Product category:
Stand-Alone Instruments
News Release from: Agilent Technologies Europe | Subject: Physical Layer Test System (PLTS) version 4.0
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 10 May 2007
Multiport enhancements for
signal-integrity tester
PLTS version 4.0 simplifies multiple-aggressor differential crosstalk measurements in high-speed backplanes, allows easy importation of 12-port S-parameter data and pinpoints the location of problems.
Agilent Technologies has brought out the latest version of its premier signal-integrity test system: the Physical Layer Test System (PLTS) version 4.0 With new multiport enhancements, this robust calibration, measurement and analysis platform is suitable for signal-integrity engineers doing high-speed digital design and encountering microwave transmission-line effects in their printed circuit boards, cables, IC packages and backplanes
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 28 Sep 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Agilent also introduced PLTS Studio, an analysis-only version of the PLTS platform that provides a low-cost-to-entry for engineers performing post-measurement data analysis of Touchstone files.
The new PLTS version 4.0 includes a number of significant enhancements.
Simplifying multiple aggressor differential crosstalk measurements in high-speed backplanes, it easily imports 12-port S-parameter data and rapidly pinpoints the physical location of crosstalk problems.
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A customisable device configuration map manages the large S-parameter files from the n-port data set, organising them according to port name.
When only 4-port data is available, the tool's advanced file-import capability automatically builds larger Touchstone models, thereby eliminating the time-consuming task of writing custom import software or performing a manual cut-and-paste of Touchstone data.
Additionally, fast and easy electronic calibration modules allow for quick Short-Open-Load-Thru calibration of a 12-port VNA in about eight minutes.
An added benefit of the Agilent PLTS version 4.0 is that it allows for time-domain, frequency-domain and eye-diagram analysis with maximum correlation to all tools.
As a result, it can be easily used in place of three or four separate tools.
Eye diagram analysis takes place by making use of a novel user-programmable virtual pattern generator.
Rather than requiring the engineer to buy an expensive pseudo random binary sequence generator, the Agilent PLTS version 4.0 has a virtual one built directly into its software environment.
To ensure the utmost in accuracy, the eye diagram results are correlated to other Agilent test and measurement equipment.
This information makes it dramatically easier for the engineer to quickly troubleshoot and fix any crosstalk problems.
Included in the PLTS version 4.0 release is Agilent's PLTS Studio software package for data analysis.
Priced at under $10,000 when sold as a standalone solution, PLTS Studio enables budget-minded engineers to fully correlate measurement-based interconnect models in a digital-friendly user environment.
Designed to simplify signal integrity characterisation with powerful analysis tools, it features the same multiport analysis enhancements now available with the PLTS version 4.0.
The PLTS Studio analysis engine provides valuable insight that helps the engineer fix signal integrity problems faster.
Agilent's PLTS version 4.0 is available now.
PLTS Studio is also available for purchase as a standalone solution or as part of the PLTS version 4.0 offering.
Prices start at: US $9,250 for N1930B-1FP PLTS Studio; and $18,500 for N1930B-1FP/N1930B-3FP PLTS version 4.0.
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