Features

The ARINC 818 analyzer includes both hardware and software. A custom GRAV64 PCI card captures ARINC 818 data, then the analyzer software (shown above) decodes the data.

Raw Data –The data is provided in four byte, hex lines, and included the following fields: Offset, Time, Hex Data, Data Type, Status, and FC Frame Location. Each line is decoded to indicate it’s type, that is: a special control ordered set, or data. The status field indicates if the data is OK or if an error was associated with the data. The location within the fiber channel frame is indicated. Each line of data is time stamped relative to the trigger, and the time stamp zero point is easily moved by clicking in the time column where you would like the new zero point to be.

Data Search - The captured data is easily searched by selecting a predefined Ordered Set, such as a SOFi, entering a user defined string, or searching for an error. The Previous or Next buttons will jump to the next occurrence of the selected search criteria. Additionally, the GO TO feature jumps to a specific FC frame # within a container, or a particular offset number within the entire data trace.

Data Histogram – The Histogram gives a graphical representation of all the data captured, and indicates with gray, the idle characters between video frames. Clicking in the histogram selects a particular FC frame and video container for analysis.

Profiles – An ARINC 818 profile is loaded into the analyzer that configures error ranges and sets parameters such as the link speed, and video resolution for a particular implementation of ARINC 818. The header decoder has another configurable profile for naming specific fields within the Container header and ancillary data.

Link Status – Before the data is capture, the link health is assessed and reported – and includes parameters such as: SOFi and EOFt detect, 8B/10B codes detect, CRC errors, and more

Container Details & FC Frame Details - Once the data is captured, clicking in the Histogram selects a container and an individual FC frame for analysis. A container, which typically holds a Video Frame, is represented by the green area in the histogram between the two gray areas. Gray indicates idle ordered sets. Looking at the data for the selected container there are 4 numbers: the container size, # of FC frames, the size of the first FC frame which contains the container header and ancillary data, and the size of the second FC frame which typically contains the first pixel data. A count of framing characters in the container is shown, as well as a count of the error flags. Moving to the individual FC Frame data, the FC frame number within the container is shown in blue both in the Histogram, and in the FC Frame status area. In this case, it is frame # 555 out of 2101 total frames. The size in bytes of the FC frame is shown, as well as the count of framing characters, and a count of error flags.

Video Resolution and Timing Details - Crucial video data is provided: the resolution, both calculated and extracted from the header Video min, max, and average line timing in microseconds, as well as idle counts between lines. And finally, the min, max and average video frame or container rate is shown in milliseconds. The number of idles between video frames is also shown.

FC and Container Header Decoding – Both FC frame headers and Container headers and ancillary data are completely decoded according to the header profile loaded. Standard profiles are provided and are easily modified.

Automatic Error Checking – The protocol profile provides information that is used to provide automatic error checking of things such as proper line timing, video frame timing, video resolution, number of bytes per FC frame and a host of other pertinent parameters.