The historical problem has been the cost of the professional instrumentation needed for these measurements. Industrial-grade vector network analyzers have, in many cases, been beyond the budgetary reach of university departments or practical laboratories. The OMICRON Lab Bode 100 Educational Package aims precisely to bridge this gap.
A package designed for the academic environment.
The Bode 100 Educational Package is a special offer designed to bring the power of professional network analysis to classrooms and laboratories, aimed at universities and technical schools, with an approximate 40% discount off the list price.
The core of the package is the Bode 100, an industrial-grade vector network analyzer capable of working across a frequency range that covers everything from loop measurements in switching converters to the characterization of passive components (LCR) and filters. It is complemented by the Bode Analyzer Suite (BAS) software, an intuitive application that allows users to configure frequency sweeps, visualize Bode and Nyquist plots, and export results, all without requiring additional programming.
Package Contents:
The package includes one Bode 100 unit, one B-WIT 100 broadband injection transformer, two PML 111O high-impedance passive probes with a 10:1 ratio, one B-WIC impedance measurement fixture with three B-CAL-3 calibration boards, two Buck Converter Stability Demoboard units, and a carrying case for the Bode 100/500.
This set is not arbitrary: each element targets a specific measurement family that can be directly integrated into the syllabi of power electronics, systems control, or analog design courses.
The B-WIT 100 transformer allows the injection of disturbance signals into the feedback loop of switched-mode power supplies to measure loop gain without opening the circuit. The PML 111O probes enable high-impedance differential measurements at small-signal nodes. And the B-WIC fixture, with its calibration plates, is geared towards the characterization of discrete components: inductors, capacitors and resistors as a function of frequency.
The Buck Converter Stability Demoboard as a Practical Reference:
The two Buck Converter Stability Demoboard units (DGN1DEMO-2) included in the package are the element most directly geared towards practical teaching. This is a dual buck converter platform—with 1.8 V and 3.3 V outputs from a USB-C input—featuring accessible test points on all relevant nodes and configurability that allows for the intentional reproduction of both good and poor stability scenarios.
In the classroom, this means that a student can, in the same lab session, measure the loop gain of a stable converter, change the compensation network to a degraded configuration, and observe in real time how the phase margin and crossover frequency decrease until the system reaches the point of instability. This level of controlled comparison is difficult to replicate with generic hardware.
Curricular Applications:
The package is suitable for courses on electronic circuits and control systems—such as linear voltage regulators or switched-mode converters—as well as for the analysis of passive LCR components.
Beyond these core applications, the Bode 100 allows for measurements of PSRR (Power Supply Rejection Ratio), input and output impedance, input filter stability, and frequency response of active and passive filters. This makes it a versatile tool that can be used in various courses within the same curriculum.
OMICRON Lab complements the hardware with application notes, tutorials, and webinars available on its portal, reducing the learning curve for both instructors and students.
Access and Purchase Conditions:
Only educational institutions—universities, colleges, and schools—are eligible to purchase the Bode 100 Educational Package. The purchase process begins with a contact form, after which OMICRON Lab issues a formal quote. For institutions whose requirements don't exactly match the standard bundle, the company also offers individual academic discounts on most of its products. omicron-lab
In conclusion,
the Bode 100 Educational Package offers a practical way for academic laboratories to acquire industry-standard vector instrumentation without the typically high cost. The combination of calibrated hardware, intuitive software, structured learning materials, and configurable demonstration hardware positions it as a coherent solution for departments seeking to enhance the technical level of their analog and power electronics practices.
Source: OMICRON Lab — https://www.omicron-lab.com/products/educational-material
