Telecom Lead Asia: Tektronix has launched new error detectors to support optical and serial data communications testing on signals as fast as 32 Gb/s.

The new PPG3000 Series Pattern Generators and PED3000 Series Bit Error Detectors feature multi-channel pattern generation with channel-specific data programming ideal for critical margin testing on standards like 100G Ethernet, which require up to 4 channels.

Data communications researchers and designers need high-speed test equipment for characterizing and testing optical and serial interfaces that typically employ multiple channels with data rates ranging from 10 to 32 Gb/s per channel.

For testing coherent optical modulation formats, such as DP-QPSK, the PPG3000 Series, with its 4 phase-aligned channels, can be used in conjunction with the Tektronix OM4000 Series Coherent Lightwave Signal Analyzer to enable optical designers to optimize and validate coherent modulation formats in real-time.

For bit error rate testing, the PED3000 Series can be combined with the PPG3000 to provide up to 32 Gb/s BER analysis with multi-channel support for quick identification of crosstalk issues common in multi-lane data communications architectures.

With IEEE802.3ba standards test, designers can simulate a 4 x 28G test bench to stress-test their receivers’ designs. The 32 Gb/s data rate output with adjustable jitter insertion enables design firms to bring product to market with industry best margin capabilities, improving yields and performance of their end products or chips.

“The addition of the PPG3000 and PED3000 Series’ to our BERT portfolio enables us to provide customers with choices for critical 100G standards testing,” said Brian Reich, general manager Performance Oscilloscopes, Tektronix.

PPG3000 Series includes models with 30 Gb/s or 32 Gb/s speeds and with one, two or four channels. With features such as synchronized and phase adjustable outputs and PRBS or user-defined pattern generation, these instruments provide the flexibility needed to troubleshoot a range of design issues including crosstalk. As speeds increase and multi-lane configurations such as 100G Ethernet become commonplace, crosstalk has emerged as a major design challenge.

The PPG3000 Series Pattern Generators and PED3000 Series Error Detectors will be available in late December 2012. Pricing starts at $85,000.

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