You may have read in our last article that we’ve been digging around in the Logic Cube and found that, in a hardware sense, it’s an easy mod to install the other 32 channels. And of course, we pointed out that the RAM installed on our board was a 128K, not a 32k. So it seems that with a minimum of work, we can upgrade our $120 16032 to a 32128 which would have cost us a few hundred bucks more.
As gedesu mentioned in a comment, the famed bushing already discussed this hack a few months ago on a hardware forum page. Sadly, we never saw this page and I suppose we’ve gone and duplicated efforts a bit as we developed our mod independently. But we were actually able to catch bushing and a few other developers for a few minutes today and had a very nice discussion on modding the device. Seems both they and we had discovered a few secrets that the other hadn’t, and a lively exchange took place.
The mod really is as simple as installing the missing channels and trigger buffer circuitry. Now when we say simple, we mean simple for a person that is pretty skilled in soldering. This is not a project for a first time user, as the risk of damaging the device would be high. But if you’re careful and thoroughly check the connections before powering up, you should be fine.
The total cost is less than $5 in parts. We bought everything but the 74LVT16245 from HSC, so the prices listed are what we paid. We bought the 74LVT16245′s from Mouser because they don’t gouge like Digi-Key or Arrow.
Here’s what you will need:
1x 74LVT16245B 3-state Bus Transceiver ($0.56) – You need to get the DGG (“74LVT16245BDGG”, 48-TSSOP) package. We couldn’t find the TI part and got an NXP LVT16245 as well as a 74ABT16245. We ended up using the ABT chip but the LVT is probably the better choice. Hereafter will be called the ’245.
NOTE: the NXP 74LVT16245B is NOT SUITABLE for this mod. It latches up when an external signal is applied. Our suspicion is the 10pF cap in the input circuit drives the input pin a little beyond the rail and NXP did not account for this in their circuit. Amateur mistake! Especially when cloning a chip that has been around for what, 15 years, with no latchup issues. Booo! Credit for this catch goes to Jake, who traced the problem back and raised the issues when we failed to mention the latchup and just switched to the ABT without telling you valuable readers why it was done. Apologies!
- 1x NXP 74ABT16245B or genuine TI 16LVT245B. These are two chips that are verified not to latch up in the application. Both come in the DGG package.
- 48x 1MEG SMT resistors (48x $0.02) – 0603 package is good and not too tiny. You need 3 for each channel you’re adding, so get 55 or so. They always land upside down when you dump them out of the tape & reel and the natural inclination is to press one side to get it to flip neatly over. But sometimes that ends up in your resistor shooting off somewhere never to be found. Getting extras of all the SMT components is probably a good idea.
- 16x 510 Ohm SMT Resistors (16x $0.02) – Again, we used 0603 size. One for each channel you’re adding. Get extras.
- 16 10pF SMT Capacitors (16x $0.05) – One for each channel. 0603 if you can find them, otherwise 0402. Get extras.
- 2x 10k SMT Resistors (2x $0.02)- One for each of the two new trigger buffers (each buffer drives 8 lines. eg: C0-C7 and D0-D7)
- 2x 36k SMT Resistors (2x $0.02)- One for each of the two new buffers.
- 8x 120nF SMT Capacitors (8x $0.05)- Two each for each of the two new buffers, and 4 for the decoupling caps of the ’245. 0.1uF is probably fine as well.
- 2x 1.2uH SMT Inductors (2x $0.07)- One for each of the two new buffers. Debatable. We lost ours and used wire to short these pads, but we’re very willing to debug the PCB if noise issues arise. If you don’t want to mess around, install them.
- 2x 12pF SMT Capacitors (2x $0.05)- One for each of the two new buffers. You can probably use a 10pF if you just want to buy more of those from above.
- Fine Point Tweezers – For holding the SMT components.
- Fine Point Soldering Iron – The tip should be pretty small to solder the leads of the ’245 accurately. Similar to a toothpick tip if you can find it. We’ll give you a technique to make ithe TSSOP soldering as easy as possible, but a fat tipped soldering iron still won’t work. Get a fine point tip before starting.
- Thin Solder – that 10 gauge crap for pipes ain’t going to cut it. That stuff would be acid core anyway and will eventually eat away your PCB so don’t even consider it. Invest the $30 in a spool of nice fine rosin core solder. Thinner than 0.8mm would be great. Our spool has lasted 5 years or more and we solder like mad bastards, so the initial investment can be amortized over many projects.
