Automated Test and Debug Solution for SFP+ Standards

08 September 2011 – Tektronix announced the industry’s first comprehensive automated test and debug solution for SFF-8431, SFP+ PHY and SFP+ Direct Attach Cable Specifications “10GSFP+CU” Measurements, dramatically reducing test time requirements and boosting productivity for design engineers and technicians.

The new TEKEXP SFP-TX option for DPO/DSA/MSO70000 Series oscilloscopes helps users easily select measurements for SFF-8431 SFP+ testing and provides the ability to perform all measurements with a single button click. Automation options help engineers efficiently meet compliance requirements and generate detailed reports. Additionally users can change test limits for advanced margin and performance testing. The new SFP-TX option for the popular DPOJET jitter analysis software greatly simplifies SFF-8431 SFP+ testing. All masks, limits, and measurement parameters are automatically configured, and also provide the flexibility to change selected measurements and measurement configurations using a new standard-specific user interface.

“The dramatic growth in bandwidth requirements and the increasing worldwide use of high-performance servers is leading to an expanding need for 10 Gigabit Ethernet and in turn new connectivity options based on SFP+,” said Roy Siegel, general manager, Oscilloscopes, Tektronix. “By offering the industry’s first automated and debug solution for validating SFF-8431 SFP+ devices, Tektronix helps make it easier for companies to bring new and innovative SFP+ offerings to market with assurance their products will conform to specifications and deliver optimum performance and reliability.”

Six new additional measurements have been added including VMA, Rise Time, Tx-Qsq, DDPWS, Fall Time, and UJ. Setup files are provided based on different signal types such as 8180, PRBS9, and PRBS 31. Signal-specific setup files allow users to perform measurements on different signal types or go into analysis and debug mode.

Once the test bench is set up and the DUT connected, users simply need to press the “Run” button to perform a selected test suite. The SFP-TX solution prompts the end-user to put the DUT into different test modes by displaying messages at regular intervals.

Availability

SFP-TX is available for download now from www.tektronix.com and is designed to run on Tektronix DPO/DSA/MSO oscilloscopes with 16GHz bandwidth and above.