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XMEGA Xprotolab
When you think about a piece of equipment like a mixed signal oscilloscope you usually think of, well, a piece of equipment. What you probably don't *imagine is a DIP package. The XMEGA Xprotolab is exactly that: The first ever mixed signal oscilloscope, logic analyzer and arbitrary waveform generator in a DIP module. At only 1 x 1.6 inches, this oscilloscope can be plugged *directly into a breadboard.
The on-board graphic OLED matrix can display waveforms, measurements and menu systems. You can also connect it to your PC and use Gabotronics' XScopes software to control the device and view waveforms.
The scope itself obviously allows simultaneous sampling of analog and digital signals but also has several advanced trigger modes, XY mode for plotting Lissajous patterns, phase differences or V/I curves, Spectrum Analyzer with different windowing options and even an arbitrary waveform generator with sweep on all parameters.
The awesome functionality-to-size ratio is due, in part, to the ATXMEGA32A4U microcontroller on board. We can hear you thinking, "This board has an ATXMEGA32A4U, an OLED display and USB interface? Scope or no scope, this would be a great development board!" Well Gabotronics had the same thought and installed a USB bootloader so there's no need for specialized programming tools!
ATXMEGA32A4U Development Board
- ATXMEGA32A4U 36KB Flash, 4KB SRAM, 1KB EEPROM
- Graphic OLED display 0.96", 128x64 pixels
- PDI interface
- 4 tactile switches
- USB connectivity
Logic Analyzer
- 8 Digital Inputs, 3.3V level
- Maximum sampling rate: 2MSPS
- Frequency counter: 12Mhz
- Protocol Sniffer: UART, I2C, SPI
- Internal pull up or pull down.
- Buffer size: 256
Mixed Signal Oscilloscope
- 2 Analog Inputs
- Maximum Sampling rate: 2MSPS
- Analog Bandwidth: 200kHz
- Resolution: 8bits
- Input Impedance: 1MΩ
- Buffer size per channel: 256
- Input Voltage Range: -14V to +20V
Arbitrary Waveform Generator
- 1 Analog Output
- Maximum conversion rate: 1MSPS
- Analog Bandwidth: 44.1kHz
- Resolution: 8bits
- Output current > +/- 7mA
- Buffer size: 256
- Output Voltage: +/- 2V
- 1.615" x 1.01"
- Schematics
- User Manual
- Datasheet (ATXMEGA32A4)
- Source Code
- XScopes Software
XMEGA Xprotolab Product Help and Resources
Core Skill: Programming
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Competent - The toolchain for programming is a bit more complex and will examples may not be explicitly provided for you. You will be required to have a fundamental knowledge of programming and be required to provide your own code. You may need to modify existing libraries or code to work with your specific hardware. Sensor and hardware interfaces will be SPI or I2C.
See all skill levels
Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Noob - You don't need to reference a datasheet, but you will need to know basic power requirements.
See all skill levels
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Customer Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 ratings:
3 of 3 found this helpful:
Love it! Love it! Love it! Love it!
It's an oscilloscope. It fits into your breadboard. Just take a moment to let that sink in... I bought this little thing for audio projects, and I am truly amazed at the features it has. Wave generator, oscilloscope, spectrum analysis, logic analysis, ... - you name it; it has it all. Even though the display might seem small, it makes up for that with the clarity it provides. One feature I'd like to see on this device in the future though is the ability to display a response curve. However it is possible to upload new firmware, so I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing this feature some time. Even if you don't need this - BUY IT!
5 of 5 found this helpful:
Indispensable tool
This is the single best tool I've purchased for digital circuit development. It makes debugging I2C and SPI communications trivial, and has relieved head-scratch-itis on multiple occasions. I wouldn't want to do digital design without it.
Edit: Don't know why it says 4 stars, I wanted to give it 5 and can't seem to change it!
Edit again: ...and Sparkfun doesn't seem to understand how their website works, and can't change it for me. I apologize to Gabotronics -- this product really does deserve 5 stars!
I got one of these a few months back, lovely machines. Be careful, though, I killed it by accidentally shorting out the DC pump inverter . Replacing that component and recalibrating fixed it, but I got nervous about accidental shorts, so I ended up potting it in sugru. I now have a red one and a yellow one with nice rubberised finishes.
Can you show pics of the Sugru job? I'm always paranoid of exposed circuits. I was thinking about Sugru or a carving a case out of a block of a acrylic on my mini-mill.
Sure thing: https://imgur.com/a/vJzAM
Nothing too pro, just wanted to make sure everything was covered.
Could you post a photo of the board on a breadboard? Could be useful for displaying the size in a more intuitive way.
Sweet! I suggested stocking these a few months ago - thanks! Really neat device, though this looks like a more updated version of what I have.
I, too, suggested this beast in an email to Nate dated 3/11/2011. At this rate, SparkFun should be carrying the lightning detector chip I also recommended some time in 2014!
I find It humorous that they're now offering this $49 cutie only a week and a half after I finally broke down and ordered a bigger scope from Saelig. I might still grab one of these as I think it would be delicious built into an electric guitar stomp box for visual display of signal processing adjustments & etc.
2013
This coming year? How cool is that! Living in Tulsa, I've been wanting to add lightning sensors to my weather station gear. Can't wait!
Which coming year, don't you know the world is about to end???!!!
and yet we are still here
Lightning detector chip? Please tell me more :). Sounds interesting
I remember reading about it, try ams AG AS3935 - Lightning Sensor
You read the data but you don't really understand until it is right in front of you. It is small but awesome. I can't believe the functionality and quality. This will be a mainstay in working on my projects. I plan to buy an Xminilab also. You guys really out to stock them too, as I prefer to buy from a constant source. Great find and a good job on the video that convinced me to invest in it.
I am sure people have seen this already, but its not been mentioned here yet:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/920064946/xprotolab-portable
Any plans to eventually stock the hand-held version after they are out of development? I have one coming already from the Kickstart, but I am sure its something more people would be interested in.
a compact Oscilloscope,waveform generator and logic analyzer with a small yet readable oled screen and a usb interface. this looks like one awesome product for a awesome price. perfect for any prototyping. il be sure to get one of these at the next convenience :D
Yeah, just one tiny problem - 256 samples? Going to be pretty hard to get any decent troubleshooting info from that in a lot of cases.
I don't really get what this is; it would be helpful to see a video of it in action.
Here's a video of Gabe demoing tonnes of different uses for the Xprotolab. Amazing little device. edit: forgot link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TGUpw2GqVY&feature=share&list=UUaY8ivcmToCPXCtEj6fHxjw
The bulleted description outlines exactly what it is: logic analyzer, oscilloscope, and AWG.