- Liquid Solder Flux – Try to get a “flux pen”, but the brush-on stuff should also be fine. You’ll paint the leads of the 16245 when soldering to hopefully lessen the chances of solder bridges. You can also paint the pads of the RC networks if you’re having trouble with solder slop. Flux is awesome like that – it makes solder want to stick to metal and not want to stick anywhere else. So your solder will jump right on the pad and won’t slop around. If you don’t use it – get it. Cleans up with Ethyl Acetate (Flux cleaner) or Acetone and a cotton swab.
- Solder Wick/Braid – A loosly braided mass of thin copper wires soaked in flux. It sucks up solder in order to desolder components or clean up bridges and blobs. To tell the truth, desoldering usually requires MORE solder so the thermal intertia keeps it liquid long enough for you to pull off the part. But then you still need the braid to get those little puddles of solder off your PCB and device.
OK, got all your stuff? Are you ready to start the build? Continue on, intrepid reader!
Overview of the LAP-C Modifications
Below is the overview of the areas we’re going to work in. We have 3 main sections where we will be doing mods.
- Input Circuit (BLUE) – One for each channel. Starts with 3 1M resistors in a resistor divider chain. Across the middle resistor is a series connection of a 510 Ohm resistor and 10pF cap. The external port connects to the 510 Ohm side of this network, and the ’245 input connects to the 10pF capacitor side.
- Trigger Voltage Buffers (YELLOW) – An interesting circuit that uses an opamp to generate a dac-controlled voltage for each port (set of 8 channels). This trigger buffer voltage is fed to the top of all 8 resistor divider chains in the input circuit. By varying the buffer voltage, the device adjusts various input levels up or down to match the input threshold of the 3.3v ’245.
- Unused Channel Shorts (RED) – On the back of the board are 16 empty resistor padstacks. In the center of these are a small trace shorting the pads together. This is shorting the 16 unused channels to GND. You’ll need to carefully cut the shorting trace without gouging too deep into the board. We used a tiny flathead screwdriver tip to gouge a channel which worked fine.
Continued on Next Page… Jump to Page 2
By Buzz August 18, 2010 - 4:50 am
I have created a BOM for this mod from Digikey. Does anybody want to look it over and see if there is anything that should be changed?
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AnWif20cSKwEdGYtNUVJUzNvWXJkNUszSzd0SnQ5WlE&hl=en&authkey=CITJpeAM
By Matt January 2, 2013 - 7:51 pm
This response is a little late.. but the list looks great, except that the 510 ohm resistor was mistaken for 510k ohm.
By od August 29, 2010 - 4:27 am
Top site, I had not come across openschemes.com before in my searches!
Carry on the excellent work!
By MAXI888 May 7, 2011 - 8:25 am
Did someone use the mod with an actual device? Is this hack still work on it? Thx a lot for Answer.
MAX
By openschemes May 8, 2011 - 12:09 pm
Yes, definitely. We and bushing have both done the mod and it works to expand all the channels. We have heard that the chip has been changed so the recent smaller devices can no longer be expanded, though.
By Jivanildo December 28, 2012 - 7:40 am
I started years ago using a Pace MBT 250 rewrok station. Performed incredible. Cost was $1000.+The Metcal MX 500, an industry standard for many years and the new Metcal digital MX 5010. An amazing performer, truly SWEET. Cost $650. retail and cost of ownership (tips) at $30. each.The iron I prefer is the Hakko FX-951. Very compact, 70 watts, very comfortable hand piece, ultra performer, immediate thermal recovery, programmable temp. Retail $250., tips $10. each. I prefer Hakko.
By ZeroPlus LAP-C 16032 Logic Analyser « EdVoncken.NET June 27, 2011 - 1:42 am
[...] Openschemes: ZeroPlus Logic Cube – The Modification [...]
By User January 14, 2012 - 10:15 am
Did someone Know if the Hardware Hack work with the actual revision of the ZeroPlus LAP-C16032?
Thanks for the Answer
Peter
By Stu March 2, 2012 - 1:41 pm
I’m wondering, too — Is there any way to check or verify if it’s still possible to purchase a hackable device? Or have those revisions all been sold off and cleaned out?
By Zizou July 28, 2012 - 10:22 am
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By rfasic March 27, 2012 - 8:32 am
No problems for a 32 channel extension (even with lastest asic version) but they cut 2 pins on it (asic) to prevent a RAM adressing from 32k to 128k = Fixed with 2 thin wires between PCB and Asic.
By openschemes March 27, 2012 - 5:08 pm
Congratulations! Thank you for letting us know the device is still hackable, that is great news. And nice idea splicing in the missing pins!
