myRIO Alternative: Comprehensive Comparison Between Red Pitaya and myRio

myRIO is a well-established embedded device designed for real-time control and educational applications. Red Pitaya, however, is built for more advanced tasks such as high-speed signal processing, measurement, and control. While myRIO excels in robotics and real-time systems with its integrated FPGA and ARM processor, Red Pitaya goes further by offering superior performance in high-frequency data acquisition and precision measurements, ideal for engineers and researchers.

Red Pitaya stands out with its open-source ecosystem and flexibility, providing a range of applications that replace expensive laboratory equipment. It serves over 30,000 users worldwide, from hobbyists to universities and companies. While myRIO is limited in its application scope, Red Pitaya empowers users with unparalleled capabilities in fields requiring speed, accuracy, and versatility.

See the table below for a detailed comparison of the two platforms.

Diverse
Applications

Red Pitaya is used across various fields due to its adaptability and power. Here are some primary applications:

myRIO vs Red Pitaya

myRIO is a popular embedded device designed for real-time control tasks, while Red Pitaya is built for specialized measurement, control, and high-speed signal processing applications. Red Pitaya surpasses the capabilities of myRIO in terms of precision measurement, signal analysis, and data acquisition, making it the superior choice for applications where speed and accuracy are critical. While myRIO is well-suited for educational labs and mechatronics, Red Pitaya offers more flexibility and scalability in professional and research environments.

Key Differences

FeatureRed Pitaya STEMlab 125-14Red Pitaya SIGNALLab 250-12NI myRIO-1900
ProcessorDual Core ARM Cortex-A9Dual Core ARM Cortex-A9Dual Core ARM Cortex-A9
FPGAFPGA Xilinx Zynq 7010 SOCFPGA Xilinx Zynq 7020 SOCFPGA Xilinx Zynq 7010 SOC
Analog Inputs/Outputs2x RF input, 2x RF output2x RF input, 2x RF output10 Analog Inputs, 2 Analog Outputs
Extension Connectors16 Digital I/O, 4 slow analog inputs22 Digital I/O, 4 slow analog inputs16 Digital I/O, 3-axis Accelerometer
Memory256 MB (2 Gb)1 GB (8 Gb)512 MB DDR3
Operating SystemCustom Linux-based OSCustom Linux-based OSCustom Linux-based OS
SoftwareC, Python, LabVIEW, Prebuilt Applications,….C, Python, LabVIEW, Prebuilt Applications,….LabVIEW, Real-time software
ConnectivityEthernet, USB, Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi Dongle Required)Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi Dongle Required)Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi (Built-in)
ApplicationsAdvanced signal processing, research, industrial testingAdvanced signal processing, research, industrial testingReal-time control, robotics, mechatronics
Price~$450~$2000~$1300

Prices are indicative and subject to change without notice.

While myRIO is priced higher than the STEMlab 125-14, Red Pitaya offers exceptional value by combining a range of high-performance tools in one compact device, especially for advanced users seeking high-frequency signal processing and precision measurement capabilities. Red Pitaya’s SIGNALlab 250-12 is positioned at a higher price point, but it delivers unmatched performance for specialized measurement and data acquisition tasks, far exceeding myRIO’s capabilities in those areas.

For users who need flexibility in programming environments and require advanced signal processing, Red Pitaya offers a powerful platform with support for Python, C, MATLAB, and more. myRIO remains a solid choice for educational labs focused on real-time control and robotics, but for users seeking enhanced functionality, Red Pitaya STEMlab provides an affordable yet highly capable solution.

Both Red Pitaya and myRIO share the vision of empowering students, educators, and engineers with accessible and advanced technology. Our goal is to make cutting-edge measurement and control solutions available to users from all backgrounds, driving innovation and education worldwide.

Red Pitaya boards

See the main differences between our STEMlab, SDRlab and SIGNALlab digitizer boards. Compare and make sure you choose the best option for yourself!

STEMlab 125-14 board for OEM partners

STEMlab 125-14

2x IN 125Msps 14bit ±1V / ±20V
2x OUT 125Msps 14bit ±1V
DC coupling (0-60MHz)
jumper selectable gain
Zynq 7010 / 512MB DDR
SDRlab 122-16

SDRlab 122-16

2x IN 122.88Msps 16bit +-0.5V/+4 dBm
2x OUT 122.88Msps 14bit +-0.5V/+4 dBm
AC coupling only
fixed gains
Zynq 7020 / 512MB DDR
SIGNALlab 250-12

SIGNALlab 250-12

2x IN 250Msps 12bit ±1V/±20V
2x OUT 250Msps 14bit +-2V/+-10V
DC coupling (0-60MHz)
software selectable gains and coupling
Zynq 7020 / 1GB DDR


Red Pitaya or myRIO?

 Choosing the right tool for your measurement, control, and signal processing needs can significantly impact the success of your projects. Red Pitaya stands out as the superior choice, redefining precision and excellence in digital signal processing and high-speed data acquisition. With its advanced features, open-source flexibility, and affordability, Red Pitaya empowers engineers, researchers, and educators to push the boundaries of innovation. Whether you’re tackling complex engineering tasks or conducting educational experiments, Red Pitaya provides the versatility and performance you need. When compared to alternatives like myRIO, Red Pitaya offers more advanced functionality, a broader range of applications, and higher performance at a lower cost, making it the ideal solution for both simple and complex tasks.

Precision Redefined for Excellence

Red Pitaya brings professional precision to your projects with advanced signal processing, high-resolution data acquisition, and robust measurement capabilities. It converts complex analog signals into high-resolution digital data, providing unparalleled accuracy and efficiency. While myRIO is optimized for control-based applications, Red Pitaya takes signal precision further with higher performance in resolution and processing power, making it the go-to tool for engineers, researchers, and technologists who demand top-tier performance in their work.

Advanced Applications Suite

Unlock the full potential of Red Pitaya with a suite of applications tailored for sophisticated data analysis and signal processing. These professional-grade tools provide immediate results across a wide range of functions, from signal generation to spectrum analysis, making it perfect for education, engineering, and research. Unlike myRIO, which focuses more on control tasks, Red Pitaya offers a higher-level platform capable of handling advanced projects that require real-time signal processing, higher frequency ranges, and complex measurements.

Open-Source Development Platform

Red Pitaya’s open-source ecosystem offers unmatched flexibility, allowing users to customize and extend its capabilities with programming support in C, Python, LabVIEW, and MATLAB. Additionally, Red Pitaya's support for FPGA programming gives deeper hardware control, empowering more advanced innovation than myRIO can offer. Whether working on complex embedded systems, signal processing, or control systems, Red Pitaya gives you the freedom to explore and create without limitations.

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