Analog Discovery 3

The Digilent Analog Discovery 3 is a USB-powered multi-instrument that replaces an entire bench of test equipment — oscilloscope, logic analyzer, waveform generator, pattern generator, power supplies, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, and protocol analyzer — in a pocket-sized device. Part of Digilent’s Discovery family (described by users as “the Swiss army knife of electronics”), it combines a 2-channel 14-bit oscilloscope at 125 MS/s, 16-channel logic analyzer, dual 25 MHz arbitrary waveform generators, and programmable power supplies into one instrument that delivers professional-grade measurements at a fraction of benchtop cost.

Instrument Modes

Instrument	Specification
Oscilloscope	2-ch, 125 MS/s, 14-bit, +/-25V
Logic Analyzer	16 digital channels, 100 MS/s
Waveform Generator	2-ch, 25 MHz, 14-bit
Pattern Generator	16-ch digital output
Power Supply	2-ch programmable, 0-5V
Spectrum Analyzer	FFT-based from oscilloscope
Network Analyzer	Bode plot, impedance
Protocol Analyzer	SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, custom
Voltmeter	DC + AC true RMS
Data Logger	Long-duration recording

The WaveForms software (Windows, macOS, Linux) provides virtual instrument panels for each function, along with a scripting interface for automated measurements and test sequences. Built-in protocol analyzers decode SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, and custom protocols directly from captured digital waveforms. The combination of analog and digital measurement on a single synchronized timebase makes the Analog Discovery 3 uniquely suited for mixed-signal debugging, where correlating analog behavior with digital bus traffic reveals issues invisible to single-domain instruments.

Watch the Analog Discovery 3 introduction

For engineering labs, R&D teams, and field engineers who need portable, multi-instrument capability without the physical constraints of a traditional bench setup, the Analog Discovery 3 delivers the instrumentation breadth that previously required multiple standalone devices. It is particularly well-suited for university electronics labs where bench space is limited, startup hardware teams that need complete instrumentation on a budget, and field service engineers who need to diagnose mixed-signal issues on-site. GSAS Micro Systems provides the Analog Discovery 3 as part of the complete Digilent Discovery family, with technical guidance on selecting the right instrument for each application and support for WaveForms software integration into automated test workflows.