LeCroy Summit T3-16 Analyzer for PCI Express 3.0

The Summit T3-16 is LeCroy’s fifth generation of protocol analyzers targeted at high speed PCI Express I/O-based applications such as workstation, desktop, graphics, storage, and network card applications.

PCIe 3.0 technology achieves twice the effective data throughput rate of the PCIe 2.0 standard through a combination of increased data bit rate (5 GT/s moving to 8 GT/s) and the elimination of 8b/10b data encoding, which previously added an overhead of 20 percent to all data transfers. In eliminating 8b10b encoding, PCIe 3.0 technology now relies on the existing data scrambling techniques similar to those used for PCIe 2.0 technology to ensure that receivers maintain lock on the incoming data stream.

With advanced features such as support for PCI Express Spec 3.0, data rates of 2.5, 5 and 8 GT/s, lane widths from x1 to x16, and a full 8 GB of trace memory, the Summit T3-16 provides unmatched capability and flexibility for developers and users of advanced PCI Express products. The Summit T3-16 is by far the most advanced and sophisticated PCI Express Analyzer available in the market today.

As with other LeCroy PCI Express analyzers, the Summit T3-16 leverages the intuitive and powerful CATC Trace analysis software system, embedding a deep understanding of the PCI Express protocol hierarchy and intricacies. The colorful, intuitive and easy to use graphical display allows you to quickly capture and validate PCI Express product designs. All LeCroy PCI Express protocol analyzers employ high-impedance, non-intrusive probing technology, thereby allowing fully unaltered data pass-through.

In addition to a full suite of advanced hardware and software features, the Summit T3-16 provides user-convenience and analysis features, such as support for “lane swizzling” which allows a board developer to lay out a Mid-Bus probe pad with lanes in non-standard order, simplifying the design of the board. Internally the Summit T3-16 maps the lanes back into their correct order and accurately displays the embedded bus traffic. Other software features include enhanced error checking for automatic identification of additional error types, more compact trace files that allow for faster analysis of trace data, and the choice of simplified or advanced modes for setting up trace recording options.

A new raw recording mode, Bit Tracer, allows bytes to be recorded as they come across the link, allowing debugging of PHY layer problems and combining the features of a logic analyzer format with a protocol analyzer format. The new auto sense link feature monitors negotiation between devices of different lane widths, and the bifurcated link support recombines multilink PCI Express operations that have been separated into narrower links.

The Summit T3-16 also supports Ethernet LAN port as a standard feature. By connecting over a LAN, engineers can operate the system remotely (e.g., install the client software on their desktop systems, and control an analyzer operating in a remote lab). Also, multiple engineers working collaboratively can time-share use of a single analyzer, reducing the need for an additional analyzer for each engineer, and increasing the cost effectiveness of the product.

The Summit T3-16 is available in two configurations—that support either x1, x2, x4, and x8; or x1, x2, x4, x8, and x16—to match user requirements with available budgets. The upward compatibility and 13 month warranty of the Summit T3-16 also provide investment protection for current Gen1 and Gen2 users who plan to upgrade to Gen3 devices in the future.

By leveraging years of experience in protocol analysis tools for emerging markets, LeCroy's PCI Express protocol analyzers blend sophisticated functionality with practical features to speed the development of PCI Express IP cores, semiconductors, graphics, servers, workstations, bridges, and switches.

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Product Features

• Powerful & Intuitive CATC Trace Faster interpretation and debug of PCI Express traffic.
• Expert Software Extensive Decoding Understand the protocol completely with accurate and reliable decoding of TLPs (Transaction Layer Packets) and DLLPs (Data Link Layer Packets) and all Primitives for PCI Express.
• Advanced Triggering/Filtering Find Errors fast by isolating important traffic, specific errors or data patterns. Understand transactions more clearly by removing non-essential fields from the trace.
• Intelligent Reporting Quickly identify and track error rates, abnormal link or timing conditions, display configuration space, and protocol specification details.
• Dword to Transaction Level Viewer See and understand Symbol, Packet, Link and Split Transaction levels of the PCI Express protocol.
• Monitoring and Link Utilization Troubleshoot throughput, link utilization, and bandwidth issues.
• BitTracer Software Option Records the bytes as they come across the link. Allows debugging of PHY layer problems. Gives protocol analyzer the best of both worlds; a logic analyzer format and decoded protocol analyzer format.
• Auto Sense Link Analyzes all traffic negotiation between two devices of different lane widths.
• Lane Swizzling Accommodates specialized or unique board layouts for MidBus connections.
• Deep Buffer Recording Capacity Capture long recording sessions for analysis and problem solving up to 8 GB (4 GB in each direction).
• CRC Checking Know that info being displayed is accurate.
• High-speed Interface Ports No complicated setup required, with 1 Gb/s Ethernet and USB 2.0 ports available.
• Downloadable Trace Viewer Share and annotate trace recordings within a development team.
• 13 Month Warranty Protect your investment.

Product Specifications

Host Requirements		Windows XP or Vista; Intel Pentium II processor or greater; USB Port or 1Gb/s Ethernet
Recording Memory		Size 8 GB for trace capture, timing, and control information
Power Requirements		100–240 VAC, 47–63 Hz (universal input), 480 W maximum
Connectors		AC power, external trigger (TRIG IN/OUT, SMP), USB host computer connection, breakout board data output, Ethernet
Recording		Lights when recording
Status		Lights during power up of platform; Blinks if self-test fails
Triggered		Lights when analyzer is triggered
Power		On/Off
Manual Trigger		Forces a trigger event when pressed
Dimensions		15.45 x 5.39 x 14.3 inches (40.4 x 38.6 x 9.6 cm)
Net Weight		25 lbs

 

Product Options

• Bit Tracer
• Active Interposer
  
• Midbus Probe
• PCIe Gen3 x8 Dish for MidBus Probe