Tektronix Introduces Most Significant TDR Test Advancement in 20 Years

New DSA8200 Sampling Oscilloscope Solution is Ideal for Multi-Gigabit Serial Data Network Analysis Applications

BEAVERTON, Ore., October 2, 2006 - Tektronix, Inc. (NYSE: TEK), a leading worldwide provider of test, measurement and monitoring instrumentation, announced the introduction of the new DSA8200 Digital Serial Analyzer sampling oscilloscope, new remote sampling electrical modules and enhanced IConnect® software that make it the ideal solution for serial data network analysis applications. The new TDR (time-domain-reflectometry) and electrical modules represent the most significant performance advancement in TDR test technology in 20 years, in direct response to the demanding needs and compliance requirements of high-speed serial data standards.

The emergence of multi-gigabit serial standards is driving down power budgets and timing margins. As a result, accurate analysis of signal path and interconnects in both time- and frequency-domains is critical to fully understand the effects of loss and crosstalk in today’s high speed serial designs. Industry standards such as PCI Express, Serial ATA, XAUI, and Infiniband increasingly call for the use of S-parameters and impedance measurements to characterize the effects and ensure system interoperability. With a 250% increase in TDR performance and new automation tools, the new DSA8200 solutions are an ideal fit for serial data network analysis requirements. The DSA8200 represents the highest performance and most cost-effective solution for accurate and repeatable S-parameters measurements for 1 Gb/s to 12.5 Gb/s serial data rates of current and emerging differential standards.

“Engineers are challenged to accurately characterize the effects of the signal path on multi-gigabit serial data transmissions,” said Brian Reich, General Manager, Electrical Optical Product Line, Tektronix. “For serial data network analysis applications, the Tektronix DSA8200 solutions provide engineers with a versatile, time and cost-effective toolset. The primary alternative has been the Vector Network Analyzer (VNA), a specialized, dedicated frequency-domain instrument. However, the VNA requires extensive setup and calibration routines, and is significantly more expensive than the new Tektronix TDR-based solution. TDR and S-parameter measurement routines for serial data network analysis that often require hours to set up and execute using a VNA can be performed in a few minutes using the DSA8200 mainframe, new electrical modules and IConnect.”

New Electrical Modules
Four new electrical modules feature an unparalleled combination of high bandwidth and low noise to address the trend toward lower power, higher bit rate differential signaling. The modules include advanced usability features such as channel-to-channel and module-to-module de-skew of ±250 ps, user-selectable bandwidth, and small form factor remote samplers. Each channel has a fully integrated 2m cable with a remote sampler that brings the TDR head very close to the device under test (DUT), minimizing the effects of probes, cables, and fixtures. This ensures the highest possible system fidelity for measurement accuracy and repeatability. The 80E10 Dual Channel True Differential TDR module provides a 12 ps incident and 15 ps reflected TDR rise time, 50 GHz bandwidth and 600 µVRMS noise, the lowest noise at this performance level. With independent step generation for true differential measurements and industry-leading specifications for a fully integrated system, the 80E10 represents the most significant advance in TDR performance in twenty years.

Other modules include the 80E08, a dual channel TDR electrical module with 18 ps incident and 20 ps reflected rise times, and 300 µVRMS noise @ 30 GHz bandwidth. Two new dual channel low-noise electrical modules, the 80E09 and 80E07, feature 450 µVRMS noise @ 60 GHz and 300 µVRMS noise @30 GHz respectively.

New IConnect Key Features: S-parameters and EZ Z-Line Viewer
IConnect software provides efficient and easy signal integrity analysis for gigabit serial data interconnect links. IConnect quickly measures insertion and return losses, reflections, eye diagrams, jitter, crosstalk, reflections, and ringing. The IConnect product family has three product configurations: IConnect, IConnect S-parameters, and IConnect with MeasureXtractor. IConnect applications include signal path integrity analysis, impedance characterization, S-parameters (insertion and return loss), eye diagram compliance tests, and fault isolation.

A new command line interface (CLI) enables automation of multi-port S-parameter measurements, and other compliance test needs, significantly reducing calibration and test times while increasing test repeatability. With automated CLI scripts, test routines typically requiring hours for set-up and execution can now be performed in a few minutes, greatly improving productivity.

IConnect now also supports very long record lengths with up to 1M points. 1M memory provides sufficient S-parameter frequency domain resolution and the highest frequency when measuring long devices such as cables. A new EZ Z-Line viewer enables dynamic adjustment of the oscilloscope for much more efficient fault isolations in packages, PCBs and on-chip. IConnect also supports Touchstone file export capabilities.

“Tektronix pioneered the TDR-based S-parameter measurements, and provides the most cost-efficient and highest-throughput approach to measurements in digital design, signal integrity analysis, and interconnect compliance testing,” said Kiran Unni, Program Industry Manager, Test & Measurement group with Frost & Sullivan. “As a new generation of S-parameter users become familiar with this measurement methodology they will look for an instrument solution that is familiar and provides accurate and repeatable results. The DSA8200 is a versatile, cost and time effective solution to achieve accurate, repeatable S-parameter measurements for serial data network analysis applications in product development and manufacturing.”

New DSA8200 Mainframes
The DSA8200 Digital Serial Analyzer is based upon a new generation hardware mainframe designed for the communication, computer, and consumer electronics industries that increasingly require signal path characterization and compliance verification. The DSA8200 provides the versatility and superior accuracy needed for characterization, design validation, and compliance verification of time and frequency domain behavior of differential channel interconnects for high-speed serial standards including PCI-Express II, FB-DIMM II, SATA II, and 10 Gb Ethernet.

The DSA8200 extends the capabilities of the TDS/CSA8200 Series and provides full support for the same modules and software. The new mainframe unit incorporates a high-speed processor and the benefits and familiarity of the Microsoft Windows® XP operating system. The new front panel mounted DVD/CD-RW combo drive and USB 2.0 port provides easier and faster measurement and data file storage and transfer. With 6 available mainframe slots, the DSA8200 provides the most extensible modular architecture, allowing users to configure the instrument to meet their most demanding measurement challenges today and in the future. The DSA8200 can be configured for up to 4 true differential TDR channels, the most available in any oscilloscope-based toolset for serial data network analysis.

When combined with the new TDR modules and IConnect capabilities, the new DSA8200 solution provides the most complete and cost-effective solution for the analysis and characterization of complex serial data networks.

Pricing
U.S. list prices for the new DSA8200 mainframe begin at $20,900. TDR modules start at $27,100, the sampling modules start at $22,000, and the IConnect software packages start at $7,900.

About Tektronix
Tektronix is a leading supplier of test, measurement, and monitoring products, solutions and services for the communications, computer, and semiconductor industries - as well as military/aerospace, consumer electronics, education and a broad range of other industries worldwide. With 60 years of experience, Tektronix enables its customers to design, build, deploy, and manage next-generation global communications networks, advanced and pervasive technologies. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Tektronix has operations in 19 countries worldwide. Tektronix’ Web address is www.tektronix.com.

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Alisha Goff

Manager, Corporate Communications

Tektronix, Inc.

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