RE: The Cost of Developing A PCI Card

["Austin Franklin" <austin@darkroom.com>]

> Kevin,
> I don't think the Tek 465B is going to be of much use.

It depends on what you are using the scope for.

> As you have
> mentioned, you need a (digital) oscilloscope that has a much higher analog
> bandwidth (and associated digital sampling rate).  Think edge rates.  The
> analog bandwidth spec'd describes (most likely) a sine wave.  Even a 33Mhz
> 'square'ish waveform is going to have components higher than 100Mhz.   If
> you need to measure a signal with a rise time of 1ns, then you need at
> least 1Ghz of analog bandwidth (probably a bit more).

I am curious just how many times have you had to do this in developing a PCI
card?  Perhaps your experience is different than mine.  I have designed over
20 PCI cards, and not once have I had PCI bus signal issues...and therefore
never had the need to look at edge rates etc. on the PCI bus.

Typically, I use the scope to check if a signal is there or not plus other
quick and simple tests, that would take a while with a logic analyzer.
Basically, to "poke around".  But, if you need a faster scope for what ever
reason, as you suggest checking PCI edge rates, then you need it, and a
slower scope just won't do.

That's just my experience...

Regards,

Austin