SLICE - A logic probe on steroids!

[GadgetFreak]

I have a PCB here that has an error eventually - would I be able to hook Slice up to a chip and have it keep sampling until it gets an incorrect response on one (or more) pins. (or just keep going if not)

Yes & No!
Due to the 200Mhz sampling that Slice uses the download & processing of data takes a bit of time and obviously during this time Slice is not sampling the IC under test.
On my fairly fast laptop for a 10ms sample it has a sample, download, process & display cycle of around 330ms.
If an IC has a logic failure though the repeat cycling will stop automatically unless of you have marked the pin as ignore.
You can also use the trigger options on one or more pins which can help track down when a particular pin gives a bad state if you know what those states are. But here again there is a restriction as Digilent limits the timeout on triggers to a maximum of around 25 seconds, at which point the unit acts like a sample has been triggered.

 

[ocb]

How life's FFW button gets pushed sometimes....damn, the past month is a blur....

Anyway, everything taken care of. It'll be good to do some electronics project work tbh.

PM sent to confirm some stuff

 

[USAcrazygamer]

Me Also.. looking for Atari Projects and any others. Thanks

 

[howmet]

Please add me to your list. I would love to get one of these! Many thanks.

 

[GadgetFreak]

ok.
About time I updated the interest list:
Mhcapps
Bods
DavidShoe
Microfinne
jtrex
offset
tin
TWB
nemike
yoganuggy
PDXLilly
howmet

I have 11 more cables made and tested but am waiting on a DIP Clip order, once I know when these are arriving I will be contacting everyone.

 

[Monstermug]

I keep on forgetting to get you to autograph mine. I vote it the most useful tool i have comming close to first place which belongs to my soldering iron. Guess they should really share 1st place as its a symbiosis relationship.

 

[Phils Arcade]

Hi Aaron,

Out of curiosity what version of USB does it connect with, USB 2 or USB generation 3.1/3.2, and type of connector USB A, B, or C?

If using a USB C connector and running USB generation 3.x, I'm interested in what can be done by connecting it to an iPad with the M1 processor. I write applications for Apple devices and can see this being a useful tool.

Just initial interest at this stage

 

[Monstermug]

Hi Aaron,

Out of curiosity what version of USB does it connect with, USB 2 or USB generation 3.1/3.2, and type of connector USB A, B, or C?

If using a USB C connector and running USB generation 3.x, I'm interested in what can be done by connecting it to an iPad with the M1 processor. I write applications for Apple devices and can see this being a useful tool.

Just initial interest at this stage

I think you can find the details on the digilent website for the device. Its supplied with a usb type A though.Monstermug2022-06-14 15:23:05

 

[Phils Arcade]

Ah right. Not what I was looking for

"Digital Discovery Board, 2x6 & 2x16 Flywire Assembly, USB A to Micro-B Cable"

A somewhat slower connection and NOT USB-C

DANG!!!

 

[Monstermug]

Isnt it backward compatible?

 

[GadgetFreak]

The cable is a micro USB to USB A cable so is definitiely not USB 3/C.
The transfer speed of data would also indicate it is USB 2 as quicker than 1 but not upto the speeds 3/C can reach.

 

[Phils Arcade]

Apple at their WWDC2022 event, just released the ability to connect USB devices to the iPad using iPadOS 16. I was hoping to connect up a fast connection from the device to the iPad using the connects and see what data can be read directly to the iPad, and what could be done with it, all experimental at this stage.

 

[Phils Arcade]

I've seen this thread pop up numerous times in the past but was only recently that I actually read through the entire lot, hence the posts above.

Watching the videos it shows, what looks like a percentage of probability that the ic clip isn't connected properly to the chip. Two questions.

How is this worked out?

and

At what point do you assume that it isn't connected enough to ensure a correct test?

Thanks

 

[cyberbarter]

Thats confused me now lol
Do you have to buy this Digilent Digital Discovery yourself
What are you getting for the £465

I have stopped including the Digilent unit now as I don't get any discounts on them and they are readily available from several well known suppliers. It also made more sense as in the USA they can be bought for less.
So now I let people buy them direct and just sell the software with the custom cable and a single 20 pin narrow clip to get you started.
Extra clips can be bought direct from WarwickTS as again I don't get any discounts so it makes sense for people to go direct.
The current price for the software+cable+clip is £275 + postage.
Hope that clears it up

Hi Aaron

Q1 Where
can I download the manual prior to purchase? It probably would answer many
questions I have.

Edit: Thank
you for the manual link. It answered
most of my questions.

Q2 I do not see
that the you have implemented any 3.3v to 5v level translators. Are you using
the top end of the Digilent I/O voltage specification to negate the need for
level translation?

Edit: It looks like you recommend not to exceed
5.4VDC on any input and 5.4VDC is the top voltage suggested on the Digelent
inputs negating the need for voltage translators.

