Old, new or PC? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Frio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 02:51:44 am
content: Yes, yes, I have read the sticky about searching the forum for questions like theseThe issue is that for specific applications, the answers end up converging into different clusters and it takes a long time to search through all combinations of questions and answers...At any rate, please bear with me, if you would.I would like to purchase an instrument for two main purposes:1) Analyze analog video signals, to diagnose issues with a machine that supposedly produces VGA VESA 640x480 output (~25MHz)2) Analyze digital circuitry ahead of the DAC that produces said VGA output, and a variety of other digital busses that run at frequencies up to around 300MHzI am vaguely aware of three main routes to achieve said results, and I would like to ask the experts here to weigh in on what makes the most sense (and bang for buck) with a budget of around $1500 (but I can be persuaded to spend some more if the advantage is substantial), or at least the pros and cons of each:1) Old digital oscilloscope AND/OR logic analyzer, for example the Tek TLA714/715 (is it reasonable to analyze the VGA signal with a LA? perhaps with one analog and one digital board?)2) New DSO/MSO from Rigol et al.3) New PC-based combo of analog and digital scopes (are they fast enough?)Thank you very much in advance!Frio

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 04:09:42 am
content: Analyzing VGA signals is easy enough, but 300MHz digital buses? You'll need a relatively high end instrument for that. Are you thinking of serial or parallel buses?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 07:09:27 am
content: Quote from: Frio on April 06, 2018, 02:51:44 amEasy/cheap.Quote from: Frio on April 06, 2018, 02:51:44 amVery expensive. You'd better be well paid for fixing whatever it is, if it's even possible to fix (what if it's a custom chip?)

author: Frio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2018, 03:45:29 am
content: Thank you everyone for your comments!Noone answered directly whether a TLA714 with both a 7DX/7EX and a 7NX/7NAX work for me?Cheers!Frio

author: RomDump
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2018, 04:37:42 am
content: QuoteYou may want to do some research before you commit to the "TLA7Dx/Ex Digital Storage Oscilloscope Modules". I don't think the module behaves like a traditional oscilloscope but I may be wrong.It may be better getting two separate devices.--RomDump

author: RomDump
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2018, 03:21:53 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on April 07, 2018, 07:07:51 amWhat are you talking about? The 7DX he is referring to is the The TLA7Dx Oscilloscope module for the TLA714. He wanted to know if he should buy a logic analyzer with an Oscilloscope module for the video project he is working on.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2018, 12:17:56 am
content: Well those big mainframe logic analyzers can usually be had pretty cheaply because it's not very often one has a need for those these days. Do keep in mind the probes can easily cost more than the unit if they don't come with it though.I don't know anything about the scope plugins for them.

author: Frio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2018, 08:51:58 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on April 07, 2018, 07:07:51 amActually I did mention it in the sentence "Old digital oscilloscope AND/OR logic analyzer, for example the Tek TLA714/715 (is it reasonable to analyze the VGA signal with a LA? perhaps with one analog and one digital board?)".I was referring to the fact that the 700 series can host a combination of logic analyzer and digital oscilloscope (TLA7D1, TLA7D2, TLA7E1, TLA7E2) boards...Sorry I was not more precise.

author: Frio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2018, 08:53:02 pm
content: Quote from: RomDump on April 07, 2018, 04:37:42 amUnderstood, thank you!I will ask a question in the forum to know if anyone has experience using the DSO modules for the 700 series.Frio

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2018, 09:17:11 pm
content: Maybe look for the user manual online? Or look for youtube videos?The scope option on some of the older HP logic analyzers behaves pretty much like a DSO of the era. I'd have similar expectations for Tek, they practically invented the modern oscilloscope.

author: Frio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2018, 09:22:41 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on April 08, 2018, 09:17:11 pmThanks, I am trying to source information online, and I am sure the user manual gives all the required information, but it is huge :-)If anyone on the forum can direct me to the appropriate information, it would save me a lot of time...Frio

author: RomDump
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2018, 02:19:38 am
content: Quote from: Frio on April 08, 2018, 08:53:02 pmFor a faster response, you may want to emailGerry Man, (a local Canuk), as he mentioned he has one of those modules as well as a TLA715 on his blog.

author: Frio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2018, 05:12:32 am
content: Quote from: RomDump on April 09, 2018, 02:19:38 amBrilliant, thank you for the tip!