Tektronix oscilloscopes help IZT to overcome signal integrity challenges

Equipment operating at multi-Gbps data rates, now widely used in the mobile, broadcasting and satellite communications sectors, are increasingly making use of high-speed serial buses based on standards including Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA). Testing these systems requires very high-performance measurement instruments. IZT has invested in a range of Tektronix oscilloscopes to conduct projects in the high frequency RF domain, developing demodulators and filters using FPGAs up to 3Gbps, and also to develop communications and broadcast equipment, satellite receivers and DAB transmitters.

“There are very few test and measurement suppliers who produce instruments that can meet our exacting requirements – from SATA (3Gbps and 6Gbps) and DDR timing measurements to general purpose lab measurements,” said Andreas Klose, Group Leader, Firmware Development Group, IZT. “We selected the Tektronix products for their powerful triggering capabilities, unique DPX technology, large display, general ease of use, and the probing system, which uses solder-in tips and digital signal processing. Overall, we found the Tektronix offerings provide the best available signal integrity for our demanding applications.”

The products purchased by IZT are the DSA71254 12.5 GHz Digital Serial Analyser (DSA), P7313 Z-Active™ low-load probes and the 2.5 GHz DPO7254 Oscilloscope. The higher-speed instrument is used for measurements on high-speed serial data transmission at over 3 Gbit/s, speeds at which signal integrity can be compromised within very short distances on a backplane or circuit board. The DPO7254 is typically used to test circuits including field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and DDR (double data rate) memory devices.

“We are very pleased that IZT decided to invest in our award-winning high performance Digital Phosphor Oscilloscopes to meet the exacting test and measurement requirements of their advanced telecommunications development projects,” said Brian Reich, Vice President and General Manager, Performance Oscilloscopes, Tektronix. “Tektronix is well recognized for its expertise in signal integrity and its proven knowledge in addressing complex, high speed measurements and analysis. The applications being developed by IZT are a classic example of areas where Tektronix powerful and versatile test solutions meet customer needs.”

The DSA70000 series offers more four-channel performance than any alternative oscilloscopes and are ideal for high-speed serial data applications and are an integral part of a next generation high-speed serial data test bench. Ultra-high performance oscilloscopes are required to capture the frequency harmonics of high-speed serial signals to make accurate and repeatable measurements. The DSA70000 oscilloscopes provide support on all channels for ultra-high bandwidth, deep memory, fast sample rate, and fast waveform capture rate. This is especially valuable for high speed multi-lane serial data architectures where multi-channel analysis is needed for lane skew timing violations.

The DSA70000 Series is an integral part of a complete Tektronix test bench for SATA measurement needs.The Tektronix SATA test bench includes real-time oscilloscopes with the bandwidth to handle the fastest SATA data rates, matching probes, automated measurement software, and signal sources for receiver and out-of-band measurements.