Introduction to SQ series logic analyzers

What are the SQ Series logic analyzers?

SQ Series logic analyzers are entry-level devices capable of capturing and generating logic signals at a maximum sampling rate of 200 MHz on 4 channels. SQ range of logic analyzers is composed of 4 devices:

• SQ200
• SQ100 (discontinued in 2019)
• SQ50 (discontinued in 2019)
• SQ25 (discontinued in 2019)

SQ series of logic analyzers are small devices (50mm x 50mm x 25mm) as seen in the image below:

Please refer to the product page for detailed features and limitations of each device.

Principle of operation

SQ Series logic analyzers and pattern generators connect to a computer via a USB cable (mini-B). A free software - called ScanaStudio - is used to configure the device, display captured signals and build signals to be generated. The software can also be used to further analyze the captured samples by decoding protocols like I2C, SPI or UART. It’s worth noting that the SQ series can capture and generate signals simultaneously, and ScanaStudio software is perfectly adapted for that type of application.

Embedded memory architecture

Unlike other devices that stream data over USB, the SQ series uses internal memory to store captured samples (or samples that need to be generated).

To get the most out of your SQ device, it’s important to have a global understanding of how its internal memory works.

SQ’s memory can be divided into two sectors:

• Capture memory
• Generator memory

The amount of memory allocated to capture or generation can be defined without many restrictions. The animation below shows how memory organization affects device operation:

While capture memory affects the total capture time, generator memory defines the total length of the signal that can be generated. In case you want to generate a signal in a loop, the total generator memory also defines the total period (and hence frequency) of your generated signal.

Capture mode

If your ScanaQuad device is configured in capture mode, the total memory is available for the captured samples. However, you may only allocate a part of that memory for signal capturing.

Generator mode

If your Scanaquad device is configured in generator mode, the total memory is available for the generator. Samples will be transferred to ScanaQuad memory and then the generation will start.

The sample sequence may be generated in a loop or only once depending on the check box “Loop generated signal”:

Note: Both capture and generator modes share the same internal sampling clock, so it is not possible to have a different clock for capturing and generating signals.

Typical applications

SQ series logic analyzers are meant to be versatile devices as they are capable of capturing and generating logic signals. The small number of channels (4 channels) makes it ideal for low-budget applications where serial protocol diagnostic is needed. Among most typical applications, we can list the following:

• Hobby electronics
• Arduino systems testing and debugging
• Education
• Simple serial protocols analysis, like I2C, SPI, UART or 1-Wire (non-exhaustive list)

Being able to capture and generate signals simultaneously makes the SQ series ideal for applications where it is needed to simulate a circuit a capture its response.

Package content

SQ Series logic analyzer is shipped with the following accessories:

• 5 points hook-probes set:

• 0.8 meter USB cable (mini-B to A):

Device ports

SQ logic analyzer and pattern generator have the following ports and interfaces:

1. 4-CH logic probes input (4 channels + 1 ground)
2. USB (mini-B) port.
3. Status LED

SQ series device drivers

Windows OS

SQ Series device 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 SQ devices.

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 SQ device to a USB port on your computer.
4. Open the device manager and locate the SQ device in the list. The device may be named “IKALOGIC Device”, “IKALOGIC COM PORT” or “USB Serial port” (even though an SQ device is not a serial port until the driver is correctly installed, windows wontt be able to correctly enumerate it). You may also disconnect and reconnect the SQ device to see which device appears and disappears from the list. It’s also worth noting that if the SQ device 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.

If the device is still not recognized at this point, we recommend installing the FTDI D2XX drivers which can be downloaded here: https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX.htm

Linux and MacOS

On newly purchased devices, Linux and MacOS do not need any specific operations to install SQ devices on the system. It should be automatically recognized by the system.

In case of doubt, or if any diagnostic is needed, the SQ device uses the following USB VID / PID pair:

• VID: 0x0403
• PID: 0x7FD0

SQ devices use an FTDI USB chip, loaded with a proprietary PID that is specific to Ikalogic products. This prevents FTDI drivers from claiming the device as an FTDI serial COM port.

For older devices (manufactured before 2019), the loaded PID was not a proprietary one and was shared with other FTDI Chip devices. Luckily, it is possible to update the PID of an older SQ device by launching the device compatibility wizard (which can be accessed from the top right settings menu in ScanaStudio).

SQ LED indications

SQ status led can either be Off, Green or Orange.