use as an oscilloscope, signal-generator, logic-, Bode-, spectrum-, vector-network-analyze (VNA), and more. Red Pitaya is an open-source platform, so custom programming is also possible. The modules are equipped with extensive I/O channels and interfaces, including LAN/Ethernet and WLAN/Wi-Fi. The series includes the following basic models, which are also available mainly in various kits:
Red Pitaya Model Versions - Overview
Model | ▸STEMlab 125-14 | ▸STEMlab 125-14-4 input | ▸SIGNALlab 250-12 | ▸SDRlab 122-16 |
Processor | Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore | Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9 | Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore | Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore |
FPGA | Xilinx Zynq 7010 | Xilinx Zync7020 SoC | Xilinx Zynq 7020 | Xilinx Zynq 7020 |
RAM | 512 MB (4 Gb) | 512 MB (4 Gb) | 1 GB (8 Gb) | 512 MB (4 Gb) |
System memory | Micro-SD up to 32 GB | Micro-SD up to 32 GB | Micro-SD up to 32 GB | Micro-SD up to 32 GB |
Interfaces | Ethernet 1 Gbit USB 2.0 Wi-Fi using Wi-Fi dongle |
Ethernet 1 Gbit USB 2.0 Wi-Fi using Wi-Fi dongle |
Ethernet 1 Gbit 2x USB 2.0 Wi-Fi using Wi-Fi dongle |
Ethernet 1 Gbit USB 2.0 Wi-Fi using Wi-Fi dongle |
RF inputs | ||||
Channels | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Sample rate | 125 MS/s | 125 MS/s | 250 MS/s | 122.88 MS/s |
ADC resolution | 14 bit | 14 bit | 12 bit | 16 bit |
Full scale voltage range | ±1 V/±20 V | ±1 V/±20 V | ±1 V/±20 V1) | 0.5 Vpp/-2 dBm |
Input coupling | DC | DC | AC/DC1) | AC |
Bandwidth | DC...60 MHz | DC...60 MHz | DC...60 MHz | 300 kHz...550 MHz |
Input impedance | 1 MΩ | 1 MΩ | 1 MΩ | 50 Ω |
RS outputs | ||||
Channels | 2 | - | 2 | 2 |
Sample rate | 125 MS/s | - | 250 MS/s | 122.8 MS/s |
DAC resolution | 14 bit | - | 14 bit | 14 bit |
Full scale voltage range | ±1 V | - | ±1 V/±5 V (into 50 Ω load); ±2 V/±10 V (Hi-Z load)1) | ±0.5 V/+4 dBm |
Load impedance | 50 Ω | - | 50 Ω | 50 Ω |
Shortcut protection | Yes | - | Yes | - (RF transformer and AC coupled) |
Typical rising/falling time | 2 V/10 ns | - | 10 V/17 ns | - |
Bandwidth | DC...50 MHz | - | DC...60 MHz | 300 kHz...60 MHz |
Extension connector | ||||
Digital I/Os | 16 | 20 | 16 | 16 |
Analog inputs | 4 channels, 0...3.5 V, 12 bit, 100 kS/s | 4 channels, 0...3.5 V, 12 bit, 100 kS/s | 4 channels, 0...3.5 V, 12 bit, 100 kS/s | 4 channels, 0...3.5 V, 12 bit, 100 kS/s |
Analog outputs | 4 channels, 0...1.8 V, 12 bit | 4 channels, 0...1.8 V, 12 bit | 4 channels, 0...1.8 V, 12 bit | 4 channels, 0...1.8 V, 12 bit |
Communication interfaces | I2C, UART, SPI | I2C, UART, SPI | I2C, UART, SPI | I2C, UART, SPI |
Available voltages | +5 V, +3.3 V, -4 V | +5 V, +3.3 V, -4 V | +5 V, +3.3 V, -4 V | +5 V, +3.3 V, -4 V |
Synchronization | Trigger input through extension connector; daisy chain connection over SATA connection | Trigger input through extension connector; daisy chain connection over SATA connection | Trigger input through BNC connector; daisy chain connection over SATA connection; ref. clock input through BNC connector | Trigger input through extension connector; daisy chain connection over SATA connection |
1) software-selectable.
App Overview
Note: The ▸software app are free. To use the Red Pitaya modules with these apps additional hardware options are required (logic analyzer, LCR meter, VNA). This hardware is available as optional accessories. Not all apps and accessory options can be combined with all Red Pitaya models.
Functional Apps
App | Description |
Oscilloscope and Signal-Generator | This application will turn your Red Pitaya board into a 2-channel oscilloscope and 2-channel signal-generator |
Spectrum Analyzer | This application will turn your Red Pitaya board into a 2-channel DFT spectrum-analyzer |
Bode Analyzer | This application will turn your Red Pitaya board into an affordable Bode analyzer |
Logic Analyzer | The logic-analyzer application enables the representation of the binary states of digital signals |
LCR Meter | This application will turn your Red Pitaya board into an affordable LCR meter |
Vector Network Analyzer | Vector network analyzer (VNA) is great solution to test and optimize the performance of antennas, RF switches, and much more |
Remote Control
Red Pitaya boards can be controlled remotely over LAN/Ethernet or wireless interface/Wi-Fi using MATLAB, LabVIEW, Scilab or Python via Red Pitaya SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation) list of commands. SCPI interface/environment is commonly used to control T&M instruments for development, research or test automation purposes.
Software | Description |
LabVIEW | Control your Red Pitaya with LabVIEW - software designed for the fast development of any engineering application that requires test, measurement, or control |
Python | Control your Red Pitaya with Python - the most popular script language used by research designed for the fast development of any engineering application that requires test, measurement, control, and signal processing |
Programming
For users that would like to program their own applications, Red Pitaya provides C and Python APIs that enable super easy access to all RP features, while more advanced users can also create and run their own FPGA logic.
Programming Environment | Description |
C API | A list of built-in C code functions (APIs) providess full control over the Red Pitaya board (signal generation and acquisition, digital I/O control, communication: I2C, SPI, UART, and others) |
Jupyter notebook/Python | Jupyter notebook enables you to execute Python code and control Red Pitaya hardware features, visualize data and add explanatory text or write interactive documents directly from WEB browser Jupyter notebook Python editor |
FPGA | Red Pitaya FPGA code examples include complete control logic over the signal acquisition and generation and more with all image build instructions and register map documentation. Code if free and available on Github |
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