1. SNIFFER CARD for PCI-express channel
05/04/05
 SNIFFER CARD for PCI-express channel
Design Review
Presenting: Roy Messinger
Instructor: Boaz Mizrachi

2. Goals
Design and development of a printed circuit board capable of sniffing to the PCI-e channel without interference to the data passing (passive listener).
The sampled data will be sent to a different card (Virtex II pro) and will be analyzed for errors.

3. Learning stages
Comprehended Studying of the PCI-e communication method, with emphasis on the packets Rx/Tx protocol.
Studying of the Hi-Speed serial link platform.
Learning the phenomenon of working with very hi-speed signals of ≥2.5 GB/s (i.e. EMI, Jitter effects, signal integrity, etc.)
Research on the main components of the Sniffer (PCI-e MB, Crosspoint switch, Rx/Tx chip, mechanical connectors, etc.)

4. General Specifications
System Inputs:
the inputs are defined as the physical connectors of the Sniffer in between the PCI-e MB and the PCI-e compatible card (as shown in the next slide).
System outputs:
the system output is the communication between the Sniffer and the external computer which analyzes the data.
Processing rates and transfer:
PCI-e is capable of transferring from 2.5Gb/s/lane/direction and higher.
Main H/W Components:
PCI-e MB, PCI-e CARD, Cross Point Switch, uController.

5. Schematic overview
PCI-e Card
Sniffer
PCI-e MB

6. Block Diagram PCI-e MB PCI-e Graphic Card 4X4 4X4 Cross Point Switch
X4 link
Xilinix
Cross Point Switch
4X4
8x SMA
8x SMA
Cross Point Switch M21105
4X4
X2 switch
Virtex II Pro
Data
RS232
PIC MC
I²C
control
PCI-e MB

7. Scheduled tasks
2/5/05 - representing mid-semester report, including detailed block scheme.
1/6/05 - representing pin to pin scheme
3/7/05 - Finishing modeling the pcb in simulation software (e.g. Hyperlinx).
10/7/05 - Sending the pcb to printing (after layout, routing, etc.)
1/8/05 - Integration and debugging
10/8/05 - representing end project report.