Logic Analyzer Software Review @ irq5.
“We also tried a lot of logic analyzers and decided to carry the Saleae!”
We did our own testing too and we carry the Saleae.
Saleae Logic – 8-Channel USB Logic Analyzer. A logic analyzer is a device that lets you watch digital signals in your electronics project. You can watch them real-time or log the data for later perusal. Unlike an oscilloscope, its not good for measuring analog signals – but also unlike an oscilloscope, you can track 8 signals at time! So its a good complementary tool. This logic analyzer plugs into a computer and has easy to use, cross-platform software. This makes it small, portable and inexpensive.
If you ever have to to debug SPI, i2c, serial, CAN, 1-wire, Manchester, biphase or other digital protocols, this tool is essential!
- Speedy 24MHz
Logic samples each channel at up to 24M times per second. A large fraction of practical, real world applications run at less than 10MHz, and Logic is ideal for these. - 8 Channels
Logic has 8 inputs — it can monitor 8 different digital signals at once. For many modern microcontroller-based designs, this is plenty. - 10 billion samples
Logic can save as many as 10B samples, letting you capture even the most elusive events. No more dealing with frustratingly small sample buffers. - Comes complete
Start debugging within 5 minutes of opening your new Logic; everything is included: An ultra-flexible 22AWG 64/40 wire harness, 9 high-quality micro-hook probes, a USB cable (2 meter mini-B to A), and a nice carrying case. Download the software from our site (see software) - Enclosure
We love well made tools. That’s why we make Logic’s case out of custom CNC machined aluminum and make sure its anodized surface is finished to perfection. - Protection
Logic’s inputs are protected against overvoltage conditions via current-limiting resistors and ultra-low-capacitance diode clamps. A resettable fuse protects the USB ground return line to augment the USB host’s existing protection.
I want one of these so much ^_^
I recently purchased one of these from adafruit and overall it’s an EXTREMELY useful tool. I would highly recommend it.
Here’s what I will add to adafruit
Pros: The software uses next to no resources. It runs perfectly on my slow as beans netbook including the animations.
Cons:
1) the logic clamps are a complete pain to get onto the wire and really latch. I’m surprised I didn’t break any, but damn those things literally left marks on my fingers for a while.
2) Their site advises that either the computer or the circuit being analyzed is electrically isolated.
I’ll also add that if you want to listen in on asynchronous serial the software is capable of detecting what the baud rate is. The software really makes the product shine.
I’ve had one of these for about a year and love it. Just enough channels and speed for the project I’ve been working on, and the software is free and easy to install, so if you need to send traces to someone they can download it and view your traces easily.
My only complaints are that the lead clips pop off rather easily, and that the software should allow bookmarking parts of the trace.