Bus Analyzer, Exerciser & Protocol Checker for VMEbus
• Networked VME Bus Analyzer (built-in Ethernet port)
• Supports VME, VME64, 2eVME and 2eSST
• 2M Sample Trace Buffer at 256 bits
• Concurrent and independent operation of all functions
• Protocol Checker and Exerciser
The Vanguard VME Bus Analyzer is a complete solution for VMEbus analysis, exercising and protocol error detection. Supports new VME standards including 2eSST.
The bus analyzer is controlled via USB or Ethernet from a PC running Windows and BusView graphical user interface or an Application Programming Interface (API). The Ethernet connection adds a world of possibilities to the analyzer tool, by allowing the user to connect to Vanguard analyzers situated anywhere a network connection can be made. As with all of our analyzers, the unit may be powered from the target system or from an external power supply, and extensive on-line help is available.
State Analyzer
The State Analyzer of the Vanguard VME captures and displays VMEbus activity in State or Timing modes with highly advanced (yet simple to use) triggering, filtering and counting capabilities. Unlike logic analyzers, Curtiss-Wright's VME Bus Analyzers know the bus protocol and derive the sampling clocks from the bus cycles at the right moments. This gives a complete trace of all kinds of activity, including arbitration, interrupts, block cycles, RMW cycles, etc.
Exerciser
The optional (-VE) Exerciser available for the Vanguard VME is a powerful Master with a DMA engine, a Slave memory, a System Controller and an Interrupt Generator and Handler. The unit is very flexible and easy to use, and allows concurrent operation of all functions. A flexible script feature allows test scripts to be made and tasks to be automated. The exerciser is controlled via dialog boxes through the user-interface, automated with the built-in script recording and playback capability with programmable delay and loop functions.
Protocol Checker
The Vanguard VME Bus Analyzer features an optional protocol checker (-VP) for the VMEbus. This versatile feature automatically detects up to 60 VME errors, helping the user track down bus hardware errors without the need to understand the nature of the problem. The protocol checker can run in the background when other analyzer functions of the Vanguard are active. As an example, the state analyzer, and the bus utilization statistics can all be active at the same time while the protocol checker runs in the background, screening the bus for errors. If the protocol checker is used as the trigger source for the analyzer(s), the state and timing analyzers will then provide a comprehensive picture of the bus activity around the point when an error was found. This helps the user to identify and correct the problem.
The Curtiss Wright Controls Defense Solutions’ Graphical User Interface Software for Vanguard Bus and Protocol Analyzers is easy to use and uses the same software for PCI/PCI-X, cPCI, PMC, and VME analysis.
BusView is a Windows application included with all Curtiss-Wright Controls’ (formerly VMETRO) Vanguard Bus Analyzer products. It provides ease of use, control, display and readability. Because of the similarities in the software, all analyzer functionality has a similar look and feel for all protocols being analyzed: PCI/PCI-X or VME.
You can share the analyzer with others and customize the BusView interface to your needs. The ethernet interface on Vanguard analyzers allows both local and remote users can share a single test tool. Each user can specify their own settings, icons, trace setups, etc.
Using BusView, a single workstation can control multiple analyzers simultaneously. Simply by starting another session, the user can select from a list of attached analyzers to communicate with over the available USB or Ethernet connections.
How the three main parts of BusView software work:
Workspace Window
Each function of the analyzer is highlighted in the Workspace Window. Right click on any folder to begin a new session or open a saved session. This window allows users to begin work and opens windows in the Tools Area.
Tools Area
The largest section of the BusView screen is the Tools Area - where the user controls setups, views trace data and statistics graphs, can get help on protocol violations, defines exerciser commands, runs compliance tests, and more. Many tool tips are available to make BusView tools simple and decoding helps with interpretation of trace data.
Status Window
The default location of the list of all activity in the analyzer is located status window at the bottom of the screen. This window can display a log of every activity, bus device information, current voltage/temperature levels, details of packet headers, and graph the bus utilization and efficiency of the system under test.
Requirements for BusView Use:
- USB port or Ethernet network.
- Computer with Pentium 800 MHz or higher processor; Pentium IV recommended.
- 256 MB RAM recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance).
- CD-ROM drive.
- Super VGA (1024x768) or higher resolution is recommended.
- Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating system.
- Minimum of 1 GB of free hard disk space.
