Date: 13/09/2011

Application software for viewing of PCI Express 3.0 packet data

Agilent Technologies Inc.has application software for packet viewing and analog waveform annotation of PCI Express 3.0 specs. This software supports packet and symbol searching capabilities in a single oscilloscope-based tool, so that engineers can identify protocol errors and simultaneously analyze analog waveform characteristics.

PCI Express is the latest computer interface standard for interfacing workstation, server and desktop computers to other communication and computer systems. PCI Express 3.0 version operates at the speeds of 8 GT/s.

The Agilent N8816A PCI Express 3.0 protocol viewer software provides time-correlated views of physical and transaction layer errors. The software performs 128/130 bit decoding on PCI Express 3.0 traffic and displays serial packet data synchronized with the analog view of the PCI Express 3.0 waveform using only an oscilloscope. The decoded waveform is displayed directly on the analog waveform and in a list format with associated time and index information. This combination of simultaneous logical and analog views of PCI Express 3.0 data allows engineers to quickly isolate signal-integrity-related causes of intermittent protocol errors, saving time compared to doing the same task with a protocol-only tool, says Agilent.

"We are pleased that companies such as Agilent are working to deploy tools that offer visibility into the details of PCI Express 3.0 link training and bi-directional packet viewing," said Al Yanes, PCI-SIG(r) president and chairman. "Tools such as these can help PCI-SIG members test their PCI Express 3.0 products early in the design cycle, helping to achieve product quality and interoperability."

Agilent says its N8816A PCI Express 3.0 protocol viewer software for Infiniium 90000 Series oscilloscopes provides design and validation engineers with packet-level decode for PCI Express symbols and offers detailed packet decoding and visibility of low-level packet content.

Key features of the software:
Supports packet decoding for PCI Express 3.0, 2.0, and 1.1 specifications.
Provides visibility of link training detail, which is useful for debugging speed change failures.
Provides bi-directional symbol and packet-level decoding.
Allow engineers to save and analyze packet information off-line.
Uses a unique packet-waveform correlation marker to make it easy to scroll through waveforms to view synchronized packet and symbol lists.

"Agilent is pleased to provide the widest portfolio of products supporting the PCI Express 3.0 specification in the industry," said Sigi Gross, vice president of Agilent's Digital Test Division. "Our dedicated support of the PCI-SIG and its members through committee and board representation has helped us enable some of the earliest PCI Express 3.0 product development efforts. Tools like the N8816A help engineers solve link training issues with a fast and easy user interface on a versatile oscilloscope platform, improving time to market and delivering higher product quality."

Additional information about Agilent's N8816A PCI Express 3.0 protocol viewer software and other information on Agilent's total PCI Express 3.0 test solution portfolio is available at www.agilent.com/find/pciexpress

U.S. Pricing and Availability: The Agilent N8816A PCI Express 3.0 protocol viewer software is available now with a price of $4,000.