Engineers select a logic analyzer when they must determine the states and timing of many parallel signals, such as those from a microcontroller or other processor. However, the need to analyze and monitor multi-lane serial buses such as PCI Express and Serial Advanced Technology Attachment III (SATA III) can exceed the capabilities of many logic analyzers (LAs). To help designers, today's logic analyzers must parse serial bit streams and reassemble them into data meaningful to engineers. Two new logic analyzers from Tektronix, the TLA7012 portable mainframe and the TLA7016 benchtop mainframe, handle such serial streams and provide an easy-to-use interface that simplifies test setup and interpretation of data. Both instruments operate with every logic analyzer module in the company's TLA family. The TLA7012 accepts two modules (272 digital channels) and the TLA7016 can accommodate as many as six modules (816 digital channels).
The TLA7016 benchtop instrument ($16,000) connects to a host PC and the TLA7012 portable logic analyzer ($14,000) comes with a built-in computer based on an Intel® Pentium® M processor. The new instruments provide more than a threefold increase in data throughput that results in faster data analysis, searching, zooming, and filtering. More than any other feature, though, the new TLA Application Software 5.0 sets these new instruments apart from other logic analyzers.
Old Hat, New Tricks
The software's drag-and-drop interface may sound like old hat, but Tektronix uses the Windows-like operations and interfaces in new ways. Engineers no longer must switch screens or press long sequences of buttons to select triggering options. They can select triggers and setup menus, and invoke other tools by clicking on "tabs" while simultaneously watching data and locating trigger points within a data window. Trigger setups— trigger on an edge, trigger on a bus value, and so on—seem almost intuitive and do not require selections from long lists. The 15-inch (diagonal) display in the TLA7012 makes it easy to simultaneously view complex logic waveforms, analysis results, and trigger settings. Should developers feel the need, they can use two side-by-side displays with the TLA7012 or TLA7016 to create a wider display of signals and data.
The software's analysis tools simplify measurements by relying on users to position cursor marks and trigger points on displayed data. The TLA Application Software 5.0 runs with Windows XP Professional and Windows 2000. Engineers can update older instruments, such as the TLA715, TLA721, and the TLA5000 series, to use the new software.
Plugged In: Engineers can add TLA-family modules to the TLA7012 logic analyzer and access as many as 262 logic signals. A large display makes it easy to view data, analysis results, trigger settings, and other information.
By experimenting with the photovoltaic reaction in solar cells, researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough in energy efficiency that significantly pushes the boundaries of current commercial cells on the market.
In a world that's going green, industrial operations have a problem: Their processes involve materials that are potentially toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive. If improperly managed, this can precipitate dangerous health and environmental consequences.
With LEDs dropping in price virtually every year, automakers have begun employing them, not only on luxury vehicles, but on entry-level models, as well.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
3 
