Rohde & Schwarz presents first automated answer to hurry up PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 cable and connector compliance testing

For exact and time-saving compliance testing of the most recent technology PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 cables and connectors in keeping with PCI-SIG specs, Rohde & Schwarz is creating a brand new R&S ZNrun vector community analyzer automation suite possibility. For a totally automated verification of a PCIe x8 cable, for example, the software program controls a setup with R&S ZNB vector community analyzer plus scalable R&S OSP change matrix configuration, making a multiport VNA answer with 64 take a look at ports. The answer reduces testing instances for PCIe x8 cables to just some minutes for full take a look at runs with all Via and all crosstalk mixtures plus corresponding metric calculations for Cross/Fail evaluations. By comparability, guide testing takes a number of hours and entails main danger of connection errors by take a look at engineers.

Rohde & Schwarz effectively tackles compliance verification challenges for PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 cables and connectors by automating the method with a brand new R&S ZNrun vector community analyzer automation suite possibility. R&S ZNrun-K440 is designed for computerized compliance testing of PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 inside and exterior cables and connectors in keeping with PCI-SIG specs, saving customers quite a lot of time. The take a look at setup is predicated on the R&S ZNB26 or R&S ZNB43 vector community analyzer with 4 take a look at ports together with a number of R&S OSP320 open change and management platforms – relying on the variety of the DUT lanes for verification – to offer a number of four-port measurements, all with out reconnecting to the DUT and repeatedly terminating the opposite lanes. A PCIe x8 cable, for instance, has 16 lanes and requires 64 take a look at ports, offered by three R&S OSP320 platforms, whereas a PCIe x4 cable solely wants 32 take a look at ports from two R&S OSP320 platforms.

The R&S ZNrun-K440 answer absolutely automates all measurements in keeping with the PCIe specification. Postprocessing of outlined PCIe metrices can also be coated. A strong take a look at configurator lets take a look at gadgets be chosen and deselected by lane for higher flexibility in assembly buyer wants and preferences in R&D and verification testing. A take a look at report with a move/fail verdict is generated on the finish of the automated measurement. The automation incorporates a new calibration process, which considerably reduces variety of calibration steps and calibration connections. It additionally features a technique for de-embedding of the take a look at fixture as required within the PCIe take a look at specs.

More and more advanced take a look at calls for with PCIe evolution
Every iteration of the PCIe evolution has doubled the switch fee to satisfy ever rising demand for pace. Knowledge facilities internationally are beginning to use the most recent variations of PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 cables to attach giant quantities of high-speed knowledge storage. Cable producers are additionally ramping up manufacturing to ship the primary PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 cables to clients. R&D verification, compliance testing and manufacturing all require thorough testing to ensure compliance with PCIe necessities and the correct functioning of the general system.

Every PCIe hyperlink has 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 lane pairs, with every lane pair consisting of 1 differential TX and one differential RX lane. With 8 lane pairs in a x8 configuration, a PCIe 6.0 cable can have switch charges of as much as 64 GB/s. Manually verifying compliance of high-speed interconnect is labor intensive and error susceptible. A complete of 256 four-port measurements are wanted for all Via connections and all near-end and far-end crosstalk paths contained in the cable. With conventional four-port vector community analyzers, a VNA have to be reconnected for every four-port measurement and unmeasured lanes have to be correctly terminated. The brand new automated answer from Rohde & Schwarz drastically simplifies this course of.

Since sure restrict masks excursions will not be crucial for total PCIe 5.0/6.0 system conduct, move/fail verdicts are based mostly on metrices such built-in return loss (iRL) and part contribution to built-in crosstalk noise (ccICN). They're outlined within the PCI-SIG specification and have to be calculated from the S-parameter outcomes and require vital postprocessing. Calibrating take a look at fixture characterization and de-embedding brings further challenges. R&S ZNrun-K440 software program for computerized compliance testing covers all of them.

Due to their significance to PCIe methods, PCI-SIG is within the strategy of defining standardized cables for inside (inside a chassis) and exterior (chassis-to-chassis) purposes, together with the corresponding electrical necessities for mated cable assemblies and mated cable connectors at each 32 GT/s and 64 GT/s. R&S ZN-run-K440 may also cowl these PCIe exams, as soon as they're standardized.

New answer showcased at PCI-SIG Builders Convention
Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates its new automated answer for PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 cable and connector compliance testing to members of the PCI-SIG neighborhood on the PCI-SIG Builders Convention from June 13 to 14, 2023 on the Santa Clara Conference Heart in Santa Clara, CA. The brand new R&S ZNrun-K440 possibility can be out there quickly and enhances the Rohde & Schwarz compliance take a look at software program automation portfolio. The R&S ZNrun-K410 and R&S ZNrun-K411 choices are already out there for high-speed Ethernet cable assemblies in keeping with IEEE 802.3bj, by, cd and ck.

For extra details about the R&S ZNrun vector community analyzer automation suite, go to: https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/_63493-109824.html