Nowadays, most service providers offer cloud storage. From images to videos, music, or movies, they store files in the cloud to save storage space. Users can access data from anywhere and easily share these files with others. With the development of the Internet of Things, embedded systems are also starting to thrive in the cloud domain. From development projects to complex measurements, the industry is shifting towards cloud technology.
The Internet of Things (IoT) describes an emerging trend where a large number of embedded devices (things) are connected to the internet. These connected devices communicate with people and other things, often providing sensor data to cloud storage and cloud computing resources, where the data is processed and analyzed for valuable insights. Cheap cloud computing capabilities and enhanced device connectivity are driving this trend.
With the help of Digilent Analog Discovery 2, Waveforms, and Raspberry Pi 4, you can send measurement data and signals directly to ThingSpeak.com cloud and ultimately analyze them. The Analog Discovery 2 is a USB oscilloscope and multifunction instrument that allows users to measure, visualize, generate, record, and control various mixed-signal circuits. The Analog Discovery 2 is small enough to fit in your pocket but powerful enough to replace a bunch of lab equipment. Driven by the free WaveForms software, the Analog Discovery 2 can be configured to function as any of several traditional instruments, including an oscilloscope, waveform generator, power supply, voltmeter, data logger, logic analyzer, pattern generator, static I/O, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, impedance analyzer, and protocol analyzer.
WaveForms is software developed by Digilent that is designed to be used with the Analog Discovery 2 and Analog Discovery Studio. WaveForms provides a user interface for a 2-channel oscilloscope, logic analyzer, arbitrary waveform generator, digital I/O, and more. It is available for free download and is compatible with Mac (Apple), Windows, and Linux (32-bit, 64-bit, and ARM).
Installing WaveForms
Step 1: Download WaveForms
After downloading the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B from the link, this tutorial will guide you through the steps involved in the installation process. We will be using the 1GB version of the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B in this tutorial. The 2GB and 4GB versions of the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B are also suitable for this tutorial.
Download the correct WaveForms installation file for your Linux distribution. Since we are using the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B with the Raspbian operating system, we will choose the ARM version of the Debian style.
Step 2: Download Adept 2
Download the correct version of Adept 2. Make sure that the version of the Adept installation file matches that of WaveForms. We chose the ARM version for WaveForms, so we will use the ARM Runtime and Utilities version for Adept.
Step 3: Open the Adept 2 file
Open the file you downloaded for Adept 2 in Step 2.
Step 4: Click Install
When prompted, click “Install” in the window.
Step 5: Open the WaveForms file
Open the file you downloaded to install WaveForms.
Step 6: Click Install
When prompted, click “Install” in the window.
Step 7: Open WaveForms
Go to your applications and open WaveForms.
Step 8: Device Not Detected
If you do not have the Analog Discovery 2 plugged in, a window will pop up indicating that the device is not detected. You do not need the device to run the software, so proceed and click “OK” to continue.
Step 9: Run Demo Mode
The Device Manager will now open. Click “Demo Mode” and then click “Select”.
Step 10: Demo Mode Oscilloscope
As mentioned before, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have the Analog Discovery 2. You can still run WaveForms in demo mode and experience the interface and functionality. The following image shows the oscilloscope demo displaying a sine wave and square wave.
Step 11: Insert Analog Discovery 2
If you plug in the Analog Discovery 2, a window will pop up indicating that it has been detected. Select “OK” to continue.
Step 12: Device Manager
If you open the Device Manager or plug in the Analog Discovery 2 while WaveForms is open, you will see a window displayed as shown in the image below. Select Analog Discovery 2 just like in demo mode.
Now that you have connected and installed WaveForms, you can check the tutorials for each instrument in the WaveForms Resource Center.
Sending Data from WaveForms SDK to ThingSpeak.com
ThingSpeak, created by MathWorks, is an online platform for collecting, viewing, and analyzing data in the cloud. This guide outlines the steps required to send data captured from Digilent test and measurement devices compatible with WaveForms SDK to ThingSpeak.
Step 1
Visit thingspeak.com and log in or sign up.
Step 2
Select My Channels in the Channels menu and create a new channel.
Step 3
Configure the channel settings, name, and fields:
Step 4
Under API Keys, note the Write API Key needed to push data from your custom application or script to the server:
Step 5
Download the AnalogImpedance.py script, edit it, and replace “8C####BU” with the Write API Key as shown below:
url = "https://api.thingspeak.com/update?api_key=8C############BU"Run the script on your embedded device, such as Windows, macOS, Linux desktop, or Raspberry Pi:
Step 6
After sending data to ThingSpeak, you can see the default chart in the “Private View” and “Public View” tabs:
Next Steps
You can now transfer data between the test and measurement devices and ThingSpeak, and modify the script as needed for your project. For more information about the WaveForms SDK, refer to the Resource Center.
https://reference.digilentinc.com/reference/software/waveforms/waveforms-sdk/start
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