October 10, 2005 Palo Alto, CA -- Agilent Technologies has introduced a serial pulse data generator with stimulus capability up to 13.5 GHz. The company says its Agilent 81142A enables reliable physical layer measurements for high-speed serial bus designs, and for scientists conducting fundamental lab research.
The company contends that next-generation computing and communications applications, such as video-on-demand, are driving the need for transferring large amounts of data at ever-increasing transmission rates. Also, the company says that obtaining a high-quality characterization of electronic component performance is a key step in designing reliable, high-performance systems. In addition, the company notes that researchers are now designing next-generation electrical components to operate at speeds of 10 GHz or more, a speed at which today's optical components are commonly used. The company maintains that an accurate high-speed signal stimulus is crucial to ensuring signal integrity at these speeds, and that its model 81142A allows engineers to conduct reliable, accurate physical layer tests by providing high-precision, low-jitter signals along with full control of data streams for performance and characterization testing.
"Accelerated development cycles make proprietary test solutions less suitable," observes Siegfried Gross, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Digital Verification Solutions division. "Standard test instruments that do not compromise on signal quality, timing accuracy or programmatic control give the engineer a jump-start in high-quality characterization of new devices and systems. The combination of multiple data formats with sequencing, flexible triggering capability, and 13.5 GHz performance is unique in the market."
The company cites superior signal fidelity and precise data signals as the key contributions of the 13.5 GHz serial pulse data generator. Other features, according to the company, include:
* Data formats RZ, R1 and NRZ, with flexible parameters and fast transition times for high-quality waveforms and eye diagram measurements.
* Flexible and programmable pattern and sequence generation for the entire range of digital high-speed serial buses.
* Industry-leading linear delay modulation up to 1 GHz for jitter-tolerance testing.
* Remote programmable ultra-small pulses to trigger accurate measurements.
The Agilent 81142A 13.5 GHz serial pulse data generator is priced at $108,000, with shipments slated for next month.