Keysight adds adjustable integrated ISI features to J-BERT

Test and measurement instrument specialist Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) has added adjustable and integrated intersymbol interference (ISI) capabilities to the J-BERT M8020A BERT system. The integrated feature streamlines test setup by eliminating the need for external cabling and the requirement to switch external ISI traces, according to the company.

The new feature enables engineers who seek to characterize and test high-speed digital receivers for compliance to emulate a specific channel loss. Typically when emulating channel loss in the past, engineers have used external trace boards that require external cabling and switching. This resulted in additional setup time and contributed to test complexity. The new ISI function is integrated in each pattern generator channel of the J-BERT M8020A, Keysight asserts.

The J-BERT M8020A BERT is designed to support fast and accurate receiver characterization for single- and multilane devices operating at data rates up to 16 Gbps and 32 Gbps (see "Agilent unveils M8000 Series of BER test instruments"). The built-in ISI functionality is programmable for each pattern generator channel, at data rates up to 16 Gbps. The feature is designed to support a wide range of loss up to 25 dB and 16 GHz with linear loss curves and fine step resolution.

The J-BERT M8020A high-performance BERT with adjustable ISI option is currently available. The M8020A adjustable ISI option is priced at $19,760. Customers who already own an M8020A can upgrade their instruments with the new capability, Keysight adds.

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