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PCI Express 6.0 Base Specification Rx Test

13 October 2022 – Anritsu announced that its Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A now supports the PCI Express 6.0 (PCIe 6.0) Base Specification Receiver Test (Rx Test). As well as adding support for generating PCIe 6.0 Base Spec. Compliance Test patterns, the MP1900A certified PCIe 3.0/4.0/5.0 tester now has an SKP function to filter SKP packets to support separate clock architecture (SRNS). This update offers customers an efficient test solution meeting their design requirements by including automation software to calibrate the stressed test signal and measure jitter tolerance using real-time oscilloscopes from collaborating partners. As a result, one MP1900A now covers tests from PCIe 3.0 to PCIe 6.0.

Anritsu is continuing to develop future quality evaluation for PCIe equipment by actively proposing new technologies to PCI-SIG, and extending its tester functions with a focus on the PCIe 6.0 Base Spec. Compliance Test.

The spread of 5G services facilitating large data communications at high speeds is driving rapid evolution of new technologies, such as edge computing, IoT, and AI. At the same time, the internal interfaces of transmission equipment, servers, and storage in data centers forming the base of this technical revolution are switching to the faster and larger capacity PCIe standard.

Following completion of the PCIe 6.0 Base Specification in January 2022, development of the CEM specification to assure compatible connections is progressing ahead of the start of correlation tests in 2023. Since the PCIe 6.0 standard is the first to support new technologies, such as PAM4 modulation and Forward Error Correction (FEC), it requires test methods for evaluating the quality of 32 Gbaud PAM4 signals with a 1/3rds smaller Eye opening, as well as for measuring the BER and evaluating FEC.

The MP1900A is a high-performance BERT for Rx tests of high-speed computing and data communications interfaces including PCIe, USB, Thunderbolt, and 400/800GbE. Link Training and LTSSM functions are supported by an industry-best level PPG for high-quality waveforms, high-sensitivity input ED, high-accuracy jitter generation source (SJ, RJ, SSC, BUJ), and CM-I/DM-I, facilitating various applications, including Compliance and Margin tests as well as troubleshooting.

Key Features

• Supports PCIe 6.0 Base Spec. design inspection requirement
• Provides each Preset and Compliance Test pattern required by PCIe 6.0 as well as built-in SKP filter function for common and separate clocks (SRNS) plus real-time FEC Uncorrectable error measurement.
• Cuts test time using automation for efficient evaluation
• Automates stressed signal calibration and BER measurement using automation software.
• Adds excellent performance and expandability
• Supports device margin tests with measurement functions including high-quality PPG waveforms, high-sensitivity reception PAM4 ED, and generation of various jitter types; multi-channel platform and software architecture facilitate expansion to future PCIe 6.0 CEM specification.

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