Anritsu upgrades MP2110A scope for PAM4 evaluations
Signal Processing Software Option-098 for the BERTWave sampling oscilloscope MP2110A adds upgraded functions to evaluate PAM4 differential electrical signals.
This option supports standards-compliant measurement of IEEE 802.3 optical module electrical interfaces, speeding up communications in data centres and mobile networks by upgrading evaluation efficiency for 50 to 400G optical modules using PAM4 technology.
Data centres are switching to PAM4 optical modules to meet the large increase in communications traffic on mobile networks. Additionally, due to increasing demand for easier configuration of flexible networks, PAM4 optical modules for communications support many more communications speeds, ranging from 50 to 800Gbit per second, than the conventional non-return to zero (NRZ) digital signal transmission technology.
Optical modules support long distance communication by converting electrical signals from network equipment into optical signals. For conventional optical modules using NRZ technology, the priority is to show that optical interfaces can connect equipment from multiple vendors while similar proof of the interconnectivity of electrical interfaces is seen as unnecessary.
PAM4 optical modules, however, support different speeds which mean that module types must also be supported by equipment. Part of the drive to reduce costs means that network equipment and optical modules are procured from multiple vendors at the most competitive prices.
In these circumstances, interconnectivity must be assured, not only between interfaces at the optical side but also at the electrical side. As a result, interconnectivity requires strict evaluation based on the IEEE 802.3 PHY-layer standards.
To meet these upgraded interconnectivity requirements, while continuing to support PAM4 optical interface measurements, Anritsu has added support for the measurement of IEEE 802.3 PAM4 electrical interfaces to its MP2110A oscilloscope which is typically used as a sampling oscilloscope for manufacturing optical modules.
The BERTWave MP2110A combines a sampling oscilloscope to evaluate communication signal waveforms and a bit error rate test (BERT). Various upgrade options are available for customising to configure a cost-effective test environment. It also offers fast, all-at-once and parallel measurement of four channels to accelerate production line throughput.
The Option-098 adds new support to measure PAM4 electrical interfaces. Measurement using the IEEE 802.3 digital filter and equaliser is also supported. The embedding / de-embedding function facilitates calibration of the measurement environment, says Anritsu. The built-in clock recovery Option-054 permits configuration of a trigger-signal-free environment.
In addition to simultaneous single / dual / quad-channel sampling and BERT, the BERTWave MP2110As is claimed to have “world-beating sensitivity for analysis of optical signals” ranging from 26Gbaud NRZ to 53Gbaud PAM4.
