PC-based logic analyser with pattern generator

Test & Measurement

24 August 2005 Test & Measurement

The Annie-USB is the latest PC-based logic analyser from local instrumentation manufacturer, Janatek. According to the company, its main design goal was to develop a high speed logic analyser with a larger buffer depth, at an affordable price. Much care was taken to guarantee that accurate measurements could be taken with optimum signal integrity, it says, to ensure full confidence in measurements while debugging digital hardware.

Annie-USB has a 500 MHz maximum sampling rate that provides a sampling resolution of 2 ns between data samples. This allows analysis of small time differences between signals. The large 1 Mega-samples per channel buffer depth enables the user to capture lower frequency signals at high sampling rates, without the loss of sampling resolution on higher frequency signals that are present.

The instrument connects to the PC via the high speed USB 2, ensuring that large amounts of captured data are quickly moved to the PC. Slow varying signals, such as room temperature, may be captured using the digital logger.

The Annie-USB can change its functionality from a logic analyser to become an 8-channel pattern generator. In this case it can for example, be used to produce signals to simulate serial data streams or general control sequences to debug communications ports. The pattern generator can output signals at a rate of up to 20 Mega-samples per second. The output may be set to drive 2,5 V, 3,3 V or 5 V logic levels.

The trigger options are also flexible, allowing one to capture the exact area of interest. Edge triggering may be set to occur on a rising edge, falling edge, or change-of-state on any channel. Pattern (level) conditions can also be set on all channels. Additionally, a 'post trigger delay' function allows the capture time frame to be shifted.

During continuous capture, the screen may be updated at regular intervals, or upon a trigger. This enables the display to be effectively synchronised with any repeated signal condition.

The software is mature and presents the wide spectrum of features in an intuitive way, making it easy to use. It runs on Windows 98/ME/2000/XP.

For more information contact Janatek, +27 (0)21 887 0993, [email protected]

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PC-based logic analyser with pattern generator

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