Introduction to SP1000G series logic analyzers

What are SP1000G series?

SP1018G series logic analyzers and pattern generators offer in-depth analysis of logic signals and protocols with 1GSPS (1ns) timing resolution. External reference clocking (IN and OUT), trigger input and output as well as adjustable threshold and output voltage level make the SP1000G series uniquely powerful laboratory equipment. SP1000G series offers up to 54 channels that can be individually configured as input, push-pull outputs or open drain output.

Your SP1000G series device is composed of two main elements, the host device containing all the acquisition hardware (FPGA, memory buffer, USB interfaces) and the active probes sets containing all signal conditioning, ESD protection, Input Output buffers and level shifting. Each active probe connects to the host device using a flexible harness of high-speed Twinax cables, ensuring perfectly predictable propagation delay and timing alignment between all channels.

Principle of operation

SP1000G Series logic analyzers must be connected to a computer via a USB-3 cable. A free software - called ScanaStudio - is used to :

• Configure a device,
• Display captured signals,
• Build patterns,
• Control the pattern generator,
• Further analyze the captured samples by decoding protocols (like I2C, SPI or UART).

A versatile scripting system allows sophisticated features and add-ons. It’s highly recommended to download the software to familiarize yourself with all its various features. A demonstration mode allows the user to simulate full device operation without connecting a physical SP1000G device to the computer.

Embedded memory and streaming

USB-based logic analyzers (ones that don’t have a display and rely on a computer for that matter) usually operate according to one of two schemes :

• Using an embedded memory to store captured samples. Samples are later downloaded at a slower speed via the USB interface. This has the advantage of not being limited by USB transfer rate but has the disadvantage of limited embedded memory.
• Streaming captured samples over the USB connection, at the maximum possible speed. While this offers the advantage of virtually unlimited memory (only limited by the host computer’s memory), it has the disadvantage of limiting the sampling rate to the USB’s throughput.

SP1000G combines the advantages of both streaming and embedded memory techniques while implementing novel compression algorithms, to optimize the usage of memory and bandwidth. Samples are analyzed and compressed before being stored in an embedded DDR-3 memory (4Gb, 8Gb, or 12Gb depending on the model). At the same time, a superspeed USB-3 interface transfers the data to the computer, effectively emptying the embedded memory and making more room for new samples.

This results in a logic analyzer that can capture hours of logic signals activity on all channels at 1 GSPS, overcoming any bandwidth limitations related to the user’s computer or USB interface.

Typical applications

SP1000G series logic analyzers and pattern generators are perfectly adapted for demanding applications, where it is required to capture logic signals with a maximum time resolution of 1ns on all channels.

![SP100G Series logic analyzer (ScanaStudio)](/assets/images/galleries/sp1018g/logic analyzer signal generator sp1018G workspace example with I2C waveform view and CAN bus protocol decoder packet view.png.

As a matter of fact, SP1000G series devices allow the usage of the maximum number of available channels without any reduction in sampling frequency (for example, SP1018G can capture signals on all 18 channels with 1ns resolution). Typical applications are:

• Automated or manual Semiconductor testing
• Electronic circuits testing and validation
• Embedded systems debugging
• Scientific Research
• Serial protocols analysis, like I2C, SPI, UART or 1-Wire (non-exhaustive list)
• ADC diagnostic

Package content

SP1018G

• SP1000G host device
• 2 Active probes (9 Channels each)
• 2 9-Channels probes harness
• 12V 3A power supply
• USB-3 (A to B) 1.5 m cable

SP1036G

• SP1000G host device
• 4 Active probes (9 Channels each)
• 4 9-Channels probes harness
• 12V 3A power supply
• USB-3 (A to B) 1.5 m cable

SP1054G

• SP1000G host device
• 6 Active probes (9 Channels each)
• 6 9-Channels probes harness
• 12V 3A power supply
• USB-3 (A to B) 1.5 m cable

Device datasheet

For detailed timing and DC characteristics, power consumptions and input characteristics, please download the latest version of the datasheet.

Device ports

Host device interfaces

1. 12V DC power input
2. USB3 port (Type B)
3. 3 Earth connection (M3 thread size)
4. 10MHz Reference clock input (optional) - 50 Ohm impedance
5. Trigger input - 50 Ohm impedance
6. Reference clock output
7. Trigger clock output
8. Status LED
9. Port A (connection to 9-channels active probe set)
10. Port B (connection to 9-channels active probe set)

SP1018G, SP1036G and SP1054G

All SP1000G series logic analyzers have similar architectures. The main difference is the number of active probes that can be connected. As an example, below is the front view of an SP1054G device, showing the connectors for the maximum 6 probes that can be connected to it.

Active probe set interfaces

1. Connection to the host device
2. Status LED
3. Connection to the device under test (9 measurement channels + individual GND connections per channel)

SP1000G series device drivers

Windows OS

SP1000G drivers are included and should be automatically installed with ScanaStudio software. Because certain system configurations may require manual installation, the following sections provide guidelines to perform driver installation or update for SP1000G.

Manual driver setup on Windows

To set up the drivers manually, follow the following steps:

1. Download the driver package from this URL: https://cdn.ikalogic.com/dist/drivers/ScanaStudioDriver.zip.
2. Unzip the driver package to a known folder, (e.g. c:\ScanaStudioDriver\).
3. Connect the SP1000G to a USB-3 port on your computer. (Important: avoid using any HUBs, connect directly to the root USB port.)
4. Open the device manager and locate the SP1000G device in the list. The device may be named “IKALOGIC Device”, “IKALOGIC COM PORT” or “USB Serial port” (even though SP1000G is not a serial port until the driver is correctly installed, windows won’t be able to correctly enumerate it). You may also disconnect and reconnect the SP1000G device to see which device appears and disappears from the list. It’s also worth noting that if the SP1000G driver is not correctly installed, a yellow exclamation mark should be visible next to the device name in the list.
5. Once the device is identified, right-click on it and select “Update driver” (or an equivalent item depending on the language of your system).
6. Follow the steps to specify the location of the driver on your computer.
7. Provide the path to the driver’s folder that was created in step 2.
8. Follow the last steps in the wizard to finish installing the driver.

SP1000G LED indications

Host status LEDs behavior

SP1000G status led can be on three states :

Active probe LED behavior

Capturing your first signal

To capture your first logic signals, please follow these steps:

1. Connect the device via USB-3 and to provided power plug.
2. Launch ScanaStudio and create a workspace.
3. Connect the probes to your signals source.
4. Ensure at least one ground probe is connected to the ground of your system being tested.
5. Hit the start button in ScanaStudio and wait until signals are captured and displayed on the screen. You can adjust the capture duration by adjusting the number of samples in the device configuration tab.