Anritsu Launches MP1900A 116 Gbit/s PAM4 Error Detector with FEC Analysis Option for Real-time FEC Symbol Error Measurement

Allen, TX – March 11, 2021 – Anritsu Corporation President Hirokazu Hamada is pleased to announce the commercial launch of its FEC Analysis MU196040B-042 option for the Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A series bit error rate testers (BERTS).

The MP1900A series is a high-quality BERT for evaluating high-speed servers, devices, and transceivers supporting next-generation 400 GbE and 800 GbE, as well as PCI Express® (PCIe). Adding the new FEC Analysis option supports real-time measurement of Forward Error Correction (FEC) Symbol Errors and post FEC code word error rate. Jitter tolerance measurements based on FEC uncorrectable burst errors required by high-speed PAM4 communications are also supported.

Market Background

Data centers supporting next-generation, high-speed, large-capacity 5G mobile communications are progressing with introduction of equipment meeting the 400 GbE communications standard, while also starting investigation of 800 GbE and 1.6 TbE standards to facilitate faster speeds.

The PAM4 transmission method used by 400 GbE expresses digital data using four voltage levels per unit time to transmit twice as much data compared to the earlier conventional NRZ method. Due to the narrower differences between the four voltage levels, however, the greater susceptibility to noise and transmission path losses makes error-free transmission more difficult than using the conventional NRZ method. The result is error correction using FEC is applied to assure transmission quality. Consequently, evaluation of devices and transceivers supporting PAM4 requires jitter tolerance and sensitivity evaluations based on conventional bit error and error-free measurements, as well as measurement of burst error correction capability using FEC.

MP1900A BERT Outline

To meet the above-described need, Anritsu has added this FEC Analysis function for detecting FEC Symbol Errors based on the 400 GbE FEC standard to its PAM4 ED with world-beating input-sensitivity performance. Using this new function, changes in bit errors and FEC Symbol Errors with changes in input amplitude and jitter conditions can be monitored in real-time to quickly and reproducibly evaluate when Symbol Error counts exceed the correction ability of FEC. Moreover, since this new FEC Analysis function is compatible with conventional jitter tolerance automatic measurement software, one-button jitter tolerance measurement is supported based on whether or not error correction using FEC is possible.

The Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A series is the market-leading BERT for testing various high-speed interfaces, including 400 GbE and emerging 800 GbE. Adding the high-sensitivity PAM4 ED MU196040B with expanded FEC Analysis functions supporting reliable bit error and FEC Symbol Error measurements will help cut development times for high-speed devices and transceivers.

About Anritsu

Anritsu Company is the United States subsidiary of Anritsu Corporation, a global provider of innovative communications test and measurement solutions for 120 years. Anritsu’s “2020 VISION” philosophy engages customers as true partners to help develop wireless, optical, microwave/RF, and digital solutions for R&D, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance applications, as well as multidimensional service assurance solutions for network monitoring and optimization. Anritsu also provides precision microwave/RF components, optical devices, and high-speed electrical devices for communication products and systems. The company develops advanced solutions for 5G, M2M, IoT, as well as other emerging and legacy wireline and wireless communication markets. With offices throughout the world, Anritsu has approximately 4,000 employees in over 90 countries.

To learn more visit www.anritsu.com and follow Anritsu on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.