Introduction to Timing Analysis
Timing analysis in its simplest form means acquiring and storing data at equal time intervals. When doing timing analysis you must put the logic analyzer into timing mode. An analyzer in timing mode is referred to as a timing analyzer. The timing analyzer’s time interval is controlled by a clock inside the analyzer, just like the clock in a digitizing oscilloscope. However, there are key differences between a timing analyzer and a digitizing oscilloscope. These key differences are channel count and voltage resolution. A logic analyzer typically has a large number of channels, and it displays signals at only two voltage levels, a logic high or a logic low. A digitizing oscilloscope typically has fewer channels, but it can display signals with much finer voltage resolution.
To determine whether a given sample of data should be stored and displayed as a logic high or a logic low, the timing analyzer compares the data to a threshold voltage. The threshold voltage works just like the threshold voltage in logic circuits. If the voltage level of the sampled data is above the threshold, the analyzer stores a logic high (a "1"). If the voltage level of the data is below the threshold, the analyzer stores a logic low (a "0").
The exercises in this chapter step you through the process of making a timing measurement.
In this chapter, you will:
•Put the analyzer into timing mode
•Change a label name
•Modify channel assignments
•Define a term for the timing trigger
•Set up the trigger specification
•Trigger on the term and examine the waveform