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Domain: bitscope.com

Stories and comments across the archive that link to bitscope.com.

Stories · 2

  1. Open Source Logic Analyzers?

    Ask · Software · · posted by Cliff · from the testing-and-comparing-digital-signals dept. · 29 comments
    Rorschach1 asks: "I'm a hardware hacker, doing my part to develop useful open source projects, but my projects are getting more ambitious and my test equipment just isn't keeping up. PC based oscilloscopes have been discussed here before, but I'm particularly in need of a logic analyzer. The BitScope does offer an 8-channel analyzer with Linux support, but that hardly compares to most commercial offerings. I'm also concerned by the fact that I can't find any independent reviews of the device, and I'm hesitant to shell out $500 without knowing what I'm getting into. A logic analyzer is a pretty simple device. My current setup runs on a dedicated 486 with ancient DOS-based software. Surely there must be a more modern option available that'll work under Linux, but so far I've been able to find nothing. Perhaps someone can point me in the right direction?"

  2. Cheap PC Oscilloscopes - Any Recommendations?

    Hardware · Education · · posted by Cliff · from the waves-on-screen dept. · 321 comments
    Missionary Man asks: "I'm an electronics teacher looking for a good (but reasonably cheap) PC based oscilloscope for classroom demonstration purposes. I've done a reasonable amount of research and come up with a few contenders. Ideally I'd like something with a bandwidth of up to 40MHz and 2 channels. Does anyone have any tales to tell regarding the use of any of these scopes (or any others I haven't found or mentioned) and can recommend a suitable device?"

    "Here's the list of my findings so far:

    • The DS2200C from USB Instruments will do 2 channels at 12 bit resolution, but only to 200KHz.
    • The PCS100 from Velleman at QKits runs to 12MHz, but only 1 channel. It has a bigger brother, the PCS500, that has 2 channels and 50MHz bandwidth, but is a lot more expensive.
    • Picotech do cheaper ones, like the ADC-40/42, but these only operate in the KHz ranges.
    • Link Instruments sell the DSO-2102S that runs to 60MHz with 2 channels, but it's a bit out of my price range.
    • Finally, I found the bitscope which seems to be just what I'm looking for, combining a 2 channel scope and an 8 channel logic analyzer for a reasonable price.
    I'm hoping to spend US$300-$400. I recognize the software is a fundamental part of the successful operation of these units and any comments regarding the bundled programs would be most helpful too!"