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Stressed-Receiver Tolerance testing (Rx testing) requires a reference transmitter that generates a test signal with specifically calibrated impairments combined with a test interconnect with a specified worst-case differential insertion loss frequency response. A test fixture is necessary for connecting the reference transmitter to the receiver being tested, the DUT (device under test). The test fixture may include cables, connectors, adapters, splitters, etc., whose response is necessarily included in the stressed-signal calibration. Calibration of the stressed signal is the most time-consuming and difficult step in Rx testing. This paper introduces an approach that has been effective in Rx testing for the HDMI and MIPI standards: Use of an AWG (arbitrary waveform generator) to embed the required test channel response and specified signal impairments – like jitter and noise – directly into the test signal. The technique simplifies the tests and makes them more repeatable: calibration time is reduced, and physical compliance/variable- ISI boards are eliminated along with most of the test fixture cables and connectors. We show how to embed channel characteristics in impaired waveforms along with common pitfalls, and then turn to a communication channel model for automotive standards that typically have long channels and disparate cables.

Signal transmission in modern high-speed serial interfaces is so challenging that errors in the received data are unavoidable. Physical layer compliance testing ensures that the number of errors does not exceed the limits of the specifications in the test conditions but not necessarily in the realistic worst-case scenario. To test such a scenario and to recommend changes in the receiver to reduce probability of errors, we developed an above-compliance testing method called Self-Adapting Tool for Automated Receiver Testing (START). START finds symbol sequences that have the highest probability of causing errors for a specific receiver, identifies receiver design problems, and tests receiver with a compliant pattern causing maximum error rate.

The poster, “Understanding Phase Noise Measurements,” provides a clear and concise overview of key phase noise concepts, including its impact on system performance, measurement techniques, cross correlation, confidence factor vs. noise floor, and advanced analysis solutions. Explore phase noise fundamentals using this insightful visual guide from Maury Microwave.

Featuring a curated collection of articles and papers spanning several years, the eBook, "A Practical Guide to Load Pull Measurements," is a comprehensive resource that covers critical load pull methods, applications, and measurement setups. From fundamental concepts to advanced techniques, learn how load pull optimizes the performance of RF/microwave systems.

High-speed digital designs require accurate measurements. Are hidden factors impacting your tests? Discover the best indicators for your oscilloscope’s signal integrity with insights from Keysight.

Directed energy weapons (DEW) emit intently focused beams of electromagnetic energy to incapacitate enemy targets. These weapons, however, often limit output power to mitigate destructive reflections along the fiber-optic cables. In this article, learn how additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) can optimize DEW performance during testing and deployment.

In today’s wireless world, RF signals are transmitted and received to effectively send data and facilitate wireless communications. Among all the parameters to consider in RF design, power measurements remain one of the most critical metrics for designers and operators.

Unlock the key to reliable PCB designs! Altair® PollEx™ revolutionizes technical cleanliness design verification, ensuring compliance and efficiency, especially in automotive and aerospace industries where eliminating contaminants is critical. Download the white paper for insights on early-stage processes that streamline development and safeguard against malfunctions and costly recalls.

Many choices go into the design of a reference transmitter for stressed receiver testing, and every choice can lead to unintended complications when it’s time to calibrate the stressed signal. The pattern generator component of advanced BERTs come equipped with internal noise sources like sinusoidal jitter and interference, random jitter and noise; multi-channel generators can even apply genuine crosstalk.

BitifEye introduces the signal impairments required for receiver testing in the emerging automotive standards like ASA, MIPI's A-PHY, Automotive Ethernet, etc. From "automotive cable crosstalk" to "car noise" to "fast transient pulses," the standards specify different sources of noise in different ways, some as in the form of time evolutions, others as spectra; this article focuses on techniques for generating and calibrating each noise source. In the process, they describe advanced de-embedding techniques and address test equipment limitations.