BitScopes as small as BS10 or as large as BS445 use an IDC-26 based Smart Port Interface for I/O.

BitScope Micro Diagnostic Port.

This interface defines a standard way to access all BitScope's analog and digital signal inputs, outputs, power, ground and control signals. Most models also include waveform and clock generator outputs.

With the launch of BitScope Micro we wanted all the core functionality of Smart Port but in a much more compact 10-pin configuration.

BitScope Micro Diagnostic Port

The BitScope Micro Diagnostic Port is an IDC-10 based 10-pin alternative to the Smart Port. Whereas the Smart Port interface is designed for complete system I/O, the Micro Diagnostic Port is designed for compact multi-function mixed signal test & measurement, automated testing and passive signal monitoring.

It provides most of the functionality of the Smart Port but omits the power and dedicated control lines. Instead it offers reassignable signal routing and a sensible pin layout to enable access to all of BitScope's analog and digital inputs, waveform and clock generators for a wide range of test, measurement and data acquisition applications.

BitScope Micro showing the Port Interface.

Test Instrument Options

The BitScope Micro Port is custom designed for test & measurement. The instrument types it supports include:

The input signals are buffered allowing direct connection of test probes such as CLP-02 (included with BitScope Micro) to monitor analog and logic signals. The use of an IDC-10 connector makes it very easy to connect via ribbon cables or directly via test ports built into the monitored system or circuit under test.

Reassignable & Sensible Layout

The pin assignment and signal layout is no accident; the two ground pins a located adjacent to the analog inputs, three of the logic inputs and arbitrary waveform generator. This allows twisted pair connection to these signals using standard 2-pin connector. It also means a pair of 4-pin or a 4-pin and 6-pin connector will pick up their own ground line.

Most signals are reassignable and many share related functionality. For example, each analog channel is internally connected to a digital comparator. The comparator outputs are routed to logic channels L6 and L7 which means the (analog or digital) signals connected to the analog inputs can be captured to two logic channels at the same time. The switching level of these two logic channels can be adjusted making it possible to capture logic signals that switch at unusual levels. It's even possible to capture negative voltage or reversed polarity logic this way.

Pin connections for BitScope Micro Port:

PINSIGNALSDESCRIPTION
1L5, CLKLogic channel 5 or clock generator output.
2L4, AWGLogic channel 4 or waveform generator output.
3L7, CHAAnalog channel A and Logic channel 7 (via programmable comparator). 1MΩ/10pF input impedance, bi-polar input with tri-state signal sensing.
4GNDAnalog channel A and left block ground signal.
5L3, D3Logic channel 3 or Control signal 3.
6L2, D2Logic channel 2 or Control signal 2.
7L6, CHBAnalog channel B and Logic channel 6 (via programmable comparator). 1MΩ/10pF input impedance, bi-polar input with tri-state signal sensing.
8GNDAnalog channel B and right block ground signal.
9L1, D1Logic channel 1 or Control signal 1.
10L0, D0Logic channel 0 or Control signal 0.

Programmable Automated Test System

In addition to manual test & measurement, BitScope Micro is ideal for automated testing and diagnostics.

Logic channels 0 to 3 can be reconfigured under software control as outputs which can pull low. Up to 15 different "test vectors" can be defined this way or the signals used independently to configure or control the circuit under test.

If a matching connector is included on a system to be monitored one can connect BitScope Micro conveniently via a ribbon cable. In this way BitScope Micro can be used as a very low cost USB connected universal test system.

This solution scales well too; using BitScope Server, one Raspberry Pi B+ and four BitScope Micros one can create a network connected automated test system comprising 8 analog and 24 logic channels at very low cost.

And it's all customisable and fully user programmable. We'll post some examples soon!

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
BitScope
Where to Buy BitScope Micro & Accessories.Feb 19
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
Raspberry
MagPi talks Raspberry Pi B+, HATs & BitScope.Aug 04
Raspberry
Raspberry Pi B+ BitScope x 4 = 8 analog + 32 logic !Aug 01
BitScope
BitScope Micro, now available at Pimoroni!Jun 01
BitScope
BitScope Model 10 or BitScope Micro?Apr 25
BitScope
BitScope Micro, what's in the box?Apr 17
Raspberry
BitScope Micro Questions & AnswersApr 12
Raspberry
BitScope Micro (New Product) for Raspberry Pi!Apr 11
Education
BitScope Workshop at OzBerryPiApr 8
Software
BitScope Library V2 API Guide PublishedMar 21
Raspberry
Optimizing real-time waveform display for Raspberry PiMar 17
BitScope
Volume purchase discounts now available online!Mar 11
BitScope
BitScope Documentation Updated OnlineMar 05
Software
BitScope DSO Version 2.6 Production ReleaseMar 03
Raspberry
Low cost networked data acquisition with Raspberry Pi.Dec 17
BitScope
BitScope Server, shared remote access for any BitScope!Dec 15
Software
BitScope DSO updated for Server CompatibilityDec 14
Education
Collaborative Solutions, Online & Interactive Education.Dec 09
Education
Powerhouse ThinkSpace Digital LearningDec 04
Raspberry
The Sydney Mini Maker Faire Review.Nov 28
Education
BitScope Ed at the Sydney Mini Maker Faire!Nov 20
Software
BitScope Library V2.0 and Proto Scope ApplicationNov 15
Software
BitScope DSO, Logic, Chart, Meter and Library updatedNov 12
Raspberry
Automated Waveform Analysis with Raspberry PiNov 09
BitScope
Reducing Quantization Noise with BitScopeNov 08
Education
Breadboard One, the 4 Bit Up/Down CounterNov 07
Software
Using a USB BitScope with any Linux system.Nov 05
BitScope
Sydney BitScope, Online Demo Updated.Oct 30
Software
BitScope Touch Screen User InterfaceOct 28
Raspberry
Network access for USB BitScopes via Raspberry Pi.Oct 24
BitScope
BitScope is virtually indestructible, just as we intended!Oct 23
Education
BitScope Ed at OzBerryPi, Presentation Review.Oct 21
Raspberry
BitScope and friends at OzBerryPi Maker SpaceOct 20
Software
Vertical Offsets and Dual Channel DisplayOct 19
Raspberry
How to Install BitScope DSO on Raspberry PiOct 18
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
BitScope
BitScope Smart Port. The clever connection.Oct 12
Education
BitScope Ed, an Educational Blog about Electronics.Oct 09
BitScope
Why the oscilloscope update rate is important.Oct 06
Raspberry
Visualizing sound with Sonic Pi and BitScopeOct 05
Software
BitScope Software Blog LaunchedOct 04
BitScope
Differential measurements matter, here's why...Oct 01
Raspberry
How to Install Raspbian and BitScope on Raspberry PiSep 29
BitScope
BitScope Website Upgrade and Blog LaunchSep 29
Raspberry
High speed data acquisition with Raspberry PiSep 25
Raspberry
BitScope Software for Raspberry Pi OscilloscopeSep 27
Software
BitScope DSO 2.7 update (for Raspberry Pi only)Sep 24
Raspberry
BitScope Raspberry Pi OscilloscopeSep 20
BitScopeBitScope DSO Tutorial ExamplesSep 09
More...