The SP209 have been discontinued and replaced by the newer SP259 series. The SP259 has all the features of the SP209, plus additional features such as a higher sampling rate (up to 250MSPS), More robust input stage, USB3 connectivity.
We continue to support the SP209 series, but we recommend using the SP259 series for new projects. If you have any questions or need assistance with the transition, please contact us.
SP209 Series
9 Channels logic analyzer
SP209 series logic analyzers and protocol decoders offer in depth analysis of logic signals and protocols with 200MHz (5ns) timing resolution. 9-channel logic analyzer allows 8-bit parallel data to be captured along with a clock or strobe signal.
SP209 series logic analyzers rely on ScanaStudio software (runs on Windows, Mac and Linux) to capture, display, analyze and decode signals. Most industry standard protocols can be interpreted, among which: SPI, I2C, USART, 1-Wire, CAN, LIN, I2C, RS232, RS485, TWI and much more (click for full list of supported protocol decoders).
Learn more about SP259 check logic analyzer documentationLatest version of SP209 driver is not compatible with windows 11 core isolation feature. If you are using Windows 11 with core isolation enabled, you will need to disable it in order to use SP209 logic analyzer with the original driver. If you can't disable core isolation (e.g. for security reasons), you can use this utility to modify SP209 USB PID to the default FTDI PID. This will allow you to use the SP209 with the FTD2XX driver, which is compatible with Windows 11 core isolation.
Which ScanaStudio version to use​
ScanaStudio V6 does not drive the SP209. It supports the SE254, SP259 and SP1000G series only. Use ScanaStudio V5 with an SP209 or SP209i.
Principle of operation​
The SP209 connects to a computer over USB. ScanaStudio configures the device, displays the captured signals, and decodes protocols such as I2C, SPI or UART.
The range is made of two devices. Both offer 9 logic inputs; the SP209i adds industrial receivers for CAN, LIN, RS232 and RS485.
Embedded memory and streaming​
A USB logic analyzer normally works one of two ways. It either stores samples in an embedded memory and downloads them afterwards, which is not limited by the USB transfer rate but is limited by the size of that memory; or it streams samples over USB as they are taken, which gives virtually unlimited depth but caps the sampling rate at the throughput of the link.
The SP209 does both. A 2 Gb DDR-3 memory stores samples taken at 200 MHz on all channels while the USB interface compresses and transfers them at the same time, emptying the memory and making room for new samples. It captures dozens of minutes of activity on 9 channels at 200 MS/s.
Typical applications​
- Embedded systems debugging
- Research and education
- Serial protocol analysis: I2C, SPI, UART, 1-Wire and others
- Industrial bus analysis: RS232, RS485, CAN, LIN
- ADC diagnostics
The SP209i can also capture an industrial bus and the logic signals either side of an on-board transceiver at the same time, which is how you measure propagation delay through it or catch a transceiver failing intermittently.
Package content​
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USB cable, micro-B to A
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10 logic probes: 9 signals and 1 ground
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10-slot cable comb, to group the logic probes together
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SMA anti-dust covers
Device ports​
- Status LED
- 9-channel logic probe input
- Trigger OUT, SMA
- Trigger IN, SMA
- USB, micro-B
- Industrial port, SP209i only
Datasheet​
Timing and DC characteristics, power consumption and input characteristics are in the SP209 series datasheet.
Drivers​
Windows​
The SP209 drivers ship with ScanaStudio V5 and are normally installed with it. Some system configurations need the driver installed by hand:
- Download the driver package.
- Unzip it to a known folder, for example
c:\ScanaStudioDriver\. - Connect the SP209 directly to a root USB port, not through a hub.
- Open the device manager and find the SP209. Until the driver is installed Windows cannot enumerate it properly, so it may be listed as "IKALOGIC Device", "IKALOGIC COM PORT" or "USB Serial port", usually with a yellow exclamation mark. Unplugging and replugging the device shows which entry it is.
- Right-click it and select "Update driver".
- Point the wizard at the folder from step 2 and finish the installation.
Linux and macOS​
No specific step is needed. Connect the device to a root USB port rather than through a hub.
For diagnostics, the SP209 uses VID 0x0403 and PID 0x7FD0. It carries an FTDI chip loaded
with a PID specific to Ikalogic, which stops the FTDI drivers from claiming it as a serial port.
LED indications​
| LED state | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Off | Not powered, or not connected to a USB port |
| Orange | Connected to USB, not communicating with ScanaStudio |
| White | Connected and communicating with ScanaStudio |
| White blinking | Logic activity detected on one or more channels |