Red Pitaya Blog

Big News: We Partnered with Elektor on a New STEMlab Gen 2 Book

Written by Red Pitaya Technical Editorial Team | Apr 22, 2026 10:02:54 AM

We’ve teamed up with Elektor to release a new hands-on book focused on the Red Pitaya STEMlab Gen 2 platform.

This collaboration brings together Elektor’s editorial expertise and Red Pitaya’s approach to software-defined instrumentation—resulting in a practical guide built for engineers, educators, and developers working with real signals and real hardware.

What You’ll Find Inside

The book takes a hands-on approach from the start. Instead of focusing on theory or specifications, it walks through practical workflows using the platform in real scenarios.

Inside, you’ll explore:

  • Signal generation and measurement in a software-defined environment
  • FPGA-based processing using Zynq architecture
  • Building and modifying custom instruments
  • Integrating tools like Python and Vivado into measurement workflows

The focus is simple: connect the board, run experiments, and understand how systems behave—not just in simulation, but in practice.

Who It’s For

This book is designed for a broad engineering audience:

  • Embedded and FPGA engineers building custom systems
  • RF, test & measurement, and DSP developers
  • Educators and students working with modern instrumentation
  • Anyone looking to move beyond fixed-function lab equipment

Whether you're prototyping, teaching, or exploring new architectures, the content is structured to be immediately applicable.

Why This Matters

Traditional lab setups rely on multiple standalone instruments. Red Pitaya takes a different approach—combining them into a single, reconfigurable platform powered by FPGA and software.

This book reflects that shift. It’s not just about using instruments—it’s about understanding how to build and adapt them.

Find out more about the book

For more details and a closer look at the book, see the Elektor's official page: Experimenting with Red Pitaya STEMlab Gen 2 – Elektor 

 

FAQ

What is the Red Pitaya STEMlab Gen 2 platform?
The Red Pitaya STEMlab Gen 2 is a Zynq-based, software-defined test and measurement platform that combines FPGA and embedded processing for customizable instrumentation.

What makes this book different from typical electronics books?
It focuses on hands-on experimentation with real hardware rather than theory, guiding readers through practical measurement and FPGA workflows.

Do I need FPGA experience to use this book?
No. Beginners can follow basic experiments, while more advanced users can dive into FPGA development and custom instrument design.

Who should read this book?
It is suited for engineers, students, educators, and developers working in embedded systems, DSP, RF, or test and measurement.

What hardware is recommended?
The Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 PRO Gen 2 is commonly used for the examples, offering high-speed signal acquisition and generation.

Where can I learn more about the book?
You can read more about it here: Experimenting with Red Pitaya STEMlab Gen 2 – Elektor