# Meridian Analog Lab Kit: Learn Analog by Building Learn analog electronics hands-on: 17 parts, from op amps to a 555 timer, plus an XIAO RP2040 that sets, measures, and switches them. - **Seller:** [Meridian Electronics](https://lectronz.com/stores/meridian-electronics), West Hartford, Connecticut, United States - **Price:** $28.99 (USD, before shipping and taxes) - **Availability:** In stock - **Categories:** Retrocomputing, Prototyping, Technology - **Product page:** https://lectronz.com/products/meridian-analog-lab-kit-learn-analog-by-building ## Links - [Documentation](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y3hy5ARNZ4wtrv7OUNM0SD-ukqqrwVDP/view) ## Images ![Meridian Analog Lab Kit: Learn Analog by Building](https://lectronz-images.b-cdn.net/lectronz/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzcxNDEsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--261f71e55a51dafa9e4faa8d76b117628641cdda/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGVnIiwicmVzaXplX3RvX2xpbWl0IjpbOTYwLDY0MF0sInNhdmVyIjp7InN0cmlwIjp0cnVlfX0sInB1ciI6InZhcmlhdGlvbiJ9fQ==--4e27bac8cdfb621fb828f6a3a5982fe1a423b516/AnalogKit.jpeg) ![Meridian Analog Lab Kit: Learn Analog by Building](https://lectronz-images.b-cdn.net/lectronz/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzcxMzcsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--040335cea5e0cd90389abfebf5192bef1207303c/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGVnIiwicmVzaXplX3RvX2xpbWl0IjpbOTYwLDY0MF0sInNhdmVyIjp7InN0cmlwIjp0cnVlfX0sInB1ciI6InZhcmlhdGlvbiJ9fQ==--4e27bac8cdfb621fb828f6a3a5982fe1a423b516/AnalogKitPack.jpeg) ## Description This kit puts 17 analog and mixed-signal parts on your breadboard, with a Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 as the controller that sets, measures, and switches them. Analog circuits are great at amplifying, comparing, filtering, timing, and referencing, but they are fixed once built. The XIAO changes that: it can set a voltage with a DAC, change a resistance with a digital potentiometer, route eight signals into one measurement with a multiplexer, and read the result back through an external ADC. The kit covers the whole analog toolbox. Op amps (LM324N) and comparators (LM339N) handle gain and decisions. A 555 timer (NE555P) makes pulses and oscillators. CMOS analog switches (CD4051BE, CD4066BE) route and gate signals. Small-signal transistors (KSC1815YTA NPN, 2N3906BU PNP) build stages and drivers. A shunt reference (AZ431AZ) provides a stable 2.5V reference. An NTC thermistor (MF52A2103J3470) and trimmer (CT-6EP103) give you sensors and adjustments to play with. The kit covers the whole The XIAO RP2040 runs a dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ at up to 133 MHz with 264 KB SRAM and 2 MB flash. Its logic is 3.3V, it has 11 digital pins and 4 analog inputs, and it programs over USB-C by drag-and-drop UF2, so no programmer is needed. Use Arduino IDE with the Arduino-Pico core (Earle Philhower), MicroPython, or CircuitPython. This kit is built for learning how analog actually behaves, with a microcontroller that lets you watch it happen.nalog toolbox. Op amps (LM324N) and comparators (LM339N) handle gain and decisions. A 555 timer (NE555P) makes pulses and oscillators. CMOS analog switches (CD4051BE, CD4066BE) route and gate signals. Small-signal transistors (KSC1815YTA NPN, 2N3906BU PNP) build stages and drivers. A shunt reference (AZ431AZ) provides a stable 2.5V reference. An NTC thermistor (MF52A2103J3470) and trimmer (CT-6EP103) give you sensors and adjustments to play with. Happy building! Project 1 — Blinking LED with the 555 Learn: RC timing, the astable oscillator. Wire the 555 in astable mode: RA (1kΩ): Supply to pin 7 RB (10kΩ): Pin 7 to pins 2 and 6 C (100nF): Pin 6 to ground LED + 1kΩ resistor: Driven by the output (pin 3) With a 1kΩ and 10kΩ resistor and the 100nF cap, the LED blinks around 690 times per second — use your phone camera to see it. Swap in bigger capacitors or resistors to slow it to eye speed. Every blink is the formula below happening in front of you: f ≈ 1.44 / ((RA + 2RB) × C) Project 2 — Comparator Temperature Alarm Learn: thresholds and the open-collector output. Use one LM339 comparator: One input: The trimmer divider (your threshold knob) Other input: The thermistor divider (your sensor) Output: Pulled up to 5V through a 10kΩ resistor, then driving an LED through a 1kΩ resistor Project 3 — Waveform Generator with the DAC Learn: digital-to-analog conversion. Connect the MCP4902 to the XIAO over SPI. Write a loop that steps the DAC value through a sine table (or a triangle ramp) and read the output on the XIAO’s ADC, or better, watch it on a computer serial plotter. The two 10kΩ resistors and a 100nF cap can form a simple smoothing filter on the output. You’ve built a function generator — the instrument every analog lab owns. TIPS AND GOTCHAS • Decouple everything. Put a 100nF capacitor across the power pins of every IC. Random glitches and oscillations are almost always missing decoupling caps. • Op amp output limits. The LM324 output can’t reach the positive supply — it stops about 1.5V short. If you need 4V out, run the op amp from a higher supply (it tolerates up to 32V). • Analog switch resistance. The CD4051 and CD4066 have about 125Ω on-resistance. Fine for an ADC input; not fine for driving a speaker or motor directly. • Keep the XIAO at 3.3V on its pins. Never connect a 5V signal directly to a XIAO GPIO. Use a two-resistor divider (two 10kΩ resistors halve the voltage). • The 555 is power-hungry on switching. Its output stage draws a spike of current each transition. The 100nF cap at pin 8 (supply) is not optional. • Start at the trimmer. When a circuit with a threshold misbehaves, turn the trimmer slowly and watch what happens — it’s often the fastest debugging tool you have. Feel free to send any questions to sales@meridianelectronic.com Check out MeridianElectronic.com for datasheets, 3D printing, solder stencils & more! Happy Building! ## Shipping policy Shipped from Connecticut via USPS. International shipments include tracking codes. International Delivery typically takes 1-4 weeks with the Standard International Rate. Domestic delivery typically takes 2-5 business days with the Standard Ground Rate. Import duties, VAT, or other fees may be charged by your country on delivery. VAT/Duties are separate from shipping cost charged at checkout.