Saltar a contenido

Logic Analyzer Cheatsheet

Logic Analyzer Cheatsheet

Overview

A logic analyzer is an electronic instrument that captures and displays multiple signals from a digital system or digital circuit. It is an essential tool for debugging and analyzing digital circuits.

Key Features

  • Multi-Channel: Can capture and display multiple signals simultaneously.
  • High-Speed: Can capture signals at high speeds.
  • Protocol Decoding: Can decode a wide range of digital protocols.
  • Triggering: Can be configured to trigger on specific events.
  • Data Logging: Can log captured data to a file for later analysis.

Types of Logic Analyzers

  • Standalone Logic Analyzers: These are dedicated instruments with a built-in screen and controls.
  • PC-Based Logic Analyzers: These are small devices that connect to a computer via USB and use the computer for display and control.

Getting Started

  1. Connect the Logic Analyzer: Connect the logic analyzer to the circuit you want to analyze.
  2. Configure the Software: Configure the logic analyzer software with the correct settings for your circuit.
  3. Start Capturing: Start capturing data from the circuit.
  4. Analyze the Data: Analyze the captured data to debug your circuit.

Connecting to a Circuit

  • Probes: Use probes to connect the logic analyzer to the circuit.
  • Ground: Connect the ground probe to the ground of the circuit.
  • Channels: Connect the channel probes to the signals you want to analyze.

Software Configuration

  • Sample Rate: The rate at which the logic analyzer samples the signals.
  • Trigger: The event that will trigger the logic analyzer to start capturing data.
  • Protocol Decoders: The protocol decoders that will be used to decode the captured data.

Protocol Decoding

Logic analyzers can decode a wide range of digital protocols, such as:

  • I2C
  • SPI
  • UART
  • CAN
  • USB

Triggering

Logic analyzers can be configured to trigger on a variety of events, such as:

  • Edge Trigger: Triggers on a rising or falling edge of a signal.
  • Pattern Trigger: Triggers on a specific pattern of signals.
  • Protocol Trigger: Triggers on a specific event in a protocol.

Common Use Cases

  • Debugging Digital Circuits: Find and fix problems in digital circuits.
  • Reverse Engineering: Reverse engineer unknown digital protocols.
  • Performance Analysis: Analyze the performance of digital circuits.
  • Hardware Hacking: Analyze and manipulate digital signals for hardware hacking projects.
  • Saleae Logic: A popular line of PC-based logic analyzers.
  • DSLogic: Another popular line of PC-based logic analyzers.
  • Kingst: A line of affordable PC-based logic analyzers.

Additional Resources