Full Description
The Saleae Logic Pro 16 is a professional mixed-signal ⓘ USB ⓘ logic analyser ⓘ designed for Electronic Design Engineers who need deep visibility into both digital and analogue behaviour on complex embedded systems. With 16 dual-purpose inputs that each capture digital and analogue, digital sampling up to 500 MS/s ⓘ (on up to four channels, or 100 MS/s ⓘ across all sixteen), analogue sampling up to 50 MS/s ⓘ at 12-bit resolution ⓘ, and bandwidths of 100 MHz ⓘ (digital) and 5 MHz (-3 dB) ⓘ (analogue), it provides the performance and workflow efficiency required for board bring-up, firmware validation and regression debugging. Inputs tolerate ±25 V ⓘ with an operating analogue range of ±10 V ⓘ, and a typical input impedance of 2 MΩ || 10 pF ⓘ. Cross-platform Logic 2 software supports extensive protocol decode ⓘ, measurements, bookmarking, triggering and export.
Mixed-signal capture on every channel
All sixteen inputs are multi-use, meaning each can record digital and analogue simultaneously. This enables correlation of logic-level transitions with analogue effects like supply droop, ground bounce or ringing without re-probing. For example, when chasing an intermittent I²C ⓘ NACK ⓘ, you can observe SDA ⓘ/SCL ⓘ decoding alongside analogue traces that show overshoot from long stubs. The result is fewer reconnections and complete captures that reflect real-world behaviour.
Sampling performance and bandwidth
The analyser samples digital signals at up to 500 MS/s ⓘ on four channels via USB 3.0 ⓘ, or 100 MS/s ⓘ on all sixteen channels. Analogue capture reaches 50 MS/s ⓘ with 5 MHz (-3 dB) ⓘ bandwidth at 12-bit resolution. These figures align with MCU ⓘ/SoC ⓘ buses such as SPI ⓘ, UART ⓘ, SWD ⓘ, JTAG ⓘ and PWM ⓘ. Sampling above the Nyquist criterion ⓘ preserves timing integrity and pulse width accuracy.
Wide signal range and thresholds
Each input withstands ±25 V ⓘ, with an operating analogue range of ±10 V ⓘ. Digital thresholds support mixed-voltage systems (1.2 V, 1.8 V, 3.3 V and 5 V logic) on one capture, reducing external level shifters. This allows analysis of RS-232 ⓘ, RS-485 ⓘ or TTL ⓘ signals. The 2 MΩ || 10 pF ⓘ input preserves edge rates on high-impedance nets.
Logic 2 software with protocol decode
Logic 2 (Windows, macOS, Linux) decodes SPI ⓘ, I²C ⓘ, UART ⓘ, CAN ⓘ, LIN ⓘ, I²S ⓘ, PCM ⓘ, MDIO ⓘ, USB 2.0 ⓘ and more. Engineers can annotate frames, search events, and export to CSV ⓘ, VCD ⓘ, Binary or MATLAB ⓘ. An Automation API ⓘ enables scripted workflows and custom decoders.
Deep captures using host memory
The Logic Pro 16 streams via USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ⓘ into system RAM ⓘ, so capture length is limited mainly by PC resources and activity density. This enables long recordings to catch rare CRC ⓘ faults or supply droops during RF transmit bursts, while keeping navigation responsive.
Triggering for fault isolation
Edge and pulse-width triggers isolate faults quickly. For example, a bootloader UART at 3 Mbaud ⓘ may be disturbed by EMI ⓘ from a nearby DC-DC converter ⓘ. On SPI ⓘ, triggering on long CS ⓘ assertions helps catch firmware stalls that violate timing, reducing debug cycles.
Everyday debugging scenarios
Consider an STM32 board failing to configure a QSPI ⓘ flash: capture SPI lines at 100 MS/s ⓘ while sampling the 3.3 V rail at 1–3 MS/s ⓘ. The timeline reveals a mode-bit mismatch and a POR ⓘ voltage sag. For an I²C ⓘ device failing at 1 MHz, decoded frames show marginal SCL high-time ⓘ, while analogue traces show ringing, prompting pull-up adjustments. On CAN ⓘ, error frames correlate with VDD ⓘ droop, confirming the need for additional bulk capacitance. For motor control, sampling PWM ⓘ and shunt current together reveals loop timing without additional instruments.
Choosing the right model
For fewer channels, the Saleae Logic Pro 8 logic analyser offers 8 channels, 500 MS/s ⓘ (four channels) or 100 MS/s ⓘ (all eight), and 50 MS/s ⓘ analogue. If your work is mainly low-to-mid-speed digital with occasional analogue context, the Saleae Logic 8 mixed-signal analyser is a practical choice. For wide buses or multiple SPI/I²C peripherals, the 16-channel Logic Pro 16 preserves full timing relationships in a single capture.
Interoperability with other debug tools
The Logic Pro 16 integrates with complementary tools. Pair it with the Total Phase Aardvark I²C/SPI host adapter to generate traffic while capturing responses, or the Total Phase Promira Serial Platform for eSPI ⓘ and scripting. For high-channel analysis, explore the Acute LA4000 Plus Series logic analyser; for portable mid-range with timing/state modes, see the Acute TravelLogic 34-Channel logic analyser. These tools extend stimulus and state analysis while the Saleae provides rapid correlation and documentation.
Specifications
Channels: 16 digital, 16 analogue (shared). Digital sample rates: up to 500 MS/s ⓘ (four channels), 100 MS/s ⓘ (sixteen channels). Digital bandwidth: 100 MHz ⓘ. Analogue sample rates: up to 50 MS/s ⓘ, 12-bit ⓘ. Analogue bandwidth: 5 MHz (-3 dB) ⓘ. Analogue input operating range: ±10 V ⓘ; absolute max: ±25 V ⓘ. Input impedance: 2 MΩ || 10 pF ⓘ. Interface: USB 3.0 ⓘ. Software: Logic 2 (Windows/macOS/Linux); exports CSV/VCD/MATLAB/Binary ⓘ; Automation API and SDK available.
Related products on The Debug Store
For compact setups, the Saleae Logic Pro 8 mixed-signal logic analyser provides fewer channels with the same interface. To exercise I²C/SPI targets during capture, use the Total Phase Aardvark I²C/SPI host adapter or the Total Phase Promira Serial Platform. For more channels and timing/state modes, see the Acute LA4000 Plus Series logic analyser or the Acute TravelLogic 34-Channel logic analyser.