Gabotronics XScopes User manual

XScopes
User’s Manual
DS-XScopes-3.5 –December, 2014 Page | 1
Description:
The XScopes (Xminilab and Xprotolab) are a combination
of three electronic instruments: a mixed signal
oscilloscope, an arbitrary waveform generator, and a
protocol sniffer; all housed in a small breadboard friendly
module. The XScopes can also be used as development
boards for the AVR XMEGA microcontroller.
Main Features:
Mixed Signal Oscilloscope: Simultaneous sampling of
2 analog and 8 digital signals.
Arbitrary Waveform Generator with advanced sweep
options on all the wave parameters.
Protocol Sniffer: SPI, I2C, UART
Advanced Triggering System: Normal / Single / Auto /
Free, with many trigger modes; adjustable trigger level,
and ability to view signals prior to the trigger.
Meter Mode: VDC, VPP and Frequency readout.
XY Mode: For plotting Lissajous figures, V/I curves or
checking the phase difference between two waveforms.
Spectrum Analyzer with different windowing options
and selectable vertical log and IQ visualization.
Channel Math: add, multiply, invert, and average.
Horizontal and Vertical Cursors with automatic
waveform measurements, and waveform references.
Gabotronics
PO BOX 110332
Lakewood Rch, FL. 34211
www.gabotronics.com
Figure 1: Xprotolab, Xminilab, and the Portable models
Figure 2: XScopes Block Diagram

XScopes
User’s Manual
DS-XScopes-3.5 –December, 2014 Page | 2
About this manual
This manual targets both novice and advanced users, providing a full resource for everyone. However, for a full
understanding of the operation of the XScopes, the user should be familiar with the operation of a regular oscilloscope.
The features documented in this manual are for units with firmware version 2.40+.
Conventions
XScope: Xprotolab, Xminilab, Xprotolab Portable or Xminilab Portable.
Portables: Xprotolab Portable or Xminilab Portable
CH1: Analog Channel 1
CH2: Analog Channel 2
CHD: Logic Inputs
Fast Sampling: 10ms/div or faster time base
Slow Sampling: 20ms/div or slower time base
Helpful tip Warning
Technical Detail
Manual Revision History
Version Date Notes
3.0 December 2013 Updated protocol interface information
3.1 February 2014 Minor error corrections
3.2 May 2014 Firmware update on Linux
3.3 October 2014 Updated interface protocol
3.4 November 2014 Counter mode
3.5 December 2014 New Sniffer ASCII mode

XScopes
User’s Manual
DS-XScopes-3.5 –December, 2014 Page | 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. General Overview....................................................................................................................................... 7
1.1 Xprotolab & Xminilab Pin Description .................................................................................................... 7
1.2 Xprotolab Portable and Xminilab Portable Overview......................................................................... 8
1.2.1 Input Coupling Switch ...................................................................................................................................8
1.2.2 Curve Tracer Switch .......................................................................................................................................8
1.2.3 MENU / Power button ....................................................................................................................................8
1.2.4 USB Port / Device Charging..........................................................................................................................8
1.3 Specifications ............................................................................................................................................ 9
1.4 Dimensions ............................................................................................................................................... 10
1.5 Absolute Maximum Ratings................................................................................................................... 11
1.6 Factory Setup .......................................................................................................................................... 11
1.7 Quick Start Guide ................................................................................................................................... 11
1.8 User Interface .......................................................................................................................................... 12
1.9 Saving the settings .................................................................................................................................. 12
2. Mixed Signal Oscilloscope.......................................................................................................................13
2.1 Horizontal Settings................................................................................................................................... 13
2.1.1 Time Base .......................................................................................................................................................13
2.1.2 Technical Details...........................................................................................................................................13
2.1.3 Explore Wave ................................................................................................................................................13
2.1.4 Auto Setup .....................................................................................................................................................13
2.2 Vertical Settings....................................................................................................................................... 14
2.2.1 Disable Channel ...........................................................................................................................................14
2.2.2 Channel Gain................................................................................................................................................14
2.2.3 Channel Position ...........................................................................................................................................14
2.2.4 Channel Invert...............................................................................................................................................14
2.2.5 Channel Math ...............................................................................................................................................14
2.3 Trigger Settings ........................................................................................................................................ 15
2.3.1 Trigger Types ..................................................................................................................................................15
2.3.2 Trigger Modes................................................................................................................................................16

