LogicPort
One of the most useful tools I have recently got my hands on is the Intronix Logicport logic analyzer. Having for years struggled without such a device, I have found this to be an indispensible tool for development and fault finding.
Intronix Logicport logic analyzer.
Sometimes what you think your protocol is doing is not really happening and this is where a logic analyzer really allows you to make sure your software is working as it should and not wasting time resending redundant packets, “just in case” the packets didn’t get there!.
Believe me U$389 may sound a lot, but you will waste 10 times more in terms of your time value if you do not have an analyzer of some sort. Sure you can make your own, but what would you rather debug, your product or your test tools.
I picked up a Logicport myself. The former company where I worked had very poor/non-existent design documentation, so the new owners had to start reverse engineering a board for a new product revision.
The guy who came in had a Logicport.
I saw how important a good logic analyzer is, and eventually picked one up.
I spoke with a gentleman at Intronix over the phone and he told me how one or more Asian copies had shown up, but were very poor and didn’t even work right!
With all the crappy logic analyzers on the market (especially those $150 units limited to low speed and 8-bit width) you might as well pay the money and get a good one!
Overall very happy with it.