Characterizing the Effects of Cables, Fixtures, and Other Interconnections

Tektronix recently announced a new solution that simplifies the process of characterizing and de-embedding the effects of cables, fixtures, and other interconnections to achieve more accurate and repeatable measurement results. The solution consists of SignalCorrect software and a TSC70902 calibration source and operates on Tektronix DPO/MSO70000 real-time oscilloscopes.

To connect the signal from a DUT (Device Under Test) to an oscilloscope, interconnection of various devices such as cables, fixtures, adapters, or RF switches is required. As signal speeds improve, interconnections can affect signal characteristics, resulting in distorted eye shapes caused by parasitic elements, delay, impedance mismatch, loss, and ISI-related variations. Until now, characterizing and de-embedding interconnections required specialized expertise and expensive specialized equipment. Now, with the new Tektronix solution, even junior engineers can easily and quickly perform these tasks using a standard high-speed real-time oscilloscope.

Junior Engineers Can Now Easily Perform Tasks Using High-Speed Real-Time Oscilloscopes

Brian Reich, Vice President of High-Performance Oscilloscopes at Tektronix, stated, "As speeds increase across the electronics and telecommunications industries, the need to remove the effects of interconnections in high-speed measurements has become far more common than in the past. Tektronix SignalCorrect software and the new calibration source transform previously complex tasks such as interconnection characterization and de-embedding into routine operations that accompany high-speed measurements and analysis."

SignalCorrect provides step-by-step guidance throughout the interconnection characterization process, from initial setup through insertion loss measurement and filter creation and application. The software is designed for intuitive operation and provides a convenient GUI with both text and graphic content as well as detailed user documentation. This powerful software supports generating multiple filters from a single measurement and allows comparison of raw waveforms with various filter designs.

The standalone TSC70902 calibration source uses a compact form factor to allow placement close to the IUT (Interconnection Under Test) for more accurate measurements. With two 7ps fast rising-edge outputs, it enables dual-input measurement and full de-embedding of single-ended, differential, and common-mode signals. Thanks to these fast rise times, users can perform characterization at speeds exceeding 50GHz with ultra-high-performance oscilloscopes. This unit can also be used as a source for other applications.

SignalCorrect software and the TSC70902 calibration source are currently available worldwide. For pricing and detailed information, contact Tektronix Korea directly at Tel. 6917-5000.