N1094A/B DCA-M

Introduction

For electrical waveform analysis,

•         Solutions for up to 56 Gb/s
•         Very low noise and jitter
•         Fast sampling rates for high throughput

The Keysight Technologies, Inc. N1000 and 86100 digital communication analyzer (DCA) family is recognized as the industry standard for verifying optical transmitter compliance to communications standards. For years engineers have trusted the DCA to provide accurate and easy measurement of digital communication waveforms. The Keysight N1094A/B DCA-M has built on that legacy by using the high-performance elements of both the 86100-oscilloscope mainframe acquisition system and the optical and electrical channel hardware of the 861XX and N104X plug-in modules. Unlike the N1000 and 86100, which use modules to create a waveform analysis system, the N1094A/B are completely integrated instruments built in a small form factor. Electrical channels are available with 30 GHz and 50 GHz bandwidths.

Controlling the N1094A/B

There are three ways to control the N109X system:

• A PC directly connected to the N109X with a USB cable.
• An 86100D or N1000A mainframe connected to the N109X with a USB cable. (The mainframe can then be controlled via GPIB or LAN).
• For an automated test system environment, the simplest and preferred method to control the N109Xis to connect the primary test system PC to a low-cost modern PC via LAN. The FlexDCA interface resides on the second PC. The second PC is then connected to the N109X via USB. This eliminates most issues of compatibility between an existing test system PC and the N109X hardware and cangreatly simplify converting an 86100D system to an N109X system.

The N1094A/B user interface and operating system is identical to the modern FlexDCA interface of the N1000A and 86100D. A user-provided PC running N1010A FlexDCA software controls the N1094A/B over a simple USB 2.0 or 3.0 connection. N1010A FlexDCA software is required on the PC controlling the N109X DCA-M. It is available as a free download at www.keysight.com/find/flexdca_download.

System setup

The following guidelines indicate the fundamental requirements for PC’s connected to the N109X and running the FlexDCA interface:

•         For a single channel setup:
•         Intel I3 processor or better
•         4 GB memory

Windows 7 (32 or 64 bit)

For a parallel test setup (multiple instruments or multiple channels)

•         Intel I5 or better
•         8 GB memory
•         Windows 7 (64 bit)

The communication API between your system controller and the PC is SCPI over LAN, either VXI[1]11 or HiSlip. If NI-VISA or IO Libraries are used to communicate with GPIB instruments, the switch to SCPI/LAN is very simple. It is important to note that there is no need to do any USB programming. This is all handled by the FlexDCA interface.

The FlexDCA interface is free and can be downloaded at www.keysight.com/find/flexdca_download. Remote programs previously developed using the 86100 or N1000 FlexDCA interface can be leveraged directly to control an automated N109X system. Use FlexDCA SCPI programming tools to simplify conversion of legacy 86100-based automation to FlexDCA compatible code. Measurement results are generally faster with the new N109X due to significantly faster sampling rates. Similar to the 86100 and N1000, a reference clock, synchronous with the signal being measured, is required to trigger the N109X. Timebase calibration, previously performed at service centers, can now be performed by users, reducing cost of ownership and instrument down time.

Ordering Information — N1094A/B

The legacy FlexDCA feature-based software options such as 200, 201, etc. have been replaced with the following new FlexDCA Sampling Oscilloscope Software Packages. Keysight recommends the use of the FlexDCA software PACKAGEs which can be installed on the PC controlling your DCA-M or on the DCA-M (node-locked and device-locked licenses). The legacy FlexDCA feature-based software options such as 200, 201, etc. are available for a limited time and can be installed by the factory on your new DCA-M. Support subscriptions are available for FlexDCA software PACKAGEs which enable both bug fixes and new functionality. The software FEATURE-based options will get no new functionality.

N1010100A Research and Development Package for FlexDCA Sampling Oscilloscope Software

This package is Intended for R&D engineers who want to characterize their design and gain more insights into why a signal deviates from the expected performance.

N1010200A Manufacturing Package for FlexDCA Sampling Oscilloscope Software

This package focuses on cost of test in Optical Transceiver manufacturing applications with capabilities like FlexEye. FlexEye is an independent eye acquisition and analysis feature that operates DCA channels as independent single-channel instruments to maximize the throughout and provide more flexibility for your manufacturing design.

N1010300A Signal Integrity Package for FlexDCA Sampling Oscilloscope Software

This package adds powerful tools to measure impedances, transfer characteristics and S-parameter calculations to the basic TDR/TDT measurements.

Confidently Covered by Keysight Services

Prevent delays caused by technical questions, or system downtime due to instrument maintenance and repairs with Keysight Services. Keysight Services are here to support your test needs with expert technical support, instrument repair and calibration, software support, training, alternative acquisition program options, and more. A KeysightCare agreement provides dedicated, proactive support through a single point of contact for instruments, software, and solutions. KeysightCare covers an extensive group of instruments, application software, and solutions and ensures optimal uptime, faster response, faster access to experts, and faster resolution.