> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.embedder.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Digilent WaveForms
> Use a supported Digilent WaveForms device for digital capture, analog measurement, generated stimulus, and supply-rail control in one workflow.
Embedder integrates Digilent WaveForms instruments through one provider. A compatible device can expose a logic analyzer, analog inputs, waveform outputs, or adjustable supply rails. `hardware_status` reports each instrument separately, so support for one instrument does not imply that every instrument is present.
The shipped workflow is hardware-verified with Analog Discovery 3. Other WaveForms devices are selected by the capabilities they report at runtime.
## Prepare the device
Use a data-capable USB cable, then run `hardware_status`. Check the Digilent provider's device name, serial number, and `logicAnalyzer`, `oscilloscope`, and `waveformGenerator` capability results.
Approve the managed WaveForms runtime when the host does not already provide one. Approve `dwfpy` in Embedder's isolated Python environment on first use.
Close another application or script that owns the device before retrying a failed connection.
Digilent helpers use zero-based channel indexes. For example, Analog Discovery 3 exposes digital indexes `0` through `15`; analog input channel `0` is Channel 1.
## Use the public script surface
Hardware scripts receive the provider-neutral `la_*` helpers automatically. Call those helpers directly; do not import `dwfpy` and do not call the provider's internal `digilent_*` functions.
This keeps the digital-capture portion of a script portable across analyzer providers. Provider-specific capabilities and limits still apply.
## Capture and decode digital signals
Digilent supports timed and manual digital captures, edge or level triggers, raw CSV, decoded CSV, and `.dwf3.json` capture bundles. The built-in decoders cover UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, LIN, 1-Wire, Manchester, JTAG, SWD, Modbus, and I2S/PCM.
```text theme={"system"}
Use the Digilent analyzer. Trigger on a rising edge at digital channel 4,
capture UART on channel 0 at 230400 baud, and publish the decoded result to
the Logic tab.
```
Analog Discovery 3 has a fixed digital threshold. `digital_threshold_volts` is validated so a generic script remains portable, but it does not change that device's threshold.
See [Logic analyzer](/debug-mode/logic-analyzer) for capture, trigger, decoder, and export details.
## Record analog channels
Use `la_record_analog` to sample analog inputs and publish the result to the Monitor's Power tab:
```python theme={"system"}
capture = la_record_analog(
channels=[0, 1],
duration_seconds=0.050,
sample_rate=1_000_000,
range_volts=5.0,
channel_names=["vout_v", "vin_v"],
name="startup rails",
)
la_print_result(True, "Captured startup rails", data={
"capture_id": capture.get("capture_id"),
"sample_rate": capture.get("sampleRate"),
"sample_count": capture.get("sampleCount"),
})
```
`range_volts` is the expected positive or negative peak. A value of `5.0` requests a ±5 V acquisition window. Use the returned sample rate and sample count in calculations because the device can quantize or limit the request.
Digilent analog captures use the Power tab's multi-channel time-series format. They do not appear in the Oscilloscope tab used by the Siglent and PicoScope providers.
Pass `publish=False` when you need to transform a capture first, then call `la_publish_power(capture)` to publish it later.
## Generate a stimulus
Configure a supported waveform output with `la_wavegen_setup`, then start it explicitly:
```python theme={"system"}
la_wavegen_setup(
channel=0,
function="square",
frequency=10_000,
amplitude=1.0,
offset=1.0,
symmetry=25.0,
)
la_wavegen_start([0])
```
The public helpers support DC, sine, square, triangle, ramps, noise, pulse, trapezium, sine-power, and normalized custom samples when the selected device exposes them. `la_wavegen_dc` and `la_wavegen_pulse` combine common setup and start operations.
Always stop generated outputs in cleanup:
```python theme={"system"}
la_wavegen_stop()
```
## Control and monitor supply rails
On a device with supported supplies, `la_psu_setup` changes only the rails you specify. Passing `None` leaves a rail unchanged, while `0` disables it.
```python theme={"system"}
status = la_psu_setup(positive_volts=3.3, negative_volts=None)
la_print_result(True, "Enabled the 3.3 V rail", data=status)
```
For Analog Discovery 3, the positive rail range is 0 to +5 V and the negative rail range is -5 to 0 V. `la_psu_status` reads the available voltage, current, and temperature values. `la_psu_monitor` polls those values and publishes a time series to the Power tab.
Confirm the target's voltage, polarity, current demand, grounding, and external-power state before enabling a rail or waveform output. A successful API call does not prove the wiring is safe.
## Coordinate combined measurements
Logic, analog input, waveform output, and supplies share the same Digilent device lease. Put a stimulus and its response capture in one [hardware script](/debug-mode/hardware-scripts) so another session cannot reconfigure the device between steps.
Use `try` and `finally` around driven outputs:
```python theme={"system"}
try:
la_wavegen_pulse(0, frequency=1_000, duty_pct=50.0, amplitude=1.0)
capture = la_record_analog([0], 0.020, 500_000, name="pulse response")
la_print_result(True, "Captured pulse response", data={
"capture_id": capture.get("capture_id"),
"sample_count": capture.get("sampleCount"),
})
finally:
la_wavegen_stop()
```
## Fix Digilent problems
Refresh `hardware_status`, check the USB cable, and close software that may own the device. Verify that the WaveForms runtime and `dwfpy` setup completed successfully.
Read the per-device capability result. Embedder discovers logic, analog input, and waveform output independently; choose a device that exposes the instrument used by the script.
Use zero-based indexes and the channel count reported by `hardware_status`. Do not assume every WaveForms device has the Analog Discovery 3 layout.
Increase `range_volts` or reduce the signal amplitude. Confirm that the offset keeps the full waveform inside the requested acquisition window.
Digital captures publish to Logic. Analog input and supply-monitor captures publish to Power. Use Siglent or PicoScope for the Monitor's Oscilloscope view.
Configure digital capture, triggers, decoders, and exports.
Compare dedicated current and energy measurement paths.