Smart Port Interface

BitScope Smart Port. The clever connection.

BitScope Smart Port Interface.

BitScope Smart Port Interface

Ever since the original design, BitScope has had a Smart Port socket for connecting analog and digital signals to its inputs and outputs. This interface also provides power, ground and control for a connected circuit and most models provide waveform and clock generator signals too.

The Smart Port Interface was originally designed using a DB-25 connector but we switched to IDC-26 and current models use this new standard.

Every BitScope provides access to at least two analog inputs, 8 logic inputs, power and ground lines. The interface has general purpose control signals which can be used to control connected circuits or switch logic and most models include a waveform generator.

BitScope Logic POD.

A common use for the Smart Port Interface to connect a logic POD like LP103X or an active differential probe such as DP01. The probe or POD is directly powered and controlled by the BitScope via this interface.

However, the Smart Port Interface can be used in many other ways, as Breadboard One demonstrates.

This is an example of how an entire prototype circuit can be powered, controlled and monitored by a BitScope (i.e. BS10 here) directly via the Smart Port Interface without the need for any other probes or accessories.

The pin connections of the BitScope Smart Port are:

PINSIGNALDESCRIPTION
1VccRaw positive power supply; +12V for externally powered BitScope models and +5V for USB powered ones. It can supply between 200mA and 500mA depending on the model and BitScope power source.
2VddRegulated positive power supply; +7.5V or +5V for externally powered BitScope models and +3.3V for USB power ones. It can supply between 50mA and 150mA depending on the model.
3, 5CH-A, CH-BAnalog Channel A and B. All models. 1MΩ/10pF input impedance (BS10) or 100kΩ/5pF other models.
4, 6CH-C, CH-DAnalog Channel C and D. BS4xx models only, otherwise ground.
7, 8IO-O, IO-IGeneral Purpose and/or Serial I/O signals.
9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23D-7, D-6, D-5, D-4, D-3, D-2, D-1, D-0Digital/Logic channel inputs. 100kΩ input impedance. All models.
10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24GNDDigital Grounds. Interleaved with the signals for convenient ribbon cable connection.
25VssRegulated negative power supply; -7.5V or -5V for externally powered BitScope models and GND for USB power ones. It can supply about 100mA.
26GENWaveform and clock generator output. 50Ω output impedance.

The analog channel inputs on the Smart Port Interface are in addition to the BNC inputs on the front panel of BitScope (except BS10 which has no BNC inputs). They share the same analog capture channels but it's possible to alternate capture between the BNC and POD inputs on each channel to double the analog channel capacity of these models when data logging.

BitScope Smart Port Schematic | BS1xx Models

BitScope Smart Port Interface Schematic.

Logic inputs are protected from over-voltage (to 12V) with 470R series resistors as can been in the schematic. The Vcc rail includes polyfuse protection agains't short circuits and the analog inputs are similarly protected. The I/O control lines can be used to monitor or program externally connected microcontroller based circuits and the power ground lines can power small external circuits. Some models can even a provide negative rail for bipolar analog circuits.

Related Posts

BitScope
Build a powerful mixed signal workstation with one simple 3D print !Sep 3
Raspberry
BitScope, Ozberry & Pimoroni at Sydney Mini Maker Faire!Aug 12
Raspberry
BitScope Blade for Raspberry Pi at Hannover Maker Faire!Jun 05
Software
BitScope DSO 2.9 Now Available.Jun 02
BitScope
Getting Started with BitScopeMay 08
BitScope
BitScope Micro In-Line Data AcquisitionApr 02
Education
BitScope Micro & Raspberry Pi in Education at BETTJan 21
BitScope
BitScope Connection Ports ExplainedDec 19
BitScope
BitScope Micro and Oscilloscope ProbesDec 10
Education
Electronic Measurement with BitScope & Raspberry PiNov 12
BitScope
Hands on with BitScope Micro at electronica 2014Nov 11
BitScope
BitScope Micro Video Tutorial with Farnell element14Nov 10
BitScope
BitScope Micro and Raspberry Pi at electronica 2014!Nov 06
BitScope
BitScope Micro element14 Webinar Review.Nov 03
BitScope
BitScope Micro Webinar with element14!Oct 29
BitScope
element14 launches BitScope Micro for Raspberry Pi!Oct 27
BitScope
BitScope Micro Diagnostic Port Explained.Aug 16
Education
BitScope Ed at OzBerryPi, Presentation Review.Oct 21
Education
Breadboard One, a typical Mixed Signal Circuit.Oct 17
Raspberry
Electronic Projects Lab for Raspberry PiOct 17
BitScope
Dual Channel Active Differential Probe (New Product).Oct 15
Education
BitScope Ed, an Educational Blog about Electronics.Oct 09
More...