Agilent Introduces CAN-dbc, New Temperature Probes, Logic Analyzers

Agilent Technologies has introduced a number of new probes and analyzers.

First, the company announced CAN-dbc symbolic decoding and triggering in its InfiniiVision 4000 X-Series and all Infiniium Series oscilloscopes, along with two differential active probes for automotive measurement applications, including Controller Area Network (CAN) serial buses.

With the new CAN-dbc symbolic capability, engineers now have the ability to trigger and view messages and signals symbolically by importing an industry-standard .dbc file that defines their specific networks, the company says.

The new N2818A 200-MHz bandwidth differential active probe with Agilent’s AutoProbe interface has a high-input impedance of 1 M © and low-capacitive loading of just 3.5 pF, which is ideal for CAN bus measurement applications. The new N2819A differential active probe provides 800-MHz bandwidth for higher-bandwidth measurement applications in automotive ECUs. Agilent also offers probes with long cable and high-temperature measurement capability, which often are required for automotive environmental testing.

Agilent also announced the N2797A single-ended active probe, a high-input-impedance active probe with rugged probe tips for testing integrated circuits and devices in environmental chambers. The probe can be operated without damage over a temperature range from -40 to 85 C. Engineers can operate the probe head and the supplied probing accessories inside a temperature chamber, with the probe pod and the oscilloscope located outside the temperature chamber.

The New 16850 Series portable logic analyzers, also new from the company, provide fast timing and deep memory for quickly debugging digital systems. The 16850 Series also provides both single-ended and differential probing options.

“As system speeds increase, our customers need even faster deep memory timing measurements across a large number of input channels, which is exactly what Agilent’s 16850 Series of logic analyzers deliver,” said Jay Alexander, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s oscilloscope and protocol division. “Combining this capability with a wide variety of probing options allows digital system designers the fastest possible debug across a wide range of applications.”

The solution allows a designer look back in time to observe the location of the root cause of failure. The high sample resolution of these instruments makes it possible to differentiate timing problems from functional problems, Agilent says.

The analyzers provide 2.5 GHz, 400 ps period timing capture across all input channels, and up to 128-megasample memory depth. The series offers a standard state data rate of 700 Mb per second as well as an upgrade option to 1400 Mb per second. Users can choose the desired memory depth, starting with the standard, 2-megasample depth, along with a variety of choices up to the maximum 128-megasample depth. Both state speed and memory depth options can also be upgraded after the initial purchase.

New low-cost probing has been designed for these analyzers, including flying lead and Mictor options. Flying lead probes have single-ended data and differential clock inputs with a variety of accessories for connecting to targets. Existing 90-pin connector probes, used on Agilent modular logic analyzers, are also compatible with these new analyzers.

For more information, visit Agilent Technologies.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.