Agilent Technologies 16750A User Manual

Help Volume

Agilent Technologies 16750A/B Logic Analyzer

The Agilent Technologies 16750A/B 400 MHz State/2 GHz Timing Zoom logic analyzer offers 4M deep memory and very fast sample rates - up to 2 GHz for areas around the trigger - with up to 340 channels.

“Getting Started” on page 11

“Task Guide” on page 31

• “Step 1. Connect the logic analyzer to the device under test” on page 13

• “Step 2. Choose the sampling mode” on page 14

• “Step 3. Format labels for the probed signals” on page 17

• “Step 4. Define the trigger condition” on page 20

• “Step 5. Run the measurement” on page 21

• “Step 6. Display the captured data” on page 22

• “Probing the Device Under Test” on page 33

• “Choosing the Sampling Mode” on page 36

• “Selecting the Timing Mode (Asynchronous Sampling)” on page 36

• “Selecting the State Mode (Synchronous Sampling)” on page 43

• “In Either Timing Mode or State Mode” on page 52

• “Using 2 GHz Timing Zoom” on page 54

• “Formatting Labels for Logic Analyzer Probes” on page 57

• “Setting Up Triggers and Running Measurements” on page 64

• “Using Trigger Functions” on page 65

• “Using State Mode Trigger Features” on page 70

• “Editing the Trigger Sequence” on page 72

• “Editing Advanced Trigger Functions” on page 78

• “Saving/Recalling Trigger Setups” on page 85

Agilent Technologies 16750A/B Logic Analyzer

• “Running Measurements” on page 86

• “Displaying Captured Data” on page 88

• “Using Symbols” on page 95

• “Printing/Exporting Captured Data” on page 104

• “Solving Logic Analysis Problems” on page 108

• “Saving and Loading Logic Analyzer Configurations” on page 110

“Reference” on page 113

“Concepts” on page 191

See Also Main System Help (see the Agilent Technologies 16700A/B-Series Logic

• “The Sampling Tab” on page 115

• “The Format Tab” on page 119

• “The Trigger Tab” on page 146

• “The Symbols Tab” on page 159

• “Error Messages” on page 170

• “Specifications and Characteristics” on page 186

• “Understanding Logic Analyzer Triggering” on page 192

• “Understanding State Mode Sampling Positions” on page 208

Analysis System help volume)

Glossary (see page 211)

Agilent Technologies 16750A/B Logic Analyzer

1 Getting Started

Step 1. Connect the logic analyzer to the device under test 13

Step 2. Choose the sampling mode 14

Step 3. Format labels for the probed signals 17

Step 4. Define the trigger condition 20

Step 5. Run the measurement 21

Step 6. Display the captured data 22

For More Information... 24

Example: Timing measurement on counter board 26

Example: State measurement on counter board 28

2Task Guide

Probing the Device Under Test 33

Choosing the Sampling Mode 36

Selecting the Timing Mode (Asynchronous Sampling) 36

Contents

To select transitional timing or store qualified 37

More on Store Qualification in Transitional Timing 38 More on Storing Transitions 38 Transitional Timing Considerations 39 Selecting the State Mode (Synchronous Sampling) 43 In Either Timing Mode or State Mode 52 Using 2 GHz Timing Zoom 54

Formatting Labels for Logic Analyzer Probes 57

To assign pods to one or two analyzers 57 To set pod threshold voltages 58 To assign probe channels to labels 59 To change the label polarity 61 To reorder bits in a label 61 To turn labels off or on 62

Setting Up Triggers and Running Measurements 64

Using Trigger Functions 65 Using State Mode Trigger Features 70 Editing the Trigger Sequence 72 Editing Advanced Trigger Functions 78 Saving/Recalling Trigger Setups 85 Running Measurements 86

Displaying Captured Data 88

To open Waveform or Listing displays 88 To display Timing Zoom data 89 To use other display tools 90 If the captured data doesn't look correct 92 If there are filtered data holes in display memory 92 To display symbols for data values 93 To cancel the display processing of captured data 94

Contents

Using Symbols 95

To load object file symbols 96 To adjust symbol values for relocated code 97 To create user-defined symbols 98 To enter symbolic label values 99 To create an ASCII symbol file 100 To create a readers.ini file 101

Printing/Exporting Captured Data 104

Cross-Triggering 106

To cross-trigger between two analyzers 106 To cross-trigger with another instrument 107

