Logic analyzer goes PCI Express
-- Test & Measurement World, 9/19/2007 8:59:00 AM
PCI Express 2.0, the popular computer interconnect bus, uses a three-layered protocol at speeds up to 5 Gbps. To let you capture bus transactions at those speeds, Tektronix has added two PCI Express 2.0 logic-analysis modules to its TLA7000 line of bench and portable logic analyzers. The TLA7S16 and TLA7S08 let you capture, and analyze the bus’ physical-layer signals and decode those signals up to protocol layer 3. The modules also let you verify that the PCI Express 2.0 power management functions properly.
A PCI Express 2.0 link uses 1, 4, 8, or 16 "lanes" that operate only as needed, thus minimizing power consumption. The TLA7S series modules capture the handshaking on the bus that manages the lanes. You can trigger an acquisition regardless of lane activation and you can filter data to show only those patterns of interest. Furthermore, you can use the modules in conjunction with a Tektronix oscilloscope to find a signal’s analog and digital characteristics.
Data lanes consist of two paths, one for each direction, and the eight-channel TLA7S08 can capture data in both directions for links with one or four lanes. The TLA7S16 can capture data in both directions for one, four, or eight-lane links. For 16-lane links, you need two TLA7S16 modules. Tektronix has also introduced the P6708 (eight channel) and P6716 (16 channel) mid-bus probes that let you capture data at bus locations between devices.
Base prices: TLA7Sxx modules—$55,000; P67xx logic probes—$16,000. Tektronix, www.tektronix.com.
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