Agilent boosts BERT capabilities with 28.4-Gbps multiplexer

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has introduced a 28.4-Gbps multiplexer for R&D and test and measurement engineers who need to characterize optical receivers for next-generation servers, storage systems and data center networks. The new 28.4-Gbps multiplexer with optional de-emphasis and up to eight taps expands the pattern generator bit rate of the J-BERT N4903B high-performance bit error ratio tester (BERT).

The company asserts that design and test engineers who need to characterize 25-Gbps receiver ports face one big challenge: margins are getting extremely tight. To achieve repeatable test results and sufficient design margins, test equipment must be ultra-precise. Most electrical 25-Gbps interfaces use multitap de-emphasis transmitters to compensate for the signal degradations of the channel. Receiver testing requires an error detector to ensure the receiver can properly detect received bits even under worst-case signal conditions. The stress is emulated by a pattern generator with timing jitter and level interference injection capabilities.

Agilent claims that its M8061A 28-Gbps multiplexer with optional de-emphasis enables the most accurate receiver characterization for server and other data-center interfaces. “We are pleased to offer our customers another expansion of our industry-leading J-BERT to help them address the test challenges of up to 28-Gbps designs,” said Juergen Beck, general manager of Agilent’s digital photonic test division.

The M8061A 28.4-Gbps multiplexer with optional de-emphasis delivers the most accurate and repeatable receiver characterization results because of the built-in and unique eight-tap de-emphasis, which allows engineers to emulate transmitter de-emphasis and channels and compensate losses in the test setup. The M8061A is transparent to jitter from J-BERT and provides additional clock/2 jitter injection capabilities. The unique, built-in superposition of level interference eliminates the need for external power splitters that can cause level and signal degradations.

The 28-Gbps multiplexer with de-emphasis option can be added to an existing J-BERT test setup to allow 28-Gbps measurements with minimal investment, Agilent says. The M8061A multiplexer with de-emphasis (an AXIe two-slot module) is available now. The price starts at $45,750 for the multiplexer module, including a two-slot AXIe chassis with USB connection.

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