Test solution meets MIPI M-PHY v3.1 specification

MIPI M-PHY serial interface technology is gaining broad adoption for next generation mobile devices, offering high bandwidth, low pin count and very good power efficiency. The latest v3.1 specification provides an even more robust low power PHY and presents some significant challenges for oscilloscope measurements and probing including minimising common mode loading on the device under test (DUT) and signal fidelity requirements such as wide bandwidth, low noise, and high sensitivity. Tektronix solutions are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of engineers testing next generation MIPI M-PHY transmitters.

“We’re seeing a growing emphasis on performance in mobile device design, meaning that more and more designs are incorporating MIPI M-PHY Gear 3 to operate at the highest data rate possible under the MIPI M-PHY specifications,” said Brian Reich, general manager, Performance Oscilloscopes, Tektronix. “This in turn has introduced new signal acquisition challenges due to the combination of low amplitude signals and high-speeds. Tektronix probing solutions are significantly ahead of the industry and fully meet MIPI M-PHY v3.1 requirements.” 

Testing MIPI M-PHY transmitters running in high-speed mode requires a scope and probe system with rise time 3X faster than the signal rise time, sensitivity of 200 mV_FS, minimal added noise (<1 or 2 mV_rms), and high return loss as specified in the MIPI M-PHY standard.

The Tektronix MSO/DPO 70000DX oscilloscopes and P7600 Series TriMode probes can meet these requirements while also providing convenient and consistent bus termination for HS measurements with low noise and high sensitivity.

Looking forward, MIPI Alliance is developing the next generation M-PHY HS Gear 4 that will increase data rates. This will introduce the need for new measurement methodologies and equalisation techniques. Characterisation of the bit error ratio (BER) of devices requires a breakdown of the impact of both jitter and noise. 

At the receiver side, the eye will be completely closed due to attenuation of the signal and equalisation will be needed. Tektronix analysis solutions, DPOJET and SDLA (Serial Data Link Analysis), are well positioned to meet these needs by providing both jitter and noise analysis displayed using full contours, along with receiver equalisation for HS Gear 4.

For debug and analysis, the Tektronix M-PHYTX test solution along with Tektronix Visual Trigger and DPOJET Jitter and Timing Analysis enables engineers to quickly and confidently identify and debug issues during device characterisation. For MIPI M-PHY receiver testing, Tektronix offers both BERT and cost-saving Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) solutions. Competitive offerings are limited to BERT-based options.

In addition, Tektronix with its solution partner Prodigy provides a protocol decode solution for SSIC, the bus interface between the applications processor and interfaces such as modem, companion chips and wireless LAN. Tektronix also provides full protocol decode and analysis solution for MIPI M-PHY, MIPI DigiRFv4, MIPI UniPro and MIPI LLI protocols.