subject: The Abilities And Needs Of A Logic Analyser [print this page] The beauty of a piece of machinery such as a Logic Analyser is the huge amount of uses it can be put to. As many people are aware, a Logic Analyser is an electronic instrument which displays signals digitally for analysis and study.
Why Choose a Logic Analyser?
Logic Analysers are often sold alongside or marketed as being similar to Oscilloscopes but the two are different in the way that they view, interpret and save information and therefore many tasks have the specific need for a Logic Analyser as opposed to the Oscilloscope.
The generally accepted rule seems to be that a Logic Analyser is the accepted piece of equipment which is required when a user needs to see more detail than an Oscilloscope allows them. For example, whilst an Oscilloscope can only show data from one source at a time, a Logic Analyser can be used to give comparative data and therefore allows more than one area of study at the same time.
Logic Analysers feature a timing analyser which many think of as a limited machine in terms of the data it can capture however it does have an essential function. A timing analyser is the part of the machine which displays information as it might be displayed on an oscilloscope and can compare time with voltage, using two separate axis". This is particularly useful if the required purpose is to assess the relationships of timing between several or more lines at the same time.
In order to select the right Logic analyser for the task at hand, it is necessary to ensure that the speed, channels and memory are suitable for the requirements at hand. These three specific details can ensure that any Logic Analyser, such as the one sold by Proto-PIC are able to give the correct and required readings.
Speed
Although it goes without saying that the instrument must be able to cater for the highest speeds of the circuits which are being measured, it is also necessary for the machine to be able to deliver accurate results within seconds to allow for analysis and action in the field. In order to allow for this speed and the accuracy with which the speed counter operates, it is necessary to have an effective time resolution. If this is too coarse then the readings on the machine may be unclear.
Channels
Due to the fact that digital circuits are often software drive, it is essential to ensure that there are sufficient channels within the Logic Analyser. It is often the case that there must be up to 150 and this is due to the number of lines which are relevant to the variety of tests the analyser performs.
Memory
Because a lot of the analysis which the machine does of the various information it collects takes place at a later time, it is extremely important that any Logic Analyser has sufficient memory to be able to store and retrieve data at any given time. It is also necessary that this large memory does not impede the functionality or working ability of the machine or slow down its" responses.
