I meant triggering in the logic analyzer on a pattern. Pattern triggering in the LA must be done in software, as it creates more flexibility. Or would they really cover all these combinations in hardware?
Well, I just performed a qick-and-dirty test with my MSO4014(+) as follows: Square wave signal from generator fed to D0 of the digital (MSO) inputs. At the connection point of the digital probe, I attached a standard probe of cannel1 of a DS2072A(+). Channel2 probe of this scope was connected to the Trig Out of the MSO4014. So the delay of the measurement system should be compensated fairly well. The (measured) trigger delay would just consist of the delay of the digital (MSO) probe assembly and the internal trigger processing time of the scope.
What I found: Rising edge trigger on MSO channel D0: 45.5ns with no observable jitter
Pattern trigger on 8-bit word D0~D7: 41.8 ~ 49.2ns, depending on trigger configuration of relevant line (D0) (Level H slowest, falling edge fastest) and again no observable jitter at each of the configurations.
I guess this pretty much indicates that the pattern trigger is done in hardware as well, considering that the delay also includes several nanoseconds propagation delay of the digital probe assembly (about 80cm long, unknown impedance coax wire).
I hope this answers your question
Cheers,
Thomas