Logic analyser brings digital, serial and analogue debug to the pc

The LogicStudio 16 hardware provides 16 channels with a high sample rate of 1GS/s and maximum input of up to 100MHz. The software provides a dynamic waveform display with a smart, intuitive user interface that can be navigated by a few basic mouse clicks. According to LeCroy it provides a wide range of tools for digital debug including timing cursors, unique zooming and panning of waveforms, a persistence display and a history mode which can replay old data captures. Protocol analysis for I²C, SPI and UART is included to decode waveforms as they are captured and provide the ability to trigger on specific address or data packets on the bus. For engineers or technicians who use a LeCroy WaveJet oscilloscope, the LogicStudio software will interface with the WaveJet, import analogue waveforms from the oscilloscope on the fly, and turn the pc into a mixed signal oscilloscope, providing a view of up to four analogue and 16 digital channels simultaneously. The LogicStudio software is designed to be an intuitive environment for digital debug. By leveraging simple mouse functions, LogicStudio is said to deliver an easy to navigate user-interface, making debugging faster, smarter and much easier. To scroll through the waveforms the user can left-click and drag; to centre the point of interest on the screen, double-click it; to zoom in for more details, right-click and drag or turn the scroll-wheel on the mouse. Data is captured and displayed at a high rate, which when combined with the persistence tool and history mode can quickly help identify glitches or problems. A magnifier tool will let the user search longer captures for more details without changing the scale of the main acquisition. For timing measurements, by activating a pair of cursors anywhere on the display or snapping them right to an edge of one of the waveforms, precise measurements can be made. The trigger can be operated in Auto, Normal or Single modes much like an oscilloscope. Some USB logic analysers operate in a simple single trigger mode but LogicStudio provides free running acquisitions with no delays due to data being transferred to the pc. There are simple edge or logic state triggers while the advanced triggering provides an open environment to build elaborate trigger conditions, logic combinations and qualifiers to capture a wide range of events. Like most logic analysers, LogicStudio can capture and display digital and serial signals, but also provides a communication link to LeCroy's WaveJet oscilloscope, turning the pc in to a true mixed signal debug environment.