Solving Logic Analysis Problems 108

To test the logic analyzer hardware 108

Saving and Loading Logic Analyzer Configurations 110

3 Reference

The Sampling Tab 115

Timing Mode 116 State Mode 117

The Format Tab 119

Contents

Importing Netlist and ASCII Files 121

Exporting ASCII Files 123 Importing ASCII Files 123 Termination Adapter 125 E5346A High Density Adapter 126 Mapping Connector Names 127 Import the Net List File 127 Verify Net to Label Mapping 128 Select/Create Interface Labels 129 Pod Assignment Dialog 130 Sampling Positions Dialog 131

The Trigger Tab 146

Trigger Functions Subtab 147 Settings Subtab 154 Overview Subtab 155 Default Storing Subtab 156 Status Subtab 157 Save/Recall Subtab 157

The Symbols Tab 159

Symbols Selector Dialog 161 Symbol File Formats 163 General-Purpose ASCII (GPA) Symbol File Format 164

Contents

Error Messages 170

Must assign Pod 1 on the master card to specify actions for flags 171 Branch expression is too complex 171 Cannot specify range on label with clock bits that span pod pairs 176 Counter value checked as an event, but no increment action specified 177 Goto action specifies an undefined level 177 Maximum of 32 Channels Per Label 177 Hardware Initialization Failed 178 Must assign another pod pair to specify actions for flags 178 No more Edge/Glitch resources available for this pod pair 178 No more Pattern resources available for this pod pair 179 No Trigger action found in the trace specification 179 Slow or Missing Clock 180 Timer value checked as an event, but no start action specified 180 Trigger function initialization failure 181 Trigger inhibited during timing prestore 182 Trigger Specification is too complex 182 Waiting for Trigger 184 Analyzer armed from another module contains no "Arm in from IMB" event 185

Specifications and Characteristics 186

Agilent 16750A/B Logic Analyzer Specifications 186 Agilent 16750A/B Logic Analyzer Characteristics 186 What is a Specification? 189 What is a Characteristic? 189

Contents

4 Concepts

Understanding Logic Analyzer Triggering 192

The Conveyor Belt Analogy 192 Summary of Triggering Capabilities 194 Sequence Levels 194 Boolean Expressions 197 Branches 198 Edges 198 Ranges 198 Flags 199 Occurrence Counters and Global Counters 199 Timers 200 Storage Qualification 201 Strategies for Setting Up Triggers 203 Conclusions 207

Understanding State Mode Sampling Positions 208

Glossary

Index

Getting Started

After you have connected the logic analyzer probes to your device under test (see “Step 1. Connect the logic analyzer to the device under test” on page 13), any measurement will have the following basic steps:

Chapter 1: Getting Started

• “Step 2. Choose the sampling mode” on page 14

• “Step 3. Format labels for the probed signals” on page 17

• “Step 4. Define the trigger condition” on page 20

• “Step 5. Run the measurement” on page 21

• “Step 6. Display the captured data” on page 22

If you have previously saved a logic analyzer setup to a configuration file, or if configuration files are included with an analysis probe, you can load the configuration file to set up the logic analyzer and define the trigger condition.

Once you have made a logic analyzer measurement, the measurement can be refined by repeating steps 4 - 6.

Next: “Step 1. Connect the logic analyzer to the device under test” on page 13

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Step 1. Connect the logic analyzer to the device under test

Before you begin setting up the logic analyzer for a measurement, you need to physically connect the logic analyzer to your device under test.

There are several ways to connect logic analyzer probes to the device under test:

• Using the general-purpose probes, the standard flying lead set, and grabbers to connect to pins and leads in the device under test.

• By designing connectors (headers) into the device under test so that logic analyzer probe cables and termination adapters can plug in directly.

• By designing connectors (headers) and terminations into the device under test so that logic analyzer probe cables can plug in directly.

•Using an analysis probe to connect to microprocessors and standard buses.

When using an analysis probe, the Setup Assistant guides you through the connection and setup process for your particular logic analyzer and analysis probe.

When connecting logic analyzer probes to the device under test:

1. Attach the logic analyzer probes to the device under test in a way that keeps logically-related channels together.

2. Be sure to ground each pod.

Next: “Step 2. Choose the sampling mode” on page 14

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Step 2. Choose the sampling mode

There are two logic analyzer sampling modes to choose from: timing mode and state mode.

In timing mode, the logic analyzer samples asynchronously, based on an internal sampling clock signal.

In state mode, the logic analyzer samples synchronously, based on a sampling clock signal (or signals) from the device under test. Typically, the signal used for sampling in state mode is a state machine or microprocessor clock signal.

