Traditional lab instruments were never designed for the pace of modern engineering. Today’s workflows demand software-defined, reconfigurable, and compact measurement platforms that can move seamlessly from prototyping to deployment. This is where FPGA-based test and measurement is reshaping how engineers, researchers, and advanced makers work.
A recent in-depth technical review by Electromaker takes a close look at the Red Pitaya STEMlab PRO Gen 2, including its new QSPI boot module, and explains why this platform represents a significant shift toward open, modular instrumentation.
Below, we highlight the most important technical insights — and why they matter for real-world users.
Conventional oscilloscopes, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers are powerful but rigid. Each device performs a single function, often at high cost, and adapting them to new workflows typically requires additional hardware.
FPGA-based instrumentation platforms, like Red Pitaya Gen 2 PRO, replace this fixed approach with a software-defined architecture:
One device can function as an oscilloscope, signal generator, spectrum analyzer, logic analyzer, or custom data-acquisition system
Applications are switched in software, not hardware
Signal paths and processing chains can be reconfigured at the FPGA level
This flexibility is what makes FPGA platforms attractive not only for labs, but also for industrial testing, embedded development, and research environments.
The Electromaker article emphasizes that Gen 2 is not a cosmetic update — it is a hardware-level evolution built on years of field use.
Lower noise and distortion for improved signal integrity
Enhanced RF input performance, suitable for demanding measurement tasks
Modernized power and system management, increasing long-term reliability
Full backward compatibility, protecting existing applications and workflows
Together, these changes position the STEMlab PRO Gen 2 as a compact FPGA data acquisition and signal processing platform capable of operating far beyond hobbyist use cases.
One of the most practical upgrades highlighted in the review is the QSPI boot module.
Unlike SD-card-based booting, QSPI enables:
Faster and more reliable system startup
Improved robustness for long-term or unattended operation
A cleaner path toward industrial and embedded deployment
For users building permanent measurement systems, automated test rigs, or embedded controllers, this small module makes a big operational difference.
One of the key points highlighted in the Electromaker review is the strategic advantage of open-source test and measurement—when it is executed without sacrificing performance or reliability.
Red Pitaya’s open ecosystem gives engineers full control over both hardware and software, enabling them to:
Inspect, modify, and extend hardware and firmware as system requirements evolve
Develop custom FPGA-based signal processing and control pipelines
Eliminate vendor lock-in, a common limitation of traditional proprietary instruments
Crucially, this openness does not come at the expense of signal quality or robustness. The STEMlab PRO Gen 2 pairs professional-grade analog front ends with deep FPGA and software access, making it a practical choice for:
Industrial R&D and product validation
Aerospace, defense, and communications test systems
Energy, power electronics, and grid monitoring
Embedded, edge, and field-deployed measurement platforms
Automated and long-term test environments requiring deterministic behavior
This combination of transparency, performance, and reliability is what allows Gen 2 PRO to move beyond prototyping—into real-world, industrial deployment.
The real value of this article lies in its clarity: it explains why FPGA-based, open-source instrumentation is moving from niche use to mainstream adoption.
Engineers increasingly need platforms that:
Adapt as requirements change
Scale from prototype to production
Remain serviceable over long lifecycles
Red Pitaya Gen 2 PRO demonstrates that compact, software-defined FPGA instrumentation can meet these demands — without the cost, size, or rigidity of traditional lab equipment.
What makes this article especially valuable is its independent, technical perspective. Rather than marketing claims, the Electromaker review walks through:
Hardware design decisions
Practical deployment considerations
Real-world use cases
For readers evaluating FPGA-based measurement platforms, it provides an objective reference point grounded in hands-on analysis.
Read the full Electromaker article: Red Pitaya Gen 2: Next Generation — What’s New
Q1: Is Red Pitaya Gen 2 PRO suitable for industrial and production environments?
Yes. The STEMlab PRO Gen 2 is designed for continuous operation, deterministic performance, and system-level integration. Its improved power architecture, robust analog front end, and Gen 2 system management make it suitable for industrial R&D, validation labs, and long-term field deployments.
Q2: How does open-source instrumentation benefit industrial users?
Open-source hardware and software allow engineering teams to inspect, adapt, and maintain systems over long product lifecycles. This reduces vendor lock-in, mitigates supply-chain risk, and enables customization that proprietary instruments often prohibit or monetize through costly licenses.
Q3: Can Red Pitaya Gen 2 PRO replace traditional lab instruments in industrial setups?
In many use cases, yes. A single Gen 2 PRO can replace oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, and impedance analyzers, while also enabling custom FPGA-based functions—all in a compact, software-defined platform.
Q4: Is the platform suitable for automated test systems and HIL applications?
Absolutely. Red Pitaya supports SCPI, REST APIs, Python, C/C++, and FPGA-level access, making it easy to integrate into automated test equipment (ATE), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems, and CI/CD hardware pipelines.
Q5: How does Gen 2 PRO differ from earlier Red Pitaya generations for industry use?
Gen 2 introduces a redesigned architecture with improved signal integrity, enhanced system reliability, onboard storage, watchdog functionality, and expanded board support. These upgrades directly address the needs of industrial reliability, remote operation, and scalable deployment.
Q6: Can Red Pitaya Gen 2 PRO be used in field-deployed or embedded systems?
Yes. Its compact form factor, low power consumption, and ability to run custom FPGA logic make it well suited for edge measurement, embedded monitoring, and distributed sensing applications where traditional rack instruments are impractical.
Q7: What industries typically deploy Red Pitaya Gen 2 PRO?
Common sectors include aerospace and defense, telecommunications, energy and power electronics, industrial automation, semiconductor testing, photonics, and advanced sensing and control systems