How to Perform DDR5 System Validation

+ Logic Analyzer

Validating and debugging DDR5 system performance

After achieving Double Data Rate 5 (DDR5) physical-layer compliance, digital developers need to verify their memory system’s protocol-layer functionality and overcome any signal integrity and data corruption issues. They need logic analyzers capable of measuring more than 100 signals in the dual in-line memory module (DIMM) and dynamic random access memory designs at data rates up to 8800 MT/s. This capability enables them to observe the timing and state of their device’s parallel bus and ensure proper functionality. Designers also need ball-grid array (BGA) and DIMM slot interposers to reliably capture the signals from the DDR5 DIMM and a specialty probe to connect the interposer to the logic analyzer.

Functional issues occur when memory devices do not receive the correct commands in the proper sequence or within specified timings, leading to data corruption and system crashes. Often, this corrupted data goes undetected until many transactions later when the system reads a specific memory address. Protocol testing is essential to identify these errors and their causes, whether at the physical or functional layer, so developers can debug their designs and prevent failures. Logic analyzers capture critical signals simultaneously. Memory analysis software decodes the memory protocol transfers. The software provides views to help validation engineers navigate the traffic flow and identify memory system issues at the protocol layer.

DDR protocol test setup featuring logic analyzer, software, and DUT

DDR5 protocol validation solution

Validating DDR5 devices and systems requires protocol-layer testing. The Keysight DDR5 protocol compliance test solution enables developers to decode, validate, and debug their devices and systems. The solution provides a condensed traffic overview for rapid navigation of system commands and operations. Developers can debug signal integrity, timing, and data issues using Keysight memory analysis software on a Keysight logic analyzer. The logic analyzer has the inputs and bandwidth necessary to measure all digital signals from a DDR5 DIMM. This setup improves system performance and validates protocol compliance with JEDEC specifications using real-time compliance violation analysis.

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