HP analyzer probes

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
Date: Tue Jun 29 17:09:05 2004

> > My Tek 1230 is definitely plain old IDC, and that
> > model is worth up to and including nothing without the
> > probes. Probes are $400+ (without the grabbers!). I
> > have 3 and have turned down an offer for $300 for one
> > of them.
> Just out of curiosity, what's the speed rating of your 1230? My HP 1651B can
> do 25MHz state and 100MHz timing.

My first logic analyer, which I still use if I need more than 3 channels,
was a Gould K100D. It came without pods, but I did get the service manual.

The inputs to the analyser were differential ECL signals. I wired up some
10124 (TTL-ECL translators) to make a TTL input pod for it, cabled up
with IDC cable.

I've never tried it at 100MHz, but it works fine at lower frequencies
(e.g. to trace PERQ microcode, etc).

> I suppose I can always try IDC cable. It's not exactly expensive stuff and
> there's a good chance of it actually working. If I can't get any HP probes

My guess it that it will work, but you probably won't be able to run at
the specified maximum speed.

> and the seller won't refund me for the analyser, it's always an option.

My expeirience is that for classic computer work, any logic analyser,
even a 10MHz one, is a lot better than nothing, provided you know what it
can and cna't do.

In other words, I'd be inclined to make up kludge-pods for this analyser
and at least try it out. I don't know what machines you normally work on,
but I suspect it would be easily enough for 8 bit micros, HP calculators
(including desktops), and so on

-tony
Received on Tue Jun 29 2004 - 17:09:05 BST