H009 Channel Monitor
System Overview
C-TAC Plus is an embedded system analyzer. It provides simultaneous Real-Time Non-Intrusive (RTNI) monitoring of all key points in the system. The monitoring is done on a completely non-intrusive basis without the injection of wait states or cycle stealing, and does not affect bus timing or message sequencing. C-TAC Plus also provides time correlation of data across multiple processors, backplanes, and networks as well as system level evaluation in the operational environment.
Key Benefits
- Monitors multiple H009 busses simultaneously.
- Symbolically interprets internal data items in message packets.
- Correlates data and events across multiple processors and data busses.
- Significantly increases productivity in system integration and test.
- Provides on-line indicators of bus utilization and error rates.
The System Development Lifecycle
H009 Channel Monitor
The H009 Channel is designed to provide continuous RTNI monitoring for the H009 data bus. The monitoring is done on a completely non-intrusive basis and bus timing and message sequencing are not affected by the monitoring function. Multiple channels can be placed in a single C-TAC Plus unit to simultaneously monitor additional processors or busses.
Channel Cross Triggering
The H009 Channel is able to cross trigger with other
channels (processors or buses) or with external
equipment.
Time-Correlation
All C-TAC Plus Channels use a common time stamp. This
feature allows time-correlation of data collected from
multiple channels.
Common User Interface
Test setup, control, and post-run analysis are
accomplished with a symbolic user interface (Microsoft
Windows based), which significantly increases user
productivity.
Graphical Data Analysis
Graphical analysis software allows the user to plot
variable data and profile bus traffic quickly and easily.
High Volume Data Collection
The H009 Channel standard configuration provides 120
MBytes of real-time data storage with optional extensions
up to 1 Gigabyte.
Modes of Operation
Image: Real-time display of up to 250 variables
Log: Continuously recorded trace of user events to disk.
Burst recording rate at bus speed. Sustained recording
rate of more than 40,000 events/second.
Snapshot: Re-circulating trace of user events; delayed
triggering for pre-, post- and center-trigger placement.
Events Detected
Message Transactions: Controller to Peripheral (C-P) and
Peripheral to Controller (P-C), command messages, errors,
specific Peripheral Address (PA) transactions, and specific
message packets.
Message Data Items/Packets: Up to 250 specific data
words from the same or different message packets or up
to 83 message packets.
Data Value: Signed/unsigned word and long word, and
single and extended floating point formats; hex,
octal or decimal; =, ≠, <, >, ≤, ≥, in-range and out-ofrange,
comparisons (true arithmetic ranges in target
representation format); multiple values for binary
encoded fields.
Actions on Events
Record: Records events in trace memory.
Site Transition: Change current state to next state. C-TAC Plus
can be configured to monitor events in 64 different user
definable states.
Trigger: Generates a trigger point to freeze the snapshot
trace. Freeze can be delayed for pre-, post- or centertriggering.
External Trigger: Asserts one of four external trigger
lines. Signals other channels, other C-TAC units or other
equipment that a particular event occurred within the
system.
Time Sync: Asserts the external time sync line when the
event occurs.
Timer/Counters: Two timer/counters are available for
control of additional selected recording.
Variable Event Post-Run Analysis
Variable Plot: Linear or scatter plot of up to 6 variables as a function of time.
Message Event Post-Run Analysis
Message Profiling: Graphically displays a plot of up to
28 user selectable messages or message ranges as a
function of time.
H009 Statistics
The H009 Channel provides cumulative and periodic
statistics of bus traffic including bus loading, data
throughput, total messages, bit and message error rates and specific Peripheral Address loading and error rate.
These statistics are displayed on-line during the test.
Auto Symbol Translator
- Optional feature automates test specification setup to significantly reduce data entry time and errors.
- Translates exported symbol data from user’s database management system into C-TAC Plus usable format.
C-TAC Plus base unit
Configuration For The H009 Channel
- Event Detector and Acquisition Card (EDAC) detects and captures all event data specified.
- SCSI hard drive records event data captured by the EDAC.
- Personality Interface Module (PIM) maps the H009 bus protocol and message traffic for interface with the EDAC. The PIM supports both direct and transformer interconnects.
