NOHAU PRESS RELEASE

Ref:  NPR 005

Date: 20^th August 2008

 

 

Nohau Introduces World’s First USB 3.0 Protocol Analyzer Exerciser System to the UK and Ireland

 

 

The new Voyager verification system from Lecroy, which is claimed to be the world’s first protocol analyzer for USB 3.0 (also known as SuperSpeed USB) has been launched in the UK and Ireland by Lecroy’s sole agent Nohau. The new development joins a wide range of USB related hardware and software products now available from Nohau, including protocol and bus analyzers supporting USB 1.1, USB 2.0 and USB-OTG from Lecroy, USB host and device software from HCC, integrated USB host and device stacks from Quadros Systems as well as compilers assemblers, debuggers and other USB device software from IAR and Keil.

 

Voyager uses custom front-end circuitry developed in conjunction with LeCroy’s 5 Gbps PCI-Express platform, to provide simultaneous protocol capture of both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 signalling. 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 signalling, 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.

 

(more)

Nohau Introducs Lecroy Voyager system to the UK and Ireland     Page 2

 

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.

 

 "This key development from Lecroy benefits from the expertise which the company has developed with its industry leading high-speed serial data test platforms", says Kevin Pope, Nohau’s Managing Director. " Test tools like the new Voyager system will help developers bring USB 3.0 products to market quickly, while ensuring backward compatibility with USB 2.0."

 

Voyager uses the de facto standard CATC Trace display to illustrate USB 3.0 protocol and includes many enhancements to accelerate testing of USB 3.0 links. Advanced triggering, hardware filtering, and Spec View are all designed to help developers quickly understand and verify early USB 3.0 protocol behaviour. A new view called Link Tracker™ shows raw 10-bit or hex symbols from upstream and downstream links time aligned in a column format. Invaluable in debugging SuperSpeed traffic, it provides precise timing context for analyzing link power management transitions.

 

An integrated traffic generation option capable of transmitting both USB 2.0 and 3.0 packets allows test teams to emulate host or device behaviours with low-level control of headers, payloads, link training and timing. In addition to error injection and compliance verification, the exerciser provides early adopters with a USB 3.0 link to start bring-up testing well before commercial hosts are available.

 

Voyager also features native 3.0 connectors that bifurcate USB 2.0 and 3.0 electrical signals to provide loss-less capture of traffic from both links simultaneously. With 4 GB of recording memory, both USB and Gbe links to the host PC, and support for external clock input, Voyager is positioned as the all-encompassing test platform for USB development.

(more)

Nohau Introducs Lecroy Voyager system to the UK and Ireland     Page 3

 

The Voyager platform is available with dual USB 2.0 and 3.0 capabilities, or as a USB 2.0 only solution that is field upgradeable to support USB 3.0. "Voyager is the obvious choice for USB developers targeting 3.0 or even considering SuperSpeed testing in the future", said Mike Micheletti, Product Marketing Manager, LeCroy Protocol Solutions Group. "It includes best-in-class 2.0 analysis features and it’s the only future-proof platform that’s easily upgradeable to support the emerging SuperSpeed USB standard."

 

 

(ends)

 

 

About Nohau

Originally part of the Nohau Group, founded in Sweden in 1981, Nohau UK is now an independent, privately owned company which has taken over the group’s business interests in the UK and Ireland .  The company distributes a wide range of embedded systems related hardware and software, including Real-Time Operating Systems, development tools, protocol stacks, protocol analysers and traffic generators.  In addition it supplies WLAN and Bluetooth communication modules and other wireless connectivity solutions. Major principals include global players such as LeCroy, Frontline, Klocwork,  ConnectBlue, Phytec, Keil, HCC-Embedded, IAR Systems, Quadros Systems, Hi-Tech, and IXXAT.

 

Based in Winchester, Hampshire, Nohau UK is a highly specialised service-orientated organisation capable of developing complete customer solutions. It also provides expert advice and training to support its sales of embedded hardware, tools and software.

 

 

Nohau Introducs Lecroy Voyager system to the UK and Ireland     Page 4

 

 

About LeCroy

Headquartered in Chestnut Ridge, New York,  LeCroy Corporation is a worldwide leader in serial data test solutions, creating advanced instruments that drive product innovation by quickly measuring, analyzing, and verifying complex electronic signals. The Company offers high-performance oscilloscopes, serial data analyzers, and global communications protocol test solutions used by design engineers in the computer and semiconductor, data storage device, automotive and industrial, and military and aerospace markets. LeCroy's 40-year heritage of technical innovation is the foundation for its recognized leadership in "WaveShape Analysis"-capturing, viewing, and measuring the high-speed signals that drive today's information and communications technologies.

 

 

 

Nohau contact details:

Kevin Pope

Managing Director

Nohau UK Limited

The Cavendish Centre, Winnall Close

Winchester , Hampshire, SO23 0LB, United Kingdom

Tel: 01962 841 290

Fax: 01962 890 410

Mobile : 07912 341786

Email: kevinp@nohau.co.uk

Web: www.nohau.co.uk

 

 

 

With compliments from:

Dan Bogard

Outbound PR

Tel: 01753 652889

Email: bogard@talktalk.net