Analog Discovery Studio Max Ecosystem

The Analog Discovery Studio Max (ADS Max) Ecosystem builds on the flexibility of the ADS Max platform to extend it with course-specific Canvas boards that support hands-on engineering education. Designed in collaboration with leading academic hardware partners, the initial release includes boards for foundational electrical engineering (YEA Engineering), communications systems (Emona Instruments), and biomedical and chemistry applications (iWorx). Each Canvas board bundle includes:

1. The Canvas board – physical hardware that plugs into the ADS Max Canvas slot.
2. Partner-developed software – tailored to each board, ranging from WaveForms integrations to LabVIEW or standalone applications.
3. Courseware – ready-to-use exercises provided as printed manuals or downloadable files from the partner’s website.

Canvases for the Analog Discovery Studio Max provide large prototyping surfaces along with other features, including switchable power supplies, integrated I/O, and SMT breakouts. All canvases can be connected to the Analog Discovery Studio Max via a standard PCI connector. For more information on the Analog Discovery Studio Max, refer to its Resource Center.

Based in Australia, EMONA Instruments has been a trusted NI partner for over a decade, specializing in educational tools for communications engineering. EMONA’s Communications, Signals & Systems, and Fiber Optic Transmission Canvas boards are designed to make complex telecommunications and signal processing concepts accessible in the classroom. Emona continues to innovate alongside NI, most recently showcasing their ADS Max-compatible boards at NI Connect 2025 with fully documented step-by-step, hands-on experiments.

The Emona Fiber Optics Trainer (FOTEx, ETT-211) is a comprehensive single-board solution for the ADS Max platform, covering fundamental digital communications, optics fundamentals such as electrical/optical and optical/electrical interface, optical signal combining and filtering. It delivers an immersive learning experience in modern fiber optic technologies.

1. 13 hands-on lab experiments covering optical signal splitting, combining and filtering is implemented.
2. Real fiber optic transmission with optical TX/RX modules included.
3. Support for Pulse Code Modulation (PCM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), and Wave Division Multiplexing (WDM) experiments

The Emona Signals & Systems Board (ESSB-30), paired with the ADS Max, transforms abstract concepts in digital signal processing, circuit analysis, and signals and systems into tangible, hands-on experiences. Students explore the interplay between mathematics, theory, and real electrical signals.

1. 16 hands-on lab experiments Covering essential Signals & Systems concepts including impulse response, convolution, correlation, sampling, Fourier, Laplace and Z-domains.
2. A/D conversion and IIR/FIR filter design experiments.

The Emona Communications Board (DxIQ-45G) is a versatile add-on for the ADS Max, designed to introduce students to foundational concepts in modern digital and analog telecommunications. This single-board solution enables hands-on learning through dozens of experiments, bridging theoretical principles with practical applications.

1. 23 hands-on lab experiments covering AM, FM, DSBSC, SSB, FSK, BPSK, QPSK, DSSS, ASK, Intro to OFDM & SDR: I/Q modulation
2. Spectral analysis, sampling, PAM, SNR & BER measurements, Costas Loop and superheterodyne receiver experiments

YEA Engineering, based in Yerevan, Armenia, is a rising contributor in academic and industrial engineering solutions. Known for its work in RF systems, semiconductors, and IoT, YEA also develops tailored educational technologies that bridge the gap between cutting-edge industry needs and academic curricula. YEA’s Canvas boards for ADS Max reflect this mission of bringing foundational electrical engineering concepts into the lab with structured, course-ready content. Each of their Canvas boards includes:

• Structured Learning Experience – Menu-driven lab navigation, student registration, and step-by-step instructions guide learners through each experiment.
• Interactive Circuit Visualization – Preassembled boards with real-time circuit diagrams, scope traces, and numeric indicators displayed on screen.
• Courseware-Integrated Workflow – Each lab includes an interactive study guide and built-in tools for capturing and analyzing results.

The Electronics Engineering test bench from YEA designed for the Analog Discovery Studio Max platform. Using a special lab software package, the course material includes hands-on labs on most major topics of Electronics Circuits Theory. The test bench also includes various electronic components which are used for assembling different lab circuits.

The Industrial Electronics test bench from YEA designed for the Analog Discovery Studio Max platform. Using a special lab software package, it has been developed for the study of semiconductor devices used in industrial applications. The test bench also includes various electronic components which are used for assembling different lab circuits.

The Operational Amplifier Applications test bench from YEA designed for the Analog Discovery Studio Max platform. Using a special lab software package, it has been designed to focus on the study of the most popular Operational Amplifier based circuits. The test bench also includes various electronic components which are used for assembling different lab circuits.

Headquartered in Dover, New Hampshire, iWorx Systems provides physiological data acquisition systems and lab kits for biomedical and chemistry education. Their products are widely used in universities and research institutions, offering pre-calibrated sensors, LabScribe software, and comprehensive courseware. iWorx has supported NI-compatible solutions for over a decade, helping educators teach biosignals, cardiovascular and respiratory physiology, and chemical analysis with hands-on experiments. Each of their sensor bundles includes:

• LabScribeADS Software – a user-friendly data acquisition and analysis tool tailored for ADS Max, ideal for biosignal and chemistry experiments.
• Web-Ready Courseware – downloadable lab exercises developed by educators, covering topics like physiology, biosignals, and chemical analysis

Includes:

• Biomedical Sensors Package (PN 790615-01):
  • Gas Pressure Sensor
  • Blood Pressure Sensor (cuff)
  • Hand Dynamometer
  • Pulse Sensor
  • Temperature Probe (submersible)
  • Spirometer (with flow head)
  • Analog Discovery Studio Adapter
  • Analog Discovery Studio Max Adapter
• Biomedical Sensors Add-on Package (PN 790616-01):
  • Heart sounds sensor
  • Respiration belt
  • Event Marker
  • Goniometer
• 1 seat of iWorx LabScribe Software (PN 790617-01)

Includes:

• Chemistry Sensors Package (PN 790617-01):
  • Conductivity Probe
  • Drop Counter
  • Temperature Probe (Submersible)
  • Gas Pressure Sensor
  • pH Sensor
  • Colorimeter & Turbidity Sensor
  • Dissolved Oxygen Probe
  • Humidity Sensor
  • Analog Discovery Studio Adapter
  • Analog Discovery Studio Max Adapter
• 1 seat of iWorx LabScribe Software (PN 790617-01)