D9110ASIA/D9120ASIA Advanced Signal Integrity Software for Infiniium Oscilloscopes

Introduction

D9010ASIA and D9020ASIA are intended for any customer working in high-speed digital applications where eyes are closed. Equalization, InfiniiSim, and Crosstalk/Power Integrity packages enable deep analysis as to why an eye is closed, and what it will take to open it. It is available on all Infiniium oscilloscopes. 

Background: Why Equalize?

As data rates go up, the signal deteriorates from the transmitter to the receiver due to ISI, noise, a lossy channel, and other factors. The more loss that occurs, the more difficult it is for a receiver comparator to distinguish a “1” from a “0”. A high data rate coupled with a lossy channel will cause an open eye at a transmitter to be closed at the receiver. Receivers need to be able to evaluate 1s and 0s. As eyes get more and more closed, the receiver has a more difficult time interpreting the correct value as a 1 or a 0. This difficulty ultimately leads to significant data corruption and errors. Equalization uses advanced filtering techniques to correct the voltage level of the current bit. By removing much of the inter-symbol interference through filtering, equalization can turn closed eyes into open eyes and significantly reduce data corruption. The equalization software provides insight into designers’ equalizer designs and key data into the viability of the channel link after equalization.

It is also important to use an oscilloscope with low noise. If an oscilloscope has the lowest noise, the equalization technique will open the eye wider. Keep in mind that equalization will amplify any noise not caused by ISI, which includes oscilloscope noise. Infiniium oscilloscopes have the industry’s lowest noise floor, so there is much less noise to be amplified. This results in greater equalization accuracy.

It is also important to use an oscilloscope with low noise. If an oscilloscope has the lowest noise, the equalization technique will open the eye wider. Keep in mind that equalization will amplify any noise not caused by ISI, which includes oscilloscope noise. Infiniium oscilloscopes have the industry’s lowest noise floor, so there is much less noise to be amplified. This results in greater equalization accuracy.

Product Overview

Keysight’s serial data equalization (SDE) software for Infiniium Series oscilloscopes provides fast and accurate equalization simulating decision feedback equalization (DFE), feed-forward equalization (FFE), and continuous time linear equalization (CTLE) modeling in real-time. SDE software allows users to input their own self-designated tap values or it will find the optimal tap values for the designer for FFE and DFE. CTLE allows DC gain and up to three-pole modeling.

Used in conjunction with the Infiniium Series’ unique Infiniium data accelerator (IDA) chip, SDE software provides fast update rates and rapid analysis of real-time eyes that have been partially or fully closed by the serial data link. The SDE software package includes a wizard that provides an easy-to-follow, step-bystep process to set up and emulate full equalization. D9010ASIA is compatible with Infiniium S-Series, EXR-Series, and MXR-Series oscilloscopes. D9020ASIA is compatible with Infiniium V-Series, Z-Series, and UXR-Series oscilloscopes. Both require software version 6.30 or higher.