First fully integrated protocol viewing app for...

(Electronics Weekly (UK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) First fully integrated protocol viewing app for PCIe3.0 Agilent Technologies claims to have the first fully integrated protocol viewing application for PCI Express 3.0.

The software combines packet viewing and analogue waveform ­annotation with packet and symbol searching capabilities which can be run on an Infiniium 90000 series ­oscilloscope.

The software can be used to identify protocol errors and simultaneously analyse analogue waveform characteristics.

The 8GT/s (gigatransfers per second) operating speed of PCIe 3.0 ­devices can present a signal integrity challenges for designers.

"Signal integrity problems occur intermittently, and they may present themselves as errors in protocol behaviour," said ­Agilent.

The Agilent N8816A PCI Express 3.0 protocol viewer software provides time-correlated views of physical and transaction layer errors.

The software performs 128/130-bit decoding on PCI Express 3.0 traffic and displays serial packet data synchronised with the analogue view of the PCI Express 3.0 waveform using an oscilloscope.

According to Agilent, the decoded waveform is displayed directly on the analogue waveform and in a list format with associated time and index information.

This allows engineers to isolate signal-integrity-related causes of ­intermittent protocol errors.

"We are pleased that companies such as Agilent are working to ­deploy tools that offer great visibility into the details of PCI Express 3.0 link training and bi-directional packet viewing," said Al Yanes, PCI-SIG president and chairman.

agilent JTAG digital I/O modules support boundary scan on PXI bus Goepel electronic has introduced two additional JTAG digital I/O modules on the PXI bus.

The PXI5396-DT/x modules support structural JTAG/Boundary Scan tests as well as dynamic I/O operations up to 100MHz for functional test executions.

They feature an impedance controlled VPC interface for direct coupling to signal critical load boards or other verification environments.

This will allow users to use a ­single piece of test hardware for both laboratory verification and in the production line with fixture based systems.

The PXI 5396-DT/x modules are based on a two-component solution, consisting of a PXI supported interface module and an offset desktop module.

The separation of the modules can be up to 2m without loss of performance. The desktop module is equipped with a front connector developed by Virginia Panel, which allows the module to be connected directly to the test environment.

Two variants are available, which differ in the on-board memory depth of 72MB with the PXI 5396-DT and 144MB with the PXI 5396-DT/XM).

Automated EN50530 test system for solar power inverters Ametek Programmable Power has introduced an automated EN50530 test system for solar power inverters.

The automated test system which is based on the firm's TerraSAS solar array simulator, MX/RS grid-simulator and CTS compliance test system, is configured and controlled via Windows-based software that enables users to select the EN50530 test ­regime, connect up the inverter to be tested, start the test, walk away and return to collect the report.

"Previously, testing to EN50530 standard for efficiency of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) invertors ­required an engineer or technician to be present to manually progress through each curve set," said the supplier. Likely users are PV inverter manufacturers and test houses.

TerraSAS solar array simulators are available as single or multi-channel systems from 5kW-1MW (80V-1500V). Single/three-phase MX/RS series regenerative grid simulators are available from 15kVA-1MVA.

Torque measured wirelessly using non-contact telemetry design Honeywell has introduced the TMS 9250 torque measurement system.

Typically monitoring torque is relevant in the design and/or testing of axles, drive trains, gear drives, gas and electric motors, transmissions, pumps, propulsion systems, and gas and steam turbines.

Honeywell's TMS 9250 non-contact digital telemetry design eliminates mechanical interference by measuring torque wirelessly.

Multiple mechanical configurations are available, including DIN, SAE, integral coupling, shaft-to-shaft, and custom mounting.

The design accommodates multiple calibrations on the same sensor.

Single-function generator gives test waveforms for dips and drops Teseq, a supplier of EMC emissions and immunity testers, has introduced the NSG 3040-DDV generator which provides test waveforms for simulating supply dips, drops and variations.

This is a single-function generator derived from the NSG 3040 family of combination generators, which feature a mainframe that is prepared, wired and tested for all possible test module combinations and upgrades.

The NSG 3040-DDV is designed to accommodate only the module required for dips, drops and variations. This function-specific design allows the NSG 3040 to provide full performance at the lowest possible price.

It has full compliance to IEC 61000-4-11 and -29 standards.

The instrument is also available in an ERC (Exclusive Remote Control) version, which is controlled exclusively by a PC running Teseq's WIN 3000 software.

