DESCRIPTION:

The VIAVI Xgig Exerciser Host Test Stand for PCI Express 5.0 is a dedicated host-mode interposer platform engineered to provide power, connectivity, protocol access, and DUT integration for PCIe adapter card development, debugging, interoperability testing, and compliance validation workflows.

Designed to operate alongside the VIAVI Xgig PCIe 5.0 Exerciser ecosystem, the platform enables engineers to connect PCIe CEM endpoint devices directly into a controlled validation environment for:

• firmware development
• controller IC debugging
• PCIe compliance testing
• LTSSM validation
• interoperability testing
• graphics card validation
• RAID controller analysis
• Ethernet adapter testing
• NVMe subsystem development
• protocol stress testing

across high-performance PCIe Gen5 infrastructures.

The platform is optimized for use with:

• PCIe adapter cards
• NVMe storage controllers
• Ethernet NICs
• RAID controllers
• accelerator cards
• FPGA cards
• graphics cards
• custom PCIe endpoint devices

within semiconductor, AI/HPC, hyperscale, storage, and enterprise compute validation environments.

The Xgig Exerciser Host Test Stand operates in conjunction with:

• the VIAVI Xgig 5P16 Analyzer / Exerciser / Jammer platform
• Xgig Exerciser software
• PCIe 5.0 interposers
• VIAVI Xgig analysis tools

to provide full bidirectional PCIe 5.0 traffic generation and protocol analysis at:

• 32GT/s
• up to 16 lanes

using custom high-performance cabling between the DUT and analysis chassis.

The system provides:

• PCIe CEM slot integration
• DUT power delivery
• sideband signal capture
• protocol triggering
• link tuning
• equalization visibility
• analyzer synchronization
• LTSSM observability

for detailed root-cause analysis and reproducible PCIe validation workflows.

Integrated high-speed linear redrivers maintain signal integrity across:

• high-bandwidth PCIe lanes
• long analyzer cable paths
• exerciser traffic workflows

ensuring stable communication and low BER operation during intensive protocol validation scenarios.

The platform additionally supports:

• high-power graphics card validation
• auxiliary PCIe power delivery
• automatic link tuning
• remote protocol debugging
• compliance test execution
• exerciser host emulation workflows

for development and validation of next-generation PCIe 5.0 devices and infrastructures.

Technical Specifications

Core Platform Functions

• PCIe host-mode interposer operation
• DUT connectivity
• PCIe adapter card validation
• Exerciser host emulation
• Sideband signal capture
• Protocol triggering
• PCIe compliance testing
• Firmware debugging

Supported PCIe Standards

• PCI Express 5.0
• PCI Express 4.0
• PCI Express 3.0
• PCI Express 2.0
• PCI Express 1.0

PCIe Performance

• 32GT/s PCIe 5.0 operation
• Bidirectional PCIe traffic support
• High-speed protocol analysis compatibility

Supported Lane Widths

• x1
• x2
• x4
• x8
• x16

DUT Interface

• PCIe CEM slot
• Add-in card support
• Endpoint DUT integration

Supported DUT Types

• Ethernet cards
• RAID controllers
• Graphics cards
• FPGA accelerator cards
• NVMe controllers
• Custom PCIe endpoints

Signal Integrity Features

• High-speed linear redrivers
• Automatic link tuning
• Equalization optimization
• Low BER operation

Sideband and Analysis Features

• Sideband signal capture
• Analyzer trigger support
• LTSSM observability
• Link training visibility
• Equalization negotiation analysis

Power Architecture

• Modular replaceable power supply
• 450W system PSU
• Additional auxiliary GPU power support
• Up to 300W nominal auxiliary power

Connectivity

• Custom high-performance analyzer cables
• Upstream/downstream control interfaces
• External power control
• Sideband connections

Compatible Platforms

• Xgig5P-PCIe5-X16-PF
• Xgig PCIe 5.0 Exerciser
• Xgig Analyzer platform
• Xgig software suite

Software Environment

• Xgig Trace Control
• Xgig Expert™
• Xgig Trace View
• Serialytics™

Physical Characteristics

Base Pod Dimensions

• 120 × 162 × 30 mm

Indicators

• Power LEDs
• Link status indicators
• DUT status indicators

Platform Configuration Options

Official Platform

Compatible Ecosystem Platforms

Supported system integration includes:

• Xgig 5P16 Analyzer / Exerciser / Jammer
• PCIe 5.0 Exerciser software
• PCIe 5.0 interposers
• Xgig analyzer tool suite

Supported Operational Workflows

The platform supports:

• Host-mode exerciser operation
• PCIe compliance testing
• Firmware validation
• LTSSM testing
• Protocol stress testing
• AI/HPC validation
• Storage controller debugging
• Graphics card validation

Standard Accessories

Typical supplied components include:

• Host Test Stand platform
• High-performance analyzer cables
• PCIe auxiliary power cables
• Mechanical DUT support bracket
• Power supply
• Operational documentation

Optional Accessories

Available optional accessories include:

• Xgig 5P16 Analyzer chassis
• PCIe 5.0 Exerciser licensing
• PCIe 5.0 interposers
• NVMe protocol modules
• CXL protocol support
• Additional analyzer cabling
• Extended automation packages

Key Features

• Dedicated PCIe 5.0 host-mode exerciser test stand
• Full 32GT/s PCIe Gen5 operation
• Supports up to x16 PCIe lane widths
• Native PCIe CEM endpoint integration
• High-speed redriver signal conditioning
• Sideband signal capture and triggering
• Automatic link tuning capability
• High-power graphics card support
• Integrated exerciser ecosystem compatibility
• LTSSM visibility and debugging
• Compliance and interoperability validation support
• Firmware and controller debugging optimization
• Works with Xgig5P-PCIe5-X16-PF platform
• AI/HPC and storage validation workflow support
• Carrier-grade PCIe protocol debug architecture