The PicoScope 9341 sampling oscilloscope offers 20 GHz bandwidth on four channels for engineers who need to characterize performance of multi-lane gigabit transmission systems and check for channel-to-channel interference and compatibility. The 9300 can perform eye-diagram analysis such as eye-width, eye-height, rise and fall-time, jitter and extinction-ratio testing. In addition, pattern lock triggering derived from bit rate, pattern length, and trigger divide ratio can build up an eye pattern from a specified group of bits in a sequence which helps to isolate data dependent errors and sources of cross-channel crosstalk.
Eye Line mode uses the pattern lock feature to establish a pattern sync trigger, and then uses that trigger to walk through each bit of the data pattern which can be averaged for a precision view of specific bit trajectories. This allows pattern dependent effects to be investigated. For example, the trace leading to a mask violation can be captured and displayed.
The scopes quickly measure more than 30 fundamental parameters used to characterize non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signals and return-to-zero (RZ) signals. Up to 10 parameters can be measured simultaneously, with comprehensive statistics also shown. For clarity the measurement points and levels used to generate each parameter can be automatically annotated on the trace.
Mask testing can be used to give a visual indication of deviations from a standard waveform. A library of built-in and custom masks can be automatically generated and modified using the graphical editor. A specified margin can be added to any mask to enable stress-testing. Mask testing can also be used as the basis for automated testing and statistical analysis, with capability to count or to take action on mask violations.
The display can be grey-scaled or color-graded to aid in analyzing noise and jitter in eye diagrams. There is also a statistical display showing a failure count for both the original mask and the margin.
Pico Technology
St Neots, UK
+44 1480 396 395
+44 1480 396 395
www.picotech.com