Intel Developer Forum, San Francisco, CA - August 19, 2008 - LeCroy Corporation, a leading supplier of oscilloscopes and serial data test solutions, announces its Voyager verification system, the world''s first protocol analyzer for USB 3.0, also known as SuperSpeed USB. Using custom front-end circuitry developed in conjunction with LeCroy''s 5 Gbps PCI-Express platform, the Voyager analyzer provides simultaneous protocol capture of both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 signaling. Available with an integrated exerciser option, this sixth generation verification platform is LeCroy''s complete solution for testing USB devices, systems and software.
The USB 3.0 specification development was announced in September 2007 offering ten times the speed of USB 2.0 and backward compatibility with legacy devices. It features physical layer characteristics similar to PCI Express 2.0, including 5 GHz signaling, that relies on link training to synchronize communication between devices. Aggressive power management represents an additional challenge for 3.0 validation teams as they contend with devices that frequently enter and exit low-power states.
To provide accurate data capture at 5 GHz, the analyzer must follow each link state transition and achieve bit lock in less than 1 µs (when moving from idle to the active state). Any delay in signal lock can cause the analyzer to miss data. "Our USB 3.0 analyzer benefits from the expertise LeCroy has developed with its industry leading high-speed serial data test platforms", stated Carmine Napolitano, General Manager, LeCroy''s Protocol Solutions Group. "The Voyager front-end circuitry seamlessly recovers from electrical idle, and shows all bus and power state transitions for the link under test."
"We are pleased to see LeCroy''s long-time commitment to providing USB verification tools continue with support for USB 3.0," stated Jeff Ravencraft, USB 3.0 Promoter Group Chair. "Test tools like the LeCroy Voyager system, will help developers bring USB 3.0 products to market quickly, while ensuring backward compatibility with USB 2.0."