Project Hub /Test & Measurement Instrumentation/Oscilloscopes & Logic Analyzers/Raspberry Pi Based Oscilloscope

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RASPBERRY PI

₹5,000 – ₹15,000

6 – 12 Hours

Partial Kit

Raspberry Pi Based Oscilloscope

Build a makeshift digital storage oscilloscope using a Raspberry Pi and an ADS1115 16-bit analog-to-digital converter module for live signal visualization.

Originally published on CircuitDigest

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

Raspberry Pi 3 - Model B+ 1.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core Processor with 1 GB Ram (Original) Rs. 5,400.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
LDR Light Sensor Module Rs. 49.00
10pcs - 220 ohm 1/4 W Resistor Set Rs. 39.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

This list includes a generic resistor set as a placeholder — it is not matched to the exact value or part number this circuit needs. The correct one is specified on the original source page linked above; check it before buying.

We don't carry yet: SD / MicroSD Card
Ethernet / W5500
ADC / DAC (ADS1115 / MCP3008 / MCP4725)
LAN

Browse all components

How It Works

The Raspberry Pi Based Oscilloscope system functions by combining the processing power of a Raspberry Pi 5 with an external ADS1115 analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module to capture and visualize electrical signals. Because the native GPIO pins on a Raspberry Pi only accept digital inputs and cannot directly measure varying analog voltage levels, the ADS1115 bridges this gap. The ADS1115 interfaces with the Raspberry Pi using the I2C communication protocol, sampling external analog signals—such as those generated by a test circuit utilizing an LDR and resistors on a breadboard—at a specified resolution and speed. Once the ADC converts these continuous analog voltage levels into digital values, the data is transmitted over the I2C bus to the Raspberry Pi. Running a Python script that utilizes the Adafruit Python ADS1x15 library, the system ingests this data stream in real time. To provide a live graphical representation of the waveform, the script uses the matplotlib and drawnow libraries to dynamically update plots on a connected monitor or via a VNC display setup. Users can safely wire the components using a breadboard and jumper wires, powered by an appropriate power supply or USB cable, while storing the Raspbian Stretch OS and all software dependencies on an 8 or 16GB SD card connected via LAN/Ethernet where network access is needed.

Why Build This

Equip undergraduate engineering laboratories with a cost-effective alternative to commercial benchtop oscilloscopes for analyzing low-frequency signals.

Gain practical experience interfacing external I2C analog-to-digital converters with single-board computers for data acquisition.

Develop custom Python-based instrumentation scripts utilizing matplotlib and drawnow for real-time data visualization.

Real-World Application

Educational electronics labs, rapid prototyping, and low-frequency signal monitoring where dedicated commercial oscilloscopes are unavailable.

Skills You'll Learn

I2C communication protocol

external ADC interfacing

Python data acquisition

real-time waveform plotting with matplotlib

breadboard circuit prototyping

Safety Precautions

Ensure input voltages do not exceed the maximum rating of the ADS1115 ADC input channels (typically VDD + 0.3V) to avoid damaging the IC or the Raspberry Pi.

Technology Tags

PYTHON

MATPLOTLIB

I2C

ADS1115 ADC

DRAWNOW

SIGNAL PROCESSING

DATA VISUALIZATION

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Raspberry Pi model other than the Raspberry Pi 5?

Yes, the project data notes compatibility with the Raspberry Pi 2 or any other model, as long as it supports the required operating system and I2C communication.

What is the purpose of the LDR and resistor in this setup?

They serve as an optional test circuit to generate a variable analog signal based on ambient light changes, giving you a live signal to visualize on your makeshift oscilloscope.

How does the Raspberry Pi communicate with the ADS1115 module?

They communicate using the I2C communication protocol over the designated GPIO pins using jumper wires, allowing the Pi to read the digital conversion data from the ADC.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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