Abstract: Transmissions from mid-bus test equipment to a first device and from a second device to the mid-bus test equipment are equalized. Equalization instructions are passed from the first device through the mid-bus test equipment to the second device. The mid-bus test equipment changes the quality of transmissions sent to the first device in order to steer the first device to produce equalization instructions that will produce optimized transmissions from the mid-bus test equipment to the first device and from the second device to the mid-bus test equipment.

Abstract: Transmissions from mid-bus test equipment to a first device and from a second device to the mid-bus test equipment are equalized. Equalization instructions are passed from the first device through the mid-bus test equipment to the second device. The mid-bus test equipment changes the quality of transmissions sent to the first device in order to steer the first device to produce equalization instructions that will produce optimized transmissions from the mid-bus test equipment to the first device and from the second device to the mid-bus test equipment.

Abstract: A protocol analyzer for analyzing traffic on a bus. A tap card is used to tap into a bidirectional bus. The tap provides a pass through connection from the card to the host and taps off of the bus. While tapping off the bus, stubs lengths are minimized and input capacitance is minimized. A repeater that preferably has no internal termination provides a differential input and a differential output. The bus lines are input to one of the inputs in the differential inputs and a reference voltage is provided to the other differential input. The reference voltage enables the tap to determine if the data is high or low. A jumper is also included in the tap such that the reference voltage can be selected from the host or from the pod.

Abstract: A method for preparing tapped data for analysis. The data on a bus is sampled and latched at a certain rate to produce raw data. The raw data is then decoded by a pod that is configured for the protocol of the bus in a system under test. The decoded data can then be presented to a protocol analyzer for analysis. The decoded data and the corresponding raw data may also be aligned and then presented to an analyzer for protocol analysis.

Abstract: A protocol analyzer for analyzing traffic on a bus. A tap card is used to tap into a bidirectional bus. The tap provides a pass through connection from the card to the host and taps off of the bus. While tapping off the bus, stubs lengths are minimized and input capacitance is minimized. A repeater that preferably has no internal termination provides a differential input and a differential output or a single ended output. The bus lines are input to one of the inputs in the differential inputs and a reference voltage is provided to the other differential input. The reference voltage enables the tap to determine if the data is high or low. A jumper is also included in the tap such that the reference voltage can be selected from the host or from the pod.

Abstract: A protocol analyzer for analyzing traffic on a bus. A system includes a tap, a pod and an analyzer. The tap includes differential inputs for the bus. One of the differential inputs is a line from the bus and the other is a reference input that has been divided. The reference input enables the system to determine whether data on the bus is high or low even in situations where the operating voltage of the bus is unknown.

Abstract: A probe tap that monitors data or signals occurring within a device is disclosed. The probe tap can be used to monitor signals, data, or other communications between components of the device. The probe tap can be connected to traces, pins, or other aspects or components of a device and collects data that can be analyzed. The probe tap can include one or more leads that can be removably connected with or between components of a device. The collected data can be provided to an analyzer for analysis. A pod can be included in the probe tap that is used to prepare the data for analysis by the analyzer. Alternately or additionally, the pod can be included in the analyzer.

Abstract: A protocol analyzer for analyzing traffic on a bus. A tap card is used to tap into a bidirectional bus. The tap provides a pass through connection from the card to the host and taps off of the bus. While tapping off the bus, stubs lengths are minimized and input capacitance is minimized. A repeater that preferably has no internal termination provides a differential input and a differential output or a single ended output. The bus lines are input to one of the inputs in the differential inputs and a reference voltage is provided to the other differential input. The reference voltage enables the tap to determine if the data is high or low. A jumper is also included in the tap such that the reference voltage can be selected from the host or from the pod.

Abstract: A method for preparing tapped data for analysis. The data on a bus is sampled and latched at a certain rate to produce raw data. The raw data is then decoded by a pod that is configured for the protocol of the bus in a system under test. The decoded data can then be presented to a protocol analyzer for analysis. The decoded data and the corresponding raw data may also be aligned and then presented to an analyzer for protocol analysis.

Abstract: A protocol analyzer for analyzing traffic on a bus. A system includes a tap, a pod and an analyzer. The tap includes differential inputs for the bus. One of the differential inputs is a line from the bus and the other is a reference input that has been divided. The reference input enables the system to determine whether data on the bus is high or low even in situations where the operating voltage of the bus is unknown.

Abstract: A protocol analyzer for analyzing traffic on a bus. A tap card is used to tap into a bidirectional bus. The tap provides a pass through connection from the card to the host and taps off of the bus. While tapping off the bus, stubs lengths are minimized and input capacitance is minimized. A repeater that preferably has no internal termination provides a differential input and a differential output. The bus lines are input to one of the inputs in the differential inputs and a reference voltage is provided to the other differential input. The reference voltage enables the tap to determine if the data is high or low. A jumper is also included in the tap such that the reference voltage can be selected from the host or from the pod.