ALLEN, TX. Anritsu has introduced a PAM4 error detector (ED) supporting market-leading 116-Gb/s bit error rate tests for its Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A Series. Combined with the previously released MP1900A Series PAM4 pattern generator that supports high-accuracy BER measurements of PAM4 signals, the BERT allows engineers to accurately evaluate bit error rates of 400 GbE/800 GbE communications equipment and devices.
Since the PAM4 method representing data with four amplitude levels has gaps between signal levels 1/3 that of the two-level NRZ approach, measuring instruments for evaluating signal quality must have much higher input sensitivity performance. In addition to fast speeds, the impact of transmission path losses in printed circuit boards, cables, components, and similar devices on measurement results cannot be ignored.
Evaluating the genuine performance of the measured device under test (DUT) not only requires excellent fundamental performance, such as sensitivity and bandwidth, but also a highly integrated solution with functions such as clock recovery and an equalizer for correcting loss effects. To meet these needs, Anritsu has developed the new ED with built-in clock recovery and equalizer to implement a PAM4 BER measuring instrument with market-leading high performance.
The Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A is a bit-error-rate tester for communications speeds of 400G and faster, supporting high-speed signal generation and signal-performance analysis. With a built-in high-bandwidth and high-input-sensitivity Rx circuit, the newly released PAM4 ED MU196040B module supports error-free measurement of 100-Gb/s PAM4 input signals even at a low input amplitude of just 36 mV typical. Furthermore, the built-in clock-recovery and equalizer functions support high-reproducibility jitter stress and ISI stress tests of transceiver input circuits using an easily configured equipment setup.