Last updated on October 21st, 2020 at 04:31 am
A logic analyzer is the test instrument used in electronic laboratories to evaluate and display the digital signals. This device works very similar to an oscilloscope. This logic analyzer is widely used by the electronic engineers to design, optimize and debug the hardware that is embedded in the digital systems.
The data acquired is shown in different forms, i.e., in graphical form or decoded traffic. This can track 16 signals simultaneously. It can be connected to the system to use the cross-platform software. This is portable and is cost-effective.
Basically, both the logic analyzer and the oscilloscope are used to measure electronic signals. The only difference between both is that the oscilloscope measures the analog signals, whereas the logic analyzer will measure digital signals. Moreover, the logic analyzer has multiple channels to measure and has a huge memory space.
With an oscilloscope, you can keep on observing the change in signal status from time to time wherein with a logic analyzer, and you cannot see the picture that is updated frequently since the signal is analyzed thoroughly and then is recorded. A few years ago, this test instrument used to be quite expensive. As a result, not many people have used it.
This also has reduced the size and cost of this test instrument. These two factors are compelling electrical engineers to use this device. How to use a logic analyzer? The logic analyzer is connected to the PC via USB. The measurement is delivered through a USB to the software, which you can control using a mouse and a keyboard. The PC has the ability to display millions of measurements in the real-time.
Best Saleae Logic analyzer comparison
- Digital/Analog Inputs
- Digital Sample Rate (max)
- Analog Sample Rate (max)
- PC Connection
- Buy Now
- 16
- 500 MS/s
- 50 MS/s
- USB 3.0
- 8
- 500 MS/s
- 50 MS/s
- USB 3.0
- 8
- 100 MS/s
- 10 MS/s
- USB 2.0
Top 5 Best Logic analyzer reviews
Saleae Logic Pro 16 Reviews – Best 16-Channel Logic Analyzer
This gives high performance for its price. You will never regret buying and using it.
Highlighted Features
- Record: The best part of this logic analyzer USB is that it can record the signals continuously unlike oscilloscope. This record both the analog and digital signals. This fills the memory of the computer with the data to let the tool to capture long and intermittent events.
- Easy to use: You do not need any kind of training to operate this logic analyzer.
- Multipurpose: This has 16 digital/analog inputs. You can use this as an alternative to the oscilloscope.
- Compatible operating systems: This tool is compatible to work with various operating systems, including Mac, Linux, Ubuntu, and Windows.
- Portable: It is easy to carry to any place due to its small size. This does not occupy much of the space in your electronic kit. The weight of this tool is around 1.3 pounds.
- Saves time and frustration: No technician needs to wait for hours together to get the debugging output. All they need to do is to connect to the system and get the debugging report in a matter of a few minutes to fix the issues.
- Accessories: When you buy this equipment, you will get a USB cable, wire harnesses and test clips. Using all these accessories would make the product work exceptionally.
- Uses of this tool: This tool is used for a wide variety of purposes, including general debugging, reverse engineering, and continuous recording of signals for a long period of time, decode protocols such as I2C, SPI, and 23 more protocols, measure time, debug multiple protocols at the same time and instrument the code.
- Supported protocols: This USB logic analyzer comparison will support 23+ different types of protocols. Few of them to be listed include SPI, I2C, serial, 1-Wire, CAN, UNI/O, I2S/PCM, MP Mode, Manchester, Modbus, DMX-512, Parallel, JTAG, LIN, Atmel SWI, MDIO, SWD, LCD HD44780, BiSS C, HDLC, HDMI CEC, PS/2, USB 1.1, Midi. In addition, you can also create your respective protocols with the help of SDK.
- Measure: No matter whatsoever you want to measure, just place a cursor close to it. This gives you the measurement result.
Why should you buy it?
- This logic analyzer price is inexpensive
- Fun to evaluate digital signals
- Handy tool to work on protocols, drivers and complicated code
- Fix issues instantly
Logic Pro 8 Reviews – Saleae 8-Channel Logic Analyzer
This device will allow you to track the digital signals of electronic projects. More importantly, this is considered as the best tool to debug protocols and establish communication smoothly between two chips.
This has 8 channels, which you can watch out at the same time. You can use all these channels either for analog or digital signals.
Highlited Features
- Record: To start recording analog and digital signals, you just need to press the start button. It is important to full data in your computer memory to capture the events be it long or irregular.
- Set-up: This is easy to set-up. You can set up based on the data you would like to capture. You have the flexibility to select the duration to record, give the bandwidth that has to be allocated between digital and analog recording, select the right channel to do the recording and pick your favorite LED color.
- Easy to use: This is simple and easy to use by a novice to professional users. You need no training to operate this device.
- Ultra-portable: This is small in size and can be carried to any place to debug.
- Compatibility with Operating systems: This device is compatible to use with different operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- Saves time and frustration: You do need to waste your valuable time to evaluate the digital signals using this wonderful device. It displays the result in a matter of a few minutes.
- Saves time and frustration: You do need to waste your valuable time to evaluate the digital signals using this wonderful device. It displays the result in a matter of a few minutes.
