An easy to implement logic analyzer for long-term precise measurements. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Romanov, Alexey M.
• Is Part Of: HardwareX. Volume 9(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Logic analyzer -- Jitter -- Long-term measurements -- Field-programmable gate array; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; Laboratories -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Laboratories -- Equipment and supplies; Scientific apparatus and instruments; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2020.e00164
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-0672

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: Most of market-available logic analyzers are designed for hardware debug purposes and cannot record continuous measurement in long-term while in different fields of scientific research it is necessary to make data acquisition within small periods (less then 1 ms) during several hours or even days. The common example is real-time communication worst-case jitter analysis. This paper introduces an easy to implement approach how to create a logic analyzer for such kind of task on a basis of a low-cost Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) kit and a personal computer. The Author provides both sample FPGA design files compatible with an open-source toolchain and the approach how to collect data using standard software and Octave scripts to post-process the experimental result. Following the Author's guidelines even with minimal knowledge in FPGA design makes it easy to modify the introduced hardware for specific laboratory team needs.