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N8851A 100GBASE-KR/CR 64b/66b Solution with Link Training Decode Software

Data Sheets

Introduction

64b/66b encoding is a principal line code that is used in data networking and transmission. 64b/66b encoding is the principal encoding scheme behind the 100GBASE-KR/CR (x1/x4) technology as it achieves DC balance across a serial stream. The 64b/66b encoding also has less overhead than the 8b/10b encoding scheme.

Keysight Technologies, Inc. N8851A Infiniium protocol viewer software for 100GBASE-KR/CR Ethernet is the only 64b/66b protocol decoder technology available on a real time oscilloscope, providing time-correlated views of physical layer and transaction layer errors.

You get packet-level decode for 100GBASE-KR/CR 64b/66b and link training decode Ethernet signals built into a real-time oscilloscope. This software provides you with a fast, easy way to isolate signal integrity problems from logic-level coding errors simultaneously on up to four lanes of serial data streams. This capability allows you to test, debug and characterize your designs to the logic and link layer. The N8851A Infiniium protocol decoder software is designed to work with 100GBASE-KR/CR Ethernet technologies. It also comes with the unique ability to identify PRBS signal lengths to verify the correct signals are being passed though the DUT.

Comprehensive Decode Capability

With the N8851A Infiniium 100GBASE-KR/CR 64b/66b protocol decoder software, you can use the same oscilloscope you use for everyday debugging and signal quality testing to perform protocol-level viewing. The software automatically decodes symbols, packets and primitives and provides informative results. It includes decode of reserved bit settings during training sequences and speed negotiation, greatly simplifying debugging of link training failures.

Some of the difficulties in validating 100GBASE-KR/CR communication links are determining if link failures or instability is due to electrical problems or logic-level problems. The N8851A Infiniium 100GBASE-KR/CR 64b/66b protocol decoder and link training software allows you to analyze the root cause of these issues with a single piece of test equipment.

Easy Measurement Setup

The N8851A Infiniium 100GBASE-KR/CR 64b/66b protocol decoder and link training software uses the Serial Data Wizard to simplify setup of the clock recovery algorithm used to decode the various speeds of serial traffic that it supports. The wizard guides you quickly through the steps required to set up and perform symbol and packet-level decode.

The N8851A is compatible with numerous clock recovery algorithms including first and second order PLL, constant, and explicit clock recovery. The N8851A is also compatible with Infiniium’s Serial Data Equalization software, making it possible to decode signals even on equalized data.

To further simplify the decoding setup process, the N8851A includes an AUTO SETUP (see figure 2) button that will automatically setup the entire decoding setup. This includes clock recovery, memory depth, thresholds, and data rate. Users can also select the appropriate lane (0-3) that the oscilloscope is connected too. This will ensure that the proper polynomial bit pattern is selected for decode. After the AUTO SETUP is complete, the setup can be adjusted using the manual setup button (see figure 3).

Synchronized Analog and Digital Display

The N8851A 100GBASE-KR/CR 64b/66b and link training decode software provides the ability to perform 64b/66b bit and link training based packet decoding via a Keysight exclusive technique to capture and display serial data synchronized with the analog view of traffic of a serial data stream. Decode is displayed directly on the analog waveform as well as in the decode list with associated time and index displays.

In conjunction with the decode list, using the multi-grid waveform display you can simultaneously display analog bi-directional waveforms with corresponding decode listings.

The unique packet-waveform correlation marker “blue line” allows for convenient and intuitive correlation of analog and digital domains. You can easily scroll to analog anomalies that are visually distinct, making navigating and checking for errors easy, even for industry leading record depths.

The expandable decode list provides an extendable indexed view of packet decode for users who are more accustomed to logic decoder “vertical style” packet decode traffic listings. The list includes color-coded packet types for easier visual searching of traffic patterns as well as a blue highlight that shows the packet that corresponds to the “blue line” in the waveform view. The side bar also shows how much of the waveform display is on the screen by providing a gray background on the index field, as shown in Figure 5.

Comprehensive Search Capabilities

The N8851A 64b/66b Ethernet 100GBASE-KR/CR protocol software includes a powerful serial search tool which allows you to search for a pattern that is a primitive, control symbol or packet.

The search capability also includes a comprehensive packet search and trigger capability that allows you to specify search conditions like errors or data packets. This allows you to specify desired trigger conditions and makes finding errors or packet types easy by eliminating the need to do manual searches of very long records.

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