Red Pitaya Gen 2 Board Unveiled at Embedded World 2025

Red Pitaya has introduced the Gen 2 version of its well-known measurement and control board. While maintaining the same form factor and using the familiar Zynq 7010/7020 SoCs, the updated board brings a series of hardware improvements designed to meet more demanding application needs.

The Gen 2 board features reduced signal noise, improved crosstalk performance, and overall better signal integrity. It retains two input and two output channels, ensuring compatibility with existing setups. As Nico from Red Pitaya explains, the update brings "much better low noise performance… less signal distortions and better cross talk."

Learn more about the Red Pitaya Gen 2 board.

Expansion, Connectivity, and Industry Use Cases

Several key connectivity enhancements have been introduced. The Gen 2 board now supports USB Type-C for power, serial console, and USB host connections. A new daisy-chaining feature enables synchronised, multi-board measurement systems.

A separate expansion module adds eMMC storage, allowing the board to boot and store data without an SD card. A built-in hardware watchdog helps recover from system freezes — a useful feature for installations in remote environments or critical applications.

The redesigned extension connector provides access to 16 high-speed digital pins connected directly to the FPGA, enabling custom hardware development. This flexibility has drawn interest from photonics labs, radar system developers, and even quantum computing research groups.

Backward Compatibility and Software Development

Backward compatibility has been prioritised. Existing accessories, SD cards, and development workflows will continue to function with the Gen 2 hardware. According to Red Pitaya, “if you know how to program the old unit... you will have no issues.”

This means users in both industrial and academic environments can transition easily without retraining or redesigning existing setups. The Gen 2 is currently in beta testing and is expected to be available later this year through distributors and the official Red Pitaya store.

Red Pitaya Gen 2 delivers key performance upgrades while remaining cost-effective and user-friendly. Designed in response to industry feedback, it maintains the flexibility and openness the platform is known for — now with improved hardware, modern connectors, and extended use-case support.

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