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Recommend a scope or PC card for working with Netduino?


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#1 James

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Posted 26 November 2010 - 06:46 PM

I'm interested in having a scope to analyze both shields that might be used with Netduino boards as well as the Netduino output, eg the PWM functionality. Could anyone recommend an option that isn't super expensive? I thought a USB option for a PC may be a less expensive way to go but I'm not sure where to start looking. Thanks!

#2 Quiche31

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Posted 26 November 2010 - 09:10 PM

I'm interested in having a scope to analyze both shields that might be used with Netduino boards as well as the Netduino output, eg the PWM functionality. Could anyone recommend an option that isn't super expensive? I thought a USB option for a PC may be a less expensive way to go but I'm not sure where to start looking. Thanks!


I am experienced with two USB logic analyzers:
1) USBee SX (169 USD)
2) Salae Logic (149 USD)

I was very happy with the first one until I realized that I had far too many blue-screens (I run Windows 7). The folks at USBee even shipped me another device, but unfortunately it did not solve my problems. So I bought the second one (Salae Logic), which offers slightly less features, but still is very usable for a hobby. Overall I am reasonably happy with it.

JP

#3 Chris Walker

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Posted 26 November 2010 - 09:24 PM

We actually have a Salae Logic (logic analyzer) at Secret Labs. Pretty impressive piece of equipment for $149. We don't have any software-based oscilloscopes, so I'm not sure what to recommend there. Chris

#4 Charles

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Posted 27 November 2010 - 02:17 PM

That Salae unit looks awesome!!! Definitely going on my Christmas wish list!

#5 Chris Seto

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Posted 27 November 2010 - 02:42 PM

I use a Picoscope: http://www.picotechnology.co.uk/ Very highly recommend them, and they are not "toys" like some other USB scopes.. :)

#6 Fred

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Posted 19 February 2011 - 12:20 PM

The Saleae look pretty good, but as I have generally managed to get things working with a bit of fiddling with baud rates, etc. I wasn't sure I could justify the €150 price tag.

I came across the IkaLogic Scanlogic2 and decided that €59 made it a more reasonable impulse purchase. There often seems to be a 10% off or free shipping offer on, so even better (Currently SHIPFREE01 this month.) A French company, so maybe better for us Europeans than those in the US.

On the downside, it's only 4 channels rather than the Saleae's 8, but that will do for SPI, I2C, serial and all the stuff we're likely to be doing with a Netduino. I think the triggering can't be as complex as the Saleae.

On the plus side, the software is less "slick" than the Saleae (demo download without device), but actually seems better. It allows you to playback recorded waveforms. Sounds handly but not tried it yet.

All up, I'm very happy with it so far. I found I2C a total pain, and it definitely helped me sort things out.

#7 Omar (OZ)

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Posted 19 February 2011 - 04:37 PM

On the plus side, the software is less "slick" than the Saleae (demo download without device), but actually seems better. It allows you to playback recorded waveforms. Sounds handly but not tried it yet.

The Saleae Logic software lets you save sessions and settings as well. I got one and made a little video showing some stuff I used it for. My review is here: http://oz.heliohost.org/ . There I posted a session that I saved so you can open it up and take a look even if you don't have a Saleae Logic.

#8 Dan Morphis

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Posted 19 February 2011 - 05:53 PM

I'm interested in having a scope to analyze both shields that might be used with Netduino boards as well as the Netduino output, eg the PWM functionality. Could anyone recommend an option that isn't super expensive? I thought a USB option for a PC may be a less expensive way to go but I'm not sure where to start looking. Thanks!


I purchased the Rigol DS1052E oscilloscope a few weeks back, I've been pretty happy with it. There are a few places you can get it, but the average price is $399. I ordered mine from tequipment.net and got 5% off with the discount code "chat5". I'm in no way affiliated with either company, just a happy buyer/user.

#9 Fred

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 10:44 AM

The Saleae Logic software lets you save sessions and settings as well.

I didn't just mean reloading a recorded session onto your PC. There's the option to have either all or two of the IkaLogic device's probes working as outputs and physically replay the signals.

I can see some use to this, but would be really handy if you could edit or generate these signals e.g. "It looks like the Netduino's missing repeated start bits in I2C. Maybe if I added them it would work". Not possible at the moment as far as I know, but would only need a software tweak. I suppose that is moving into the realm of what the Bus Pirate does.

#10 Omar (OZ)

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 03:23 PM

I didn't just mean reloading a recorded session onto your PC. There's the option to have either all or two of the IkaLogic device's probes working as outputs and physically replay the signals.

