The portable mainframe is the base component of a customer-configurable portable instrument. It can function as a logic analyzer, a digital storage oscilloscope, or a pattern generator, depending on the module cards installed in its slots. The portable mainframe has the following features: Microsoft Windows operating system High-performance, system controller with automatic PC connectivity to a multitude of off-the-shelf I/O devices (such as Ethernet, modem, printers) via standard PC I/O ports and two PC Card (CardBus) slots Display system provides internal color flat-panel LCD display and two external SVGA ports capable of driving large, high-resolution external monitors Four backplane slots provide compatibility with TLA700 Series instrument modules Precision clock, bus trigger line, and event signaling between the mainframe and instrument modules supports real-time triggering, sequencing, and time correlation of events Mainframe compatible with international power standards, certified to international safety and EMC requirements, and tested to rugged environ- mental standards CD-ROM drive Removable hard disk drive for easy removal of the hard disk drive for extra security