Sierra M6-2 Protocol Verification Platform Provides Advanced 6G SAS and SATA Analysis, Error Injection and Emulation

Santa Clara, CA, March 23, 2009 - LeCroy Corporation, a worldwide leader for serial data test solutions, today announced it has expanded its industry-leading line of SAS and SATA protocol verification systems. The company introduced the Sierra M6-2, a highly portable, multi-function protocol verification platform for 6G SAS and SATA protocols. The Sierra M6-2 is designed for use by both lab and field engineers who require a powerful, easy-to-use tool to debug protocol and performance issues.

The Sierra M6-2 is a compact two-port version of the popular Sierra M6-4 four-port platform, and includes all the analysis and test capability of the larger unit in a smaller, more cost effective package. The Sierra M6-2 supports a full range of protocol test features, including comprehensive protocol analysis capabilities, host and device emulation, and error injection. A SATA compliance test suite is also available. As with other Sierra systems, customers can select specific features to match their test requirements and budgets, and protect their investment with the addition of new capabilities as their requirements change.

"The outstanding market acceptance of the SAS and SATA protocols is increasing demand for protocol test tools,” said Kevin Kearney, LeCroy PSG Manager of Storage Protocol Products. “With 6G capable devices on the horizon, a new generation of test tools is required. The LeCroy Sierra platforms were designed to meet the full range of protocol and performance testing at the new higher speeds.”

“The LeCroy SATA Protocol Test platform is one of the key elements in our validation environment that helps ensure the DesignWare SATA IP is of high quality and adheres to the latest SATA specification,” said Ed Bard, Sr. Director of Marketing for Digital and Memory IP at Synopsys. “Utilizing the analyzer and emulator functions in addition to our already extensive verification process enables designers to integrate the DesignWare SATA IP into their high performance mass storage SoCs with less risk and improved time to results.”

The Sierra M6-2 comes with all of the trace views and analytical tools that LeCroy customers rely on. Both SAS and SATA traffic can be captured and decoded for problem identification and resolution. Captured traces can be viewed in a variety of ways to suit the analysis being performed. Common protocol errors are automatically detected and clearly displayed. The Sierra M6-2 also provides powerful search tools and a wide range of the statistical reports including command completion performance, bus utilization, primitive statistics, and command statistics. Traces captured with Sierra M6-2 can also be displayed and analyzed on any PC system using the LeCroy SAS Protocol Suite™ software, which provides the ability for experts in the home office to back up field technicians in troubleshooting field issues.

The Sierra platforms feature native PHYs, which offer many benefits over implementations found in other 6G test solutions, including optimized lock time, which is essential for capturing SATA power management sequences. The Sierra M6-2 supports trace memory buffers up to 8 GB, and features SATA-style bus interfaces for quick and simple connections. The highly portable platform measures 12.5” x 11” x 2” and weighs only 5.4 lbs.

LeCroy protocol test and verification products have been at the forefront of SAS and SATA development. All LeCroy protocol analyzers feature a hierarchical display, real-time statistics, protocol traffic summaries, detailed error reports, powerful scripting, and the ability to create user-defined test reports that allow developers to troubleshoot intricate problems and finish their projects on time.

The Sierra M6-2 Protocol Verification Platform is available for immediate shipment. For additional information, contact LeCroy at 1-800-5LeCroy (1-800-553-2769) or visit LeCroy’s web site at www.lecroy.com

About LeCroy

LeCroy Corporation is a worldwide leader in serial data test solutions, creating advanced instruments that drive product innovation by quickly measuring, analyzing, and verifying complex electronic signals. The Company offers highperformance oscilloscopes, serial data analyzers, and global communications protocol test solutions used by design engineers in the computer and semiconductor, data storage device, automotive and industrial, and military and aerospace markets. LeCroy’s 40-year heritage of technical innovation is the foundation for its recognized leadership in “WaveShape Analysis”—capturing, viewing, and measuring the high-speed signals that drive today's information and communications technologies. LeCroy is headquartered in Chestnut Ridge, New York. Company information is available at http://www.lecroy.com.