Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 SoC Measurement and Test Platform

Red Pitaya STEMLab 125-14

Benefits of the STEMlab 125-14 Embedded T&M Module for RF Applications

Compact, open, and flexibly programmable.
Programmable as oscilloscope, signal-generator, spectrum-analyzer, VNA and many more.
Extensively equipped with I/O and interfaces, including LAN/Ethernet.

Available Kits and Versions

Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 SoC Measurement and Test Platform

The affordable DAQ platform Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 is perfect for educational, hobbyist and professional applications where cost optimization is an important factor. The measurement and test module is based on a system-on-a-chip (SoC). It can be operated as an oscilloscope, spectrum-analyzer, LCR-meter or network-analyzer by programming/▸apps. Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 is very compact and comes with open-source software. The device has solid performance thanks to 14 bit/125 Msps A/D and D/A converters and a Xilinx Zynq 7010 FPGA. The main advantage is remote accessibility with a WEB app user interface accessible via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

Compact SoC measurement and test platform for capturing and generating RF signals.
Ethernet interface.
Xilinx SoC (CPU and FPGA).
Two/four fast analog inputs and two outputs (2-input-channel-model).
Possibility of integration into own system/product.
Open software source code available.
Works with a Linux or Windows PC.
Can operate as an oscilloscope, signal generator, spectrum, Bode analyzer, logic analyzer, LCR meter (requires optional expansion module), streaming, SDR, or vector network analyzer (requires optional expansion module).
Can be controlled remotely using LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, or Scilab.
Can be reprogrammed according to the user's needs.
An app marketplace with several free ▸apps is available.

Model Overview

Model	STEMlab 125-14-2-Channel	STEMlab 125-14-4-Channel
Processor	Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore	Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9
FPGA	Xilinx Zynq 7010	Xilinx Zynq 7020 SOC
RAM	512 MB (4 Gb)	512 MB (4 Gb)
System memory	Micro-SD up to 32 GB	Micro-SD up to 32 GB
Interfaces	Ethernet 1 Gbit USB 2.0 Wi-Fi using optional Wi-Fi dongle	Ethernet 1 Gbit USB 2.0 Wi-Fi using optional Wi-Fi-Dongle
RF inputs
Channels	2	4
Sample rate	125 MS/s	125 MS/s
ADC resolution	14 bit	14 bit
Full scale voltage range	±1 V/±20 V	±1 V/±20 V
Input coupling	DC	DC
Bandwidth	DC...60 MHz	DC...60 MHz
Input impedance	1 MΩ	1 MΩ
RS outputs
Channels	2	-
Sample rate	125 MS/s	-
DAC resolution	14 bit	-
Full scale voltage range	±1 V	-
Load impedance	50Ω	-
Shortcut protection	Yes	-
Typical rising/falling time	2 V/10 ns	-
Bandwidth	DC...50 MHz	-
Extension connector
Digital I/Os	16	20
Analog inputs	4 channels, 0...3.5 V, 12 bit	4 channels, 0...3.5 V, 12 bit
Analog outputs	4 channels, 0...1.8 V, 12 bit	4 channels, 0...1.8 V, 12 bit
Communication interfaces	I2C, UART, SPI	I2C, UART, SPI
Available voltages	+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

Comparing the Kits

Functions and apps	STEMlab 125-14
Kits	Starter (IZD0007)	Diagnostic (IZD0005)	Ultimate (IZD0008)	Calibrated (IZD0004)	Low Noise Starter (IZD0030)	Z7020 Low Noise Starter (IZD0029)	External Clock Starter (IZD0031)
Oscilloscope¹⁾	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Signal generator¹⁾	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Spectrum analyzer¹⁾	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Bode analyzer¹⁾	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Logic analyer¹⁾	(✓)	✓	✓	✓	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)
LCR meter¹⁾	(✓)	(✓)	✓	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)
VNA¹⁾	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)
Sensor extension	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)	(✓)
Streaming	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
SDR	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
SCPI server (MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Jupyter notebook (Python)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Included in the kits	Starter (IZD0007)	Diagnostic (IZD0005)	Ultimate (IZD0008)	Calibrated (IZD0004)	Low Noise Starter (IZD0030)	Z7020 Low Noise Starter (IZD0029)	External Clock Starter (IZD0031)
Module	STEMlab 125-14
Power supply	✓ 5 V/2 A	✓ 5 V/2 A	✓ 5 V/2 A	✓ 5 V/2 A	✓ 5 V/2 A	✓ 5 V/2 A	✓ 5 V/2 A
Ethernet cable	✓ 1 m	✓ 1 m	✓ 1 m	✓ 1 m	✓ 1 m	✓ 1 m	✓ 1 m
SD card	✓ 16 GB	✓ 16 GB	✓ 16 GB	✓ 16 GB	✓ 16 GB	✓ 16 GB	✓ 16 GB
Acryl housing	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Aluminum housing	-	✓	✓	✓	-	-	-
Wi-Fi dongle	-	✓	✓	✓	-	-	-
Oscilloscope probes	-	✓ 2x	✓ 2x	✓ 2x	-	-	-
Logic analyzer probes	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Logic analyzer cable	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Logic analyzer extension module	-	✓	✓	✓	-	-	-
SMA-to-BNC adaptor	-	✓	✓	✓	-	-	-
50-Ω termination	-	✓	✓	✓	-	-	-
SMA T adaptor	-	✓	✓	✓	-	-	-
LCR meter module	-	-	✓	-	-	-	-
Sensor extension module	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

1) The software apps are free. To use them with the Red Pitaya modules additional hardware options are required, depending on the app (logic analyzer, LCR meter, VNA). Depending on the kit version they are included in the kits or available as optional accessories.

Continue with the Kits...

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: What does SoC mean?

Answer: SoC stands for "System on a Chip". It describes the integration of the largest part of a system (in this case an RF measurement system) into one chip. This joining of many functions in one chip has the advantages of lower energy consumption, miniaturization of the system and overall cost savings. In the case of the Red Pitaya, the system consists of a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore processor and a Xilinx Zynq 7010 or 7020 FPGA. The hardware provides the basis for an RF measurement system (four or two analog inputs and two analog outputs, 16 digital channels). The functionality is determined by the programming or already available software apps. Thus, the Red Pitaya system can work as a 2-channel oscilloscope, 2-channel signal generator, logic-, spectrum-, Bode-, vector-network-analyzer (VNA), and LCR meter (expansion options are required for some of the functions).

Question: What exactly do I get when I order a Red Pitaya board?

Answer: Red Pitaya boards are offered in packages/bundles ("kits"). Depending on the version, they contain a Red Pitaya board and accessories. In the basic case, the accessories consist of an SD card, a power supply and an Ethernet cable. The "larger" packages include, for example, enclosures, probes and other connection accessories (see table above). Red Pitaya is an open source system. It can therefore be programmed by the user - even at the FPGA level. In addition, a number of free apps are available. You can find an overview ▸here.