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From: sct@lanl-a.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: logic analyzers
Message-ID: <6373@lanl-a.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 1-May-84 16:13:56 EDT
Article-I.D.: lanl-a.6373
Posted: Tue May  1 16:13:56 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 2-May-84 06:05:41 EDT
References: <1621@tekig1.UUCP> <2479@watcgl.UUCP>, <736@ihuxx.UUCP>
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Lines: 33


  We use four different analyzers: HP-1615, Biomation K100D, Tektronix
9100 DAS, and the HP-1630D.  The HP-1615 is old (about 5 yrs) but was
the leading logic analyzer when it came out (my opinion).  The K100D
was one of the first 100Mhz analyzers but is best used for timing
analysis (it only has 16 channels). Biomation does have newer models
(k500?) that offer a lot more capability.  
  The two I would like to compare are the 9100 and the 1630D.  The 9100
is a large, highly expandable, unit.  We have 64 state channels on it
and 16 timing channels (100 Mhz).  You can get disassemblers for it for
most micros but we don't have any.  These disassemblers cam be expensive
and have to be added to the cost of the analyzer.  We consider this unit
to be our 'cadillac' analyzer.  It is not very easy to set up and use
especially after you haven't used it for a month or so.  The set up features
are somewhat clumsy, the pods use ribbon cable from the unit to the pod
(yuk!) and these pods have a spring loaded clip for the ground connection
which is awkard to use.  The cassette unit works well for saving setup
parameters and state listings but you cannot save waveforms.
  The 1630D has 43 state channels, 16 of which can also be used as timing
channels (100 Mhz). Its cost is about $10K (much less than the 9100).  
It is much easer to use than the 9100 in my opinion.  The screen is brighter
and easier to read.  The probe pods use round cables which are much easier
to work with.  The cassette is the micro-cassette unit that HP sells with
their 41C series of calculators using the HP-IL interface.  Even though 
it is not an integral part of the analyzer it is small enough to not
be a hindrence.  The cassette stores all setups, state listings and
waveforms.  We have the Z80 dissassembler and are very pleased with it.
The cost of the disassembler hardware was $1200.
   Another nice aspect of the 1630D is that it is portable (lightweight)
which to 9100 is not.

l
m