To choose the sampling mode

1. In the Sampling tab, choose Timing Mode or State Mode.

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Step 2. Choose the sampling mode

If you chose Timing Mode

1. Select the timing analyzer full/half channel configuration.

Typically, you can choose a half-channel configuration with faster sampling and greater memory depth, but with half of the channels.

2. Set the sample period.

To capture signal level changes reliably, the sample period should be less than half (many engineers prefer one-fourth) of the period of the fastest signal you want to measure.

If you chose State Mode

1. Select the state analyzer speed configuration (if there is a configuration option).

2. In the Clock Setup, using the Master only mode, specify which clock signal edges from the device under test will be used as the sampling clock.

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Step 2. Choose the sampling mode

You can also specify clock input signal levels (from the device under test) that will enable (qualify) the sampling clock.

In either sampling mode

1. Specify the trigger position.

The trigger is the event in the device under test that you want to capture data around.

Specify whether you want to look at data after the trigger (Start), before and after the trigger (Center), before the trigger (End), or use a percentage of the logic analyzer's memory for data after the trigger (User Defined).

2. Set the acquisition memory depth.

If you need less data and want measurements to run faster, you can limit the amount of trace memory that is filled with samples.

Next: “Step 3. Format labels for the probed signals” on page 17

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Step 3. Format labels for the probed signals

When a logic analyzer probes hundreds of signals in a device under test, you need to be able to give those channels more meaningful names than "pod 1, channel 1".

The Format tab is mainly for assigning bus and signal names (from the device under test), to logic analyzer channels. These names are called labels. Labels are used when setting up triggers and displaying captured data.

The Format tab also lets you do things like assign pod pairs to one or two logic analyzers and specify the logic analyzer threshold voltage.

The Format tab has activity indicators that show whether the signal a channel is probing is above the threshold voltage (high), below the threshold voltage (low), or transitioning.

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Step 3. Format labels for the probed signals

To assign pods to one or two logic analyzers

A logic analyzer's pod pairs can be assigned to one or two separate logic analyzers or they can be left unassigned.

1. In the Format tab, select the Pod Assignment button.

2. In the Pod Assignment dialog, drag a pod pair to the appropriate logic analyzer.

3. Select the Close button.

To specify threshold voltages

The threshold voltage is the voltage level that a signal must cross before the logic analyzer recognizes a change in logic levels.

1. In the Format tab, select the button under the pod name.

2. In the Pod threshold dialog, select the desired Standard or User Defined threshold voltage.

3. Select the Close button.

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Step 3. Format labels for the probed signals

To assign names to logic analyzer channels

1. Select a label button, and either:

• Choose the Rename command, enter the label name, and select the OK button.

• Or, choose the Insert before or Insert after command, enter the label name, and select the OK button.

2. In the label row, select the button of the pod that contains the channels you want to assign.

3. Either choose one of the standard label assignments--dots (.) mean the channel is unassigned, asterisks (*) mean the channel is assigned--or choose Individual.

If you chose Individual:

a. In the "label - pod" dialog, select the channels you want to assign/

unassign.

b. Select the OK button.

Next: “Step 4. Define the trigger condition” on page 20

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Step 4. Define the trigger condition

The trigger is the event in the device under test that you want to capture data around.

1. In the Trigger tab, and in the Trigger Functions subtab, choose the type of trigger you want to specify, and select the Replace button.

2. In the Trigger Sequence portion of the Trigger tab, select the buttons to define the label values and/or other conditions you want to trigger on.

Next: “Step 5. Run the measurement” on page 21

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Step 5. Run the measurement

Once the trigger condition has been defined, you can run the measurement.

1. Select the Run Single button .

When you run a measurement, the Stop button becomes available while the logic analyzer looks for the trigger condition.

Logic analyzers with deep acquisition memory take a noticeable amount of time to complete a run; however, messages like "Waiting in level 1" may indicate you need to stop the measurement and refine the trigger condition.

When the trigger condition is found, logic analyzer acquisition memory is filled, the captured data is processed to the display tools, and the Run Single button becomes available again.

Next: “Step 6. Display the captured data” on page 22

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Step 6. Display the captured data

Once you have run a measurement and filled the logic analyzer's acquisition memory with captured data, you can display it with one of the display tools.

To open Waveform or Listing displays

Waveform displays are typically used when data is captured with the timing sampling mode, and Listing displays are used when data is captured with the state sampling mode.

