Bench Talk

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Wouldn't it be nice to have an electrical engineer in the family? As schools wind down and students are stuck in the house looking for something to do, it is possible to steer them toward that career–and make it fun and relevant at the same time.

Analog Devices can help. It has a suite of educational products that fills the school void and engages inquiring young minds who are familiar with the type of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs found in most schools. Analog Devices' products enable students–even hobbyists–to learn in an interdisciplinary and applied approach while not in a classroom setting.

Here's a look at the ADALM1000 and ADALM2000, which are active learning modules designed for students and self-learners, and the ADALM-PLUTO SDR module:

The versatile ADALM1000, also known as M1K, is an entry-level module designed to provide students with knowledge about the fundamentals of electrical engineering concepts in a hands-on environment. The M1K features analysis capability for real circuits and concepts used in engineering environments (Figure 1). Users can measure voltage and current waveforms as well as measure AC and DC characteristics of attached parts and systems. The device helps illustrate the relationships between current, voltage, and impedance. Companion sources, including downloadable lectures, labs, and course materials are also available. Click here to learn more. 

Figure 1: With the ADALM1000, users can measure voltage and current waveforms as well as measure AC and DC characteristics of attached parts and systems. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Otherwise known as the M2K, the ADALM2000 is a USB-powered, software-defined instrument that enables budding engineers to work with both analog and digital input and output signals (Figure 2). The 112-gram M2K is an electronics lab in a box that features a digital oscilloscope, function generator, voltmeter, logic analyzer, two programmable power supplies and various other analyzer functions. The M2K works with Analog Devices' open-source Scopy graphical application software, is compatible with Windows, Linux^®, and macOS^® and is suitable for breadboard experiments providing high-performance instrumentation options. And it even looks cool. It's available in a sleek, see-through handheld blue case. Click here to learn more.

Figure 2: The Analog Devices ADALM2000 is an electronics lab in a box that features a digital oscilloscope, function generator, voltmeter, logic analyzer, two programmable power supplies, and various other analyzer functions. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

ADALP2000 Active Learning Program Parts Kit: Includes components from Analog Devices such as transistors, LEDs, resistors, potentiometers, capacitors, diodes, inductors, sensors, and various useful ICs. Click here to learn more.

If it's wireless development education that students seek, the ADALM-PLUTO introduces fundamentals of software-defined radio (SDR), radio frequency (RF), and wireless communications as advanced topics in electrical engineering in self- or instructor-led settings (Figure 3). When used with a laptop, the PLUTO SDR is a portable self-contained cost-effective RF learning module with full duplex transmit and receive capabilities from 325MHz to 3800MHz. The module is MATLAB^® Simulink^® supported and can be used to explore topics such as GSM analysis, receiving weather satellite imagery from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) aircraft positioning to name a few. Click here to learn more.

Figure 3: The Analog Devices ADALM-PLUTO is a portable self-contained cost-effective RF learning module with full duplex transmit and receive capabilities from 325MHz to 3800MHz. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

These selections should get students engaged in STEM-related projects in at-home environments. Analog Devices also provides a comprehensive Engineering Discovery resource center where budding engineers can access labs, slide ware, and suggested curriculum. Best of all, it’s all a step toward having that electrical engineer in the family.