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Instrument Basics: Logic Analyzer -- Workbench Wednesdays 16

 

 

Logic analyzers capture digital signals and then display a waveform or list. Serial busses like I2C, SPI, or UART (Serial) can be decoded or triggered on when there are problems in your circuit. In this video, learn the basic controls you need to use (almost) any logic analyzer. You’ll learn how to setup a simple trigger, make measurements, and set things like sample rate or memory depth.

 

Supplemental Content:

 

 

Bill of Material:

 

Product NameManufacturerQuantityBuy KitBuy Kit
32-Channel Logic AnalyzerSeed Studio1Buy NowBuy Now
256 Kbit EEPROMMicrochip1Buy NowBuy Now
Arduino UnoArduino1Buy NowBuy Now
  • in reply to Hari-Seldon

    If you have no test equipment, I strongly recommend the Analog Discovery 2 (review here). It has a decent oscilloscope (with about 10 MHz of bandwidth), a waveform generator, a logic analyzer, plus many other instruments. It's a great "test equipment glue" piece while building your bench. There is also a "Digital Discovery," but you only need that if you plan to measure >16 digital signals simultaneously.

    Otherwise, the logic analyzer (or one like it) that I showed in this video is fine for I2C, SPI, and a few other digital signals.

    Regarding DMM, my go-to meter is the Multicomp Pro MP730026 . It's about $40 and has all of the major functions. I have used the DMM daily for years and have few complaints. (I would recommend, in the future, upgrading the probes, but I say that for any DMM.) I also have a DMM buying guide video.

    For power consumption, my only recommendation is the Nordic Power Profiler Kit II. It's great. You can see it in action in this episode and this one.

  • Would love your advice on both logic analyzers, DMM, and a power profiler.

    I've got a, let's call it semi-serious electronics habit and I'm doing some design using an ESP32C3 and a DWM1000 (UWB chip) communicating over I2C.  I've also got some sensor packages using SPI.  Debugging is a nightmare without a logic analyzer and I'm looking for an appropriate device in a "serious hobbyist" budget (ideally under £600) and without a month-long wait!

    I'd also like a good handheld DMM with auto ranging, temperature, and a stable kickstand/probes!  Is there a particular one you like?

    Finally, would love your input on a way of measuring power consumption of the device.  I'm looking at the Nordic Power Profiler Kit II, would you have another suggestion or is that a good one?

  • in reply to baldengineer

    Thank you for your quick and thorough answer.

  • in reply to Former Member

    For hobby projects, I would expect the LA2016 to be fine. 200 MHz is enough sample rate for at least 50 MHz and probably up to 100 MHz signals. The LA5016 would give you a faster sample rate, but is probably only good for signals up to 250 MHz. At that speed, the flying lead probes are going to be bandwidth limited. And I'm not sure, off-hand, what applications would make use of that extra speed.

     

    If you're thinking of FPGAs, then I would look at the FPGAs you are considering. They'll have a limit on their single-ended I/O. (and I'd guess it is in the range of 100 MHz.) Neither analyzer is suitable for high-speed serial busses like USB or Ethernet. Nor are either suitable for DDR3+.

     

    So, for this price range, I'd probably suggest the LA2016 without more specific details.

     

    Let me know if you have more questions (and welcome to the community!)

  • Would you recommend this Logic Analyzer for a hobbyist for FPGA projects or it's too slow for that?

    Do you think the LA5016 would be better or this one is good enough?