Network analyzer automation software for cable and backplane compliance testing offered by Rhode & Schwarz

April 26, 2022
Automated testing of high-speed Ethernet cable assemblies can reduce testing time and errors compared to manual Ethernet cable assembly test methods.

MUNICH – Rohde & Schwarz in Munich is introducing compliance test automation software for IEEE 802.3 cable assemblies for precise and time-saving compliance tests of high-speed cables and backplanes according to the IEEE 802.3bj, by, cd, and ck standards.

The ZNrun vector network analyzer automation software controls a vector network analyzer and a switching solution from Rohde & Schwarz to provide automated testing of high-speed Ethernet cable assemblies to reduce testing time and potential errors compared to manual Ethernet cable assembly test methods.

As the volume of data transferred via internet and the number of data centers increase across the world, proper testing of Ethernet cable assemblies becomes crucial. As direct-attach copper cables are the most economical solution for short data connections, they are used in high-speed networks and data centers.

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Installations include these direct-attach copper cables, and their performance is vital for the whole system. IEEE 802.3bj and IEEE 802.3 by cover data rates of 25 gigabits per second per lane, IEEE 802.3cd goes up to 50 gigabits per second per lane.

The latest IEEE 802.3ck standard further doubles the data rate to 100 gigabits per second per lane, enabling cable assembly configurations of 100GBASE-CR1, 200GBASE-CR2, 400GBASE-CR4, and 800GBASE-CR8.

The R&S ZNrun-K410 is designed for automatic testing of cable assemblies according to IEEE 802.3bj, by, and cd, and brings considerable time-savings to users.

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The solution includes the automation of the measurement, post processing of Channel Operating Margin (COM) and Effective Return Loss (ERL) results, Pass/Fail and margin analysis and the generation of the test report, thus drastically reducing the overall test time.

The R&S ZNrun-K411 is already prepared for testing cable assemblies according to the IEEE 802.3ck Ethernet standard, which will reach data rates of 800 gigabits per second for 800GBASE-CR8 configurations.

For more information contact Rohde & Schwarz online at www.rohde-schwarz.com.

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