Logic Analyzers: Beyond 1's and 0's

摘要

Logic analyzers have moved far beyond helping engineers observe timing diagrams and patterns of 1's and 0's. A variety of information displays, large numbers of trigger options and easy-to-use probes make these benchtop instruments must-have tools for anyone designing digital equipment. The latest introductions include the TLA5000 Series from Tektronix (Beaverton, OR; www.tektronix.com) and the 16900 Series from Agilent Technologies (Palo Alto, CA; www.agilent.com). You can think of a logic analyzer as a deep-memory storage device with from several dozen to several hundred digital inputs. Each trace on the analyzer's display provides binary information about its corresponding digital input. The time axis operates much like that in an oscilloscope, so a user can quickly change the range of acquired information on the display. The acquisition of data relies on either an internal or an external clock.