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Monitor with Otii GPIOs like a logic analyzer

Monitor with Otii GPIOs like a logic analyzer

Monitoring GPIOs 

During development, verifying power consumption is only part of ensuring a robust design. To truly optimize and validate your system, you often need to monitor additional signals, such as digital ones. Digital signals should be observed to catch timing problems, unexpected toggling, or missed transitions that could affect overall system performance.

If your Device Under Test (DUT) includes external inputs—such as buttons, triggers, or other control signals—it’s essential to verify how the system responds to those interactions under real-world conditions. Both Otii Arc and Otii Ace feature expansion ports that let you monitor these signals directly, providing valuable insight for efficient debugging and validation.

Products needed

How to connect

  1. Connect Arc/Ace to your computer by USB. If needed, add a power supply to the DC plug.
  2. Connect Arc/Ace’s banana connector + to the device under test (DUT) positive battery connector/power connector.
  3. Connect Arc/Ace’s banana connector – to DUT negative battery connector/power connector GND
  4. Connect expansion port DGND to DUT GND (DGND and AGND are internally connected).
  5. Connect GPI1/GPI2 to digital outputs on the DUT.
  6. Connect GPO1/GPO2 to digital inputs on the DUT.

Get started in the Otii app

  1. Add your Arc/Ace under Control in the sidebar. Rename it if desired (right click).
  2. Set up the wanted voltage to supply your DUT with under Arc/Ace. Power box will be chosen by default. Add OC protection for your DUT.
  3. Under ‘Channels’ choose the measurements you want to record, for example main current, main voltage and main power.
  4. Under ‘Channels’ enable GPI1 and GPI2.
  5. Set the correct digital voltage level for your device.
  6. Control GPO1/GPO2 by clicking on the GPO1/GPO2 button in the UI.
  7. Start a recording.
  8. Power the DUT by turning on the supply (On button) next to the Arc/Ace. The data from your DUT is now recorded.