# What is Red Pitaya?
Credit size mobile IoT hardware & software platform that replaces many expensive laboratory
measurements and control instruments. Open-source software examples, easy interfacing with
sensors and actuators, and the possibility to control it using Python, Jupyter, MATLAB or
LabVIEW & C, makes it a perfect tool in education or rapid product development.


# Where to get one?
Red Pitaya boards can be purchased @ [RedPitaya online store](https://www.redpitaya.com/Catalog).
To better understand how product specifications differ from each other we suggest you look at
the [hardware specifications comparison table](https://redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest/developerGuide/hardware/compares/vs.html)
& Supported features and apps by [Red Pitaya model table](https://redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest/appsFeatures/supportedFeaturesAndApps.html).


# How can I start using it?
First step is to connect to your device by following the [quick start guide](https://redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest/quickStart/quickStart.html).


# How to start using Red Pitaya as a test & measurement instrument?
Once you connect to Red Pitaya from WEB browser it can be immediately used as:
- Oscilloscope
- Spectrum analyzer
- Signal generator
- Bode analyzer
- LCR meter
- Vector Network Analyzer
- and more...
There are also many other (contributed) applications available on RedPitaya marketplace.
For more information about RedPitaya apps click [here](https://redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest/appsFeatures/appsFeatures.html).


# How to start using Red Pitaya as SDR (software defined radio)?
SDR support for RedPitaya is done and maintained by Pavel Demin. The best place to get the
latest software for is [Pavel’s repository](http://pavel-demin.github.io/red-pitaya-notes/).


# How to start programming Red Pitaya or developing your own applications?
There are several ways to program / develop with Red Pitaya.

1. Remote control / programming

   Remote control can be done by using most popular rapid prototyping development tools
   MATLAB, LABview, SCILAB or Python remotely. There are [several examples](https://redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest/appsFeatures/remoteControl/remoteControl.html) available.

2. Programing Red Pitaya directly from WEB browser / Python

Red Pitaya can be programmed in Python directly from the WEB browser using [Jupyter](https://redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest/appsFeatures/remoteControl/jupyter/Jupyter.html?highlight=jupyter).

3. C/C++ programming

RedPitaya hardware features can be easily accessed through C APIs. Many starting examples are available at this [link](https://redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest/appsFeatures/remoteControl/remoteControl.html#examples).

4. FPGA programming

Information on how to compile Red Pitaya open source FPGA code is [here](https://redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest/developerGuide/software/build/fpga/fpga.html).

5. Creating your own WEB applications

Instructions on how to create your own Red Pitaya WEB applications can be found [here](https://redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest/developerGuide/software/build/webapp/webApps.html).


# How to interface Red Pitaya with other hardware or sensors?
Beside fast analog inputs and outputs Red Pitaya comes with an extension connector that enables users to interface with other hardware devices or sensors over standard i2c, UART, SPI interfaces or additional slow analog inputs and outputs and digital GPIOs.

There are two main extension possibilities:

1. Using already available sensor extension module by RedPitaya

Sensors extension module provides direct connection to GroveSensors (e.g. Temperature sensor, Motion sensor,Touch sensor, Button, Switch, Tilt, Potentiometer, Light sensor, Air quality sensor, Vibration sensor, Moisture sensor, Water sensor, Alcohol sensor, Barometer not supported at the moment, Sound sensor, UV sensor, Accelerometer, Relay). Sensor extension module also provide compatibility with Arduino extension modules. More examples and information can be found at this [link](https://redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest/appsFeatures/remoteControl/jupyter/Jupyter.html?highlight=jupyter).

2. Creating your own addon module that connects to the extension connector

For more information about extension connector click [here](https://redpitaya.readthedocs.io/en/latest/developerGuide/hardware/ext_modules.html)

# How to start teaching with RedPitaya?
- [Teaching lectures / material](https://redpitaya.com/teaching-materials/)
- [Red Pitaya Knowledge Base](https://redpitaya-knowledge-base.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html)