A few years ago, low-cost pocket digital oscilloscopes aimed at the hacker and maker crowd started hitting the market and gained quite a following. While few would consider them to be a replacement for a proper bench scope, they’re cheap and convenient enough that it’s hard to complain. Manufacturers are apparently looking to expand on the concept, as we’re now seeing similarly priced and sized logic analyzers pop up from the usual sources.
[Gabriel Valky] got his hands on a sub-$100 USD model known as the LA104, and decided that the stock software didn’t quite deliver. So he started a project to create a new open source firmware for the affordable gadget that greatly expands its core functionalities. The code has even been ported to a few of those digital oscilloscopes, as it turns out (perhaps unsurprisingly) that they aren’t too far removed internally.
In the video after the break, [Gabriel] shows off some impressive radio tricks by adding a small CC1101 transceiver to the mix. This allows his modified LA104 to scan for and decode popular RF protocols in the 300 – 900 MHz range. His software even allows for the received packets to be modified and re-transmitted, which he demonstrates by pushing a fake temperature signal into a wireless weather station.
But that’s just the beginning. A perusal of the GitHub page for his replacement firmware shows just how many features have already been packed into this project. For example it can be used to control WS2812 LED strips, generate arbitrary PWM signals, log data from temperature sensors, interface with MIDI devices, and scan for I2C devices. Many of these functions can be controlled on the computer by utilizing a modern browser and WebUSB.
The replacement firmware that [Gabriel] has come up with for the LA104 is really an incredible accomplishment, and elevates an already intriguing piece of kit. Being able to pack all of these functions into something small and cheap enough you can toss into a bag is a very compelling prospect for hackers on the go.
My problem with the LA104 is the awful dual scrollwheel controls. I’ve borrowed a friend’s unit and it is awkward to use. Most of the Miniware devices are using a repurposed media player case hence the terrible controls.
Perhaps a most-useful extension would be a better interface (plug-in touchscreen?) – Gabriel?
I wonder if this could be extended to include CAN bus support, perhaps it could be used as an OBD2 scanner and to reset car error messages.
CANBUS analysis is in progress as a part of WebUsb interface for DS203 oscilloscope. But I am planning to do some simple experiments with MCP2515 controller on LA104 (packet monitor, filtering, etc…). But there are so many things you can do with those little devices (LA104/DS203), so it is really difficult to choose one single project and keep focused on it. Hopefully this post will find the right audience and we will find more contributors and will see more interesting applications in near future… So thank you Tom for a nice review :)
Wow, that’s very impressive. How many hours it must have taken to create this code. Looking forward going through it all and learning new tricks. Thank you Gabriel for sharing.
does anybody know what the pin connections are between the transceiver and the LA104? I can’t seem to find it in the documentation (but maybe I’m just blind)
Here you should find everything required.
https://github.com/gabonator/LA104/tree/master/system/apps_featured/80_rftool
I Think the git repository is a little bit messy or required a Structure in the Readme.
I have made another video showing features of this OS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FxnDp6G_iQ