/> 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.