Test function options enhance high performance BERT

Increasing mobile data traffic and the spread of cloud services is accelerating the introduction of 100G/200G/400G Ethernet for network interfaces along with PCI Express Gen4 and USB3.1 for bus interfaces.

However, the effects of transmission path loss and noise resulting from the faster signals used by these standards and the integration of ICs and modules highlights the importance of stress Rx testing using signal sources with added transmission path loss and noise.

The MP1900A is a high-performance Bit Error Rate Tester (BERT) supporting design and testing of high-speed interfaces, such as 100G/200G/400G Ethernet, PCI Express, USB, and Thunderbolt.

Using the newly developed Variable ISI option offers easier and more efficient evaluations of high-speed interfaces, backplanes, and cables.

In addition, USB Link training supports high-reproducibility measurements of the PHY-layer of USB3.0/3.1 devices by controlling the MP1900A.

With a built-in PPG supporting a 10Tap Emphasis function for testing the effect of transmission path loss plus Jitter and Noise Addition functions, a high-sensitivity BER measurement function, and Link Training function, Anritsu’s MP1900A series an measure high-speed interfaces.

The Variable ISI option uses the 10Tap Emphasis function with high and flexible signal controllability to emulate CEI-25G/28G-defined signal path transmission losses which cannot be achieved by utilising an emphasis function with lower number of taps.

In addition, the BERT can automatically calculate the Emphasis settings for compensating these losses based on transmission path S-parameter data.

With these new capabilities, test signals emulating the transmission path impairments can be generated easily, allowing the impact of transmission path losses on the evaluated device to be evaluated simply without testing various PC boards, helping to cut development costs and time.

USB Link Training is important for measuring USB interfaces; the built-in Link Training function supports transitioning to the device evaluation measurement mode, and when used in combination with the LTSSM Log Analysis, it helps cut times for evaluating USB device receivers and supports cost effective and all in one measurement of high-speed interfaces such as PCI Express, USB, and Thunderbolt.