When used with automatic accessories such as the VAR 3005 or INA 6502, the NSG 3040-DDV features manual, automatic and programmable control of EUT power ON/OFF switching. EUT power can be switched off automatically in the event of an EUT failure or overload.

Small footprint, wireless, USB keyboard Bytec Embedded is offering a small footprint, wireless, USB keyboard designed for harsh environments.

This second generation Indi-Key keyboard offers improved key response and feel, a wider touchpad and an optional numeric keypad.

The IP65-rated keyboard has been constructed with a Silver Ion antibacterial agent acting as a secondary defence to address increasing awareness of the spread of infection.

There is also a PC-based application for reprogramming the keyboard for on-site upgrades without the need of special programming equipment.

With a typical operating life of six hours, battery life is further preserved with a 15 minute sleep mode. Three levels of backlit illumination make the keys visible in all conditions.

First FPGA development kit for 28nm process node Altera continues its rollout of 28nm FPGAs and has its first FPGA development kit for this process node.

The Stratix V GX signal integrity development kit allows users to measure and evaluate transceiver link performance offered by the 28nm chips, which ranges from 600Mbit/s to 12.5Gbit/s.

There are equalisation functions for the device's high-speed serial transceivers which allow users to carry out practical system analysis using on-board SMA and standard backplane connectors including Molex Impact and Amphenol XCede.

These built-in high-speed backplane connectors are used to evaluate custom backplane performance and evaluate link BER.

It is also possible to generate and check pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) patterns.

Protocol standards supported ­include: 10GbE, 10GBASE-KR, PCI Express Gen1, Gen2 and Gen3, Serial RapidIO, Gigabit Ethernet, 10GbE XAUI, CEI-6G, CEI-11G, HD-SDI, ­Interlaken and Fiber Channel.

It comes with a one-year licence of Quartus II software, design examples and access to Altera's MegaCore IP ­library including the Nios II Embedded Design Suite.

s5sikit LED power supplies offer AC input of 90-305Vac Metal case LED power supplies from Mean Well are designed to offer an AC input range of 90-305Vac, so it operates with UK and European 115Vac or 230Vac mains input as well as North American 277Vac inputs.

With IP ratings up to IP67 these Mean Well HLG-320H series are ­designed with five options the HLG-320H-A, HLG-320H-B, HLG-320H-C, HLG-320H-D and HLG-320H blank, all HLG series power supplies are available from Ecopac Power with a five year warranty.

The supplies can be adjusted for DC output voltage range from 90% to 110% and the output current range from 50% to 100% via the internal potential meter.

There are terminal blocks for the input and output connection and users can also adjust the DC output voltage range from 90% to 110% and the output current range from 50% to 100% via the internal potential meter.

Reference design for 85% efficient downlight driver Power Integrations has a reference design for an 85% efficient, 15W PAR38 downlight driver that it claims will deliver flicker-free dimming without the use of electrolytic bulk capacitors.

Based around the firm's LNK405EG LED driver IC, it is designed to provide flicker-free performance across a broad range of triac dimmers.

Typical TRIAC dimmers were designed for incandescent lights that use an order of magnitude more power than LED lights of equivalent lumen output.

According to the supplier, the low current requirement of LED lights, especially when dimmed, can cause triacs to switch off unexpectedly or oscillate, creating an annoying flickering effect.

This can be addressed by storing energy in an electrolytic bulk capacitor, with bulb lifetime implications, or by allowing a continuous flow of current into the bulb, wasting energy and thereby defeating the main benefit of LED lighting.

Embedded SBC products based on ARM processors Kontron is planning a series of embedded SBC products based on ARM processors.

Kontron is developing a new computer-on-module format specifically for ARM system-on-chip processors with multiple UART, I2C, SDIO ports and less PCIe and USB interfaces.

The modules will use single, dual and quad core processors.

As well as Windows CE 6/7, Linux operating systems such as QNX, Green Hill and VxWorks (including Hypervisor) will also be supported to focus on high reliability and real time computing.

The first Kontron ARM-based module early field testing platforms will be available before the end of 2011.

Enhanced PIN silicon photodiode for fast photovoltaic use The PDI-C172SMF is a blue ­enhanced PIN silicon photodiode designed for high speed photoconductive or photovoltaic applications packaged in a black plastic surface mount package.

Measuring 3mm2 x 1.1mm thick, with optical filter options, supplied on tape and reel, this photodiode is likely to be used as a detector in photointerrupters, oximeter sensors, barcode readers and glucometers.