1. From the Window menu, select your logic analyzer and choose the Waveform or Listing command.

To add display tools via the Workspace window

1. Select the Workspace button (or from the Window menu, select System and Workspace).

2. In the Workspace window, scroll down to the Display portion of the tool icon list.

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Step 6. Display the captured data

3. Drag the display tool icon and drop it on the analyzer icon.

4. To open the display tool, select its icon and choose the Display command.

Next: “For More Information...” on page 24

Chapter 1: Getting Started

For More Information...

On making measurements on the demo counter board:

On connecting the logic analyzer:

On choosing the sampling mode:

On formatting labels for probed signals:

On defining the trigger condition:

• “Example: Timing measurement on counter board” on page 26

• “Example: State measurement on counter board” on page 28

• Making Basic Measurements for a self-paced tutorial

• “Probing the Device Under Test” on page 33

• Setup Assistant (see the Setup Assistant help volume) (when using analysis probes).

• Logic Analysis System and Measurement Modules Installation Guide for probe pinout and circuit diagrams.

• “Choosing the Sampling Mode” on page 36

• “The Sampling Tab” on page 115

• “Formatting Labels for Logic Analyzer Probes” on page 57

• “The Format Tab” on page 119

• “Understanding Logic Analyzer Triggering” on page 192

• “Setting Up Triggers and Running Measurements” on page 64

• “The Trigger Tab” on page 146

On running measurements:

On displaying captured data:

• “Running Measurements” on page 86

• “Displaying Captured Data” on page 88

• Using the Waveform Display Tool (see the Waveform Display Tool help volume)

• Using the Listing Display Tool (see the Listing Display Tool help volume)

• Working with Markers (see the Markers help volume)

• Using the Chart Display Tool (see the Chart Display Tool help volume)

• Using the Distribution Display Tool (see the Distribution Display Tool

Chapter 1: Getting Started

For More Information...

help volume)

• Using the Compare Analysis Tool (see the Compare Tool help volume)

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Example: Timing measurement on counter board

This example uses the demo counter board that is supplied with the Making Basic Measurements kit as the device under test. The kit is supplied with every logic analysis system, or can be ordered from your Agilent Technologies Sales Office.

To connect the logic analyzer to the device under test

1. Connect Pod 1 of the logic analyzer to J1 on the demo counter board.

The demo counter board has built-in terminations and header connectors.

To choose the sampling mode

1. In the Sampling tab, choose Timing Mode.

2. Enter a sample period of 3.0 ns.

To format labels for the probed signals

1. In the Format tab, select the button under the pod 1.

2. In the Pod threshold dialog, select TTL; then, select the Close button.

3. Select a label button.

4. Choose the Rename command, enter the label name "TCOUNT", and select the OK button.

5. In the label row, select the button under pod 1.

6. Choose the "........********" standard label assignment to assign the lower 8

bits of pod 1 to the "TCOUNT" label.

To define the trigger condition

1. In the Trigger tab, and in the Trigger Functions subtab, choose the "Find edge" trigger function, and select the Replace button.

2. In the Trigger Sequence portion of the Trigger tab, select the Edge button and use the Specify Glitch/Edge dialog to specify the rising edge of bit 7 (and all other bits as "don't cares").

Example: Timing measurement on counter board

To run the measurement

1. Select the Run Single button.

To display the captured data

1. From the Window menu, select your logic analyzer and choose the Waveform command.

See Also “For More Information...” on page 24

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Example: State measurement on counter board

To connect the logic analyzer to the device under test

1. Connect Pod 1 of the logic analyzer to J1 on the demo counter board.

The demo counter board has built-in terminations and header connectors.

To choose the sampling mode

1. In the Sampling tab, choose State Mode.

2. In the Clock Setup, using the Master only mode, specify the rising edge of the J clock as the sampling clock.

To format labels for the probed signals

1. In the Format tab, select the button under the pod 1.

2. In the Pod threshold dialog, select TTL; then, select the Close button.

3. Select a label button.

4. Choose the Rename command, enter the label name "SCOUNT", and select the OK button.

5. In the label row, select the button under pod 1.

6. Choose the "........********" standard label assignment to assign the lower 8

bits of pod 1 to the "SCOUNT" label.

To define the trigger condition

1. In the Trigger tab, and in the Trigger Functions subtab, choose the "Find pattern n times" trigger function, and select the Replace button.

2. In the Trigger Sequence portion of the Trigger tab, enter "15" in the occurrence count field, and enter enter "FX" in the label value field.

Example: State measurement on counter board

To run the measurement

1. Select the Run Single button.

To display the captured data

1. From the Window menu, select your logic analyzer and choose the Listing command.

See Also “For More Information...” on page 24

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Example: State measurement on counter board

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