Using the Breadboard Canvas

Introduction

This guide explains the use of the Breadboard Canvas with the Analog Discovery Studio. The Breadboard Canvas is used to host all of the user designed circuitry and connects to the Analog Discovery Studio through the magnets beneath each of the four standoffs in the corners of the Breadboard Canvas. The Breadboard Canvas includes the following features:

  • Two 630 tie-point solderless breadboards
  • Three 100 tie-point voltage rails
  • Three user LEDs
  • Two user buttons
  • Two user switches
  • Four power supply switches
  • Four power supply indication LEDs
  • Two 24 tie-point breadboards for user IO and power supplies contact points

Inventory

Note: This guide only pertains to the Analog Discovery Studio.


Demonstration

1. Setup

1.1

A Breadboard Canvas comes with the Analog Discovery Studio. The Breadboard Canvas is attached to the Analog Discovery Studio through magnets beneath each of the four standoffs in the corners.

Click to enlarge


1.2

Lift the Breadboard Canvas off of the Analog Discovery Studio. Note that the magnets are fairly strong to ensure that the Canvas does not accidentally fall out of the Analog Discovery Studio, so extra effort to remove the board may be required.

Click to enlarge


1.3

During shipping, a piece of foam is placed underneath the Breadboard Canvas to protect the contacts that connect the Canvas to the Analog Discovery Studio. Remove this foam and place the Canvas back onto the Analog Discovery Studio.

Click to enlarge


1.4

After replacing the Breadboard Canvas back into its slot, connect the Analog Discovery Studio to the host computer using the included USB Type B cable. Connect the included 15V power supply to the Analog Discovery Studio and turn on the Analog Discovery Studio by flipping the switch on the left-hand side of the platform.

Click to enlarge Click to enlarge


2. Using the Breadboard Canvas

The Breadboard Canvas has multiple types of user IO available for convenience.

2.1

The Breadboard Canvas has four different power supplies that are controlled by four power switches in the top right hand corner of the Canvas: +3.3V, +5.0, both ±12.0V, and both of the ± variable voltages. The variable voltage ranges operate between +1V to +5V for V+ and between -1V and -5V for the V-; both of these values are set through the Waveforms “Supplies” instrument. More details on the WaveForms Power Supplies instrument can be found in the Using the Power Supplies guide.

The Supplies instrument in the WaveForms software must be enabled for the variable voltages to work.

Click to enlarge


2.2

Three separate user LEDS (red, yellow, and green) can be enabled by providing a logic signal between 1.8V or a 5.0V logic signal. The LEDs can be enabled through the respective inputs labeled LED RED, LED YLW, and LED GRN.

Click to enlarge


2.3

Two user IO buttons labeled BTN 1 and BTN 2 are present to the left of three user LEDs. The outputs of the buttons can accessed through the respective outputs labeled BTN1 and BTN2.

The 5.0V power switch must be enabled for the buttons to work.

Click to enlarge


2.4

Two user IO switches labeled SW1 and SW 2 are present to the left of two user buttons. The outputs of the switches can accessed through the respective outputs labeled SW1 and SW2.

The 5.0V power switch must be enabled for the switches to work.

Click to enlarge


3. Example Project

Demonstration project using the Breadboard Canvas

3.1

Connect connect the 2×10 MTE Cable set that is included with the Analog Discovery Studio to the Digital I/O MTE Connector on the ADS. The MTE Cable connector is notched so they only fit one way.

Click to enlarge Click to enlarge


3.2

Connect the two 2×1 MTE Cables to each of the WaveGen out connections on the Analog Discovery Studio. The solid yellow and black MTE Cable should attach to channel 1 and the yellow/white and black MTE Cable should attach to channel 2. The black wires on both channels

Click to enlarge


3.3

Connect the WAVEGEN OUT 1 (W1) to the LED RED input and connect WAVEGEN OUT 2 (W2) to the LED GRN input. Connect the TRIG 1 input on the Analog Discovery Studio to the BTN1 output and the TRIG 2 input to BTN2 output.

Click to enlarge


3.4

Open the WaveForms application and open the Wavegen instrument. Additional details and resources on how to do this can be found in the WaveForm Generator guide. Enable both Channels on the Wavegen instrument.

Click to enlarge


3.5

Set the two channels to have independent triggers.

Click to enlarge


3.6

Set the first Waveform Generator channel to have a trigger source to External 1.

Click to enlarge


3.7

Set the second Waveform Generator channel to have a trigger source to External 2.

Click to enlarge


3.8

Change the output waveforms and frequencies for each channel as shown in the image.

Click to enlarge|


3.9

Click the Run All button on the Waveform Generator.

Click to enlarge


3.10

When button 1 and button 2 are pressed, the red and green LEDs will flash at different rates as set by the frequency.

Click to enlarge


Next Steps

For more guides on how to use the Analog Discovery Studio, return to the device's Resource Center.

For more information on WaveForms visit the WaveForms Reference Manual.

For technical support, please visit the Test and Measurement section of the Digilent Forums.