Receiver Compliance Test Automation Platform

Receiver test automation software eases the burden of configuring hardware and executing repeatable and reliable receiver compliance tests on high-speed digital receiver DUTs (devices-under-test). The software configures the devices and runs through the compliance test specification for the relevant data standard. Receiver testing can be an exacting and time-consuming manual process without test automation software, eliminating human error and increasing the efficiency of the testing.

Receiver testing is crucial to ensure the interoperability of devices, specifically that transceivers can reliably receive and interpret high-speed digital signals. This helps guarantee the performance, reliability, and compliance to standards used in communication systems in various applications like data centers, telecommunications, and high-performance computing.

Receiver tests are often performed with hardware such as high-performance real-time oscilloscopes and bit error ratio testers (BERTs). Arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs) may be used to generate complex stressed signals, which are transmitted to the DUT. The DUT interprets the signal sent to the BERT's error detector. The BERT then determines the bit error ratio performance of the DUT compared to the original signal and tells the user whether the device meets the performance threshold outlined in the standard's specification.

The automated test software provides a guided setup and automated stress signal calibration. It facilitates interactions between test hardware and DUTs to perform measurement and analysis for receiver conformance or compliance tests. The software provides test results in customizable formats for standards certification or to aid in quick error analysis and debugging.

The software platform supports in-depth testing via its characterization mode, allowing for real-time parametric changes, and in debug mode, which provides detailed analysis of the device's performance and helps engineers identify issues in the design that may be preventing passing interoperability or conformance tests.

The following applications have Keysight compliance test automation software: USB 3.2, USB4, USB4 Version 2.0, PCIe 4.0, PCIe 5.0, PCIe 6.0, DisplayPort 2.0, MIPI M-PHY v5.0 and C-PHY, HDMI 2.1, SATA 3, DDR5, IEEE 802.3ck, and OIF-CEI-5.0, among others. Some, but not all, use the N5990/N5991 platform.

Keysight receiver test software runs on M8000 series bit error ratio testers (BERTs). The symbol rate of the signals tested on the DUT determines which model of BERT and test automation software to choose. For example, receiver test software for the latest 100 and 200 Gb/s IEEE 802.3 and OIF-CEI standards, for example, will require a 120 Gbd BERT, while protocols such as USB4 and PCIe 6.0 can use a 64 Gbd BERT. For lower speed or NRZ-only standards, a 32 Gbd BERT may be most helpful. Please refer to the software datasheet for software and hardware compatibility information.