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By sargon April 28, 2012 - 2:51 am
having opened up my newly purchased c16032 unit made in oct 2011 , i find that there are 4 pins that are removed from the asic , cut flush , will not be an easy thing to attach back on the asic ,
the hack of doing the usbport.dll change works to allow the program to make it look like 16128 but i am wondering if because of the cut pins on the asic its working to max mem of 16128 ?
also the protocols registered will not work unless you register them with the keys for that model & serial
By openschemes April 28, 2012 - 7:13 am
Yep, not easy to solder but very similar to what Nintendo did on the Wii console for a while. To get around it, guys just ground a little of the black plastic package off and soldered to the leadframe region of the missing pins. Read about something like that here
http://www.eurasia.nu/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloaddetails&lid=4284&ttitle=Soldering_guide_for_Wii_with_pins_cut
As for the protocols – yes, you are correct although you can change the serial by updating the eeprom. But if you have a lot of protocols registered to your base unit, you will not be able to use them on the modded unit.
By sargon April 29, 2012 - 8:47 pm
be good if someone who has done a current unit can advise , as even if i get the 4 pins attached again , i am still not sure the extra channels are not grounded internal to asic , have not started this adventure till i get a better tip for the Metcal
also the 7416245b and the 1.2uH are available via RS components
By Xenawise June 8, 2012 - 6:49 pm
Ordered my LAP-C(16032) from here last month:
http://microcontrollershop.com/product_info.php?products_id=3369
Just modified my LAP-C(16032) to add the 16 extra channels. The ASIC is the ZP322MC-5 with a manufacturer date of 0924 (work week 24 of 2009) and it was a success. First I cut the traced on the back of the board and measured to ground and found that they were no longer shorted so I ordered the parts to add in the extra 16 channels. The ASIC has 4 pins cut off and I still need to wire those up to make full use of the 4.5MB memory chip which is rated at 250MHz in this unit as well. The serial number would indicate this model was built in October of 2011 (1110). All I can do is verify that at this point, I was able to add on the extra 16-channels. I still have to wire up the 4 cut off pins to get full access to the memory but at this time the mod still works for me!
By openschemes June 8, 2012 - 9:46 pm
Awesome! It really is a great device, and we are thankful that you’ve found a moddable source! Thanks for posting your success, and enjoy your new 32 channel LA!!!
By CS July 10, 2012 - 10:25 am
Hello,
I can confirm that it is possible to carry out the 16 to 32 Channel modification, even with the new ZP322MC-5 ASIC! (testet with SNR 11032* and 11101*, both ASIC DC0924 !)
I also think that it is not necessary for the “32kBit/Channel” to “128kBit/channel” memory expansion to repair the four cutted PINs.
I’ve checked the layout and it seems that these four lines are the four highest address lines of the 72MB RAM.
It seems that these lines are internal “not Connectet” to the 4.5 MB Ram DIE. (128kBit/Page * 2^4 = 2048 kBit (=2MB))
thus should a repair of these four lines only be made in conjunction with a memory upgrade to 1000 or 2000 kbits /channel. (Of course – it is possible that i am wrong)
regards
-CS-
By openschemes July 10, 2012 - 2:43 pm
Wow, very exciting news!! Thanks for confirming it!
Buy em’ up people, before ZP changes it’s mind!!
By sargon June 10, 2012 - 4:36 pm
yes cutting back the silicon to solder the pins is a bit scary stuff , would like to see pics, when you done it and how you went
By openschemes June 10, 2012 - 5:00 pm
Good point. But what you actually solder to is the frame of the metal leg. Even though the leg of the chip has been chopped off, there’s at least several mm of the metal leg still within the package acting as a frame. The technique is to grind away some of the plastic package in order to expose a little bit more of the metal leg. Then, you solder to that. The silicon chip is in the center of the package, you don’t want to be grinding anywhere near that. Just near the edge where the missing leg is.
By BobP August 7, 2012 - 5:05 am
Hi All,
Just got my LAP-C16032 this morning. Opened it up and cut the resistor shorts on the bottom side of the PCB. Unfortunately the additional inputs on the ZP322MC-5 are still grounded. Mine has a date code of 0953.
I also have a LAP-A16128 which I bought thinking of modifying that one. It is missing all the tracking for the 2nd set of 16 channels but it has the older ASIC.
Apart from the date code the other marking that is different and (maybe) significant is the line on the ASIC that starts K61181.3S. My ‘old’ ASIC has IERH and this new one has 2ERH. So, if the ASIC has 2ERH on it, appears it is internally shorted on the other 16 channels.
Something else I saw on this new 16032 – the memory is upgraded speed wise. My 16032 has -250AXC memory device, so in theory could run at the full 200MHz speed of the higher spec analysers.
Am considering whether to un-solder and swap the ZP332 ASICs (have access to IR reflow machine) or whether to go with the original idea of making up a small daughter PCB for the LAP-A16128.
By openschemes August 11, 2012 - 7:38 pm
Oh no! We’re very sorry to hear that you got a bad ASIC!
Thank you for posting the identifying information for the good and bad ASIC – it’s very interesting that the memory is now at -250 speed grade. Wonder if there’s anything that this new ASIC can do that the old one can’t..?
By wivern August 13, 2012 - 1:37 pm
I have identical LAP-C16032 , ASIC K61181.3S-2ERH date 0953 and memory 250AXC.
> Am considering whether to un-solder and swap the ZP332 ASICs (have access to IR
> reflow machine) or whether to go with the original idea of making up a small
> daughter PCB for the LAP-A16128.
He can get the original ASIC as a spare part? Where and for how much?
You can develop your idea with daughter PCB?
By BobP August 17, 2012 - 11:41 am
Hi again,
Well I took the plunge and swapped the ZP322MC ASICs between the LAP-A16128 and the LAP-C16032 using an IR rework station to (carefully) remove both ASICs. PCBs were then cleaned up using flux and solder wick to get the pads flat.
Then I went round the ASIC pins getting off as much solder/ removing shorts that had occurred during the ASIC removal process.
I decided using the reork machine would be risky for replacing the ASICs – they can slip and slide so I used a fine tipped soldering iron, fine grade solder and a microscope to go round each pin individually. I tacked opposite sides first to ensure registration. Although there are a lot of pins it didn’t take too long to resolder both ASICs onto their new PCBs.Reomval, cleanup and replacement took altogether around 3 hours for both boards.
Today the final piece in the expansion jigsaw arrived – a new 74ABT16245 buffer device. Soldered that down at lunchtime and using the hacked USBPort DLL have tested each input on the expanded 32 channel 16032 device. I had failed to complete one of the cuts underneath the PCB so one channel was grounded permanently – but I found that one quick enough.
Thanks to your excellent article on how/what to do to upgrade these devices I am happy to report I have a fully functioning 16032 converted to 32128.
Just need to work out the software side now in order to re-program the EEPROM and whether to go for the memory upgrade too.
By Jack Hardball November 14, 2012 - 10:04 am
Anyone know what the part number for the upgrade memory?
By Ed March 8, 2013 - 11:03 pm
I apologize for this recent post on such an old article but I have to thank everyone for the article and all the comments. I recently (mar 2013) bought a 16032 with last four of 0102 and with a ASIC model of 0924. I was able to upgrade a LAP-C 16032 to a 322000 via eeprom and cut the traces. The other pins no longer route to ground so I need to order the parts. I was able to sand away part of the IC package to the cut pins and solder them to the traces so I will see if it all works when the memory comes in.
By openschemes March 10, 2013 - 8:26 pm
Fantastic! Would you take a picture of the completed work? Many users are uncertain about sanding down the IC to touch the cut pins.
By Ed March 11, 2013 - 4:15 am
Sure thing! I took pictures along the way haha. I’m glad it’s just the corner and not somewhere crazy like the middle of the IC, yikes! Still waiting on digikey for the RAM seems they are the only ones that carry it.
By Ed March 11, 2013 - 5:43 am
Here are the images as I mentioned earlier.
https://picasaweb.google.com/102502076918141645796/ZeroPlusLogicCube16032Mod?authuser=0&feat=directlinkI apologize if linking URLs is not allowed as I am not sure what other way to share this. On an interesting side note regarding the free 30 protocols, I came across some information on a forum and apparently the guy used his 16032 serial and verification key to register it as a 16128, as he did the eeprom change, but anciently chose 32128 and it still went through. I tried this myself using my serial number and verification key and was able to register as a 322000. I find it odd that the serial numbers are not device bound when choosing to register your model. I could see this as a good and bad thing, good for us, bad for if someone accidentally choose the wrong model in their haste. I can now use the device as a 322000, get the 30 free protocols, and have the included 10. Just my findings and testing so far. I patiently wait for the parts to come in this week and will update you on the completed (hopefully) status of it all.
A quick side question, the regarding buffer chip supply voltages, the NXP 74ABT16245BDGG I found was 4.5V – 5.5V, while the TI SN74LVT16245BDGGR has a range of 2.7V – 3.6V. Now I ordered both parts to be safe, but do you know which of the two work for this modification? and which one I should choose if both work? Thank you!
By sargon May 4, 2013 - 1:55 am
how you go ED , with the mod and the extra memory chip, can u confirm the part number u ordered ,and fitted for both memory and buffer 245
By Al May 14, 2013 - 9:18 am
Hello,
Congratulation for your successful mod !
Where bought you this lap 16032 with an ASIC model of 0924 ?
Best Regards