Keysight N1085A
PAM-4 Measurement Application
For 86100D DCA-X Series Oscilloscopes
Data Sheet
Introduction
Several industry groups and standards bodies are using, or actively considering using, Pulse
Amplitude Modulation 4-Level (PAM-4) technology to jump to the next-generation speed class.
PAM-4 signaling enables higher throughput for a given channel bandwidth compared to traditional
non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signaling.
Working groups within the Optical Internetworking Forum - Common Electrical Interface (OIF-CEI 4.0)
and IEEE 400G Ethernet (P802.3bs) are leveraging many of the PAM-4 measurements outlined in
Clause 94 of IEEE Std 802.3bj-2014. Examples of Standards or Implementation Agreements (IA) that
propose PAM-4 signaling include:
–– IEEE 400G Ethernet (P802.3bs)
–– OIF-CEI-4.0 (56G)
–– OIF-CEI-56G-XSR-PAM4 (Extra Short Reach interface)
–– OIF-CEI-56G-VSR-PAM4 (Very Short Reach interface)
–– OIF-CEI-56G-MR-PAM4 (Medium Reach interface)
–– OIF-CEI-56G-LR-PAM4 (Long Reach interface)
While the PAM-4 parameters are still in the development stages, companies are moving forward with
their PAM-4 development and need measurement tools to help analyze their designs quickly and
accurately.
03 | Keysight | N1085A PAM-4 Measurement Application - Data Sheet
Debug and Verify Your Designs Quickly and Easily
Transform complexity into simplicity
Select industry-leading hardware
Keysight N1085A PAM-4 measurement software saves engineers
time and money by automating PAM-4 “pre-compliance”
measurements for standards that have not yet been ratified.
Configure your oscilloscope for single or multi-channel
capability. The 86100D DCA-X wide-bandwidth oscilloscope is a
flexible solution that provides ultra-low jitter performance (as low
as 45 fs rms) together with an extremely low noise acquisition
system. For return loss, the N1085A software controls an
N1055A TDR module (or an economy or performance network
analyzer) and performs S-parameter measurements.
Highest accuracy
86100D DCA-X + 86108B (fully integrated solution)
Based on the 86100D DCA-X Series oscilloscope platform,
N1085A is an easy-to-use oscilloscope application that:
–– Saves time in understanding details of standards
–– Reduces the time it takes to characterize your PAM-4 design
from hours to minutes
–– Helps to debug your device using custom configurations
–– Characterizes up to four lanes in multi-lane devices
Option
Channels
Bandwidth
Jitter
Clock recovery
Description
2
50 GHz
< 45 fs typ.
Integrated, 50 M to 32 Gbaud
Highest channel count
86100D DCA-X + N1045A/N1055A TDR (remote head solution)
Option
Channels
Bandwidth
Jitter
Clock recovery
TDR/TDT/S-Parameters
Description
16
60 GHz/50 GHz
< 100 fs typ. (86100-PTB)
External (N4877A 32G CDR)
Using N1055A
04 | Keysight | N1085A PAM-4 Measurement Application - Data Sheet
Debug and Verify Your Designs Quickly and Easily (Continued)
Select the desired PAM-4 test suite
Configure your measurements
The N1085A software application covers PAM-4 transmitter
measurements outlined in IEEE P802.3bs and four OIF-CEI-4.0
(56G) clauses. The tests are conveniently organized by clause.
Click on the desired test group, and the appropriate tests are
offered in Select Tests.
Customize parameters that are specific to your setup, such as
data rate and attenuation. Use default values or enter your own
settings including number of waveforms taken; type of pattern;
and whether or not to remove the effects of test cables. Choose
Normal mode to test within limits or choose Debug mode to test
to your custom limits and adjust other test parameters.
1. N1085A-1TP
–– Performs PAM-4 transmitter tests outlined in:
–– IEEE P802.3bs, Annex 120D, CDAUI-8 chip-to-chip
–– IEEE P802.3bs, Annex 120E, CDAUI-8 chip-to-module
2. N1085A-4TP
–– Performs PAM-4 transmitter tests outlined in:
–– OIF-CEI-56G-XSR-PAM4 (Extra Short Reach interface)
–– OIF-CEI-56G-VSR-PAM4 (Very Short Reach interface)
–– OIF-CEI-56G-MR-PAM4 (Medium Reach interface)
–– OIF-CEI-56G-LR-PAM4 (Long Reach interface)
3. N1085A-7TP
–– Provides the ability to control a switch, allowing users to use
a single channel to test multiple channels.
05 | Keysight | N1085A PAM-4 Measurement Application - Data Sheet
Debug and Verify Your Designs Quickly and Easily (Continued)
Choose your tests
Guided connection diagrams for easy setup
N1085A software provides comprehensive coverage of all PAM-4
tests that are specific to the Clause you are testing. You may
click on all tests, a group of tests, or individual tests. The full
test name appears in the test list, and is also shown in the test
results and reports. A description of the test and reference to the
Standard/IA are shown for each test.
Simply follow the steps to connect and configure your device
under test (DUT) and click Run Tests. The N1085A and the DCA
will automatically measure your device using a wide range of
DCA plug-in modules such as the 86108B, N1045A and N1055A.
If 86100D-SIM is installed, the N1085A software can also be
configured to de-embed the effects of cables and fixtures.
–– Level Noise, Thickness, RMS, Linearity (RLM)
Please pay attention to the scope connection
- This test is testing with Tx Enabled. Make sure Tx is enabled.
- Set device to a PRBS pattern.
