HPTT DMA | Hybrid PCIe Trace Tool for Stealth Access

The HPTT DMA platform (Hybrid PCIe Trace Tool) was created to provide engineers and researchers with a reliable way to perform Direct Memory Access through the PCIe bus. Earlier solutions such as HMTT required physical connections to memory modules and often introduced system overhead. By contrast, HPTT DMA works entirely at the PCIe layer, enabling high-speed data access without reducing system performance.

Why HPTT DMA?

1. Stealth Operation by Design

The strength of HPTT DMA lies in its transparency. The platform is embedded into a legitimate PCIe device—such as a Wi-Fi card, Ethernet adapter, or storage controller—so that the operating system continues to recognize the hardware as a standard component. Meanwhile, DMA functionality runs quietly in the background. To the user and the OS, the PCIe device behaves normally, while the HPTT DMA logic manages access in parallel.

2. Zero Performance Overhead

Because HPTT DMA does not directly attach to memory modules, it avoids the delays and risks that come with traditional probes. The PCIe connection ensures that data transfers remain fast and stable, with no impact on the target system’s normal workload. Engineers can run intensive tasks while still maintaining accurate monitoring or tracing.

3. True Device Functionality Retained

One of the practical benefits of HPTT DMA is that the host device continues to function as intended. For example, if integrated with an Intel AX210 Wi-Fi card, the wireless connection remains fully operational. This combination of normal functionality + background DMA capability makes the solution suitable for long-term deployment in real-world systems.

Technical Foundation

* PCIe Layer Support: Built on Xilinx GT transceivers, supporting PCIe Gen1/Gen2 x1 links.

* Traffic Handling: Custom link-layer injection enables insertion of DMA request packets without disrupting normal PCIe traffic.

* Transparent Operation: The OS only identifies the original PCIe device’s Bus ID and Device ID; enumeration and runtime behavior remain unchanged.

* Compatibility: Currently validated on multiple PCIe x1 devices including NVMe SSDs, Ethernet adapters, USB controllers, and Wi-Fi modules.

Applications of HPTT DMA

* System Research & Testing – For labs that require precise data acquisition without affecting host performance.

* High-Performance Computing – Enables engineers to move data quickly across the PCIe bus, supporting demanding workloads.

* Device Development – Offers a platform for experimenting with PCIe integration, data fusion, and bus-level communication.

* Security Evaluation – Provides a framework for studying how systems respond to bus-level DMA interactions in a controlled environment.

Roadmap for Development

The long-term vision for HPTT DMA is to expand support from individual device models to entire device families. The first target is universal support for USB controller cards, followed by broader PCIe peripherals. This progression will ultimately allow HPTT DMA to evolve into a general-purpose Direct Memory Access toolkit, offering flexibility across research and enterprise environments.

Product Availability

Because HPTT DMA is a specialized hardware tool, availability is limited and production batches are small. Each module is carefully tested with its designated PCIe device type to ensure stability. Please confirm compatibility before ordering, as returns are not supported for this product.

Key Takeaways

* HPTT DMA = Hybrid PCIe Trace Tool for stealth and efficient Direct Memory Access.

* Zero performance penalty thanks to PCIe integration.

* Host device functions remain intact, even while DMA operates.

* Engineered for research, testing, and advanced system development.