MultiLane Inc. has unveiled a pair of bit-error rate testers (BERTs) for developers of data center interconnect technology. The ML4054B focuses on 400G manufacturing applications while the ML4079E 800G BERT is designed to meet R&D requirements.
The ML4054B 400G BERT features a field-replaceable, MSA-compliant high-speed adaptor interface that supports 8x50G (26.6 GBaud PAM4) to lower the cost of connectivity. The instrument also leverages what MultiLane calls “an innovative cabled connection scheme” that improves signal integrity and enables low BER floor. These attributes help enable a precise look at BER performance, says MultiLane.
The ML4079E leverages ganged electrical RF connectors on its front panel to provide dense connectivity with minimal real estate as desired of a benchtop R&D instrument. The ML4079E is a half-rack (9.5-inch width) compatible, 800G instrument with eight lanes of up to 116 Gbps (58 GBaud PAM4) each.
Features common to both BERTs include:
- Real hardware FEC: Implementations of 400G/800G exhibit high error rates by design, MultiLane notes. Therefore, accurate performance characterization requires the same FEC encoding/decoding mechanisms performed by real-life host platforms, the company states. Both instruments feature integrated real hardware FEC analysis to provide this testing clarity.
- ThunderBERT: MultiLane says its ThunderBERT GUI is responsive and intuitive, enabling both cumulative and instantaneous analysis of a wide suite of measurements.
- New Instrument Enclosure: The new BERTs will leverage MultiLane’s new ‘Enigma’ instrument enclosure design. Enigma, designed to be exceptionally robust and thermally efficient, will be the company’s primary instrument enclosure beginning this month.
“MultiLane is ready to support customers’ needs, exactly when they need it,’ says Kees Propstra, vice president, marketing at MultiLane. “400G and 800G are both at a different point in the technology cycle and require distinctly different solutions. MultiLane is always there to support customers and accelerate their programs for improved time-to-market.”
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