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Logic analyzer TLA5202 vs USB analyzers (probe density, features, speed)

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newtekuser:
I'm looking to add more tools to my lab and figured a logic analyzer should be next on my list.
There are several options I'm considering such as the 32 port analyzer from dreamsourcelab, or the 32 port analyzer from kingst (the LA5032)
Both can be had for the same price (without probes) I could obtain a used TLA5202 off fleabay. I know, ancient tech but I do like Tektronix equipment and software and I already have a TDS5054 so this would complement it.

At the moment I mostly work with MCUs that have around 33 GPIOs so the USB options already hit this ceiling. I'm also only be looking at UART, SPI and I2c signals for the most part.
The TLA on the other hand has a lot more capacity but only half of the sample rate of the USB options above without hacks, but know that these chinese brands often lie about their true capabilities.

Any recommendations? Maybe I'm completely off about their specs.

ataradov:
What ceiling you are hitting if you are only looking at UART/SPI/I2C? Those $8 LAs cover that nicely, may be with exception of really fast SPI.

newtekuser:

--- Quote from: ataradov on February 22, 2023, 08:27:27 pm ---What ceiling you are hitting if you are only looking at UART/SPI/I2C? Those $8 LAs cover that nicely, may be with exception of really fast SPI.

--- End quote ---

I have not considered the cheap options due to low port density should I have to probe more than 32 ports at a time. (Ie multiple chips)

ataradov:

--- Quote from: newtekuser on February 22, 2023, 09:03:16 pm ---I have not considered the cheap options due to low port density should I have to probe more than 32 ports at a time. (Ie multiple chips)

--- End quote ---
Have you ever ran into this limit? This is something that does not happen in practice. Even attaching 32 probes to a board with a modern MCU is a challenge, unless it is a development board and you have all pins broken out.

But if you really need this many channels, then I have no idea, I have never needed more then 8 channels.

thm_w:
I can't think why you'd would want a TLA5202 in 2023, other than for niche reasons.

As ataradov says, just because your MCU has 32 IO doesn't mean you'd ever need anywhere close to that number of LA channels.
DSLogic plus 16 channel can be had for under $150.

If you realllly need 1GHz sample rate or the 32 channels then U3Pro32 would be what I would get. But, read some of the existing posts and threads here on the subject. Download the software and try it out, etc.

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