The Keysight N4960A Serial BERT is a high-performance, compact bit error rate tester designed for characterization and compliance testing of high-speed digital systems up to 32 Gb/s. By separating the controller mainframe from the remote pattern generator and error detector heads, the system minimizes cable losses and maximizes signal integrity at the device under test.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | USB 2.0, LAN |
| Display | None (controlled via external PC with N4960A software) |
| AC Input Voltage | 100 to 240 VAC |
| AC Input Frequency | 50 to 60 Hz |
| Power Consumption (Maximum) | 150 VA |
| Warm-up Time | 30 minutes |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 100 to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz |
| Operating Temperature | 10 to 40 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 220 mm × 89 mm × 345 mm |
| Weight | 4.8 kg |
| Chassis Height | 2U |
System Architecture and Key Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Data Rate Range (Option 17) | 1.5 Gb/s to 17.0 Gb/s |
| Data Rate Range (Option 32) | 1.5 Gb/s to 32.0 Gb/s |
| Chassis Configuration | Controller mainframe with remote heads |
| Supported Remote Heads | N4951A/B Pattern Generator, N4952A Error Detector |
Pattern Generator (TX) Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pattern Generator PRBS Types | PRBS 7, PRBS 9, PRBS 10, PRBS 11, PRBS 15, PRBS 23, PRBS 31 |
| User-Defined Pattern Memory Depth | Up to 8 Mb (8,388,608 bits) |
Jitter Injection and Tolerance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Jitter Injection Source | Integrated clock source with jitter (with Option CJ0) |
| Sinusoidal Jitter (SJ) Frequency Range | 10 kHz to 100 MHz |
| Random Jitter (RJ) Source | Supported (with Option CJ0) |
| Bounded Uncorrelated Jitter (BUJ) Source | Supported (with Option CJ0) |
| Spread Spectrum Clocking (SSC) Support | Supported (with Option CJ0) |
Error Detector (RX) Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Auto-Alignment Range | Automated clock-to-data alignment |
| Input Data Impedance | 50 Ω nominal |
Clocking and Clock Recovery
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| External Reference Clock Input | 10 MHz |
| Internal Reference Clock Output | 10 MHz |
Physical and Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Benchtop (2U, half-rack width) |
| Cooling Mechanism | Active fan cooling |
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 °C to +70 °C |
| Operating Humidity Range | 15% to 95% relative humidity (non-condensing) |
Power and Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended Calibration Interval | 1 year |
Reference Clock
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Reference Clock Accuracy | ±1.5 ppm |
| External Reference Input Frequency | 10 MHz |
| External Reference Input Level | 100 mV to 2.0 V p-p |
| External Reference Input Impedance | 50 Ω (nominal) |
| Reference Output Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Reference Output Level | 1.0 V p-p (into 50 Ω) |
Clock Generation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Clock Resolution | 1 kHz |
| Internal Clock Frequency Range (Option 17) | 9.5 to 17.0 GHz |
| Internal Clock Frequency Range (Option 32) | 9.5 to 32.0 GHz |
Jitter Injection
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Random Jitter (RJ) Range | 0 to 15.6 mUI (RMS) |
| Sinusoidal Jitter (SJ) Maximum Amplitude | 110 UI (at 100 Hz) |
| Bounded Uncorrelated Jitter (BUJ) Range | 0 to 0.5 UI (peak-to-peak) |
| Spread Spectrum Clocking (SSC) Modulation Frequency | 30 to 33 kHz |
| Spread Spectrum Clocking (SSC) Deviation Range | 0 to -0.5% (downspread) |
Error Analyzer
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Error Analyzer PRBS Types | PRBS 2^7-1, 2^9-1, 2^11-1, 2^15-1, 2^23-1, 2^31-1 |
Measurements
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Measurement Capabilities | Bit Error Ratio (BER), Error Count, Error Interval, Error-Free Interval |
Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Remote Head Interface | Dedicated high-density control cables |
Technology
Serial BERT
Applications
High-Speed Digital Receiver and Transmitter Characterization