LeCroy Announces New External PCIe Cable Interposer for PCI Express 2.0 Analysis

Embedded World, Nuremburg, March 2, 2010—LeCroy Corporation, a leading supplier of oscilloscopes and serial data test solutions, today announced a new PCI Express 2.0 External Cable interposer for the Summit™ PCI Express Protocol Analyzer product line. This new External Cable interposer provides a dedicated probe that makes it easier to analyze data traffic between a host and device that are connected using an external PCI Express cable.

The PCI Express External Cabling Specification, developed by the PCI-SIG®, is a high-speed cabling interface used for local networking and PCIe bus expansion. Applications include split systems where there are remotely connected I/O controllers, I/O expansion that connects different types of I/O form factor cards to a system, server I/O expansion card connectivity, and connecting external graphic systems.

The LeCroy External Cable Interposer allows a protocol analyzer connection by tapping into the external cable connection. The interposer is easily connected by connecting cables from the host and devices, and the interposer then provides a connection to allow an analyzer to capture and decode data traffic between the two systems. The External Cable Interposer supports PCI Express data channels with lane widths of x4 and x8 at all standard PCIe data rates up to 5 GT/s.

PCI Express protocol analyzers are tools for identifying, diagnosing and solving the interoperability issues typically encountered when system integrators try to connect two PCI Express buses together through an external cable. Developers can more easily identify protocol errors and performance issues that otherwise slow down development and testing of new or updated products. The intuitive software views and built-in protocol translations aid engineers in rapid problem identification and solution, reducing time-to-market.

“External cable solutions are increasing due to the inherit performance gain with PCI Express technology,” said John Wiedemeier, Product Marketing Manager, LeCroy. “We are working with developers to understand what problems they are facing and creating new probing solutions to help them solve critical interface timing issues.”

LeCroy protocol analyzers have been at the forefront of PCI Express development tools. 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, which allow developers to troubleshoot intricate problems and finish their projects on time.

The External Cable Interposer is now available to order. For additional information, contact LeCroy at 1-800-5LeCroy (1-800-553-2769) or visit LeCroy’s web site at www.lecroy.com

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 high-performance 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 www.lecroy.com.

© 2010 by LeCroy Corporation. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice.