The new BSX series BERTScope helps to characterize the receiver in Gen3 and Gen4 devices. This receiver test tool that continuously stores the context (timing, bit position) of each bit error. Error analysis tools such as pattern sensitivity and forward error correction emulation use this information to help developers understand the factors contributing to bit errors. This solution is vailable with maximum data rates of 12.5Gb/s, 24Gb/s and 32Gb/s.
As 4th generation serial protocols such as PCIe 4.0, USB3.1, and SAS4 become more complex, it has become increasingly difficult to place a receiver being tested into an appropriate state (such as a loopback state) for testing without protocol handshaking between the instrument and the device under test.
With its protocol-aware functions, the BSX Series provides the tools needed to visualize and control the handshaking and link training process for devices running up to 32 Gb/s.
“When things go wrong during receiver testing, our customers need more than a tool that will simply characterize a device. They need a tool that will pinpoint the root cause of failures, move them from complexity to confidence, and help keep projects on schedule,” said Brian Reich, general manager, Performance Oscilloscopes, Tektronix. “Receiver testing is more than just getting a bit-error rate number – it’s understanding why you are getting a particular bit-error rate value, or handshaking failure. The BSX Series delivers visibility into the underlying root cause of physical layer issues by capturing the location and timing of bit errors.”
Available with maximum data rates of 12.5Gb/s, 24Gb/s and 32Gb/s, the BSX Series is available with tools that automate compliance testing, making measurements easy to do for the large number of test cases required in the Gen4 standards.
With built-in Tx equalization, reference clock multiplication, and interference generation, this instrument requires fewer cables and is easier to set up and calibrate than previous offerings.
The BSX Series BERTScope will be available in Q2 of 2017. Pricing starts at $199,000 US MSRP.
