For years, the myRIO-1900 by National Instruments has been a cornerstone in engineering and science education, widely used in courses like control systems, robotics, and embedded systems. Its intuitive interface and robust ecosystem made it an ideal tool for bridging theory and hands-on learning. However, with its discontinuation scheduled for April 2025, professors and other educators now face the challenge of finding alternatives to sustain and enhance their curricula.

Among the various options available, Red Pitaya boards are an established and compelling alternative, particularly for courses in digital signal processing (DSP), FPGA programming, and electronics. By offering an open-source, multifunctional platform at a fraction of the cost of traditional lab instruments, Red Pitaya creates new opportunities to modernize STEM education. This article will explore where Red Pitaya boards fit best in this context, highlight use cases, and provide guidance for integrating them into the classroom.

Exploring Alternatives: Finding the Right Fit

The upcoming discontinuation of myRIO has prompted educators to reassess their teaching tools. While no single platform can fully replace myRIO, several alternatives cater to specific needs. For robotics, mechatronics, and embedded systems, platforms like Arduino or Raspberry Pi are affordable and highly customizable, while NI's CompactRIO offers advanced real-time capabilities at a higher cost.

For courses in digital signal processing, FPGA programming, and electronics, Red Pitaya boards stand out for their many notable features. They integrate multiple lab instruments, such as oscilloscopes and signal generators, into a single compact device. The open-source platform supports customization for diverse educational needs, while compatibility with MATLAB, Python, JupyterLab and LabVIEW ensures a seamless transition for students.

By leveraging the strengths of these alternatives, professors and others can select the best tools for their curricula and students.

Where Red Pitaya Shines: Unlocking New Possibilities

A Red Pitaya board is not just an alternative to myRIO—it's a platform that brings new opportunities for teaching and learning in STEM education. By combining the functionality of multiple lab instruments into a single, compact device, it simplifies laboratory setups while reducing costs. Its open-source design also enables professors to create customized solutions tailored to their specific course objectives.

Hands-On Learning in Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
With Red Pitaya, students can analyze real-world signals in real time, design FIR and IIR filters, and visualize their effects using built-in tools. For example, in a DSP lab, students can use Red Pitaya to acquire signals, implement custom filters in Python or MATLAB, and observe the results instantly.

FPGA Programming Made Accessible
Red Pitaya's integration of an FPGA allows students to gain practical experience with hardware-level programming. Professors can guide students through designing custom logic for tasks like signal processing or communication protocols, helping them understand the critical role of FPGAs in modern engineering.

Simplifying Control Systems Labs
Red Pitaya boards’ input/output capabilities make them ideal for control systems courses. For example, students can design and test PID controllers or experiment with motor control systems, using these compact, affordable and versatile devices to process feedback and adjust outputs dynamically.

Innovative Applications in Communications and Electronics
In communications courses, students can use a Red Pitaya board to explore spectrum analysis, modulation techniques, and even software-defined radio (SDR) applications. For electronics labs, its functionality as an oscilloscope, signal generator, and logic analyzer ensures students have access to all the tools they need for circuit analysis.

A Catalyst for Remote Learning
With a web-based interface, Red Pitaya boards are also a powerful enabler of remote and distributed learning. During remote learning phases, students can connect to Red Pitaya devices over the internet to perform experiments and complete lab assignments from home, ensuring uninterrupted hands-on education.

Where a Red Pitaya Board May Not Be the Best Fit

While Red Pitaya boards excel in many areas, it's important to recognize scenarios where other platforms might be more appropriate. In robotics and mechatronics courses, where multiple motors, sensors, and real-time motion control are the primary requirements, platforms like Arduino or NI CompactRIO often provide more appropriate solutions. These platforms offer specialized hardware interfaces and extensive libraries for motor control and sensor integration that better align with the needs of robotics curricula.

Similarly, for advanced embedded systems courses focusing on low-power applications or strict real-time constraints, microcontroller-based platforms or specialized development boards might be more appropriate. These platforms better simulate real-world embedded system constraints, and provide students with an experience that is closer to industry practices.

However, none of this reduces the value of a Red Pitaya board in a comprehensive engineering program. Many institutions successfully integrate multiple platforms, using Red Pitaya alongside other tools to provide students with exposure to various industry-relevant technologies. This multi-platform approach ensures students develop a range of versatile skills applicable across different engineering domains.

Supporting Professors in the Transition

Making the switch from the NI myRIO-1900 to a Red Pitaya board requires careful planning and support. To facilitate this transition, Red Pitaya provides comprehensive resources, including:

• Detailed documentation and getting-started guides
• Ready-to-use laboratory exercises and example projects
• Active online community forums for peer support
• Integration guides for popular software platforms like MATLAB and JupyterLab
• Regular webinars and training sessions for educators

When transitioning existing labs, professors and others can often enhance their current curricula. For instance, a traditional DSP lab can be expanded to include real-time spectrum analysis and advanced filter design, leveraging the built-in capabilities of Red Pitaya boards. While the workflow differs from that of the NI myRIO with LabVIEW, many find that the open-source nature of Red Pitaya boards allows for greater customization and innovation in their teaching methods, keeping things fresh for both educators and students.

Common challenges that arise during a such a transition include:

• Adapting existing myRIO LabVIEW-based exercises to Red Pitaya's environment
• Familiarizing students with the web-based interface
• Modifying assessment methods to align with new capabilities

However, these challenges often become opportunities to modernize course content and introduce students to industry-relevant tools and practices.

Preparing for the Future of STEM Education

As the April 2025 deadline for myRIO's discontinuation approaches, the time to act is now. The transition to new platforms presents an opportunity to reassess and enhance engineering education methods. Red Pitaya offers a powerful, cost-effective solution that not only replaces existing functionality, but opens new possibilities for hands-on learning in signal processing, FPGA programming, and electronics.

By embracing the proven capabilities of the Red Pitaya platform, professors can:

• Modernize their laboratory infrastructure
• Reduce equipment costs while expanding functionality
• Prepare students for industry trends in digital instrumentation
• Enable flexible learning environments supporting both in-person and remote education

We thus encourage all educators to explore the potential of Red Pitaya devices in their specific contexts. The platform's versatility, combined with its strong support ecosystem, makes it an excellent choice for institutions looking to future-proof their engineering education programs. As we move forward, the ability to adapt and leverage new technologies will be crucial in preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists, and Red Pitaya is ready to help each step of the way.