XScopes
User’s Manual
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2.3.3 Trigger Hold....................................................................................................................................................17
2.3.4 Post Trigger.....................................................................................................................................................17
2.3.5 Trigger Source................................................................................................................................................17
2.4 Device Modes ......................................................................................................................................... 18
2.4.1 Oscilloscope Mode ......................................................................................................................................18
2.4.1.1 Roll Mode.......................................................................................................................................................18
2.4.1.2 Elastic Traces.................................................................................................................................................18
2.4.1.3 XY Mode ........................................................................................................................................................19
2.4.2 Meter Mode...................................................................................................................................................19
2.4.2.1 Frequency Measurements .........................................................................................................................19
2.4.2.2 Pulse Counter................................................................................................................................................19
2.4.3 Spectrum Analyzer .......................................................................................................................................20
2.4.3.1 IQ FFT Mode ..................................................................................................................................................20
2.4.3.2 Logarithm display.........................................................................................................................................20
2.4.3.3 FFT Windows ..................................................................................................................................................20
2.5 Cursors ...................................................................................................................................................... 21
2.5.1 Vertical Cursors .............................................................................................................................................21
2.5.2 Horizontal Cursors .........................................................................................................................................21
2.5.3 Automatic Cursors ........................................................................................................................................21
2.5.4 Track Horizontal Cursors...............................................................................................................................21
2.5.5 Reference Waveform ..................................................................................................................................21
2.5.6 Cursors in XY Mode.......................................................................................................................................21
2.6 Display Settings........................................................................................................................................ 22
2.6.1 Persistent Display...........................................................................................................................................22
2.6.2 Line / Pixel Display ........................................................................................................................................22
2.6.3 Show scope settings.....................................................................................................................................22
2.6.4 Grid Type ........................................................................................................................................................22
2.6.5 Flip Display......................................................................................................................................................22
2.6.6 Invert Display .................................................................................................................................................22
3. Logic Analyzer and Protocol Sniffer......................................................................................................... 23

XScopes
User’s Manual
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3.1 Input Selection ........................................................................................................................................ 23
3.2 Channel Position ..................................................................................................................................... 23
3.3 Invert Channel......................................................................................................................................... 23
3.4 Thick Logic ‘0’.......................................................................................................................................... 23
3.5 Parallel Decoding ................................................................................................................................... 24
3.6 Serial Decoding....................................................................................................................................... 24
3.7 Protocol Sniffer ........................................................................................................................................ 24
3.8 Sniffers Modes.......................................................................................................................................... 24
3.9 I2C Sniffer ................................................................................................................................................. 25
3.10UART Sniffer .............................................................................................................................................. 25
3.11SPI Sniffer .................................................................................................................................................. 25
4. Arbitrary Waveform Generator ................................................................................................................26
4.1 Predefined Waveforms .......................................................................................................................... 27
4.2 Parameter Sweep................................................................................................................................... 27
4.2.1 Sweep Modes ...............................................................................................................................................27
4.3 Technical Details..................................................................................................................................... 27
5. PC Interface............................................................................................................................................... 28
5.1 Connecting the device ......................................................................................................................... 28
5.1 Controlling the device ........................................................................................................................... 28
5.2 Custom AWG Waveform ....................................................................................................................... 29
5.3 Saving Waveforms and Screenshots.................................................................................................... 29
6. Interface Protocol .....................................................................................................................................29
6.1 Interface settings .................................................................................................................................... 29
6.2 Control Data............................................................................................................................................ 29
6.2.1 Bitfield variables ............................................................................................................................................31
6.3 Vendor ID and Product ID ..................................................................................................................... 32
6.4 Command Set......................................................................................................................................... 32
6.4.1 Auto Send ......................................................................................................................................................33
6.4.2 METER measurement data .........................................................................................................................33

