Getting started with the Digital Discovery

1. Hardware

To set up the Digital Discovery:

  1. First, install the Digilent WaveForms software on your PC. See Installer Details for more information.
  2. Connect the Digital Discovery to your PC using a USB cable.

  Recommended Operating Conditions Absolute Maximum Ratings
Voltage Supply 1.2 .. 3.3 V, <100 mA 0 .. 3.4 V, 100mA
Digital IOs (DIO24..39) Output 0 .. 1.2/3.3 V 0 .. 3.4 V, 16 mA
Digital IOs (DIO24..39) Input 0 .. 5 V ± 20 V
Digital INputs (DIN0..23) 0 .. 5 V ± 20 V

For more information, visit the reference page.

 


2. WaveForms Software

See Installer Details for information on installing WaveForms.

See WaveForms for information on using the software.

 


3. Troubleshooting

In case you receive the error message "Communication with device failed" or "Device configuration failed":

The Digital Discovery's system monitor displays the voltage, current, and temperature. In the main window, click the button in the status bar to show this information.

When no instrument is running, the device power consumption is around 2 W (400mA). Depending on the usage, consumption can increase subject to the following limitations:

If you receive the previously mentioned error message, or if the voltage is less than 4.5 V, try the following options:

The LED on the right of the USB connector (LD1):

The LED on the left side of the USB connector (LD2):

The LED is lit during Logic Analyzer triggered state, from triggered until done, but for a minimum of 166ms in order to show short captures too.
It the capture is long or the rate is high the led will stay lit for longer.
The Protocol tool also uses the Logic Analyzer resource and its triggering mechanism so it may be lit also when using this tool.

 


4. Power Supplies

The Digital Discovery digital voltage can be adjusted in the Supplies interface between 1.2 and 3.3 V. This applies to the voltage output and DIO channel's logic high level. In parallel with this, the input logic threshold for DIO and DIN is also changed.

Specifications:

 


5. Digital I/O

The Digital Discovery has 24 digital inputs (DIN 0-23) and 16 digital I/Os (DIO 24-39).

Specifications: