BERT Set Options Meet SAN And 10-GbE Demands

Oct. 18, 2004

New options for Anritsu's MP1763C pulse pattern generator and the MP1764C/D error detector bring 12.5G bit-error-rate test (BERT) sets that accurately evaluate the latest high-speed devices used in storage-area-network (SAN) and 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10-GbE) applications. Such an option gives users a 12.5-Gbit BERT set with differential inputs, a 1/4-speed differential output, and a CDR (clock/data recovery) capability required for evaluating 4.25G Fibre Channel as well as 10-GbE XAUI and SFI-4P2 devices.

The 1/4-speed differential option enables differential output of both data and clock at one-fourth the standard rate of 50-Mbit to 12.5-Gbit outputs. As a result, the new BERT set can be used for 10 GbE as well as high-speed buses and backplanes like PCI Express much less expensively than using a parallel version.

With the CDR option, the 12.5-Gbit BERT can use input data as a trigger signal for error-rate detection and waveform monitoring. An external clock or CDR isn't required. When the CDR option is used jointly with the new differential input option, high-speed differential devices can be evaluated without an external jig. The CDR is variable and supports bit rates from 62.5 Mbits to 11.1 Gbits, including unique support for 4.25-Gbit Fibre Channel.

The MP1763C PPG with 1/4 differential outputs costs $93,100. The MP1764C/D, which includes both differential input and variable CDR options, costs $127,000. Users of any 12.5G BERT set should contact Anritsu for special trade-in pricing and upgrade information.

Anritsu Co.www.anritsu.com
(800) ANRITSU

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.