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User’s Manual
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7. BMP Screen Capture................................................................................................................................. 34
7.1 To send a BMP screen capture to a PC:.............................................................................................. 34
7.2 To send a BMP screen capture to Linux:.............................................................................................. 35
8. XScope’s Examples ..................................................................................................................................36
8.1 Resistor Voltage Divider ......................................................................................................................... 36
8.2 Measurement of an RC time constant ................................................................................................ 36
8.3 Half Wave Rectifier with Smoothing Capacitor.................................................................................. 36
8.4 BJT Amplifier............................................................................................................................................. 37
8.5 Component V/I Curves.......................................................................................................................... 37
8.6 Frequency Plots....................................................................................................................................... 37
9. Firmware Updating....................................................................................................................................38
9.1 Firmware upgrade using an external programmer ........................................................................... 38
9.1.1 Tools required ................................................................................................................................................38
9.1.2 Instructions to install the tools .....................................................................................................................38
9.1.3 Instructions to update the firmware..........................................................................................................38
9.2 Firmware upgrade using the bootloader............................................................................................ 39
9.2.1 Tools required ................................................................................................................................................39
9.2.2 Activating the bootloader..........................................................................................................................39
9.2.1 Firmware update in Windows: FLIP............................................................................................................39
9.2.2 Firmware upgrade in Linux: AVRDude......................................................................................................39
10. Frequently Asked Questions ....................................................................................................................40
11. Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................................... 41
12. XScope Design.......................................................................................................................................... 42
12.1System Architecture ............................................................................................................................... 42
12.2Schematics .............................................................................................................................................. 43

XScopes
User’s Manual
DS-XScopes-3.5 –December, 2014 Page | 7
1. General Overview
1.1 Xprotolab & Xminilab Pin Description
Name
Description
Comment
+5V
+5V Input voltage
Do not apply +5V if using the USB port
-5V
-5V Output voltage
50mA max output
GND
Ground
It is recommended use all ground pins to
reduce voltage offset errors.
+3.3V
+3.3V Output voltage
200mA max output
Logic 0
Digital Channel 0
I2C Sniffer signal: SDA
Logic 1
Digital Channel 1
I2C Sniffer signal: SCL
Logic 2
Digital Channel 2
UART Sniffer signal: RX
Logic 3
Digital Channel 3
UART Sniffer signal: TX
Logic 4
Digital Channel 4
SPI Sniffer signal: /SS
Logic 5
Digital Channel 5
SPI Sniffer signal: MOSI
Logic 6
Digital Channel 6
SPI Sniffer signal: MISO
Logic 7
Digital Channel 7
SPI Sniffer signal: SCK
EXT. T
External Trigger
Digital input, max 5.5V
AWG
Arbitrary Waveform Generator
Output range: +/- 2V
CH2
Analog Channel 2
Input range: -14V to +20V
CH1
Analog Channel 1
Input range: -14V to +20V
PWR
Power up output signal
3.3V signal, 10mA max output
RX
Interface RX input
Connect to host’s TX
TX
Interface TX output
Connect to host’s RX
LNK
Interface link input
3.3V level input, with internal pull up
Table 1: Pin description
Figure 4: Front and Top Signals
Figure 5: Back Signals
K1
K4
K2
K3
K1
K4
K2
K3
K1
K4
K2
K3
Figure 3: Xminilab HW 2.1 & 2.2 Front Signals
Figure 6: Xminilab HW 2.3 Front Signals

