May 19, 2014. Agilent Technologies Inc. has introduced two new interposer solutions for testing DDR4 and DDR3 DRAM designs with a logic analyzer. Both interposer solutions provide fast, accurate capture of address, command, and data signals for debugging designs and making validation measurements.
The Agilent W4633A BGA interposer is used with Agilent E5849A probes for high-data-rate DDR4 x4 or x8 DRAM designs. The Agilent W3636A BGA interposer allows engineers to probe DDR3 x16 nonstacked DRAM more than 2 G deep.
As the industry transitions to DDR4 data rates up to 3.2 Gb/s, engineers working on next-generation memory systems—such as those used in servers and embedded devices—face significant challenges. Probing and accurate signal capture are becoming increasingly critical for debug and validation of new designs.
Both interposer solutions provide direct access to the balls of the DDR4 x4 or x8 DRAM with low loading and minimal impact to signal integrity on embedded-system design. The probe works in existing designs and eliminates the need for up-front planning or redesign. Both interposer solutions are designed to be used with the Agilent U4154A logic analyzer system, with 4-Gb/s state speed and 2.5-GHz trigger sequence speed.
“Our customers need more accurate tools to both achieve the data rates required for next-generation memory systems and implement power-saving functionality,” said Jay Alexander, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Oscilloscope and Protocol Division and chief technology officer, Keysight Technologies. “With the new DDR4 BGA interposer, E5849A probe and U4154A logic analyzer system, engineers are ready to test DDR4 data rates beyond today’s data rates of 2400 Mb/s.”
The W3630A Series DDR3 BGA probes are used with oscilloscopes and logic analyzers to perform physical-layer and functional tests for data rates up to 2,400 Mb/s with the U4154A logic analysis system.
The U4154A logic analysis module with 4-Gb/s state speed and 2.5-GHz trigger sequence speed enables full capability so engineers can reliably trigger and capture DDR4 signals at 3.2 Gb/s. When used with the new DDR4 probing solution, the B4621B decoder and B4622B compliance software toolset, this module provides full test capability for system integration in the memory industry.
Additional information about Agilent’s W4633A BGA interposer and E5849A probes can be found at www.agilent.com/find/W4633A. Additional information about Agilent’s W3636A BGA interposer can be found at www.agilent.com/find/W3636A. Additional information about Agilent’s U4154A logic analyzer family can be found at www.agilent.com/find/U4154A.