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  • Author Author: quinn.sullivan
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Introducing the OpenScope MZ

quinn.sullivan

Engineers and electronics enthusiasts listen up as the OpenScope MZ has officially launched at Digilent! The OpenScope MZ was announced on Kickstarter in January 2017 as an addition to the Digilent line of Instrumentation and remains their only open-sourced Instrumentation device to help debug on the go. This portable, open source, multi-function programmable instrument can be used for capturing, visualizing, and controlling analog and digital signals for a multitude of engineering projects. Built around the Microchip PIC32MZ2048EF processor, users can connect their OpenScope device to a computer via USB or dial in remotely to a smartphone via WiFi to debug or visualize electronics projects of all shapes and sizes.

 

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If you are new to Instrumentation solutions, the OpenScope is a perfect choice for learning about signals from circuits, sensors, and other electronic devices. New users can begin with the free "Getting Started Guide" which runs readers through setting up their OpenScope, updating its firmware, calibrating the device, and taking their first measurement. Following device setup, OpenScope users can review a number of tutorials with video and textual support to accommodate different learning styles. Many of these tutorials also support the free applications software, WaveForms Live, which runs in a web based browser or  can downloaded for use with Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS or Android systems. WaveForms Live is also built on a common web frame works with developer APIs provided for those who wish to modify the UI.

 

The OpenScope MZ hardware + Waveforms Live can help any engineer or hobbyist turn their computer into the following instruments: Oscilloscope, Waveform Generator, Logic Analyzer, Power Supply and Data Logger. All of these tools can be run over Wi-Fi from the OpenScope MZ to your computer or mobile device, providing immense flexibility for project debugging. Whether you're a beginner looking for an introduction to Instrumentation, or someone searching for an on-the-go, wireless tool, the OpenScope MZ can meet many of your circuit analysis needs.

 

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OpenScope MZ Hardware Specifications and Key Features:

  • MCU – Microchip PIC32 MZ (MZ2048EFG124) – 200 MHz with 2048KB flash, 512 KB RAM
  • External Storage – micro SD slot
  • Wireless Connectivity – WiFi module
  • USB – 1x micro USB for power and programming over FTDI
  • Programming / Debugging – micro USB port, programming header
  • Expansion – 30-pin Fly Wire connector with:
  • 2x scope channels with 12 bits @ 2 MHz bandwidth and up to 6.25MS/s sampling rate
  • 1x function generator output with 1 MHz bandwidth and up to 10MS/s update rate
  • 10x user programmable DIO pins up to 25 MHz update rate
  • Misc – 4x user LEDs, programming and reset buttons
  • Power Supply – via micro USB or ext pin; programmable power supplies up to 50 mA and +/- 4V

 

Test drive the software at www.waveformslive.com and browse the collection of reference materials on the Digilent Wiki before completing your home tool kit with the OpenScope MZOpenScope MZ.

  • Reading the documentation the two concepts of open scope and the Bitscope / Picoscope families forks and differ a lot. While the (supposed) terms of comparison are primarily measuring instruments and focus their features in this direction with - at least on the Bitscope I am using by a while - good performances and quality including price vs performances this is a totally different approach, no matter it is open.

     

    IMHO the suffix "scope" is relatively meaningful respect the entire board design. As a matter of fact if you plan to use this board as a measuring instrument you will pay double or more respect Pico with the same measuring characteristics;

    • 2x scope channels with 12 bits @ 2 MHz bandwidth and up to 6.25MS/s sampling rate
    • 1x function generator output with 1 MHz bandwidth and up to 10MS/s update rate

    These seems to be just the two measuring instrumentation features. All the rest is the programmability option, internal memory, microcontroller based architecture at a - reasonable - speed. It seems me on the first sight an almost advanced development board with just a small plus. Better to classify it in the microcontroller boards / development boards with some measuring features. Remain to see how much programming space and MCU compute power remain when it is working for measuring.

     

    My first impression is that it is a very good board not so useful as a measuring instrument  - take a look to the depth features and pinout specifications in the mentioned Getting Started guid - but a great hardware debugging simulation-and-feedback circuit. In this range it sounds really a great board and probably covers the average/low price area of this kind of products. It will be nice to test just in this kind of working environments.

     

    Enrico

  • in reply to DAB

    As far as I know, Picoscope and Bitscope is powered by FPGA while OpenScope is powered by PIC 32 MZ. So, the technology behind is different. And OpenScope is open-source instrument while the other two aren't. The Digilent Analog Discovery 2 will fall into product range in terms of price and performance. 410-321 DIGILENT, Analog Discovery 2 USB Oscilloscope, 2 Analogue, 30 MHz, 100 MSPS | Farnell element14

  • How does it compare with Picoscope and Bitscope on price and performance?

     

    DAB