Protocol Analysis on your Scope

LeCroy Corporation introduces the ProtoSync PE options for WaveMaster and WavePro Series of oscilloscopes.

ProtoSync PE goes beyond simple decode annotation on an oscilloscope display and provides the intuitive LeCroy PETracer Protocol and BitTracer view of the oscilloscope captured waveform with a time and zoom correlation of physical layer signals, protocol packets, and logic analyzer byte views on a single instrument. ProtoSync PE is compatible with PCIe Gen1.x, 2.0, and 3.0 from 1 to 4 lanes.

While other manufacturers, including LeCroy, have provided a PCIe decode annotation on oscilloscopes in the past, ProtoSync PE is the first implementation on an oscilloscope with the rich, intuitive graphical user interface of a hardware protocol analyzer information display.

The protocol analysis software provided is a viewing, analyzing, and trace printing subset of the software provided with LeCroy’s PETracer (ProtoSync PE) or PETracer Summit (ProtoSync PE-B) hardware protocol analyzer product family. Therefore those already familiar with LeCroy protocol analyzers will find it easy to operate and understand, and the synchronization of the oscilloscope and protocol analyzer tools in the oscilloscope will make it easy for hardware signal integrity, systems, and software/FPGA engineers to work together to debug complex problems. Synchronized and Simultaneous Information for Faster Debug of Complex Problems

All versions of ProtoSync PE contain the basic PCIEbus D data link layer decode annotation on the oscilloscope. This software also includes an indexed table display of decoded information. If a specific index in the table display is touched, a zoom of that particular protocol packet is automatically created on the oscilloscope grid, or vice-a-versa. This is especially helpful when there are protocol error frames or other anomalies that need debugging by viewing the physical layer signal.

ProtoSync PE adds further capability to provide full PCIe transaction layer decode in PETracer protocol view format. In addition, the zoom to protocol packet is further enhanced with synchronization of the protocol packet in the PETracer software to the decode annotation in the PCIEbus D oscilloscope software and also to the physical layer signal on the oscilloscope display. Thus, it is easy for an engineer to capture a physical layer PCIe waveform, view all transaction layer data, and correlate it to other oscilloscope captured signals or activity on the bus that could be causing improper operation. This is especially helpful when hardware signal integrity, systems, and software/FPGA engineers need to coordinate efforts to solve complex problems.

ProtoSync PE-B provides additional understanding by providing a BitTracer view of the signal that combines the advantages of a protocol analyzer with those of a logic analyzer. Both the protocol view and BitTracer view may be used simultaneously with the PCIEbus D decode annotation to provide maximum insight.

An integrated 2nd Touch Screen Display Provides Quickest Insight since both the protocol analysis software and the oscilloscope user interface employ touch screen user interfaces, the ProtoSync solution can be most elegantly leveraged through the use of a 2nd touch screen display that is attached above the oscilloscope and aligned with the main oscilloscope display. Thus, both the oscilloscope and the protocol analysis software can run on full displays and provide the maximum amount of information to the user during debug. In addition, two touch screen displays makes it easy to select a protocol packet in either the protocol analyzer software or the oscilloscope user interface and zoom to the information in the other program. This is both more convenient and more productive than a conventional Alt-Tab between two programs on one display, or an additional non-touch screen display.

The 2nd touch screen display may be purchased separately for WaveMaster 8 Zi or WavePro 7 Zi oscilloscopes (Zi-EXTDISP-15), or can be purchased as part of a ProtoSync PE bundle (ProtoSync PE-B-EXTDISP). It is only available with the Zi Series of oscilloscopes.