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LeCroy Corp., a supplier of oscilloscopes and serial data test solutions, announced the launch of its Voyager verification system, a protocol analyzer exerciser system for testing USB (Universal Serial Bus) 3.0 devices, systems and software. The Voyager, LeCroy’s sixth-generation verification platform, will help developers bring USB 3.0 products to market faster, while ensuring compatibility with an enormous installed base of USB 2.0 products. Based on circuitry developed for LeCroy’s PCI-Express platform, the Voyager protocol analyzer is an all-encompassing test solution for USB development.

"The emergence of USB 3.0, also known as SuperSpeed USB, promises to be a sizeable opportunity for LeCroy Corp.,” said president and chief executive officer Tom Reslewic. “USB was LeCroy’s first protocol standard and – after more than ten years committed to focusing on high-speed analysis for serial data applications – we have established a commanding position in that dynamic market.”

With data rates up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0 and a growing pallet of emerging applications, USB 3.0 is expected to be eagerly adopted by developers. The technology will target fast sync-and-go transfer applications in the PC, consumer and mobile segments that are necessary as digital media become ubiquitous and file sizes increase. For example, a typical 25-GB high definition digital movie will be able to be downloaded in as little as 70 seconds, versus hours for previous technologies. SuperSpeed USB will be backward-compatible and have the same ease-of-use and plug and play capabilities of previous USB technologies. In addition, the USB 3.0 specification will be optimized for low power and improved protocol efficiency.

“We are pleased to see LeCroy’s long-time commitment to providing USB verification tools continue with support for USB 3.0,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB 3.0 Promoter Group Chair. “Test tools like the LeCroy Voyager system, will help developers bring USB 3.0 products to market quickly, while ensuring backward compatibility with USB 2.0.”

LeCroy’s Voyager protocol analyzer provides simultaneous protocol capture of both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 signaling. The Voyager protocol analyzer uses the de facto standard CATC Trace display to illustrate USB 3.0 protocol and includes many enhancements to accelerate testing of USB 3.0 links. Advanced triggering, hardware filtering, and Spec View are designed to help developers quickly understand and verify early USB 3.0 protocol behavior.

“The Voyager is the obvious choice for USB developers targeting 3.0 or even considering SuperSpeed testing in the future,” said Mike Micheletti, product marketing manager, LeCroy Protocol Solutions Group. “It includes best-in-class 2.0 analysis features and it is the only future-proof platform that is easily upgradeable to support the emerging SuperSpeed USB standard.”

Shipments are expected to begin in September 2008.