Tektronix Unveils XGbT Test for 10GBASE-T Compliance

Tektronix, Inc., a company specializing in test, measurement and monitoring technology, has launched XGbT test automation software and test fixtures which the company claims as the industry’s first one-button solution for the full-range of 10GBASE-T measurements.

 

10GBASE-T, or IEEE (News - Alert) 802.3an-2006, is a standard announced in 2006 to provide 10 gigabit/second connections over unshielded or shielded twisted pair cables, over distances up to 330 ft.

 

The new oscilloscope-based solution, as mentioned by the company official, lowers cost by nearly 50 percent, removes complexity and improves usability compared to competitive 10GBASE-T test solutions that require the use of up to three separate instruments.

 

"The need for an improved 10GBASE-T solution spans chip makers, product developers and manufacturers around the world," said Brian Reich, vice-president, Performance Oscilloscopes, Tektronix (News - Alert). "With our XGbT software and fixtures, we are delivering an affordable one-button solution that can perform repeatable conformance and validation tests at the press of a button, making it ideal for both design and manufacturing applications," added Reich.

 

With the growing adoption of 10G Ethernet, there is also going to be a high demand for low-cost, reliable, fast and easy to operate test equipment such as the new Tektronix XGbT Automation Solution, said the company’s official.

 

Using the new Tektronix solution, 10GBASE-T designers and validation engineers can now focus on improving efficiency with faster validation cycles and higher reliability offered with finest features of the Tektronix DPO7000 Series and DPO/DSA70000 Series Real-Time Oscilloscopes, XGbT software and XGbT Test Fixtures.

 

In addition, the 10GBASE-T software is built on the TekExpress test automation framework which enables additional automation steps that may be required for unique measurement needs such as one-button control of a Tektronix AWG7000B Series Arbitrary Waveform Generator for Return Loss measurements.

 

The use of a single instrument reduces upfront costs by nearly 50 percent in certain configurations and provides for a significantly improved user experience and more repeatable results. The Tektronix solution conforms to 10GBASE-T PHY electrical testing specifications.

 

The solution allows its customers to use all four channels of the DPO/DSA oscilloscope to perform measurements for faster test times and additional cost savings. Moreover, customers can also use a Tektronix P7380 SMA (News - Alert) differential probe and P6330 high input impedance probe with the XGbT test fixture to further reduce test time.

 

Added to this, for in-depth validation and debugging, the XGbT software includes a reporting module and results export capabilities and can capture test margins and statistical information.

 

As informed by the company in its statement, Tektronix XGbT software and fixtures will be available for a starting price of $47,200.