Chapter 1 - Getting started

Contents
About the help
The help documentation explains the capabilities and use of the GoLogic logic analyzer. 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:		    
   
Important and useful information is denoted by this symbol:    
   
Video tutorials are denoted by this symbol:

 
Install the USB device driver and software


Run the Automatic Driver Installer. (also available here)

Connect the GoLogic USB and power cable. The GoLogic does not use USB power. Our 12V power adapter must be connected before the GoLogic can respond to USB commands from the computer.

Install the Latest GoLogic Software.

The GoLogic is now ready.
 
Run the software


The USB and power cables should be connected before the GoLogic software is started. However, the software automatically detects the GoLogic if the 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 verify the GoLogic USB device driver is working properly...
 

Download and run the the Automatic Driver Installer if the GoLogicUSB device is not recognized or an older device driver is installed. The v5.20 and later software require the WinUSB driver.

If the GoLogic WinUSB driver is installed, the GoLogic is connected to both the USB and power source, yet Device Manager does not show the GoLogicUSB device...

  • Try other computers to determine if the GoLogic needs repair. Contact NCI if the GoLogic does not work with other computers. Otherwise, a problem exists with the first computer if the GoLogic works with other computers.

  • Verify the latest WindowsÒ updates and Service Packs are installed from Microsoftä.

  • Verify the most recent computer BIOS and motherboard drivers are installed. Obtain these updates from the computer maker (Dell, HP, etc).

  • Connect the GoLogic to a different USB port. A problem may exist with one port which does not affect other USB ports.

  • Try a different USB cable to determine if it is damaged.
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.

  
     
  Enabling the "Demonstration mode" option tells the software to ignore the hardware. Check this option if you need to view old trace data while no GoLogic is connected. 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.
     
  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 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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