FS4405 PCI Express Preprocessor
Tektronix Logic Analyzer Support

Q. What software is included with the FS4405 PCI Express protocol preprocessor?

A. Files are included that automatically set up the Tektronix logic analyzer for protocol disassembly mode and label all the signal names. Another file contains the protocol disassembler, which translates the data into PCI Express protocol during state analysis. This software is compatible with the Transaction Viewer software, which gives a higher level packetized view of bus transactions. Also included is the Probe Manager software, which runs on a Windows PC or your Tektronix logic analyzer and allows the user to remotely control the protocol preprocessor functions.

Q. What target cable adapters does the FS4405 include to connect to my target system?

A. Because there are several different ways that customers may need to connect to their system, we do not include any target cable adapters with the FS4405. You must choose at least one target cable adapter with your FS4405 order. Click here to see the various target cable adapters available.

Q. Can I use standard Tektronix probe cables to connect the FS4405 to my Tektronix logic analyzer?

A. No. You will need to use the FuturePlus FS1055 Probe Cable to connect the FS4405 to your Tektronix logic analyzer.

Q. Does the TLA5000 series logic analyzers work with the FS4405?

A. No. We make connection from the FS4405 to the TLA7000 series logic analyzers with the FS1055 Probe Cable.The TLA5000 series logic analyzers have a different connector on them. No Probe Cable is available that connects from this connector to the FS4405.

Q. What is the difference between the FS1038 X8 cable adapter and the FS1039 X8 cable adapter?

A. It depends on how you want to rout the signals and which approach may be easier for you. The FS1038 has the lanes for the 2 directions interleaved (each direction in it's own column) and the FS1039 has the lanes from the 2 directions separated (each direction has it's own set of rows).

Q. Does your probe get its power from my system?

A. No. All necessary power is supplied by an external supply, which is included with the FS4405.

Q. Does your protocol decoder identify disparity errors?

A. Each symbol is tagged as valid or invalid, which means it had either incorrect disparity or was a bad decode.

Q. Will it display the 10b symbols instead of 8b?

A. Yes. The user can set the FS4405 probe into 10 bit mode (external reference clock required) to view 8b/10b encoded data to debug phy level and link initialization problems. Lane deskew and 8b/10b error checking are included. Packet delimiters are visible in the listing.

Q. Do you identify when a link is in compliance mode? This is useful information when a link is not training.

A. Yes, we detect the compliance pattern.

Q. How long does it take for you to get frame lock after a link comes out of electrical idle? If it takes too long, the analyzer will miss symbols after the FTS ordered sets.

A. On a single lane link that repeatedly cycles between operational for 5 uS and in L0s for 24 uS, we achieved N_FTS = 2 (actually under 2).  This was using a reference clock connection. Our projections for a 4 lane link operating in spread spectrum, that goes into L0s for the max allowed time on a target with max allowed ref clock jitter are that N_FTS = under 12.

Q. It looks like you are relying on the triggering capability of the analyzer; how do you keep the analyzer from capturing when the link is idle?

A. Actually the FS4405 Probe Manager includes significant Pattern Recognizer features. The Pattern Recognizer can then trigger the logic analyzer. The user may also filter out all IDLE states, then they are never clocked into the analyzer.

Q. When I am just looking at transactions, I like to eliminate skip ordered sets and flow control. To eliminate skip ordered sets you need to know where the comma symbol is going to land. If you do not help this a lot of analyzer resources will be eaten up trying to cover all possibilities. Flow control DLLPs are 8 eight bit symbols long and you have to know where the SDP symbol is.

A. The FS4405 has comprehensive filtering (store qualify) abilities; 58 different kinds of activity may be filtered in or out. Filtering by Virtual Channel and by Traffic class is included. See the FS4405 Probe Manager.

Q. I like to trigger on TLPs. Do you offer assistance with this? The issues I mentioned for Skip ordered sets and flow control are compounded because TLPs are 3 and 4 Dwords long.

A. There are two ways the FS4405 helps with triggering: (1) The start states of every DLLP and TLP are flagged with an event code which may be used for triggering. (2) A Packet recognizer can be set to flag every TLP in general, or particular kinds of more specific TLPs (or DLLPs).

Q. What do the LED's on the FS4405 signify?

A. These are Quad-state LEDs. Green indicates the link is OK. Orange indicates invalid or unaligned data. Red indicates a receiver fault. Dark indicates a loss of signal.

Q. How do I find out what are the latest versions of Tektronix logic analyzer operating software?

A. Contact your nearest Tektronix Call Center.

Q. How do I know which Agilent logic analyzer is best for my needs?

A. Click here.

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