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Azur Electronics

LOGIC ANALYSIS
PROGRESS AND PROBLEMS
Logic Analysis Progress and Problems is a short review of how far I have got with this project and what's holding me up.

Bearing in mind that I'm starting from scratch so I know little about Logic Analysis. I have a limited amount of time to spend on this hobby, so work proceeds in occasional short bursts. I generally learn something new every time. 
 
March 2007

Bought a HP 5004A Signature Analyser. This is part of the test equipment required for my HP 1980B Oscilloscope Measurement System which is faulty and I'm trying to repair. After a good clean up and some minor repairs, the Signature Analyser seems to be working fine. Have now almost completed the performance tests.

June 2007

Bought a HP 1630D Logic Analyser. This arrived damaged in transit so needed completely stripping down, repairing and re-assembling. In fact it is had been upgraded to a 1630G. Major task is to understand the operating instructions and carry out performance tests.

February 2008

Bought a HP 5015T Logic Troubleshooting Kit. This includes in a hard plastic case: a HP 10525T Logic Probe; a HP 10526T Logic Pulser; 2 BNC to croc clip adaptors for 5V dc power; and original Operating & Service Manuals.

A HP 10528A Logic Clip is also part of the set but is missing. Have now completed the performance tests.

Also included is a RS 423-942 TTL Logic Probe. It has a red LED to indicate logic 1 high and a green LED to indicate logic 0 low, unlike the HP probe which has only 1 LED with bright for logic 1 high, dim for bad logic state and off for logic 0 low. Downloaded RS Data Sheet.

Now Sold.
August 2008

Saw a HP 5036A Microprocessor Lab for sale on eBay. Although I didn't win it, this got me thinking. Many years ago, I had a similar μP development kit for a University course and had to program it to operate a set of traffic lights (red, yellow & green LEDs). I need something to generate data and address lines and maybe write some simple programs for use with testing the 1630D Logic Analyser and the other logic test equipment.

The limitation of the 5036A and similar kits is that no storage is provided, so you would have to re-enter setup and program code each time. Maybe a scrap PC could be used instead. Modern PC's clock speeds are much too fast for the 1630D as the state external clock rate is only up to 25MHz.


October 2008

2 more tests completed on the 5004A by using the HP 8016A Word Generator and HP 3762A Data Generator. The 2 remaining tests can be completed when the 8016A is repaired.

July 2009

Bought a HP 5005A Signature Multimeter. Very clean condition, complete with accessories, manuals and application notes. Needs the performance tests completing.

Now Sold.

August 2009

Started work on testing 1630D/G Logic Analyser and reading Manuals.


January 2010

More work on testing 5004A and 5005A.


April 2010

Completed performance tests are far as possible on 5004A.
Bought a second 1630D for evaluation/spares. It really is the D version.


June & July 2010

Evaluating 1630D and started work on 'timing' applications.


August 2010

Started work on 'state' applications. This needs a programmable microprocessor 'test bed' such as the HP 5036A which uses the 8-bit 8085 µP. Investigating if my Commodore PC40-III which uses the later 16-bit 80286 µP could be utilised instead.


September 2010

Bought some spare Pods and interface cables (thanks Steve K) for the 1630D.


December 2010

Stripped down, cleaned and re-assembled 1630D.


January 2011

Completed the performance tests for the 10525T and 10526T probes.

March 2011

Bought a HP 5036A Microprocessor Lab complete with Manual.

July 2011

Bought a HP 10528A Logic Clip to complete the set for the 5015T Logic Troubleshooting Kit.

June 2012

Bought another 1630D to make one good 'D' unit and provide spares.

February 2014

Bought a HP 8175A Digital Signal Generator to provide complex logic signals for the Logic Analysers.

April 2015

Stripped down the 2 x 1630 D's and the 1630G, then rebuilt to end up with the 1 x 1630D and 1 x 1630G. The remaining 1630D has been dismantled for spares. The 'D' version provides up to 43 state channels and up to 16 timing channels. The 'G' version provides up to 65 state channels and up to 8 timing channels, plus the ability to store configuration setup.


March 2018

Completed Confidence Tests for the 1630D and 1630G.


October 2019

Completed tests for the 8175A and State Measurements for the 1630G.



Project Summary

Now have a complete Logic Analyser System for frequencies up to 100MHz Timing and 25MHz State. 
 
Also have the HP 5036A Microprocessor Lab as a test bed.
 
Performance testing has been completed as far as possible. 
 
Operating information has been detailed as a quick reference for using the system. 
 
Project completed.