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@74hc595
Created July 25, 2020 07:28
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connect macOS to an HP 16500C logic analyzer over X11

tested on macOS Catalina 10.15.5

This is a version of Philip Pemberton's "Remote-controlling the HP 16500B", available from the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20170809181654/https://www.philpem.me.uk/elec/testgear/hp16500b/rc/

Follow Philip's steps to obtain the font files lg165.bdf and sm165.bdf from your logic analyzer. I was able to do this over FTP, but not through the Finder. I installed the command-line ftp utility with brew install tnftp.

After you have the fonts converted to .pcf.gz files, this is where the paths diverge. (pun intended) Instead of /usr/share/fonts, use /opt/X11/lib/X11/fonts/.

Next, instead of editing xorg.conf, edit the file /opt/X11/lib/X11/xinit/xinitrc.d/10-fontdir.sh and add the font path to the fontpath= declaration on line 2.

Also add this directory to the catalogue = definition in /opt/X11/lib/X11/fs/config. (I don't know if this is required but it didn't hurt)

Restart XQuartz and go to Preferences > Security. Uncheck Authenticate connections and check Allow connections from network clients. Ah, those were the days.

Now, restart XQuartz. I don't think this setting takes effect without a restart.

Open an xterm and run xhost +<ip address of the logic analyzer>.

On the logic analyzer, go to X-Window Settings, and set Remote Display Internet (IP) Address to your Mac's IP address. (hold Option and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar)

Then hit Connect on the logic analyzer. You should now see a window pop up on your Mac with the logic analyzer interface.

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