Keysight Technologies Introduces Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM-4) Analysis Capability For 86100D DCA-X Series Oscilloscopes

Keysight Technologies, Inc. recently introduced measurement capability designed to help engineers quickly and accurately characterize PAM-4 (pulse amplitude modulation with four amplitude levels) signals using the Keysight 86100D DCA-X wide-bandwidth oscilloscope platform. Keysight 86100D-9FP PAM-N analysis software provides comprehensive analysis of optical and electrical PAM-4 signals.

Increasing demand for rich content and instant access to information is driving the need for increased network bandwidth in data centers. Simply building faster components is no longer an option for meeting this need. PAM-4 is a type of multilevel signaling designed to increase the amount of data that can be sent across high-speed digital communication links. PAM-4 designs, for example, will likely enable the transition from 100Gb to 400Gb Ethernet speeds.

Several industry groups and standards bodies are using, or actively considering using, PAM-4 technology to jump to the next-generation speed class and enable higher data rates for a given channel bandwidth compared to traditional non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signaling. While PAM-4 technology adapts some traditional NRZ measurement algorithms for PAM-4 signals, to fully analyze system performance, unique PAM-4 measurements and parameters are also required.

“The switch from NRZ to PAM-4 signaling presents many new design and measurement challenges for our customers,” said Dave Cipriani, vice president and general manager of Keysight’s Oscilloscope and Protocol Division. “Keysight’s analysis software helps engineers address these challenges and quickly get their designs to market.”

86100D-9FP PAM-N analysis software offers measurements such as:

• Eye width, eye height and eye skew
• Level amplitude, level noise and level skew
• Amplitude level linearity

The PAM-4 option may also be combined with existing DCA-X software options to provide even more powerful analysis capability:

• PAM-4 equalizers (LFE, CTLE, DFE) using 86100D Option 201
• Embedding/de-embedding of PAM-4 channels using 86100D Option SIM InfiniiSim-DCA
• Jitter and amplitude analysis on IEEE JP03 patterns using 86100D Option 200/300

Multilevel signaling systems are particularly susceptible to noise, so the 86100D’s low-noise, wide-bandwidth plug-in modules are particularly well suited for characterizing PAM signals. 86100D Option 9FP PAM-N analysis capabilities are supported by all 86100D DCA-X plug-in modules, such as the 86108B precision waveform analyzer module for accurate analysis of electrical signals to 32 Gbaud or the 86105D-281 for accurate analysis of high-speed optical signals. Additionally, engineers can perform offline analysis on saved or simulated PAM signals using N1010A Option 9TP PAM analysis software installed on a PC.

Additional information about Keysight's PAM-4 analysis software is available at www.keysight.com/find/86100D-9FP. Product images are available at www.keysight.com/find/86100D-9FP_images.

Keysight will demonstrate high-speed digital test solutions, including PAM-4 generation and measurement capability at DesignCon 2015, Booth 725, Santa Clara Convention Center, Jan. 28-29.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

86100D-9FP is orderable today and is priced at $7,500.

Keysight’s Digital Test Standards Program
Keysight’s solutions for digital applications are driven and supported by Keysight experts who are involved in various international standards committees. Keysight experts are active in the Joint Electronic Devices Engineering Council (JEDEC), PCI Special Interest Group (PCI-SIG), Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO), USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) Alliance, Ethernet standards (IEEE 802.3), Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) and many others. Keysight is committed to involvement in standards groups and their related workshops, plugfests and seminars to ensure the right test solutions are created to meet customers’ evolving needs.

About Keysight Technologies
Keysight Technologies is a global electronic measurement technology and market leader helping to transform its customers’ measurement experience through innovations in wireless, modular, and software solutions. Keysight’s electronic measurement instruments, systems, software and services are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronic equipment. The business had revenues of $2.9B in fiscal year 2014. For more information, visit www.keysight.com.