pocketBERT pB100A4

Existing test gear for 100-Gbps transmission applications from well-established companies are very feature rich, expensive and prohibitive for a wide range of basic bit-error rate (BER) applications, pocketBERT asserts. The company says its pB100A4 offers a very attractive and affordable alternative to complement existing BER testers (BERTs).

The pB100A4 is a low-power, standalone quad 24- to 30-Gbps PRBS pattern generator and checker. The system’s design provides, next to the high-quality output eye, a variety of options to adjust the output signal shape in terms of level and pre/post tap settings. The four channels can run at different PRBS or user-defined patterns. The receiver, with an adjustable equalizer, will calculate the BER and indicate the received signal strength of each channel. The internal clocks are available in various divide ratios to the outside world for synchronization or triggering a precision time-based scope (>2 GHz).

The differential high speed inputs and output cables will directly connect to electrical or optical evaluation/load boards.

Users control the pB100A4 via a USB link to a PC with only two, easy to use and comprehensive GUI screens.

Judge's comment: "This really hits a hot application in the market right now (100GbE), and in a form factor unlike any other, I think. Much less bulky, and I should think costs less, too."

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