PRUDAQ by GetLab
Description
PRUDAQ is a fully open source 40MSPS Data Acquisition (DAQ) cape for the BeagleBone Black or Green designed by Jason Holt and his team at Google Research with a software collaboration from the BeagleLogic creator, Kumar Abhishek. We assisted with manufacturing and beta testing. PRUDAQ was created to address a need not currently addressed by the market for a portable and low-cost DAQ system that doesn't compromise on performance. This is not an OFFICIAL Google product.
A the heart of this cape is the Analog Devices AD9201 10-bit ADC which can sample two inputs simultaneously at up to 20MSPS per channel. Google Research has developed open-source software specifically for this board consisting of embedded software for the programmable real-time units (PRU) onboard the BeagleBone as well as software for pulling the data into the CPU for processing and storage. Be sure to read the PRUDAQ Wiki to better understand what PRUDAQ is and what its potential applications are as designed.
The available BeagleLogic image created specifically for this cape leverages both PRUs on the BeagleBone and has a kernel module that uses the Linux DMA API to obtain better PRU-memory transfer speeds than can be achieved through "libprussdrv" implementations.
Critical Specifications
- Dual-channel simultaneously-sampled 10-bit ADC
- Up to 20MSPS per channel (40MSPS total) theoretical
- 0-2V input voltage range (DC coupled)
- 4:1 analog switches in front of each channel provide a total of 8 single-ended analog inputs. (See here for differential input)
- SMA jacks for direct access to the 2 ADC channels
- Flexible clock options:
- External input via SMA jack
- Internal onboard 10MHz oscillator
- Programmable clock from BeagleBone GPIO pins
- Powered via BeagleBone headers - no external power needed
- Fully exposed BeagleBone headers on top to connect/stack more electronics or another cape
- 100% Open source hardware and software
- Compatible with the BeagleBone Black and Green
- Dimensions: 87mm x 56mm (+/- 1mm)
- Weight: 29 grams
Essential Resources
Notable PRUDAQ Projects
Application Note
- HDMI must be disabled on the BeagleBone Black to use the Google sample application but this step is not necessary if using the BeagleLogic Image. See the quickstart guide on how to do this.
Blog Coverage
- The Excellent Story Behind this Board by Jason Holt of Google Research
- The Embedded Kitchen's post on why Analog for BeagleLogic by Kumar Abhishek
- "Blindingly Fast ADC For Your BeagleBone" by Elliot Williams of Hackaday.
- "Google Research PRUDAQ is a 40MSPS ADC Data Acquisition (DAQ) Cape for BeagleBone Black & Green" by CNXSoft
