Logic Analyzer & Oscilloscope

Seeing the actual signals: a scope shows analog shape (edges, noise, ringing) on a few channels; a logic analyzer shows digital levels on many channels and decodes protocols, plus triggering and the GPIO-toggle trick.

22 min read

In this lesson:

oscilloscope (analog shape, few channels) vs logic analyzer (digital, many channels)
when to reach for each
triggering, capturing the moment of interest
protocol decoding and the GPIO-toggle timing trick
the gotchas: channels, analog-only problems, sample rate, probing

GDB shows what your code thinks; these instruments show what's actually on the wire, essential for timing, signal, and protocol bugs.

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