Tektronix launches new toolset for serial data link analysis

USA: Tektronix Inc. has announced a new serial data link analysis visualizer software package (SDLA Visualizer) for Tektronix performance oscilloscopes including the DPO/DSA/MSO70000 series.

Designers working on next generation high-speed serial standards can use SDLA Visualizer to specify their link, de-embed any components from the measurement path, simulate virtual link components, apply equalization and take measurements at multiple points on the transmission line in a serial data system, module or chipset.

For designers doing physical layer characterization, debug, and compliance of computer, communications, and memory high speed buses, SDLA Visualizer enables them to confidently bridge the gap between modeling behavior and actual signal integrity performance. This in turn significantly reduces design cycle time and speeds up decision making on critical design projects.

Starting with USB 3.0, the latest serial technologies require sophisticated link analysis software that considers all components of the network, measurement equipment, and silicon specific IP models. Similarly, embedded designers who need to implement faster links in systems face challenges with probing signals at the desired test point and must remove reflections and other effects in order to see the true signal.

To meet these needs, the SDLA Visualizer provides complete 4-port modeling and takes into account transmitter output impedance, scope and receiver input impedance, and channel and fixture impedance to provide the truest representation of the signal possible.

This is accomplished by accounting for reflections, insertion loss and cross coupling terms of each element in the link.  It also enables the user to validate and debug S-parameters on individual link elements on demand, saving the user time and providing element by element or visibility at any test point in the link.

Another key challenge is validating the link model. SDLA makes this task easier with a complete set of plots including frequency response, phase response, and plots of all 16 S-parameters. Adding to its usability, SDLA provides a single common user interface to define all link components while giving the user the flexibility to define multiple test points instead of having to create a different link model for each test point.

The SDLA Visualizer coupled with DPOJET Jitter and Eye Analysis software allows the user to validate the eye and jitter results at multiple test points simultaneously, providing confidence that the model is configured correctly.