Signal analyser wins PCI Express 4.0 test approval

To speed-up serial-bus interfaces of communications equipment and high-end computers, the PCIe standard is transitioning from Gen3 (8GT/s) to Gen4 (16GT/s). PCIe Gen4 was adopted as a communications standard in August 2017 and has been discussed and examined for compliance testing since then.

As part of this process, the MP1900A was approved as a compliance test measuring instrument for PCIe Gen4 based on the results of testing at the May 2019 PCI-SIG Compliance Workshop, and the MP1900A has been in use for certifying PCIe products since August 2019.

The PCI-SIG-approved MP1900A is a high-performance, multi-channel, bit error tester with world-beating output waveform quality, high input sensitivity, and a built-in jitter and noise source. With these high-performance hardware features, the MP1900A PCIe Gen4 test solution is ideal for automating Tx/Rx LEQ tests required for compliance tests.

Also, with built-in analysis functions delivering excellent reproducibility support analysis of signal quality issues caused by high-speed transmission path losses.

All Gen1 to Gen4 tests are supported by a single MP1900A, which also supports the new Gen5 standard. Additionally, 32-Gbaud PAM4 signals required by the future Gen6 standard are also supported.

As a result, the MP1900A helps cut PCIe design, inspection, and certification work burdens, while also improving quality.