- Uses of this device: You can use this device to debug, decode protocols, reverse engineering, and measure time, a record for a long period of time, system interaction debugging, and instrument coding.
- Accessories: This tool is equipped with a USB cable, wire harness and test clips
- Export data: You can export data in different formats, including CSV file or Matlab m file
Why should you buy it?
- This logic analyzer price is pocket-friendly.
- Handy tool to work on protocols, drivers and complicated code
- Easy to measure the voltage of fluctuating signals
- Fix debugging issues in no time
- Work with all major operating systems
Logic 8 Reviews – Saleae 8-Channel Logic Analyzer
The SDK developed for this analyzer will let you develop your respective analyzer plug-in. You can give 8 inputs that are either in analog, digital or both of these forms simultaneously.
Highlited Features
- Record: This allows you to record both analog and digital signals by pressing a button. By filling your system memory with huge chunks of data, you can capture long and intermittent events.
- Compatibility: This logic analyzer is compatible to work with different operating systems, including Windows, MAC, and Linux.
- Easy to use and portable: To operate this device, the electrical engineer or technician does not need to have sound knowledge. They can start using it to analyze waveforms in analog or digital form. This is small in size and easy to carry from one place to another.
- Setup: This allows you to capture the data in your desired format. You can customize the duration of recording, bandwidth to be allocated to digital and analog recording and pick right channels to record.
- Trigger and find: This will start to record the data whenever the set pattern that is specified by you is found. You can trigger as digital pulses and edges as well as on analog voltages and pulses. Once the data is collected, you can search for the relevant one from these series of events.
- Save and share: Once the data is captured, you can save it for future use. You can also save on the cloud to share it with your peers for analyzing the data.
- Export: The data that is in one format can be exported into different formats as per your convenience. Two critical formats in which you can export are – csv and Matlab m file.
- Automate: By automating this USB logic analyzer software, you can have complete control over TCP socket by using the programming language virtually.
- Supporting protocols: The digital communication happens on the protocol that is specified to transfer the information. Few of the protocols that are used to decode information include SPI, I2C, serial, 1-Wire, CAN, UNI/O, I2S/PCM, MP Mode, Manchester, Modbus, DMX-512, Parallel, JTAG, LIN, Atmel SWI, MDIO, SWD, LCD HD44780, BiSS C, HDLC, HDMI CEC, PS/2, USB 1.1, Midi.
Why should you buy it?
- Cost-effective
- Fun to analyze digital or analyze waveforms
- Portable
- Save time and frustration
Saleae Logic 4 Reviews
The digital capture rate of this device is 12 MSa/s on every channel. Due to its streaming and USB3 interface to the Personal computer, it holds an unlimited space. This device also shows analog signals.
However, the capture rate of analog signals is lesser to digital signals but gives a clear-cut analog signal behavior.
This device is perfect to be used for reverse engineering projects.
Highlited Features
- Record: Digital and analog signals can be recorded with this device just by pressing a button. By having unlimited memory on the system will let you capture rare and long events with ease.
- Setup: It is easy to customize every logic device in the way you would like to capture the data. You can select how long you want to record, allocate bandwidth between analog and digital recording and various channels to record the data.
- Navigate: When there are countless data points, it is hard to find the data point you are looking for. However, by zooming in and out using mouse scroll wheel, you can navigate through the data and put it wherever you want.
- Measure: To measure any specific point, you need to place the cursor over there. The logic analyzer saleae software will measure and display the results.
- Trigger and find: The software will record the events without your intervention as soon as it identifies the pattern specified by you. You can trigger on analog voltages and digital edges. Once the data is gathered, it would be easy for you to search for events.
- Supporting protocols: The protocol will define the rules of how to transfer information. These software protocols would automatically decode the information. Different types of protocols that are used include SPI, I2C, serial, 1-Wire, CAN, UNI/O, I2S/PCM, MP Mode, Manchester, Modbus, DMX-512, Parallel, JTAG, LIN, Atmel SWI, MDIO, SWD, LCD HD44780, BiSS C, HDLC, HDMI CEC, PS/2, USB 1.1, Midi.
Why should you buy it?
- Cost-effective
- A fun way to measure the digital signals
- Perfect for reverse engineering projects
- Analyze up to saleae logic 4 digital waveforms.
Saleae Logic 16 – 16-Channel USB Logic Analyzer
This is an ideal saleae logic analyzer that is used to debug embedded applications. This device is connected to the system through USB where you can watch the digital signals. Though this device is not appropriate to measure or track analog signals like an oscilloscope, this can track 16 signals simultaneously.
This is the best complementary tool to an oscilloscope. This is plugged into the system and has simple to use the cross-platform software. This is cost-effective, light in weight and is portable. If you want to debug any of the protocols such as CAN, 1-wire, SPI, I2C, biphase or Manchester, this tool is a perfect choice.
