The first fully automated solution for IEEE 802.3bm and IEEE 802.3bj standards

Tektronix recently announced a new automated conformity test solution for 4-lane 100G electrical interfaces defined by IEEE 802.3bm and 802.3bj specifications.

The new TekExpress application is available on Tektronix's high-performance oscilloscopes ranging from 33 GHz to 70 GHz and supports the electrical verification and characterization requirements of 100G Ethernet (IEEE 802.3bj and IEEE 802.3bm Annex 83).

The specific supported technologies are 100GBASE-CR4/KR4 and CAUI4, which are key electrical specifications for 100G Ethernet. With this additional support, Tektronix now offers the industry's most complete set of IEEE 802.3bm and 802.3bj solutions, covering both optical (100GBASE-SR4) and electrical verification fields.

As the IEEE 802.3 specification continues to evolve over time, test engineers are struggling to keep up with the pace of such large-scale specification changes. Tektronix collaborates with standards organizations and leverages its expertise to support the transition to simple turnkey test solutions that provide clear and concise characterization reports to meet industry standard test requirements. Reducing complexity in testing and verification is crucial for the timely release of interchangeable 100G optical and electrical modules.

Brian Reich, General Manager of High Performance Oscilloscopes at Tektronix, said, “Since there is no official certification process for conformity testing to IEEE data communication standards, it is essentially conducted for specific purposes. Tektronix is addressing this gap through common tools that designers can use to provide an accurate and consistent set of metrics to compare the electrical and optical performance of their designs and components.”

The Tektronix CAUI4/KR4/CR4 test automation solution utilizes the unique Asynchronous Time Interleaving (ATI) technology found in the DPO70000SX Series 70 and 50 GHz oscilloscopes to provide exceptionally low noise and measurement accuracy.

Traditional instruments using synchronous time interleaving technology cannot effectively resolve noise and jitter in these complex electrical signals due to excessive noise or insufficient bandwidth. ATI signals captured through the new 100G CAUI4/KR4/CR4 TekExpress solution provide a combination of powerful features previously unavailable in real-time oscilloscopes.