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Cursor operations

Use cursors for waveform measurements and searches in Protocol Analyzer mode.

Overview

Cursor functions are available in Protocol Analyzer mode, but only when the Show Waveforms feature is enabled.

Requirements

Critical: The Show Waveforms function must be turned on before cursor operations become available.

If Show Waveforms is disabled:

  • Cursor buttons appear gray and are disabled
  • Waveform search is unavailable
  • Time measurements cannot be performed
  • Cursor keyboard shortcuts do not work

Cursor functionality

When Show Waveforms is enabled, cursor operations work identically to Logic Analyzer mode:

Cursor features

  • Place cursors: Add measurement cursors at specific time positions
  • Measure time intervals: Calculate time between cursors
  • Calculate frequency: Determine signal frequency from period
  • Search waveforms: Find edges, values, and patterns

Special cursors

  • T cursor: Trigger point marker (fixed position)
  • B cursor: Search-specific cursor
  • A-Z cursors: General-purpose measurement cursors (26 available)

Cursor operations

Adding cursors

Method 1: Mouse

Click the Add Cursor button and position cursor in waveform area.

Method 2: Keyboard

Press Shift + [A-Z letter] to add or move cursor to mouse position.

Moving cursors

Drag:

  • Click and drag cursor sign or line
  • Reposition to desired time location

Keyboard:

  • Press A-Z key to jump to that cursor's position
  • Press Shift + A-Z to move cursor to mouse position

Measurements

Cursor measurement bar shows:

  • Time interval: Between selected cursors
  • Frequency: 1 / interval
  • Sample count: Number of samples between cursors

Search for specific signal patterns using cursor positioning.

Search modes

  1. By Edge: Find rising/falling/either edges
  2. By Time: Move cursor by specified time offset
  3. By Value Match: Search for specific signal values
  4. Search Pulse Width: Find pulses matching width criteria

Search workflow

  1. Position starting cursor
  2. Configure search parameters
  3. Execute search
  4. Cursor moves to next match
  5. Repeat to find subsequent matches

Use cases in Protocol Analyzer

Timing verification

Measure protocol timing:

  1. Enable Show Waveforms
  2. Capture protocol data
  3. Place cursors at protocol events (START, STOP, ACK, etc.)
  4. Verify timing meets specification

Examples:

  • I2C setup and hold times
  • SPI clock period
  • UART bit timing
  • CAN bit periods

Signal quality check

Inspect waveform quality:

  1. Enable Show Waveforms
  2. Capture suspect protocol
  3. Use cursors to measure:
  4. Rise/fall times
  5. Signal levels
  6. Noise or glitches
  7. Clock jitter

Correlation

Correlate protocol with waveform:

  1. Click on protocol transaction in report
  2. Waveform view shows corresponding signals
  3. Use cursors to measure exact timing
  4. Verify signal integrity during transaction

Transitioning to Logic Analyzer

If extensive cursor and waveform analysis is needed:

Recommended workflow:

  1. Capture in Protocol Analyzer with Show Waveforms
  2. Initial analysis using protocol report
  3. Click Convert to Logic Analyzer in File menu
  4. Continue with full Logic Analyzer cursor features

Why convert?

  • Full cursor measurement capabilities
  • Advanced waveform search
  • Detailed timing analysis tools
  • Signal-level triggering options
  • Complete waveform annotation

See: File Operations - Convert to Logic Analyzer

Limitations in Protocol Analyzer mode

Compared to Logic Analyzer:

  • Fewer cursor analysis tools
  • Basic search functionality only
  • Limited waveform measurements
  • No advanced statistics on waveform
  • No cursor-based triggering

Recommendation: For extensive waveform analysis, convert to Logic Analyzer mode.

Tips and best practices

When to use cursors in Protocol Analyzer

Use cursors here when:

  • Quick timing check needed
  • Verifying protocol meets timing spec
  • Simple signal quality inspection
  • Don't need full Logic Analyzer features

Convert to Logic Analyzer when:

  • Deep timing analysis required
  • Multiple complex measurements needed
  • Signal integrity is main concern
  • Advanced triggering required

Efficient workflow

  1. Start in Protocol Analyzer (without Show Waveforms)
  2. Pure protocol analysis

  3. Maximum capture capacity

  4. If issues found, enable Show Waveforms and recapture

  5. Add signal visibility

  6. Use cursors for basic timing checks

  7. If signal issues confirmed, convert to Logic Analyzer

  8. Full analysis capabilities
  9. Complete timing measurements

Keyboard shortcuts

When Show Waveforms is enabled:

Function Key
Move to cursor position A-Z
Add/move cursor to mouse position Shift + A-Z
Zoom in on waveform Number Pad +
Zoom out on waveform Number Pad -

See: Keyboard Shortcuts