Do I need more test equipment?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: chrisb741
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 04:13:30 am
content: I recently started experimenting with digital circuits and microcontrollers, Arduino, rp2040, after decades of not doing any electronics, I have formal training from the 90s but didn't do anything electronics related since '99. I have a good HH multimeter and bench PSU. Have a decent oscilloscope I mainly use to decode serial signals. The oscilloscope has an AWG.I have made some very basic driver boards but mainly use modules. I use one very simple wireless GFSK based communication board.My projects have simple sensors, motors, servos, Steppers, display etc. I don't design any thing RF and have very little exposure to anything RF, what I use is entirely low power digital comms. I have played with RC equipment.I have a few questions about more test equipment.1. What benefit would I get using a bench multimeter. So far I only need to see roughly what the voltage is, eg 12 ish Volts or about 3v3. My handheld MM does that2. Dedicated waveform generator, I've only ever used the pwm generator. What can I use the other features for?3. SA, I've used one in the 90s a few times, what can I do with them that would help the kind of projects I play with. I can only see myself analysing the 2.4ghz spectrum.4. RF signal generator and VNA. I have no idea about how to use these or what I could even use them for.5. Any other test equipment I missed?

author: robert.rozee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 04:43:24 am
content: i would say, from what you have described - digital, low voltage - that items you may find useful include:1. several 'cheap' multimeters, DT-830 or similar and equipped with leads that have crocodile clips on the ends. these are invariably useful when experimenting on the bench.2. if you don't already have it, agoodsoldering station.3. a bench meter can be handy for logging readings, although you may be able to roll your own. i recently picked up a nice fluke 45 which is ideal, having a serial port on the back. certainly don't go crazy spending money.4. additional small power supplies are also useful, even just 'power-bank' types.5. a dedicated bench computer can be exceptionally useful, something like an elderly laptop running XP or Linux. also doubles as a 2-channel audio signal generator, serial terminal, and 5v PSU (via a USB port). cheap means expendable if something goes wrong!cheers,rob :-)

author: forrestc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 04:50:11 am
content: I've found over the years that once you have a power supply, decent DMM, and often an oscilloscope you often have enough test equipment to handle all of your typical hobby electronics - at least until you start specializing in some specific area.The need for anything beyond that will become apparent as you explore electronics, and will be specific to the type of electronics you are working onLet me give you a couple of examples relevant to what I do.I do a lot of FET switching of DC power loads, including overcurrent sensing. As such, I need to be able to draw a certain amount of current through my circuit and verify the current sensor is working, and that I can turn on and off loads without causing a failure or overheating. I could do this with a big enough power resistor, but I find it easier to use a DC load, which allows me to connect to my circuit and draw a specified amount of current and vary that current as needed to test my device. For me, this is essential gear. For someone who doesn't do this type of work, this would be useless.Likewise, I work on various products that receive precision time pulses from a GPS receiver and then provides that timing pulse to communication radios. As such, I often need to be able to measure how much delay is being added by my products and also verify that the signal is consistent over hours or days. I can do some of this with a good multichannel oscilloscope, but for long-term use it's much easier with a timestamping or universal counter such as the TAPR TICC or the HP 53132A. If you're not doing precision timing, these would be useless to you.I also, on occasion, have to work with some sort of communication protocol such as asynchronous serial, CAN, USB, and the like, and this is often enough that I've accumulated a few protocol analyzers for this. For someone who rarely does this, often decoding on a scope is enough, so you don't need to spend money on those tools.So, it really depends on what you're working on and the challenges you regularly run into. If you were doing audio amplifiers or other audio processing you'd probably want some sort of audio analyzer to do THD and other purity measurements. If you're building radio transmitters and receivers (as opposed to doing modules), you'd probably want a spectrum analyzer and a RF signal generator. On the other hand if you were building antennas, you'd probably want that VNA. And on and on.My suggestion would be to not worry about acquiring any additional gear until you find a shortcoming in what you have when working on the projects you want to work on.I will answer, however, one specific item on your list. As far as a bench DMM goes, one of the big advantages is that it can be plugged in and is more mechanically stable than a handheld DMM. This is beyond any other features, such as ability to do advanced or precision measurements. So if you have a fixed workbench area, a bench DMM and other "bench" versions of your test equipment can be useful. For example, I have a small ethernet switch, a small USB hub, a USB "charger brick" with multiple outputs, a power strip, and other similar objects all physically mounted in my bench area. Since a bench PSU and a oscilloscope are both typically bench instruments, adding a bench DMM just because of the form factor makes some sense.Note that I have specifically ignored the other advantages of a bench DMM as they may or may not be relevant to you. If you were doing precision measurements, then having a high count DMM makes some sense. And so on. But these are the same arguments as for the other instruments.

author: DaJMasta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 05:16:47 am
content: Yes, you do, see TEA thread.In a more serious take, don't buy it just to have it. You've got a good set that will be broadly useful and pretty capable. If you find yourself needing additional capability, then look into getting something for that. The equipment out there isn't going anywhere, and if you eventually decide you need something expensive, in time a deal will come along should that be the only way you can get it. While the equipment can be interesting, unless you think you're really going to use it for something, is the interest alone enough to invest in it?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 05:22:33 am
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 19, 2023, 04:13:30 amRFthat you havedabbled with some is a magical world and an instrument like the SVA1000X range will cover #3 and 4.The TG output when the analyzer is set to zero span can double as a RF gen albeit with limited amplitude compared to a dedicated RF genThe VNA capability can assist to perfect antenna designs to extend range and/or reduce transmitter power requirements.Example here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/antenna-project-log/

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 06:11:05 am
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 19, 2023, 04:13:30 amYou can leave it on all day and not worry about batteries.

author: chrisb741
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 06:48:30 am
content: Thing is I don't know what I don't know. There might be a better way of testing / monitoring something I have no idea about. I've been out of the electronics game a long time.Money isn't really a problem now, just don't like wasting it on stuff taking up space I'll get very little use out of when I can spend it on more things to experiment and build.Having said that need to digest this info.Cheap local PC to program uC at the bench would be good, instead of using my home office. Those small PCs in a small box should be fine for such simple work. Got network ports.Bench DMM, mentioned a few times, now that I think about it, yes do occasionally need to monitor multiple things at once. Might as well get an bench one, don't need high digit countI do have a few extra cheap PSU units.SA/VNA, DC load, AWG, no need, yet. Most of the RF stuff I know nothing about. My education lightly touched on that.I do have a 3D printer, that's very useful.Got a soldering stationThanks for your suggestions

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 07:35:24 am
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 19, 2023, 06:48:30 amWhat I would buy anyway because it's cheap and doesn't take up much space:A component tester (likethisorthis).A NanoVNAA TinySA or TinySA UltraEven if you don't know what it's for yet, you'll find a purpose.I use the NanoVNA e.g. to identify small, non-labeled SMD Inductors and capacitors.I have no other tool to measure nano- and microhenry.I tinker with self soldered low pass filters. The NanoVNA shows me if and how they work etc.The TinySA can also be used in the Arduino field, e.g. to see if 433MHz RF modules work etc.I can also use it to see if the car key door opener still works.Just simple examples.There is much more to discover.They are so cheap that it is not worth to do without them.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 09:01:10 am
content: Yep once you got the basics of PSU, DMM, Scope covered you are set. Anything more depends on your specific needs.For Spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, synthesizers, RF power meters..etc you only need if you deal with RF stuff.Just buy gear as needs arise. For example if you do a lot of digital you might want a logic analyzer. If you deal with high power electronics you might want some extra big boy PSUs or electronic loads. If you deal with high def audio you might want sensitive preamps and distortion analyzers etc..There are various reasons why you might want a Bench DMM:- Does not need batteries, so it can be left on all day to monitor something.(like a charging battery, or temperature of something..etc)- Fits on a shelf, so it is always in the same spot ready to be used, does not take up bench space, can have other instruments stacked on top..etc- Much higher performance. Since there is no limitation for power usage these DMMs can afford to have a more fancy precision electronics inside. They take readings faster, they have more digits, they have better precision references inside, they have HighZ mode etc..- Better connectivity, so you can fully control the DMM over GPIB, RS232, USB, Ethernet..etc- Better display, so you can see it clearly from all angles and in the dark.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 09:58:27 am
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 19, 2023, 04:13:30 amAnswer 1: yes of course you do. The denizens of this thread will be pleased to help youhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/Answer 2: no, because you had to ask the question.It is pleasing to demonstrate skill and imagination by being able to "do more with less" to find ways of working out what's happening. One old example from my schooldays is how to use a 2% meter to measure voltages to 0.1%, using only a meter rule, a meter of resistance wire, a NiFe cell and one well defined voltage, 1.018V. Another is that I implemented and tested my first computer (a 6800 with 128bytes(!) of RAM) with only a LEDs, switches, and an analogue multimeter.Every piece of kit will have a learning curve, especially for the GUI and how to use it to get useful results. Spend your remaining life wisely.It is worth while understanding what affordable kit is out there, so you can work out when you need it. Example: different scope probes for different problems such as measuring mains circuits safely.Overall: you will know when you need more equipment, because you can't achieve your objectives with existing kit.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 10:00:53 am
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 19, 2023, 04:13:30 am1. Unless you are interested in metrology, or in need of some very high accuracy and precision, you probably won't need one. Another reason might be when you need to measure fast, for example on an industrial assembly line, where one would want to make automated measurement (for testing) at fast as possible, so to keep the production running.For digital circuits and small modules you plan to build with, I can not come with any pertinent example where only a bench multimeter would be capable to do the measurement. A DMM would be enough.2. A waveform generator with sinus/ramp or other waveform is nice to have particularly for analog projects. For digital, not much. However an AWG (Arbitrary Waveform Generator) might come in handy if you want to generate a certain train of pulses, or some other waveforms. Same as above, nice to have, but not a must have.3. SA - Same, unless you have project where you tinker with RF, you won't need one.4. RF generator and VNA - for hams, tuning antennas, other analog and RF projects, sometimes also used for measuring small inductances/capacitances, find resonant frequency, etc. No need for one when using with casual digital modules at home, unless you start developing your own 2.4GHz boards, with PCB antennas and such.5. Other instrument?- DMM is a must have.- Solder Station + hot air tool (not exactly test equipment, but you'll need one eventually)- LA (Logic Analyzer), rather rarely used - only if you need to log digital signals, or to capture longer communication than what would fit on the oscilloscope screen/memory, might be nice to have, not mandatory- Computer, of courseIt is better to buy only when you need, not for "just in case", or else you will end up with empty pockets and shelves full of instruments never used.Of course, there is the reverse aspect, where one would find a use for whatever tool is at hand.For example, I bought my AWG when I got interested in SDR (Software Defined Radio), because I was in need to experiment with 2 synchronous signals at the same time. Of course, any sound card would have been enough for learning the principles, but I wanted a new toy. By the time the AWG arrived, all my questions were already answered, so no need for an AWG, but I kept it on the bench.Later, I've start using it for various other projects then the one I bought it for. Sometimes I even used it as a voltage reference/power supply (for very small currents only) because it can also generate DC. Then I've used the counter/frequency meter from it, and so on. If you have a tool at hand, eventually you'll find all kind of ways to use that tool for, sometimes in ways the tool was not meant for.To sum it up, the instruments to have would be (in this order):- DMM- Oscilloscope- Solder Station- Power Supply- then (optional) AWG, LA, SA, VNA, etc.Another aspect, the more instruments one has, the less projects.No idea what is the root cause, but it usually happens to everybody.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 10:25:54 am
content: I'd hold off any investment until you run into a problem your current test equipment can't solve. But do keep an eye out on equipment that makes life easier / allows to get better results quicker.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 10:45:54 am
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 19, 2023, 04:13:30 amif you can do it

author: tridac
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 12:02:01 pm
content: Been collecting test gear for the lab for many years. Often buy broken and fix up, with Ebay and industrial auction, valuable resources. You can build up a working set over a yaer or few, buying in haste at times, but then get more selective, weeding oout stuff that is never or only rarely used. Even when you thunk you have everything, there's alwasys something to tempt for an upgrade, or better capability. It can become a lifetime's work, For basics, you need a dvm, and a good dual beam scope at minimum, then perhaps pad out with a logc analyser and signal / pulse generators for ranges of interest. Suprising how much can be done with simple tools...

author: Calambres
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 12:13:39 pm
content: Everyone's recommending a DMM which is wise but I'll go a step further: TWO DMMsOne for VOne for AIt is essential for me anyhow

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 01:14:31 pm
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 19, 2023, 04:13:30 amYes, go get yourself at least one of those EUR7 Logic Analyzers from Ali / Ebay / China, and use it with Sigrok / Pulseview. I also have an oscilloscope, but I use my logic analyzer more with debugging microcontroller projects. It is both a small gadget that fits easily next to a breadboard, and the PC interface with mouse works quite well in Sigrok. For an oscilloscope the the buttons and rotary encoders are an important part of the user experience, but for a LA, the mouse, keyboard and a PC monitor works quite nice. I also find a LA more convenient because you can work easily with "Dupont" wires on a breadboard instead of the unwieldy big oscilloscope probes.But I also agree with the others, don't buy equipment too quickly. You will probably know it quite soon when you will need any of the more specialized things.And you can also make simple yet useful things yourself. One of the simple things I made is an ULN2803 with 8 resistors and 8 LED's. It lets me keep track of a bunch of digital signals on a breadboard visually without loading the signals too much.

author: chrisb741
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 01:18:34 pm
content: Cool, thanks all for the info.The first processor I ever played with was something like to 8085, an 8-bit 40-pin micro-controller that had ROM chip you erase with UV lightToday I bought, a bunch of heat shrink pieces and a cheap mini PC.Time to work on my project, sending commands from a web site to python script to rpi than wirelessly to an arduino controlled mecanum wheeled vehicle

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 01:29:04 pm
content: Quote from: Calambres on September 19, 2023, 12:13:39 pmA power supply with good internal metering is much nicer as it doesn't need extra bench space and doesn't need an external DMM. At some point I was contemplating buying more DMMs to measure power supply outputs but then it dawned to me getting a power supply with good internal metering made much more sense.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 01:31:21 pm
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 19, 2023, 01:18:34 pm

author: dmulligan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 02:03:46 pm
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on September 19, 2023, 01:14:31 pmI couldn't agree more. These come in handy with Arduino and other digital projects. You can't argue with the cost, and now you that have a mini PC on your desk anyhow it makes even more sense.

author: slugrustle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 04:09:29 pm
content: Have you had the need to measure higher bandwidth current waveforms with your scope? A current clamp and/or rogowski coil might be useful, depending on how much of the power stuff you get into with motors. Those things can get pricey though.Similarly, differential voltage probes can come in handy for the scope if you need to measure voltages that aren't earth referenced.Whoever said multiple multimeters had a good idea. Personally, I am quite fond of bench multimeters, but electronics is both my job and my hobby, so I put a lot into it. Might not be worth it for your use cases.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 08:36:42 pm
content: ... you (EUR7) could keep to a modest expenditureordig a bit deeper - half the fun of the hobby is the exotic kit

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 11:36:39 pm
content: Just a couple of comments...Quote from: chrisb741 on September 19, 2023, 04:13:30 amI'd get a (cheap) sigrok compatible USB logic analyzer (cost around $10). They only do 24 Msps but they are much, much more convenient to use on long data streams. You can also get higher bandwidth versions if you need it.Concerning VNAs -- I'd wait until you really find a need for one. They have evolved quite a bit recently so I would expect either significant improvements or cost reductions in the near future.

author: chrisb741
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 03:17:56 am
content: Can't see myself needing much speed for a logic analyser, most monitoring would be real world based, pwm duty cycle and other digital in/outputs.Can easily use a trigger with the 4 channel scope to record analog signals of needed.Ordered a mini PC, amazon gave me a $50 discount coupon. Ordered a DMM, they had none in stock and gave me a free upgrade to the next model.How much power do much projects use, not much, under 50W max.That eez bb3 looks like an interesting projectTinySA wow cheap, they any good?

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 05:52:36 am
content: USB logic analyzers are mostly useful for looking at digital communication buses that have a lot going on. For looking at a PWM signal a scope is much more suitable.This is because they usually can steam data to the PC or even use compression so you can record Giga or even Tera samples worth of data in a single capture. So it allows you to record for multiple seconds or even multiple minutes of traffic. So no need to trigger on the area of interest and keep rerunning your test, you can just record it all and then scroll trough it at your own pace. Looking trough this much data is much easier with a mouse as opposed to knobs on a scope. So for that reason i prefer it when looking at something like a SPI or I2C sensor or picking apart a UART firmware update protocol or something.I never used the TinySA, but i do have two versions of the TinyVNA. Very nice little tool for measuring the impedance of things at high frequency, certainly the ultimate low cost tool for antenna tuning for example. Tho careful with stepping into RF as you quickly start collecting a lot of RF accessories (cables, adapters, terminators, attenuators...etc).