I can see some use to this, but would be really handy if you could edit or generate these signals e.g. "It looks like the Netduino's missing repeated start bits in I2C. Maybe if I added them it would work". Not possible at the moment as far as I know, but would only need a software tweak. I suppose that is moving into the realm of what the Bus Pirate does.


Ah thanks for explaining that. you're right, generating signals is a plus. I think that it can be done with the logic if you make the app, they have the SDK on the website... I'll look into that, I'd love to have that feature too. i think thats what you meant by software tweak right?

#11 Nevyn

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 07:43 PM

I'm interested in having a scope to analyze both shields that might be used with Netduino boards as well as the Netduino output, eg the PWM functionality. Could anyone recommend an option that isn't super expensive?

I'm also looking at getting a little more kit and these two items are also on the wish list. As this is a hobby and I'm on a limited budget I'm interested in knowing which you would purchase first.

I'm thinking the logic analyser.

Any thoughts?
Mark

To be or not to be = 0xFF

 

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#12 Dan Morphis

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Posted 21 February 2011 - 12:24 AM

I'm also looking at getting a little more kit and these two items are also on the wish list. As this is a hobby and I'm on a limited budget I'm interested in knowing which you would purchase first.

I'm thinking the logic analyser.

Any thoughts?
Mark


Not being 100% familiar with what the LA your looking at can do, I would get the scope first. Reason being, a scope is more versatile. You can look at the wave form for almost anything with a scope.

#13 Nevyn

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Posted 21 February 2011 - 06:48 AM

Not being 100% familiar with what the LA your looking at can do, I would get the scope first. Reason being, a scope is more versatile. You can look at the wave form for almost anything with a scope.

I was thinking about the Saleae as the chatter here on the forums seems to suggest that it's respectable given the price.

Regards,
Mark

To be or not to be = 0xFF

 

Blogging about Netduino, .NET, STM8S and STM32 and generally waffling on about life

Follow @nevynuk on Twitter


#14 Fred

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Posted 21 February 2011 - 10:44 AM

It sounds like everyone's happy with what they're using so you can't go wrong. There are YouTube videos on the logic analysers if you want to see what they can do. To me the scope sounds a bit expensive if you're only dealing with digital signals, and most of us will be. A great bit of kit I'm sure, but $399 is not really in the "budget" category.

#15 Dan Morphis

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Posted 21 February 2011 - 06:15 PM

It sounds like everyone's happy with what they're using so you can't go wrong. There are YouTube videos on the logic analysers if you want to see what they can do.

To me the scope sounds a bit expensive if you're only dealing with digital signals, and most of us will be. A great bit of kit I'm sure, but $399 is not really in the "budget" category.


It is in the budget category when you consider that most scopes are MUCH more expensive :)

#16 Jim Davies

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Posted 18 March 2011 - 09:43 AM

I also got a Rigol DS1052E oscilloscope - very happy with it.

Or how about a 40kHz 2-Ch DIP-Size Mixed Signal Scope for $49?

:P Jim

#17 demonGeek

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Posted 19 March 2011 - 05:10 AM

I use the Salae too, it works very well and I like the user interface.

Anyone got any thoughts on the Parallax PropScope?

It's not particularly cheap at $200 so would it be better to simply spend the extra on a dedicated scope instead?

- Adam

#18 Luke

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Posted 19 March 2011 - 12:40 PM

Or how about a 40kHz 2-Ch DIP-Size Mixed Signal Scope for $49?


Or get the same thing directly from the designer for $35
http://www.gabotroni...a-xprotolab.htm

It's actually a powerful little device with a 320kHz 2ch scope, arbitrary waveform generator, external triggering, and 8 channel logic analyzer. It will do SPI, I2C, and UART decoding with more to come. Of course, the biggest drawback is the display size and resolution. It also requires a PDI programmer to flash new firmware to it. I don't expect it to replace a dedicated scope or LA, but I'm looking forward to messing with it.

#19 Troll feeder

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Posted 20 March 2011 - 06:03 AM

I use the seedstudio nano http://www.seeedstud....html?cPath=174 which I received in exchange for $89. It has a 2 chanel ~1MHz sample rate and is a general use O-scope. With that said I'm about to order either the dangerous prototypes bus pirate or open logic sniffer so I can better save and analyze data. Seedstudio is also about to release a 20MHz lcd scope for about $199.

#20 Jim Davies

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Posted 21 March 2011 - 03:08 PM

Or get the same thing directly from the designer for $35
http://www.gabotroni...a-xprotolab.htm


Thanks Luke - wow!




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