Digilent: Your Partner in Education
As another academic year kicks off, Digilent is excited to support educators and students alike in their pursuit of engineering excellence. We believe that hands-on learning is essential for developing the engineers of tomorrow, and our resources are designed to make that experience as engaging and effective as possible.
Digilent is dedicated to making engineering education accessible to all. By providing affordable, high-quality hardware and software, coupled with extensive resources and customer support, we aim to lower the barrier of entry for students and elevate the teaching possibilities for educators. Our goal is to empower everyone to explore their engineering potential without limitations. Learn more about Digilent’s academic focus moving forward here: Digilent and NI in Engineering Education – Digilent Blog
Resources
Real Analog Textbook
Master the fundamentals of analog electronics with our free online textbook. Explore topics such as op-amps, filters, power supplies, and signal conditioning through clear explanations, practical examples, and real-world applications. Build a strong foundation for advanced analog circuit design with interactive exercises and troubleshooting tips. Note that this textbook is primarily based on the Analog Discovery 2, but its concepts and exercises are fully compatible with the Analog Discovery 3.
Multisim Live Online Circuit Simulator
Bring your circuit designs to life with our free, browser-based SPICE simulator. Create, simulate, and analyze complex circuits without the need for specialized software. Ideal for prototyping, troubleshooting, and learning fundamental circuit concepts. Visualize circuit behavior through interactive waveforms and measurements.
Analog Discovery Studio Tutorials
For courses taking a hands-on approach with hardware, one particularly common time waster is getting students up and running with the hardware tools themselves. Below you will find a list of tutorials for all the tools and features that come with the Analog Discovery Studio. With the following guides, students and other users have ample resources for learning and troubleshooting independently using the Analog Discovery Studio and WaveForms software. Knowing these resources are available outside lab or lecture, professors can spend their valuable time with students teaching the course curriculum and not focusing too much of that precious time covering how to use the equipment.
WaveForms Instrument Guides:
- Using the Oscilloscope
- Using the Waveform Generator
- Using the Power Supplies
- Using the Voltmeter
- Using the Data Logger
- Using the Logic Analyzer
- Using the Pattern Generator
- Using the Static I/O
- Using the Spectrum Analyzer
- Using the Network Analyzer
- Using the Impedance Analyzer
- Using the Curve Tracer
- Using the Protocol Analyzer
- Using the Script Editor
Find all our Test and Measurement guides here: Test and Measurement Guides – Digilent Reference
Complementary Labs for Electrical Engineering
Complementary Labs for Electrical Engineering provides students with seven labs designed to span multiple courses in a typical four-year Electrical Engineering undergraduate program. These labs are designed to show how the Analog Discovery Studio can be used to complement existing lab setups by providing a way for students to experiment and use hardware at home, without the pressure of having to finish a lab within a dedicated lab period.
Teaching Digital Logic Fundamentals
This tutorial series provides a practical approach to learning digital logic. Using Multisim PLD and Digilent hardware, students will explore logic gates, simplification, comparison, and counters. The focus is on hands-on experimentation, eliminating the need for complex programming languages like VHDL.
Digilent GitHub Repository
Explore a vast collection of open-source projects, tutorials, and code examples on the Digilent GitHub page. Discover innovative solutions, learn from experienced engineers, and contribute to the vibrant Digilent community. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting your journey, our GitHub repository offers a wealth of resources to fuel your creativity and technical growth.
Digilent Reference: Reference Manuals, Guides, Projects, Demos, Software, And More.
Every Digilent product is supported by its own Resource Center, a hub of materials that help you succeed. Find documentation including reference manuals, schematics, and datasheets, as well as example projects, out-of-the-box demos, software downloads, and more.
Resources from Friends of Digilent
Expand your knowledge and gain fresh perspectives with resources created by our valued partners, early adopters, and industry experts. These “Friends of Digilent” share their insights, tutorials, and project ideas, providing you with additional support and inspiration for your engineering journey.
CircuitBread: Voltage, Current, and Resistance – Introduction to Circuit Analysis
Digilent has partnered with CircuitBread to create high-quality electrical engineering lessons on the topic of DC Circuits. Utilizing Digilent’s resources and engineers in conjunction with CircuitBread’s experience in educational content, the two teams are working together to create the most useful series on DC Circuits possible while simultaneously reaching out to as many engineering students as possible.
Adam Taylor: Adam Taylor’s MicroZed Chronicles, Part 188: Pmods
Adam Taylor, embedded systems expert and long-time friend of Digilent, explores the capabilities of Pmods, our versatile modular peripherals designed to expand the possibilities of your MicroZed development board. Pmods, created by Digilent, offer unmatched flexibility, compatibility, and ease of use. With Pmods, you can effortlessly add features like DA/AD converters, GPS receivers, and OLED displays to your projects. As part of Digilent’s commitment to providing innovative tools for embedded system development, Pmods are essential for engineers and students alike.
Whitney Knitter: Getting Started with FPGA Design #1: Installing Xilinx Vivado/Vitis
In this tutorial, Whitney Knitter walks you through the process of installing the Xilinx development tools, including Vivado, Vitis, and Petalinux. Learn how to download the installer, run the installation, and launch the tools. Whitney also provides valuable insights on system requirements and licensing.
Jeremy Hong: Digilent ADP5470 Demo: Academic Perspective
Jeremy Hong provides a comprehensive overview of the Analog Discovery Pro 5470, highlighting its capabilities as an oscilloscope, logic analyzer, and pattern generator. Learn how to use this powerful tool for a variety of circuit analysis and design tasks.
Additional Academic Support and Resources
Explore Our Blog for Academic Insights
Our blog offers valuable resources and inspiration for integrating Digilent hardware and software into your classroom or lab. Discover practical tips and insights from our expert contributors, and learn how other universities are using Digilent products to improve student success! Here are a few of our favorites:
Reshaping Learning Landscapes: NYCU’s Analog Discovery Experience
Getting Your Lab Up and Running with Vivado