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 08:49:01 am
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 20, 2023, 03:17:56 amI would sayTinySAandNanoVNAare definitely worth the money and so cheap that you don't have to think twice.But they are complex devices and you have to learn a bit.Of course you get better devices for more money, but with these two you have enough to do for a start.See:https://www.tinysa.org/wiki/

author: metebalci
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 09:31:56 am
content: When working on a specific digital protocol, particularly complex ones like USB, protocol decoders can be very useful.Probably not relevant, but VNA is an impressive instrument. Most of them are very expensive, not very easy to use, but I learned a lot even trying to use a simple one, so I also +1 to simple ones like NanoVNA just for what can be learnt from it.It might not be a need now, but I also +1 to current and differential probes. If you are interested in the power usage, there are relatively new, simple and cheap source measure units for microcontrollers. Source measure units are usually quite expensive.

author: chrisb741
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 12:30:12 pm
content: LA wont record analog signals

author: TomKatt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 01:25:14 pm
content: Quote from: Berni on September 20, 2023, 05:52:36 amThis is the reason I bought a DS Logic Plus LA. Decoding on many 'hobbyist' scopes is often limited to what can be displayed on the screen. In addition to longer captures, a decent LA also offers more triggering options like pattern, cmd or address matching that can help locate data of interest.

author: chrisb741
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 02:16:10 pm
content: What is a good logic analyser? Surely the $10 can't be that good

author: TomKatt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 02:55:14 pm
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 20, 2023, 02:16:10 pmDon't knock the cheap clones - for many tasks they can do what you need and the open source Sigrock software has a lot of decoding options. The main limitation with the cheap clones is their lower bandwidth and lack of onboard memory (they also lack input protection and I think have fewer triggering options). If you go the cheap route I would check out the Sigrok wiki for supported hardware to make sure the clone you are looking at is fully supported.https://sigrok.org/wiki/Supported_hardware#Logic_analyzersWhen I bought my LA a few years ago I shopped around and the DS Logic Plus seemed like the best overall value, offering 400Mhz max sample rate and 16G sample depth with the option to stream real time data over usb for $150 (closer to $100 on eBay). DS Logic has their own proprietary fork of Sigrok named DS View that I've found very easy to use and has many decoding options. 400Mhz sample rate is good for 100Mhz data signals.Other popular alternatives are the Saleae Logic 8 and Digilent's Digital Discovery, but both are also more expensive.https://www.dreamsourcelab.com/shop/logic-analyzer/dslogic-plus/Edit - just a caution that if you search the web you will find a lower cost model from DS Logic sold overseas (non "Plus") - but that is an older, less capable version that was discontinued a while back. Not sure if these asian sellers have old stock or if they are knockoffs (more likely). Avoid the 'non-Plus' version.

author: dmulligan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 04:21:18 pm
content: You have made bigger gambles at restaurants or bars than one of these logic analyzers will cost you. For $7-10 you will be surprised at how capable it is while working with an Arduino and other microcontrollers. The bandwidth is high enough for many of those applications and you can still fall back to your oscilloscope for your high bandwidth needs.TLDR; For $10 try it, you might like it.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 04:28:59 pm
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 20, 2023, 12:30:12 pmOscilloscope won't record digital signals, it only records analogue waveforms. Whatever receives such analogue waveforms mayinterpretthem as digital signals.A primary use case of an oscilloscope is to observe the analogue waveforms to ensure that they should be correctly interpreted by the receiver - typically voltage levels, transition times, setup and hold times.After a scope has shown correct "signal integrity" (a sub-discipline in its own right), then it is often better to switch to the digital domain, and use digital tools such as logic analysers, protocol analysers, and printf() statements.

