PAM-4 analysis capability for 86100D DCA-X Series oscilloscopes

Designed to help engineers quickly and accurately characterize PAM-4 (pulse amplitude modulation with four amplitude levels) signals using its 86100D DCA-X wide-bandwidth oscilloscope platform, Keysight Technologies has introduced measurement capability in the form of the 86100D-9FP PAM-N analysis software which provides comprehensive analysis of optical and electrical PAM-4 signals. Increasing demand for rich content and instant access to information is driving the need for increased network bandwidth in data centres. Simply building faster components is no longer an option for meeting this need. PAM-4 is a type of multilevel signaling designed to increase the amount of data that can be sent across high-speed digital communication links. PAM-4 designs, for example, will likely enable the transition from 100Gb to 400Gb Ethernet speeds. Several industry groups and standards bodies are using, or actively considering using, PAM-4 technology to jump to the next-generation speed class and enable higher data rates for a given channel bandwidth compared to traditional non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signaling. While PAM-4 technology adapts some traditional NRZ measurement algorithms for PAM-4 signals, to fully analyze system performance, unique PAM-4 measurements and parameters are also required, says the company. "The switch from NRZ to PAM-4 signaling presents many new design and measurement challenges for our customers," said Dave Cipriani, vice president and general manager of Keysight's Oscilloscope and Protocol Division. "Keysight's analysis software helps engineers address these challenges and quickly get their designs to market."