The Analog Discovery Studio Max (ADS Max) was designed to give students and educators a powerful, flexible platform for hands-on electronics and engineering education. Now, Digilent is taking that experience further with the ADS Max Ecosystem, a growing collection of partner boards, sensors, and resources that extend the capabilities of ADS Max into specialized areas of study.
This post will serve as your one-stop resource for the ADS Max Ecosystem, updated as new boards and accessories are released. Bookmark this page and check back often for the latest additions.
What is the ADS Max Ecosystem?
The ADS Max Ecosystem brings together:
- Partner Boards for advanced topics like telecommunications, signals and systems, and fiber optics.
- Sensor Packages for bio-instrumentation, physics, and chemistry experiments.
- Coursework and Resources developed by partner companies to support in-depth learning.
These components integrate seamlessly with ADS Max, enabling educators to create comprehensive lab experiences without the need for multiple standalone trainers.
Current Ecosystem Components
Below are the boards and sensor packages currently available in the ADS Max Ecosystem.
1. Emona Communications Board (DxIQ-45G)
The Emona Communications Board is a versatile add-on for ADS Max that introduces students to foundational concepts in modern digital and analog telecommunications. This single-board solution enables hands-on learning through dozens of experiments, bridging theoretical principles with practical applications.
Key Features
- Compact single-panel PCB design for seamless integration with ADS Max
- 19 documented telecommunications experiments
- Block-diagram method for intuitive learning-by-doing
- Full accessory kit and detailed lab manual included
Specifications
- Supports modulation techniques: AM, FM, DSBSC, SSB, FSK, BPSK, QPSK, DSSS, ASK, OFDM
- Facilitates spectral analysis, sampling, PAM, SNR & BER measurements, Costas Loop, and superheterodyne receiver experiments
- Compatible with ADS Max and legacy NI ELVIS II/+/III platforms
2. Emona Signals & Systems Board (ESSB-30)
The Emona Signals & Systems Board transforms abstract concepts in digital signal processing and circuit analysis into tangible, hands-on experiments. Students explore convolution, correlation, Fourier analysis, and more using a modular block-diagram approach.
Key Features
- Modular design for easy experiment construction
- Comprehensive lab manual aligned with leading textbooks
- LabVIEW-based GUI for enhanced visibility and control
- Full accessory kit and detailed lab manual included
Specifications
- Covers DSP and Signals & Systems concepts including convolution, correlation, sampling, Fourier, Laplace, and Z-transforms
- Compatible with ADS Max and legacy NI ELVIS II/+/III platforms
- Supports analog-to-digital conversion and filter design experiments
- No programming required
3. Emona Fiber Optics Board (ETT-211)
The Emona Fiber Optics Board delivers a complete educational experience in fiber optics, designed specifically for ADS Max. Students conduct practical experiments on optical communications topics such as PCM, TDM, and WDM using real fiber optic transmission.
Key Features
- Modular TIMS™ modelling approach for hands-on learning
- Self-contained board with optical sources, couplers, WDM filters, and PCM/TDM blocks
- Real fiber optic transmission with optical TX/RX modules
- Full integration with ADS Max virtual instruments
Specifications
- Supports PCM, TDM, and WDM experiments
- Optical signal splitting, combining, and filtering implemented
- Compatible with ADS Max and legacy NI ELVIS II/+/III platforms
- Includes all required leads and accessories
4. iWorx Sensor Packages
Digilent has partnered with iWorx, a leader in life science teaching solutions, to offer specialized sensor packages for bio-instrumentation, physics, and chemistry applications. These packages are designed exclusively for the Analog Discovery Studio and ADS Max platforms and integrate with LabScribeADS software for data acquisition and analysis.
Available Packages
- BioInstrumentation Sensor Package (ADS-BIKS): Includes blood pressure cuff, hand dynamometer, gas pressure sensor, pulse transducer, spirometer, temperature sensor, and LabScribeADS software.
- BioInstrumentation Add-On Package (ADS-BIA): Includes event marker, single-axis goniometer, heart sounds sensor, respiration belt, and LabScribeADS software.
- Chemistry/Ecology Sensor Package (ADS-CEKS): Includes conductivity probe, colorimeter & turbidity sensor, drop counter, dissolved oxygen sensor, gas pressure sensor, humidity sensor, pH probe, temperature sensor, and LabScribeADS software.
Example Lab Experiments
- Body Position & Blood Pressure
- Lung Volumes & Heart Rate
- Grip Strength
- Conductivity of Solutions
- Water Quality Analysis
- Boyle’s Law
- Beer’s Law
Future Expansion
The ADS Max Ecosystem is designed to grow. Digilent is actively working with industry and academic partners to introduce new boards and accessories that will expand the range of supported disciplines.
Our goal is to provide educators and students with a comprehensive, modular platform that evolves with the needs of modern engineering education. Stay tuned for announcements on new releases and resources.
Stay Connected
The ADS Max Ecosystem is growing. New boards, sensors, and resources will be added regularly. Bookmark this page and subscribe to Digilent’s newsletter to stay up to date.
