Automated test solution for high-speed cable assemblies reduces errors

Rohde & Schwarz has introduced a new compliance test automation software for high-speed cable assemblies and backplanes that meet requirements for IEEE 802.3bj, by, cd, and ck standards. Claiming the first automated test solution for high-speed Ethernet cable assemblies, the R&S ZNrun vector network analyzer (VNA) automation suite offers an all-in-one test and analysis platform with the ZNrun software controlling a VNA and a switching solution from Rohde & Schwarz to provide the automated testing. This reduces the testing time and potential errors compared to manual Ethernet cable assembly test methods, said the company.

Proper testing of Ethernet cable assemblies is critical as the volume of data transmitted via the internet and the number of data centers increases, said R&S.

These high-speed networks and data centers widely use direct attach copper (DAC) cables. The IEEE 802.3bj and IEEE 802.3by standards cover data rates of 25 Gbits/s per lane, and IEEE 802.3cd handles up to 50 Gbits/s per lane. The latest IEEE 802.3ck standard doubles the data rate to 100 Gbits/s per lane, enabling cable assembly configurations of 100GBASE-CR1, 200GBASE-CR2, 400GBASE-CR4 and 800GBASE-CR8.

Click for a larger image. (Source: Rohde & Schwarz)

To meet these testing requirements, the R&S ZNrun VNA automation suite offers two new options: the R&S ZNrun-K410  and R&S ZNrun-K411 .

The R&S ZNrun-K410 is designed for automatic testing of cable assemblies according to IEEE 802.3bj, by, and cd. It features the automation of the measurement, postprocessing of channel operating margin (COM) and effective return loss (ERL) results, pass/fail, and margin analysis and the generation of the test report, which is said to reduce the overall test time. The R&S ZNrun-K411 tests cable assemblies according to the IEEE 802.3ck Ethernet standard, which will reach data rates of 800 Gbits/s for 800GBASE-CR8 configurations.

The test setups are based on the related VNA such as the R&S ZNA or R&S ZNB, and the R&S OSP open switch and control platform provides a multi-port solution. The setup is controlled by the R&S ZNrun VNA automation suite with the R&S ZNrun-K410 or -K411 options. Together, the solution automates the complete test sequence, data collection, postprocessing, and test report generation, said R&S.

Rohde & Schwarz will demonstrate the test automation solution at DesignCon 2022, April 5-7, in Santa Clara, California. The company will demo an IEEE 802.3ck high-speed cable assembly based on Ethernet compliance automation using the new R&S ZNrun option. The R&S ZNrun-K410 option will be available by mid-2022, followed by the R&S ZNrun-K411 later in 2022.