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N8836A PAM-4 Measurement Application

Data Sheets

N8836A PAM-4 Measurement Application

For Infiniium S-Series, 90000A, V-Series, 90000 X-Series, 90000 Q-Series, and Z-Series Oscilloscopes

Characterize electrical pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) signals quickly and accurately according to IEEE P802.3bs and the OIF-CEI 4.0 draft specification.

Introduction

Several industry groups and standards bodies are using (or actively considering) pulse amplitude modulation 4-Level (PAM-4) technology to jump to the next-generation speed class. PAM-4 signaling enables higher throughput for a given channel bandwidth compared to traditional non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signaling.

Working groups within the Optical Internetworking Forum - Common Electrical Interface (OIF-CEI 4.0) and IEEE 400G Ethernet (P802.3bs) are leveraging many of the PAM-4 measurements outlined in IEEE P802.3bs. Examples of standards or Implementation Agreements (IA) that propose PAM-4 signaling include:

  • IEEE 400G Ethernet (P802.3bs)
  • OIF-CEI-4.0 (56G)

o OIF-CEI-56G-XSR-PAM4 (Extra Short Reach interface)

o OIF-CEI-56G-VSR-PAM4 (Very Short Reach interface)

o OIF-CEI-56G-MR-PAM4 (Medium Reach interface)

o OIF-CEI-56G-LR-PAM4 (Long Reach interface)

While the PAM-4 parameters are still in the development stages, companies are moving forward with their PAM-4 development and need measurement tools to help analyze their designs quickly and accurately.

Transform complexity into simplicity

The Keysight Technologies, Inc. N8836A PAM-4 measurement application for Infiniium real-time oscilloscopes saves you time and money by automating the task of preforming PAM-4 pre-compliance measurements for PAM-4 standards that have yet to be been ratified.

The N8836A PAM-4 measurement application for Infiniium real-time oscilloscopes is an easy-to-use oscilloscope application that:

  • Saves time in understanding details of standards
  • Reduces the time it takes to characterize your PAM-4 design from hours to minutes
  • Helps to debug your device using custom configurations
  • Allows you to quickly generate early HTML reports summarizing your device characteristics

Debug and Verify Your Designs Quickly and Easily

Select your measurement tools

Choose from a wide array of high performance real-time oscilloscopes supporting up to 63 GHz and 160 GSa/s with the lowest noise floor in the industry. The N8836A software also allows you to make required return loss measurements and supports automated control of either an 86100D combined with a N1055A TDR module, or an economy or performance network analyzer. Either of these tools can be configured in the N8836A to measure the S-parameters of your device under test.

Select the desired PAM-4 test suite

The N8836A measurement application covers PAM-4 transmitter measurements outlined in IEEE P802.3bs and four OIF-CEI-4.0 (56G) clauses. The tests are sorted conveniently by clause. Click on the desired test group, and the appropriate tests are offered in Select Tests (factory-installed options shown).

N8836A-1FP performs PAM-4 transmitter tests outlined in:

  • IEEE P802.3bs, Annex 120D, CDAUI-8 chip-to-chip
  • IEEE P802.3bs, Annex 120E, CDAUI-8 chip-to-module

Configure your measurements

Customize parameters that are specific to your setup, such as signaling rate and attenuation. Use default values or enter your own settings including number of waveforms taken, type of pattern, and pattern symbol length. Choose Normal mode to test within limits or choose Debug mode to test to your custom limits and adjust other test parameters.

More Features to Further Streamline Your Development

Generate reports

Your team members and your customers are interested in the performance of your device. Share a test results report with them that shows the test conditions, summary of pass/fail, summary of all tests, and details for each test. Many include a test-specific screen shot of the measured parameter.

Flexible licensing and VNA control for RL measurements

Control your device or other equipment

The Automation tab enables you to enter commands to control external devices or equipment, and to further sequence your tests or control timing.

The N8836A PAM-4 measurement application can be licensed to enable a single dedicated scope for you to use in your lab, or you can purchase a server-based license, which allows you to check out a license that can be used on any supported scope you have available to you. In addition, for return loss measurements, the N8836A can control an ENA/PNA vector network analyzer to perform measurements automatically.

Ordering instructions

The N8836A PAM-4 measurement application is available as an option when you order your new V-Series or Z-Series oscilloscope, available as a standalone license that is assigned by the user to a single Infiniium oscilloscope, or may be ordered as a transportable license (-1TP) that can be moved by the user from one instrument (or PC) to another.

To purchase the N8836A PAM-4 measurement application with a new Infiniium oscilloscope, please order the option indicated in the following table.

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