PCIe tester yields results in minutes

Speed in PCI Express (PCIe) Gen 3 and Gen 4 testing is extremely difficult to achieve. The combination of time-consuming set ups, the use of legacy test and measurement solutions, and equipment complexity, results in tests that can take hours and sometimes even days. Tektronix has unveiled what it calls a new product category revolutionizing PCIe test, which impacts time to market, cost, and accessibility. The new PCIe tester delivers results in minutes instead of hours.

(Source: Tektronix)

Designed to enable fast and easy evaluation of the link health of PCIe Gen 3 (8 GT/s) and Gen 4 (16 GT/s) devices, the TMT4 Margin Tester features plug-and-play set up and an easy-to-use interface. PCIe testing is normally performed by engineers with deep expertise and knowledge. The TMT4, however, enables those with a wide range of experience levels to evaluate the health of transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) links fast. (Click here for a demo.)

Not an oscilloscope or bit error rate (BERT) tester, the TMT4 is an alternative front-end tool that can be set up and ready to test in as little as five minutes. Identifying errors and issues earlier in development cycles, the TMT4 is used to conduct earlier and more frequent evaluation of board- or system-level link health during design and validation.

Using a single PCIe-enabled 16-lane high-density cable and connectors, the TMT4 can be adapted to test system boards or add-in cards in seconds. A complete evaluation of the transmitter and receiver link health of PCIe Gen 3 and Gen 4 devices takes as little as two minutes to achieve.

Features include two scan options: quick scan and custom scan. Custom scan mode provides deeper insights by enabling users to scan Gen 3 or 4 devices, up to 16 lanes, across PCIe presets 0-9 (up to 160 combinations) in as little as 20 minutes. Quick Scan mode, in comparison, enables a rapid evaluation of link health for Gen 3 or Gen 4 devices, up to 16 lanes.

The platform supports the majority of common PCIe form factors, including CEM, M.2, U.2, and U.3, with testing capabilities of up to 16 lanes across PCIe presets 0-9, using a single standard connector. The TMT4 controls presets and link training parameters of the device under test (DUT), directly providing insights into potential design flaws on a lane-by-lane or preset-by-preset basis.

The TMT4 tester complements full validation and compliance testing systems consisting of oscilloscopes and BERT and uncovers issues earlier in the design process prior to an in-depth examination using traditional equipment.

The TMT4 Margin Tester is available now. Extended warranty options are available from one to three or five years. Tektronix also offers introductory pricing on a Gold Care service plan, which includes a loaner shipped within 48 hours.