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User’s Manual
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1.2 Xprotolab Portable and Xminilab Portable Overview
1.2.1 Input Coupling Switch
The coupling switch is electrically placed between the input connector and
the oscilloscope’s input amplifier. The switch selects a direct path for DC or AC
measurements, or a path thru a capacitor, for AC only measurements.
1.2.2 Curve Tracer Switch
This switch connects the AWG to the input channels, this is used in particular for creating V/I curve traces. An example
of setting the device for curve tracing is showed in section 8.5.
1.2.3 MENU / Power button
The device is powered on by pressing the MENU button. To power off, press the MENU button for 2 seconds. Some of
the device modes disable this command, so to power off, set the device in Scope mode. The device is also powered off
when the shutdown timer expires (regardless of the device mode).
1.2.4 USB Port / Device Charging
The USB port is also used to charge the device. The device can be charged either when the powered on or off. When
the device is powered off, the battery can be fully charged in about 2 hours.
Figure 7: Xprotolab Portable
Curve Tracer Switch
Input Coupling Switch
ON
OFF
Analog Inputs
Arbitrary Waveform
External Trigger
Digital Inputs
USB Port /
Device Charging
K3
K1
K2
MENU /
Power button
Figure 9: Input Coupling Switch
Figure 10: Curve Tracer Switch
Do not connect CH2 to a voltage
source while the CURVE switch is on.
Damage to the device will occur.
Curve Tracer Switch
External Trigger
Arbitrary Waveform
Analog Inputs
Input Coupling Switch
Digital Inputs
USB Port /
Device Charging
MENU /
Power button
Figure 8: Xminilab Portable
K1
K2
K3

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User’s Manual
DS-XScopes-3.5 –December, 2014 Page | 9
1.3 Specifications
Xprotolab
Xminilab
Xprotolab Portable
Xminilab Portable
General
Microcontroller
ATXMEGA32A4U 32KB+4KB Flash, 4KB SRAM, 1KB EEPROM
Display Type
Graphic OLED, 128x64 pixels, max. refresh rate 122Hz
Display Size
0.96 inches
2.42 inches
1.3 inches
2.42 inches
Display Life Time
10,000 hours min.
40,000 hours min.
10,000 hours min.
40,000 hours min.
Device size
1.615” x 1.01”
3.3” x 1.75”
1.83" x 3.13" x 0.7"
3.17” x 2.22” x 0.7”
Weight
8.6 grams
25 grams
60 grams
75 grams
Interfaces
4 Tactile Switches, USB (Micro USB connector), UART, PDI for debugging
Battery
N/A
Li-Ion 3.7V 600mAh
Li-Ion 3.7V 750mAh
Active current1
40mA to 60mA
45mA to 75mA
40mA to 60mA
45mA to 75mA
Sleep current
3.6mA
1uA
Logic Analyzer
Logic Inputs
8 Digital Inputs
Logic Input levels
3.3V only
3.3V, 5V tolerant
Input Pull
None, 24kΩ Pull Up, or 24kΩ Pull Down
820kΩ Pull Down
Max. Sampling rate
2Msps
Buffer Size
256
Frequency Counter
16MHz, 1Hz resolution, +/- 100ppm accuracy
Sniffer Protocols
UART, I2C, SPI
Oscilloscope
Analog Inputs
2 Analog Inputs
Max. Sampling rate
2Msps
Analog Bandwidth
200kHz
Resolution
8 bits
Input Impedance
1MΩ
Buffer size
256 on each channel
Input Voltage Range
-14V to +20V
Vertical Sensitivity
80mV/div to 5.12V/div
AWG
Analog Outputs
1 Analog Output
Max. Conversion rate
1Msps
Resolution
8bits
Buffer Size
256
Output current
> +/- 7mA
Output Voltage
+/- 2V
+/- 4V
Low Pass Filter
44.1kHz
53kHz
Table 2: XScopes Specifications
Notes: 1. The Active current varies depending on the number of pixels lit on the display.

XScopes
User’s Manual
DS-XScopes-3.5 –December, 2014 Page | 10
1.4 Dimensions
Figure 11: Xprotolab Dimensions
Figure 12: Xminilab 2.1 & 2.2 Dimensions
Figure 13: Xminilab 2.3 Dimensions
Figure 14: Xprotolab-Portable Dimensions
Figure 15: Xminilab-Portable Dimensions