Highlited Features
- Speed 100 MHz: This saleae logic 16 will analyze samples of every channel for 100 million times for every second. The sample rate is highly flexible and depends on various channels. Ideally, sample 2 will channel at 100 MHz, whereas sample 4 would channel at 50 MHz and sample 8 will channel at 25 MHz, and sample 16 will channel at 12.5 MHz. However, the real-time applications will run at 10 MHz.
- 16 channels: This allows you to connect 16 inputs and watch 16 different signals at the same time. This is perfect for the latest microcontroller based designs.
- 10 Billion Samples: This logic analyzer has the ability to save around 10 billion samples. This also lets you capture the hardest to understand events. You do not need to deal with any kind of frustrating minuscule sample buffers.
- Enclosure: The coating of this logic analyzer device is made of aluminum giving an anodized surface to attain perfection.
- Protection: The inputs give high protection from overvoltage and current limiting resistors followed by low capacitor diode clamps. The fuse will give ample protection to the USB host.
- Ready-made: Once you connect the device through USB, you can start debugging in a couple of minutes. This comes with wire harnesses, micro-hook probes, USB cable, and a case.
- Voltage capacity: This works with the voltage level from 1.8 to 5.0 Volts.
- Supporting operating systems: This device works better on Windows, MAC and Linux devices
- Supported protocols: Protocol will set the rule of how to transfer data. Protocols that are supported by this logic analyzer include Serial, SPI, I2C, LIN, CAN, JTAG, MIDI, Modbus, USB, USI/O, etc.
Why should you buy it?
- Pocket-friendly
- An easy way to watch digital signals as per saleae logic analyzer review
- Connect 16 inputs and track 16 signals at once
Logic analyzer vs. oscilloscope
Oscilloscope and logic analyzer are the lab tools that are used to measure electronic signals. An oscilloscope is used by electronic engineers to measure voltage against time in a waveform to watch how the voltage signals are changing over time.
This indispensable tool is used to measure analog electronic signals. This will not record the data continuously. Instead, it will capture the corresponding waveform and portray it in the real-time. Earlier, CROs were used in laboratories, but today there are many good oscilloscopes available in the market that are using computers to show the waveforms.
On the other hand, a logic analyzer is an instrument that is used to view and measure digital electronic signals. These instruments are used manufactured by major instrument vendors. This device acts as a data interpreter that capture and displays data in a wide variety of forms.
This analyzes the digital signals by using a protocol analyzer based on the communication format used. This stores the logic input in the system memory so that it can show the complete record. The Logic analyzer vs. oscilloscope is explained below in more detail.
- Test device used for measuring, viewing and analyzing the varying analog electronic signals on the two-dimensional grid.
- Perfect for measuring, viewing and analyzing electronic signals and display their output in the real-time1 GSa
- Captures input signal continuously as per the trigger settings
- Comprise of either two or four input channels
- Perfect to use for single stage triggering
- Analyze hardware
- Analyze analog signals only
- Does not possess the ability to fix software issues
- A wonderful and advanced instrument that is used for debugging and verifying electronic circuits besides capturing multiple digital electronic signals
- Operates effectively in the digital environment to watch functional and operational issues
- Ideal for single shot application
- Comprise of multiple input channels
- Embedded with sequential triggering
- Analyze hardware and software
- Analyze digital signals only
- It fixes the software issues with certain hardware activities that are happening on the circuit.
How to choose the top logic analyzer?
With the overwhelming models of logic analyzers available in the market, it is challenging for the users to pick the right one of their choice and requirements.
Here are a few factors that you need to keep in mind while buying logic analyzer. It is important for you to compare two to three good logic analyzers side by side along with their features and price and then pick the right one for you.
- Check sample rate and bandwidth: This is the key specification that you should never forget to look while purchasing logic analyzer for your lab. If your sample rate of the application is operating faster than bandwidth, it would be difficult for you to record the signal.
- Recording length: The long sample buffer will let you see the event thoroughly. Basically, the long buffers would be in seconds, minutes and even hours that would capture all kinds of activities at one go without you need to trigger or tweak your design.
- Provide analog support: The logic analyzer basically should have low bandwidth with the ability to record analog data. This record battery voltage, sensor outputs, and audio.
- Check software features: You need to check the software features and how each feature is helpful to measure digital signals accurately.
- Easy to use: It is not possible for engineers to spend a lot of time to learn a new tool. However, usage of this logic analyzer is pretty simple and easy to operate by engineers.
- Data compression function: If there is no compression function available in the model of logic analyzer you buy, it can only record up against the signals up to five seconds at 200 Ms/s sampling rates. When the product is equipped with a compression function, you can record the signals for hours together without interruption.
- Bus analysis function: The good analyzer should be able to analyze bus and at the same time bus packet list function. This function is very helpful since it can reduce the time to analyze signals.
Conclusion
A logic analyzer is a test instrument that is used to capture and display multiple digital signals that are transmitted from a circuit or system. There are a top 5 logic analyzers available in the market which you can use to analyze the digital signals and fix the issues in the system.
Using this instrument, you can capture the digital signals as long as you want. The captured data will be decoded with the help of software using protocols. This will let you view the data that is easy for humans to read and understand. This data is helpful for debugging the issues.
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