Chapter 1 - Getting started

Contents
About the help
The GoLogic help explains the capabilities of the GoLogic logic analyzer using the version 5.07 software and above. A basic understanding of digital electronics, logic analyzers, and Microsoftä WindowsÒ is assumed.

High-priority information that prevents personal injury or damage to the GoLogic is denoted by this symbol...

The GoLogic may be damaged if the channels are connected to alternating current (AC) or excessive DC current and voltages.


Important and useful information is denoted by this symbol...

The lead sets are not interchangeable. Markings on the top of each lead set indicate the correct connector.

Video tutorials are denoted by this symbol...
Install the software and USB driver
  • Install the GoLogic software but do not run it until after the USB driver is installed.
  • Connect the GoLogic power and USB cable.
  • The first time a USB device is connected to a new computer, Windows detects the device and installs the proper USB device driver. Windows displays the "Found New Hardware" wizard to install device drivers.
  • Choose the "Do not search for software", "Install from a specific location", and the "Search these locations" options in the first three steps of the New Hardware Wizard...
  • Browse for the "golo_x32.inf" file (or "golo_x64.inf" under XP x64 and Vista x64) in the "\My Documents\MyGoLogic\USB Drivers" folder. This folder was created when the GoLogic software was installed. The driver file is also provided on the GoLogic2 CD-ROM install disk. If you have an old GoLogic CD that is dated before September of 2004, do not install the outdated USB drivers. The version 5.x software does not recognize the "2.0" or earlier USB driver.
Run the software

The GoLogic USB and power cables should be connected before the software is started. However, the software automatically detects the GoLogic and functions normally if the GoLogic USB and power cables are connected after the software is started.

An animated “Connect GoLogic” warning is displayed on the toolbar if the software cannot find the GoLogic device. If this message is displayed when the GoLogic is powered and connected to the USB, then the USB device driver is not installed or Windows detected an error while loading the driver. Use Device Manager to install the GoLogic USB device driver and verify it is working properly...
 


 
If the "GoLogicUSB" device is not listed in Device Manager, find the "Unknown device" which represents the GoLogic and update its device driver...
 


 
Browse for the "golo_x32.inf" file (or "golo_x64.inf" under XP x64 and Vista x64) in the "\My Documents\MyGoLogic\USB Drivers" folder. This folder was created when the GoLogic software was installed. If you have an old GoLogic CD that is dated before September of 2004, do not install these outdated USB drivers. The version 5.x software does not recognize the "2.0" or earlier USB driver.
 
Hardware setup dialog box
The software supports all past and future GoLogic models produced by NCI, plus GoLogics controlled remotely across a network.  Before the software can search for the device, it needs to know which type of GoLogic to expect. The "Edit > Hardware settings..." menu command displays the hardware setup dialog box...


 
Choose the GoLogic type from the list box.

The EPP GoLogic setup requires a more complex set up process (described in the above link).

The EPP-to-USB adapter option is configured
like a new USB GoLogic.

  
     
  Disabling the "Demonstration mode" option tells the software to find the GoLogic device. If you need to view old trace data while no GoLogic is connected, then check this option. Demo mode avoids error messages that the GoLogic hardware is missing. It also simulates the normal behavior of a GoLogic when the "Go" button is clicked.
     
When using Demo mode, you can select the number of channels the driver simulates when the "Go" button is pressed.  
     
  Once the software detects the GoLogic device, you can run diagnostics to determine if the hardware is behaving properly. An error indicates a problem with the USB connection to the computer.
The GoLogic power and USB cables must be connected before the software can detect the device.
 
Network setup
Select the "Remote GoLogic on TCP/IP" option to control the GoLogic across a network...
 

  • Enter the IP address of the remote network computer which is physically connected to the GoLogic device. You may also enter the computer's network name.
  • The Server's Listen Port should not be changed unless the listen port was changed for the GoLogic Network Server program on the remote computer. If a listen port conflict on the remote network computer required the number to be changed. then verify this value is identical to the server's value.
  • The Timeout Limit tells the software how long to wait before assuming a network request fails. This value should not be changed unless your network connection is slow, such as with a dial-up modem.
 
The GoLogic Network Server application must be running on the remote network computer which is physically connected to the GoLogic device. This program listens for network requests to the GoLogic and passes the commands to the GoLogic hardware. The GoLogic Network Server manages conflicts when two or more "clients" on the network need to access the GoLogic at the same time. The GoLogic Network Server is freely available on the NCI web site. See the on-line help installed with the Network Server program for details on that program.
 
Connect the channels

Each GoLogic has 36 probes called channels. There are 4 "clock" channels and 32 normal data channels. There are also several gray ground channels which connect the test circuit's ground to the GoLogic's ground. Always connect at least one ground channel to the test circuit's ground. Varying lengths are provided for convenience; you are not required to connect all the ground channels.

The clock channels are used to synchronize the GoLogic's sampling rate to an external clock source. The 32 data channels are connected to the test circuit's signals which you want to capture. When the GoLogic is not synchronized to an external clock, the clock channels can also be used as data channels. So there are between 32 and 36 data inputs available depending on the sampling method used.

The channel connectors fit onto 25-mil pins. If no such pins are available on your test circuit, MicroGrippers or NanoGrippers (sold separately by NCI) can be attached to probe individual chip pins. Adapter probes are also available from vendors like Emulation Technologies. NCI does not sell these adapters.

Connect at least one gray ground channel to the test circuit’s ground. Connecting several ground channels is even better for environments with significant EMI noise.
 
Handle with care!
The GoLogic lead set connectors are well-made and durable, but they cannot withstand abuse…
 

 
Configure the GoLogic
Three steps are required to configure the GoLogic to capture a trace...


Quick example

 

The above settings are defined in the Setup window. The Toolbar’s button displays the Setup window.

 
Capture data

The button starts the GoLogic. While running, the GoLogic detects an input sample that matches the trigger setup, fill its memory, stops running, and then transfers the data to the computer for display.

The GoLogic runs forever if no input samples match the trigger setup. In this case, the button stops the GoLogic. Downloading and viewing the captured data allows you to determine why the trigger setup failed. Many situations can prevent the GoLogic from triggering. For example, a signal may be ‘stuck’ high or low. Tips on solving triggering problems are found in Chapter 4 - Setup step three: triggering.
 
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