N109212CA OIF-CEI-112G

Measurement and Debug Application

Introduction

Several industry and standards bodies have defined specifications for 100 Gb/s high speed electrical interface using PAM4 coding. As an example, an implementation agreement (IA) developed by the Optical Internetworking Forum – Common Electrical Interface (OIF-CEI) defines 112 Gb/s operation in OIF-CEI 112G using 53/56 PAM4 signalling (CEI-112G-VSR/MR/LR).

The Keysight N109212CA OIF-CEI-112G software is a measurement application for the DCA-X equivalent-time sampling oscilloscopes designed to save time and money by automating the task of performing PAM4 transmitter (TX) test measurements.
 

Transform Complexity into Simplicity

The N109212CA is an easy-to-use TX test application that:

• Saves time in understanding details of standards

• Reduces the time it takes to characterize your PAM4 design from hours to minutes

• Helps debug your device using custom configurations

• Automates optimization of CTLE + DFE equalizer settings

• Allows you to quickly generate HTML reports that summarize the performance of your device

Select Industry-leading Hardware

Configure your oscilloscope for single or multi-channel capability. The N109212CA application supports a variety of digital communication analyzer (DCA) oscilloscope configurations, including the N1000A DCA-X wide-bandwidth oscilloscope platform, N1060A precision waveform analyzer or the N104X 2/4 port remote heads and DCA-M family clock data recovery module. For return loss, the software controls an N1055A TDR module (or a performance network analyzer) and performs S-parameter measurements. For more hardware configuration details, refer to the Ordering Guide in the document.

Select the Desired Software Test Suite

The N109212CA OIF-CEI-112G TX test application covers PAM4 transmitter measurements outlined in clauses 112G-VSR/MR/LR of OIF-CEI-112G (PAM4). The tests are sorted conveniently by clause. Click on the desired test group, and the appropriate tests are offered in the Select Tests tab (factory-installed options shown)

The N109212CA test application covers most TX tests outlined in the tables below. For a comprehensive and up-to-date list of specific tests covered by the application, download the N109212CA application from www.keysight.com, install it on a PC, and run the application in “Demo Mode”. No license (or hardware) is required to run the software application in “Demo Mode”.

Configure Your Measurements

Customize parameters that are specific to your setup, such as signaling rate and CTLE setting. Use default values or enter your own settings including SIRC filter response & bandwidth, type of pattern, and pattern symbol length, Choose Compliance mode to test within limits or choose Debug mode to test to your custom limits and adjust other test parameters.

Choose Your Tests

The N109212CA OIF-CEI-112G TX test application provides comprehensive coverage of most PAM4 tests that are specific to the clause you are testing. You may click on all available tests, a group of tests, or select individual tests to run. The full test name appears in the test list and is also shown in the test and reports. A description of the test and reference to the Standard is shown for each test. 

Automated Return Loss Measurements

When used in conjunction with an N1055A TDR module or vector network analyzer (PNA), the N109212CA OIF-CEI-112G TX test application performs common mode to differential and common mode return loss measurements.

Automated Tuning for Optimal Eye Opening

The N109212CA OIF-CEI-112G TX test application provides utility test, to perform auto-tuning on the CTLE & DFE and find the optimal eye opening for eye mask measurement at TP1a & TP4 (Near-end & Far-end). Use default values or change to your own settings on the CTLE gDC & gDC2 settings in the configure tab.