LeCroy Introduces ExpressModule™ Interposer to Support PCI Express® 3.0 Protocol Analysis

PCI-SIG DevCon, Santa Clara, CA, June 22, 2011 - LeCroy Corporation, a leading supplier of oscilloscopes and serial data test solutions, today introduced a new PCI Express® (PCIe®) ExpressModule™ interposer that supports PCI Express 3.0 specification data rates up to 8 GT/s. The new ExpressModule interposer, designed for use with the LeCroy Summit™ T3-16 and T3-8 PCI Express protocol analyzers, provides the ability to easily analyze data traffic between high performance ExpressModule HBA cards and ExpressModule-based blade server systems.

"The ExpressModule specification has become an important form factor for PCI Express. Blade server systems can benefit with the easy hot swapping capability of the ExpressModule," said Al Yanes, President and Chairman, PCI-SIG. "LeCroy does a great job at providing a large number of probing options for PCI Express developers."

An ExpressModule is an I/O HBA card based on the PCI Express specification that is mechanically inserted into an ExpressModule-compatible blade server backplane. The ExpressModule HBA technology enables higher reliability, performance and manageability providing high speed performance utilizing PCI Express 3.0 specification speeds of up to 8 GT/s.

Debugging the protocol traffic between the PCI Express 3.0 ExpressModule and chassis backplane can be challenging due to tight mechanical tolerances. The PCI Express 3.0 ExpressModule interposer connects between the backplane of the chassis and the ExpressModule, and enables the analyzer to capture, decode and display all traffic on the PCI Express bus for troubleshooting, debugging and monitoring system performance. This new interposer minimizes signal interference by using LeCroy's T.A.P.³ technology, allowing protocol traffic between the ExpressModule and backplane to be analyzed while inside the chassis. This insures that the equipment under test can function normally while data traffic is analyzed so that any protocol problems can be quickly identified and solved. The ExpressModule interposer is offered in x1, x4, and x8 lane widths, with data rates operating at up to 8 GT/s.

"Developers that are integrating PCI Express 3.0 ExpressModule HBAs onto next generation ExpressModule based Blade servers can now utilize LeCroy's extensive suite of PCI Express 3.0 protocol analysis equipment," said John Wiedemeier, Product Marketing Manager for PCI Express Protocol Solutions, LeCroy. "The ExpressModule interposer makes it possible to analyze backplane signals on ExpressModule blade servers, such as the Oracle blade server, insuring maximum interoperability and testing that results in high reliability."

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 PCIe 3.0 ExpressModule 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 (http://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 45-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.

PCI-SIG is the Special Interest Group that owns and manages PCI specifications as open industry standards. The organization defines and implements new industry standard I/O (Input/Output) specifications as the industry’s local I/O needs evolve. The PCI Special Interest Group was formed in 1992 and became a nonprofit corporation, named “PCI-SIG,” in the year 2000. Currently, more than 800 industry-leading companies are active PCI-SIG members worldwide. PCI-SIG’s current directors are employed by the following PCI-SIG member companies: Agilent, AMD, Dell, HP, IBM, Intel, LSI, NVIDIA and Oracle. For more information about the PCI-SIG and its membership benefits, please visit the PCI-SIG website at http://www.pcisig.com or contact (503) 619-0569 (within the United States).

© 2011 by LeCroy Corporation. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

PCI-SIG, PCI Express and PCIe are trademarks or registered trademarks of PCI-SIG.