Well, CWAV has recently released a new version of this device called the USBee ZX. The main functional difference between earlier USBee pods (USBee and USBee LX) and the new USBee ZX is that data is not buffered in the pod itself. Instead, the data is streamed over high speed USB, thereby allowing the PC to do all of the data storing and manipulations and to use the abundant RAM resources on the PC instead of a limited amount on the pod.

The USBee ZX is a complete digital test bench in one compact and easy to use pod. A brief summary of its main features is as follows:

• USB 2.0 high speed connection to the PC
• Deep buffer depth logic analyzer (stores many hundreds of million samples at 24 MHz)
• Deep buffer depth signal generator (generates many hundreds of millions of samples at 24 MHz)
• Frequency counter (up to 12 MHz on 8 channels simultaneously)
• Frequency generator
• Data logger
• PWM controller
• I2C bus controller
• I2C bus analyzer

It's also worth noting that the USBee ZX digital test pod does not need an external power supply. The USB bus supplies the power to the pod, so your PC will be supplying the power. The pod does, however, require a self-powered hub (not bus powered) if a hub is to be used between the PC and pod.

Each USBee ZX digital test pod package includes the following:

• USBee ZX universal serial bus pod
• Set of 14 multicolored test leads and high performance miniature test clips
• A "Getting Started" guide
• USB cable (A to Mini-B)
• USBee ZX digital test pod CD-ROM

One really Cool Beans idea is that — prior to actually spending any money on this device — you can download the USBee ZX software from CWAV's website. If you don't have a USBee ZX physically plugged into your system, then the software will run in demonstration mode. Should you subsequently decide to invest in one of these little rapscallions, then as soon as you plug it in, the software will detect it and switch over into "real-world" mode.

Another really Cool Beans idea is that CWAV also supplies something called the USBee ZX Tool Builder software, which allows you to create custom test tools for your USBee ZX using Visual Basic or C++.

The cost of one of these little rascals is $895 USD, with quantity and educational discounts available. This obviously isn't chickenfeed, but it also isn't all that bad considering that it replaces so much expensive test equipment. Personally I am well impressed, and have no hesitation in awarding the USB ZX an official "Cool Beans" from me. Until next time, have a good one!

Clive (Max) Maxfield is president of Techbites Interactive, a marketing consultancy firm specializing in high-tech. Author of Bebop to the Boolean Boogie (An Unconventional Guide to Electronics) and co-author of EDA: Where Electronics Begins, Max was once referred to as a "semiconductor design expert" by someone famous who wasn't prompted, coerced, or remunerated in any way.