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Introduction

PhysisLab includes two powerful ESP32-based instruments designed for electronics education and experimentation:
  • Dual-Channel Oscilloscope: Real-time signal visualization with 10 kHz sampling rate
  • Dual-Channel Signal Generator: Arbitrary waveform generation using DAC outputs
Both instruments run on the ESP32 microcontroller and communicate with a Python-based GUI via Serial or WebSocket connections.

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Architecture

The instruments follow a distributed architecture:

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Hardware Components

ESP32 DevKit

  • Dual-core 240 MHz processor
  • 12-bit ADC (GPIO 34, 35)
  • 8-bit DAC (GPIO 25, 26)
  • Serial/WiFi connectivity

Python GUI

  • PyQt5-based interface
  • Real-time plotting with pyqtgraph
  • Serial communication (115200 baud)
  • Live measurements and analysis

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Key Features

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Oscilloscope

  • Dual-channel simultaneous sampling
  • 10 kHz sampling rate per channel
  • Configurable time base (50-2000 samples)
  • Voltage and raw ADC display modes
  • Automatic frequency estimation
  • Zero-crossing detection

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Signal Generator

  • Dual independent channels
  • 40 kHz sample rate per channel
  • Multiple waveforms: sine, square, triangle, sawtooth, DC
  • Frequency range: 0.1 Hz - 10 kHz
  • Configurable amplitude and offset
  • Phase accumulator-based DDS

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Communication Protocol

Both instruments use simple text-based protocols over Serial: 
ADC START  # Begin streaming samples
ADC STOP   # Stop streaming

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Instrument Pages

Oscilloscope

Learn about the dual-channel oscilloscope implementation, ADC configuration, and GUI features.

Signal Generator

Explore the DAC-based waveform generator, DDS architecture, and control interface.

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Getting Started

1

Upload Firmware

Flash the Arduino firmware to your ESP32 using the Arduino IDE or PlatformIO.
2

Install Python Dependencies

pip install PyQt5 pyqtgraph numpy pyserial
3

Connect Hardware

Connect the ESP32 to your computer via USB. Note the serial port (e.g., /dev/ttyUSB0 or COM3).
4

Launch GUI

python GUIOSCI.py
Select the correct serial port and click Connect.
The ESP32 will reset when the serial connection is established. Wait ~1.5 seconds after connecting before starting data acquisition.

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Source Code Structure

osciloscopioygeneradordeSeñales/
├── Serial/                          # Serial communication versions
│   ├── GENERADOR_OSCILOSCOPIO/      # Combined oscilloscope + generator
│   ├── Generador_Senales_Serial/   # Standalone generator
│   └── interfaz/
│       ├── GUIOSCI.py              # Main GUI application
│       ├── GUIFFT.py               # FFT analysis version
│       └── GUIV3.py                # Alternative interface
└── websocket/                       # WebSocket-based versions
    ├── OSC_GEN/                     # Combined WebSocket implementation
    └── interfaz/
        └── GUIOSCI.py              # WebSocket GUI

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Next Steps

Oscilloscope Details

Detailed documentation on oscilloscope features and implementation

Signal Generator Details

In-depth guide to waveform generation and DDS techniques

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