Q3 What is the
estimated cost to ship to the USA?

Edit: If and when I order a SLICE, I am sure you
will share shipping costs to the USA.

Q4 Does this
product require FPGA updates occasionally?

Edit: You mention in your manual that the native
S/W and LA capabilities remain functional.

Q5 If so, do you
need a special programmer and if so which programmer do you recommend.

Edit Based on the SLICE manual, there looks to
be no information on having to change the Digilent FPGA thus no programmer.

Q6 Does your FPGA
load restrict the native/factory Digilent FPGA functionality? I would
like to use the native LA capabilities occasionally.

Edit: You mention in your manual that the native
S/W and LA capabilities remain functional.

Q7 Can you supply
me the required CLIPS URL or part numbers from the WariwickTS that are
supported? I am going to have to source them in the USA. It looks like the
product ships with one clip. I would like to order all that are supported.

Edit: I still would like information on the
CLIPS. Some have bat type ends and some have knife ends etc.

Your
recommendations would still be valuable.

Q8 Will the SLICE
work on 7400 logic chips on any PCB and not just arcade PCBs?

Edit: Based on the SLICE manual it seems that
SLICE is intended and optimized for Arcade PCBs and that sampled data from a
known good working Arcade PCB (while not required) is used to help troubleshoot
non-working Arcade PCBs. I am going to
read the manual again and see if a SLICE is appropriate for my bench workflow.

Thanks Aaron for your efforts on SLICE.

After
reading the SLICE manual, I must say you have developed a super tool. Thanks

Cyberbarter

cyberbarter2022-06-23 20:03:12

 

[GadgetFreak]

Sorry, only just realised you edited your post but still needed a few answers!

It looks like you recommend not to exceed 5.4VDC on any input and 5.4VDC is the top voltage suggested on the Digelent inputs negating the need for voltage translators.

Yes, voltage translators are not always consistant with their timing and as I work with 5ns samples, timing is crucial.

If and when I order a SLICE, I am sure you will share shipping costs to the USA.

The price is £285 including next day UK postage (europe is + £6, USA + £21/£27).

Based on the SLICE manual, there looks to be no information on having to change the Digilent FPGA thus no programmer.

Correct, the FPGA code is actually soft loaded every time a connect is done.

I still would like information on the CLIPS. Some have bat type ends and some have knife ends etc.

The Knife Edge clips I find are better as they tend to bite into the IC pins and make a better connection, especially as you can then rock the clip a couple of times to get it to "bite" in. Even though the name is "Knife Edge" I haven't noticed any pin damage!

Based on the SLICE manual it seems that SLICE is intended and optimized for Arcade PCBs and that sampled data from a known good working Arcade PCB (while not required) is used to help troubleshoot non-working Arcade PCBs.  I am going to read the manual again and see if a SLICE is appropriate for my bench workflow.

I certainly know of one user who has used it to repair Drum Machines.
The Arcade bias has really been in the selection of TTL that has been added though there are quite a few more obscure TTL that are already in there. The actual testing of the chips does not have an Arcade bias though as they are standard TTL. The Results grabs that you can do from a working piece of equipment would be just as valid for any other piece of kit you are testing.
They really come into their own when the chip under test does not like the loading thus causing the test to fail. Most boards I have tested have less than %5 of chips that generate failed tests even when the IC's are working.

 

[cyberbarter]

Sorry, only just realised you edited your post but still needed a few answers!

Thank you for the info. Much appreciated.

 

[GadgetFreak]

I have 6 cables made up with clips ready to go.
I have been in touch with everyone who had expressed an interest, a few now have Slice, a few haven't even read my PM and the remainder read my PM but chose not to reply.
Out of the 6 I have ready, 1 is on hold waiting for me to sort out a trade, another is on hold while payment is sorted and 2 more have just had PM's sent out from contact in the last few weeks.

So I have 2 ready and waiting for the next couple of people who get in touch.

 

[cyberbarter]

Please put me down for 1.
I need to know the price for the cables and the shipping.

I can send you the funds via PayPal. I will need an email address.

You can PM me with the info.

Much thanks

 

[GadgetFreak]

All current cables are now sold or PM's have been sent. Will be making some more shortly.

 

[cyberbarter]

Hi Aaron

I have received my SLICE. Fast ship from UK to USA. Thanks

I have several questions.

Q1 I have version 1.2.5 of the manual.

Is there a more current manual?

Q2 The manual does not mention how/where to download the required SLICE S/W.

The manual mentions that SLICE is compiled for 32bit systems. I would like a 64bit version.

Where can I obtain a 64bit version of the S/W?

Q3 The manual references (page 3) an optional Expansion Cable.

How does one obtain an Expansion Cable and what is the cost?




Much thanks

Cyberbarter