Abstract: A programmable spike detector is designed to detect spikes in a test signal in a device under test. The spike detector includes a differential amplifier which provides a difference signal representing the difference in voltage between the test signal and an offset signal, which is the drive voltage for the device under test. A first comparator determines if the difference signal exceeds a first reference signal, and if so, provides an indication of a spike condition. A second comparator provides a second spike indication if the difference signal is less than a second reference signal. In one form of the invention, the reference signals are established under control of a programmable processor.