- Connect the scope to the DUT Signals as follows:
–– Eye Width (EW), Eye Height(EH) Measurements
–– Output Waveform Measurements
Phase trimmers >>
(recommended)
Transmitter in fixture/HCB/MCB
–– Jitter and Signaling Rate Measurements
Automated return loss measurements
When used in conjunction with an N1055A TDR or ENA/PNA
vector network analyzer, the N1085A software can perform
differential and common mode return loss measurements.
06 | Keysight | N1085A PAM-4 Measurement Application - Data Sheet
More Features to Further Streamline Your Development
Generate reports
Control your device or other equipment
Users and your customers are interested in the performance
of your device. Share a report that shows the test conditions,
summary of pass/fail, summary of all tests, and details for each
test. Many include a test-specific screen shot of the measured
parameter.
The Automation tab enables you to enter commands to control
external devices or equipment, and to further sequence your
tests or to control timing.
07 | Keysight | N1085A PAM-4 Measurement Application - Data Sheet
More Features to Further Streamline Your Development (Continued)
Configure your solution in three ways
Oscilloscope compatibility
The hardware and software architecture provides wide flexibility.
The N1085A PAM4 measurement application may be run as
follows:
Keysight offers a wide range of electrical and optical test
solutions to address current and emerging communications
standards. When testing PAM-4 electrical designs, you may
choose a hardware combination that fits your device data rate
and other higher rate tests for other standards. Each row shows
the recommended configuration of hardware and software to
measure the many parameters. The multi-module approach is
useful for designers who may already own a plug-in module.
1.
2.
3.
86100D DCA-X runs N1085A PAM4 software application
locally and controls remote ENA/PNA via LAN
PC runs N1085A PAM4 software application and controls
remote 86100D DCA-X, ENA/PNA via LAN
PC runs both N1085A software application and N1010A
FlexDCA and controls remote 86100D DCA-X, ENA/PNA
via LAN
This lets you use your PC for more processing power and other
applications, or you can have all measurement capability
consolidated into a compact solution. For return loss
measurements, the N1085A can control an N1055A TDR or
ENA/PNA vector network analyzer to perform measurements
automatically.
LAN
LAN
LA
N
Recommended hardware and software
86100D DCA-X oscilloscope mainframe
DCA hardware
86100D DCA-X mainframe
86100D-ETR enhanced trigger
86100D-PTB internal precision timebase
(multi-channel config only)
DCA software
86100D-200 enhanced jitter analysis
(JP03A/JP03B patterns)
86100D-201 advanced waveform analysis
(software equalizers such as CTLE)
86100D-300 advanced amplitude/noise
analysis (included with 86100D-200)
86100D-9FP PAM-N analysis software
(performs underlying PAM measurements)
86100D-401 advanced eye analysis (optional)
(jitter on individual PAM-4 eyes)
86100D-SIM InfiniiSim-DCA (optional)
(embedding/de-embedding of cables or
fixtures)
N1085A PAM-4 measurement application
(see below for ordering info)
DCA plug-in module
Highest fidelity solution 86108B-HBW/232 precision waveform
(integrated clock
analyzer ("MegaModule")
recovery, ultra-low
86108B-PT2 50 GHz phase shifters
random jitter
86108B-CA2 matched cable set (optional)
(< 45 fs typ))
86108B-DC2 DC blocks (optional)
Multi-channel solution
N1045A, N1055A, or 86118A-H01 remote
(remote sampler head)
head receiver
N4877A-232 clock recovery
N1027A-MC1 multi-channel accessory kit
Return loss measurements (optional - pick ONE)
TDR with S-parameters N1055A 35 or 50 GHz TDR/TDT module
86100D-202 enhanced impedance and
S-parameter
Performance Network
Any 4-port model with a frequency range of
Analyzer (PNA)
at least 30 GHz
08 | Keysight | N1085A PAM-4 Measurement Application - Data Sheet
More Features to Further Streamline Your Development (Continued)
Perform key PAM-4 measurements
Ordering instructions
PAM-4 signaling includes many new measurements and
challenging tests. The list below shows the transmit parameters
tested by the N1085A software application.
The N1085A PAM-4 measurement software is a transportable
license (-xTP) that can be assigned by the user to an 86100D
DCA-X mainframe or a user-supplied PC. The transportable
nature of the license allows the user to move the license from
one instrument (or PC) to another.
Ordering information
Model
N1085A
Option
N1085A
1TP
N1085A
4TP
N1085A
7TP
Description
PAM-4 measurement application for Ethernet and
OIF-CEI
IEEE P802.3bs draft PAM-4 measurements,
transportable perpetual license
OIF-CEI 56G draft PAM-4 measurements,
transportable perpetual license
Switch control, transportable perpetual license
Required software options
Model
86100D
86100D
86100D
Option
9FP
200
201
86100D
300
Description
PAM-N analysis SW
Enhanced jitter analysis software
Advanced waveform analysis software
(FFE/CTLE/DFE equalizers)
Advanced amplitude/Noise analysis
Recommended software options
Model
86100D
Option
SIM
Description
InfiniiSim-DCA waveform transformation
(Embedding/De-embedding)
09 | Keysight | N1085A PAM-4 Measurement Application - Data Sheet
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Multiple form factors from 20 MHz to > 90 GHz | Industry leading specs | Powerful applications
10 | Keysight | N1085A PAM-4 Measurement Application - Data Sheet
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11 | Keysight | N1085A PAM-4 Measurement Application - Data Sheet
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© Keysight Technologies, 2015
Published in USA, December 14, 2015
5992-1248EN
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