author: TomKatt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 04:56:33 pm
content: Quote from: dmulligan on September 20, 2023, 04:21:18 pmWhat I should have said - more succinctly - is that one of those $10 clones potentially offers better serial decoding abilities than the decoding feature built into entry level scopes like the DS1054Z and the SDS1104X etc.Edit - Amazon has a Sigrok compatible clone with micro-hooks for $14https://www.amazon.com/KeeYees-Analyzer-Device-Channel-Arduino/dp/B07K6HXDH1When I first got my LA I hooked it up to a usb serial port and used Putty to loop a few text files and captured the serial data with the LA. It was an easy way to play around and learn the LA software, especially for things like pattern matching. Then I programmed an AVR to do the same idea over SPI etc. It's helpful when you have known good data to play with, so when the time comes to debug something you know how to set the software up.

author: JOFlaherty
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 05:00:39 pm
content: This is more of a tool than a piece of test equipment, but a multi-row breadboard with an addition: fixed terminals to attach test equipment leads and power supply wires securely. The last 6 inches of the connection can be made by Dupont jumper wires. Then there's less chance of things being pulled out during testing.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 05:40:12 pm
content: Quote from: chrisb741 on September 20, 2023, 02:16:10 pmTry the $10 first, chances to need something more are close to zero for the projects you plan. A bigger one would be about $100-200 (e.g.https://www.dreamsourcelab.com/shop/logic-analyzer/dslogic-plus/). It is faster and has more inputs. Though keep in mind that in practice you can not use it at 400MHz sampling rate anyway. The LA has that sampling speed for real, just that connecting probes at that speed would be close to impossible.I remember first time when I got a DSLogic Plus LA, tried to sampled at 400MHz the output generated with another another FPGA. Almost all the captured edges were choppy before settling to their final value. I thought the LA was defective or something. Well, the LA was working fine, just that I didn't know much back then about impedance matching and transmission lines. The randomly choppy edges I was seeing were because the LA was so fast that it was capturing the reflections back and forth inside the wires. Probes + PCB traces were acting like transmission lines.I didn't know I had to match the impedances or else there will be internal reflections in the wires, so I've blamed the LA as buggy/defective, for it can't capture clean edges at 400MHz. In reality all the edges were ringing as hell because of the impedance mismatch, and the LA was so fast it was able to capture even those ringings.Another thing, "Sigrok", which is the software for almost any kind of LA out there, be it $10 or $1000 LA, it is FOSS and supports many kinds of hardware, including oscilloscopes, DMMs etc.https://sigrok.org/wiki/Supported_hardwareDepending on which oscilloscope you have, might be possible to use it from Sigrok.Though, the Sigrok drivers for my Rigol DS1054z were not that great, so I never really used Sigrok with the oscilloscope, only with the DSLogic Plus LA (to be more precise, the software name is DSLogic, a fork of PulseView+Sigrok maintained by DreamSource Logic). PulseView is the GUI, sigrok is the command line backend that get the samples from the hardware and run them through a stack of protocol decoders of your choice.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 06:55:14 pm
content: I have literally walls of TE. And still find that one of things I use most frequently is one of those low cost "transistor testers" like the ones in the following extremely long thread. For under $20 I think it goes on the need list. You may be able to do most of what it does with your DMM, but it is really hard to beat the speed and convenience of these things.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 07:21:59 pm
content: > Do I need more test equipment?Yes.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 07:32:36 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on September 20, 2023, 06:55:14 pmIndeed, very practical, I have one of those, too. Bought it only out of curiosity, thinking it would probably be yet another toy of not much use. In practice, turned out to be very handy, and I am using it way more often than, for example, the LA.I've seen there is a similar version that can measure even more parameters than the one from the link:#368: Overview of the Peak Atlas DCA Pro Model DCA75 Semiconductor Component Analyzer & Curve Tracerw2aew

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 09:41:30 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on September 20, 2023, 06:55:14 pmI have the TC1 and the TC3 version. For $50, the TC3 version is pretty cool. The DSO and AWG both work okay too.

author: chrisb741
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2023, 06:05:02 am
content: Quote from: artag on September 20, 2023, 07:21:59 pmExcellent! That's all the arm twisting I needI have ordered the TinySA Ultra from the official aliexpress store according the the TinySA website. So there is good cheap stuff, you guys think its a good entry into the world of RF, then why not. I have various stuff that can generate RF, just need to find out how to measure it and see what happensJust to clarify, when I said capture analogue signals, I did not mean the analogue waveform of a digital signal, but an arbitrary analogue level such as voltage representing: light, pressure, temperature, voltage etc.There is thousands of those cheap LA