NEWS

17.07.2020 Back to list

Why is STEMlab 125-10 the best choice for educational purposes?

STEMlab 125-10 is more affordable compared to the 125-14 version, but that doesn’t mean it is lacking any important features or performance that is required for educational use.

 

STEMlab 125-10 supports all great software features 125-14 bit version has:

 

STEMlab

125-10

125-14

WEB apps

    

Oscilloscope

Y

Y

Spectrum 

Y

Y

Logic analyzer

Y

Y

Bode analyzer

Y

Y

LCR meter

Y

Y

VNA

y

Y

SDR

Y

Y

Streaming

Y 

Y

Marketplace

Y

Y
     

Development 

    

SCPI server

Y

Y

LabVIEW

Y

y

Python

Y

y

MATLAB

y

y

C API

y

y

Jupyter

Y

Y
     

System

    

Network manager

y

y

OS update

y

y
     

Cmd line tools

    

generator

Y

Y

acquire

Y

Y

monitor

Y

Y



Almost all hardware features are the same:

 

STEMlab 125-10

STEMlab 125-14

Basic

    

Processor

Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore

Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore

FPGA

Xilinx Zynq 7010

Xilinx Zynq 7010

RAM

256MB (4Gb)

512MB (4Gb)

System memory

Micro SD up to 32GB

Micro SD up to 32GB

Connectivity

    

Ethernet

1 Gbit

1 Gbit

USB

USB 2.0

USB 2.0

WIFI

using Wi-Fi dongle

using Wi-Fi dongle

RF inputs

    

Channels

2

2

Sample rate

125MS/s

125MS/s

ADC resolution

10 bit

14 bit

Full scale voltage range

+-1V / +-20V

+-1V / +-20V

Input coupling

DC

DC

Bandwidth

DC-50MHz

DC-60MHz

Input impedance

1Mohm

1Mohm

RF outputs

    

Channels

2

2

Sample rate

125MS/s

125MS/s

ADC resolution

10 bit

14 bit

Full scale voltage range

+-1V

+-1V

Load impedance

50 ohm

50 ohm

Shortcut protection

Yes

Yes

Typical raising/falling time

2V / 10ns

2V / 10ns

Bandwidth

DC - 60MHz

DC - 60MHz

Extension connector

    

Digital IOs

16

16

Analog inputs

4 channels 0-3.5V 12bit

4 channels 0-3.5V 12bit

Analog outputs

4 channels 0-1.8V 12bit

4 channels 0-1.8V 12bit

Communication interfaces

I2C, UART, SPI

I2C, UART, SPI

Available voltages

+5V, +3.3V, -4V

+5V, +3.3V, -4V

Synchronisation

    

Trigger input

through extension connector

through extension connector

Daisy chain connection

N/A

over SATA connection



Main differences (125-10 vs 125-14):

  • 125-10 has less DDR than 125-14 that is not crucial for education purposes

  • 125-10 requires USB to serial adapter for serial console access (keep in mind these console is for normal use not needed, since user can access it over ethernet)

  • 125-10 has no daisy chain connector for synchronization, anyhow sync. can still be done using GPIOs/triggering on extension connector

  • 125-10 has 10bits ADC/DAC which is still more than enough for education purposes (higher resolution is mostly required / has benefits when using device for advanced applications like SDR)

 

Measurement comparison 125-10 vs 125-14:

 

Oscilloscope:

1MHz sine and square signal generated and measured with STEMlab

;  



Spectrum:

10MHz sine signal generated and measured with STEMlab

;  

 

If this convinced you that STEMlab 125-10 is the right option for educational purposes you can shop here. For 20% off our Starter kit, use code HOME SCHOOLING.