Agilent Introduces Waveform Analysis Solutions for Next-Generation Storage, Telecommunications Components and Systems

The Agilent 86105D 20-GHz optical/35-GHz electrical plug-in module is designed for precision waveform analysis of optical transceivers operating at 8X or 16X Fibre Channel and 10-Gb SONET/SDH/Ethernet rates. The integrated optical receiver has an unfiltered bandwidth exceeding 20 GHz and switchable compliant reference receivers. This instrument allows complete waveform analysis from early R&D through volume manufacturing over multiple transceiver technologies. When it is coupled with the updated 83496B clock recovery module, the 86105D is the industry's first complete waveform analysis solution for the emerging 16X Fibre Channel standard.



Transceiver designers and manufacturers develop and test transceivers used in a variety of communication systems operating at different signaling rates. The wide-bandwidth and broad-wavelength capability of the 86100C/86105D system allows engineers to test next-generation 16X Fibre Channel designs as well as today's mainstream transceivers used in short-distance data communications, storage and long-distance telecommunication applications.



To ensure that digital communications systems will approach error-free performance, engineers use data test patterns that mimic actual traffic. Some of these test patterns can be extremely long, which can be problematic for test instruments. Agilent's 86100C Option 401 software enables engineers to analyze jitter on random and long data patterns, including PRBS 31. This capability makes it easier for engineers to test transmitters and construct test signals to verify receiver performance. Option 401 software uses an external PC to extract waveforms from the 86100C DCA. It allows engineers to separate jitter into random and deterministic components and estimate total jitter and eye contours to low probabilities.



When engineers who design long-haul telecommunications systems and components work to improve system capacity and span length, they may use complex modulation formats other than simple NRZ or RZ coding. New software for the 86100C DCA provides signal analysis capability for advanced optical communications technologies. Firmware revision 8.1 allows the analyzer to convert receiver outputs to I-Q diagrams, making it easier for engineers to visualize a receiver's ability to detect complex modulation signals. Revision 8.1 also gives engineers the ability to measure the recently developed J2 and J9 parameters that are required by current data communications test standards to construct receiver test signals.



The modular platform of the 86100C DCA continues to be a key asset to the optical communications industry, said Scott Sampl, vice president and general manager of Agilent's oscilloscopes business. As new systems are defined, we provide timely hardware and software upgrades to give engineers the waveform measurement capabilities they need. Engineers are able to continue using the instrument they are familiar with to quickly meet their evolving measurement needs.