Xref: utzoo comp.sys.ibm.pc:27705 sci.electronics:5889
Path: utzoo!dptcdc!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!tektronix!midas!copper!byronl
From: byronl@copper.MDP.TEK.COM (Byron Lunz)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Logic Analyzer Card/Software for the IBM-PC?
Message-ID: <3047@copper.MDP.TEK.COM>
Date: 18 Apr 89 16:35:03 GMT
References: <23069@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> <3036@copper.MDP.TEK.COM> <10390@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu>
Reply-To: byronl@copper.MDP.TEK.COM (Byron Lunz)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton,  OR.
Lines: 82

In article <10390@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu> tim@cit-vax.UUCP (Timothy L. Kay) writes:
(in response to my suggestion that a standalone logic analyzer like the 
Tektronix 1230 could be an alternative to a PC-based logic analyzer card)
>
>Not only is it more expensive, but it probably doesn't have half the
>features.  Does the Tektronix logic analyzer have
>
>	o A large, easy-to-read screen?

	  Large is relative, I guess.  No, it's not as large as a PC
	  display, but many analyzers including the 1230 have very easy
	  to read screens.  A dedicated screen also means that features 
	  like faster horizontal scrolling or touch screen operation
	  can be added.
>
>	o A nice alpha keyboard?
	 
 	  No, the 1230 does not, for this price.  Most low-cost logic
	  analyzers do not.  However, more sophisticated logic analyzers
	  like the DAS (Digital Analysis System) from Tek do have.
	  I agree it's quite nice, especially if you are debugging
	  primarily software.
>
>	o A mouse?

	  No. Some dedicated LAs do; the one that comes to mind is the
	  HP16500 - again, a higher-priced product.  I'm not too familiar
	  with all the various PC-based analyzers - do they work with
	  a mouse?
>
>	o A floppy disk drive to store acquired data?

	  Again, a nice feature. No, the 1230 doesn't have a built-in
	  disc drive.  However, it does have either RS-232 or GPIB
	  interfaces which allow it to be controlled by a PC or other
	  host.  This does allow you to use it with a PC, though not
	  IN a PC.
>
>	o The ability to generate plots that can be included directly
>	  in my word processing (e.g. the data sheet, I am writing)?

	  No, not presently.  That's a great idea though!  Mind if I
	  suggest it to our engineers?  Actually, it has come up before,
	  especially since you can do that with various Tek scopes.
	  The 1230 has only been on the market for one year, and we're
	  still adding support and new features, so we'll take this one
	  as a suggestion, OK?
>
>	o The ability to hook up a $150 printer to get hardcopy?

	  YES.  This one the 1230 does very well, though it requires
	  a $195 option.  Then you can simply connect any Epson-graphic
	  compatible printer and make screen copies or dump the stored
	  memories.
>
>There are tremendous advantages in basing products on a standard
>platform.  The manufactuer can take advantage of many of the standard
>features almost for free.

	Tim, this is really the heart of your argument, and you are
	correct.  For many users, PC-based "instruments" 
	are an excellent answer.  However, solving problems with a
	logic analyzer often means setting up a trigger condition and
	waiting for something to happen.  On many of the PC-based
	analyzers this will tie up your entire PC waiting for that 
	event.  Often, this is not acceptable.  In addition, some
	"instruments" don't lend themselves to being designed into
	the PC environment.  That is especially true of high-performance
	instruments.

	I hope you'll agree that no single answer is right for
	everybody.  All I wanted to point out is that the price/
	performance curve is affecting instruments as well as
	PCs and you can get a dedicated analyzer for a lot less than
	you might think.

	Now we'll _both_ get flamed for taking up net bandwidth :-) ! 

Byron Lunz
Tektronix Logic Analyzer Division

byronl@copper.MDP.TEK.COM