Analyzing Circuits Using the Espotek Labrador: Introduction

A brief introduction of the Espotek Labrador.

Description

This entry begins a series of entries discussing the Espotek Labrador. It is a fantastic small device that enables one to analyze electronic circuits.

https://espotek.com/labrador/

From that page is this description:

Labrador is an all-in-one tool for electronics students, makers and hobbyists. Just plug your Labrador board into a PC (Windows/Mac/Linux), Raspberry Pi or Android device via a MicroUSB cable, load up the software and you instantly have the following engineering tools at your disposal:

• Oscilloscope (2 channel, 750ksps)
• Arbitrary Waveform Generator (2 channel, 1MSPS per channel)
• Power Supply (4.5 to 12V, 0.75W max output, with closed-loop feedback)
• Logic Analyzer (2 channel, 3MSPS per channel, with serial decoding)
• Multimeter (V/I/R/C)

The price on the website is $49 and you can buy from Espotek or from Amazon or Jameco Electronics.

The pros and cons of the Labrador are the follow:

PRO

• Inexpensive
• Easy to use
• Multiple platforms (Windows, Linux, macOS, Raspberry PI)
• Multiple functions (Oscilloscope, DMM, Signal Generator, Logic Analyzer, PSU)
• Small in size and integrates well on a breadboard

CON

• Inaccurate at times
• Has bugs, one significant (DMM bug)
• User interface isn’t polished

Labrador Images

In this series, we’ll use the Oscilloscope Channels 1 & 2 (DC) and the Signal Generator Channel 1 (AC). The colors on the pinout will be the same color of the wires used. I recommend this approach as it makes it easy to remember the functionality of the specific wires.

Labrador Application