Agilent 81141A Data Sheet

Agilent 81140A Series
81141A / 81142A
Serial Pulse Data Generators
7 GHz and 13.5 GHz

Data Sheet

The smart way to measure – Quality Stimulus Solution
Delivering the confidence you demand for your signal
integrity in the next speed class

Version 1.1

Key Benefits

• Pulse, Data Pattern and PRBS generation up to 7 GHz and 13.5 GHz

• Differential outputs for data, clock and trigger

• Trigger and external clock input

• Fastest transition times < 20 ps

• Data formats: NRZ, R1 and RZ

• Low jitter, high accuracy signals with Jitter < 1ps RMS

• 1GHz jitter modulation bandwidth

• PRBS generation from 2

5

-

1 to 231-

1

• 32 Mbit Memory for long, “real world” patterns

• Sequencing and looping for protocol based data

• Event trigger capabilities

• Subrate clock for easy generation of reference clock

All timing parameters are measured at ECL levels.

Table 1: 81140A series specifications at a glance.

Frequency 150 MHz to 7 GHz / 13.5 GHz

Output channels Single channel data and clock,

differential or single ended

Triggering Aux In (Trigger In) and Trigger Out

Data formats RZ, R1, NRZ

Duty cycle 70ps to period

-

70ps

35ps to period -35ps (Pulse for 81142A only)

Clock/data delay range ±0.75ns with a 100 fs resolution

Delay modulation range

-

100 ps to 100 ps

Transition times (10/90) < 25 ps

Jitter (clock mode) 1ps rms typical

Jitter (data mode) 9 ps pptypical

Jitter modulation bandwidth DC - 1 GHz

Data output amplitude/resolution 0.1V to 1.8V with 5 mV resolution

Output voltage window

-

2V to 3V

Sequencing and looping 1 level of up to 4 blocks

Memory 32 Mbit

Channel Output Connector 2.4 mm

Interfaces GPIB, LAN, parallel printer, VGA,

4 x USB 2.0, 1x USB 1.1

2 Agilent 81141A 7 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator Data Sheet

81140A Series Serial Pulse Data Generator at a glance

Sub Clock Out:
Provides a reference clock
at subrates of the data rate.

Trigger Out:
Lets you provide a trigger for
another device

AUX In:

Lets you connect a signal to switch between Pattern A and B, or to

suppress the output signal

Error Add:
Allows you connect an external trigger
to insert a single bit error in the output

Data Out:
Stimulus signal compatible with a wide variety
of logic families and signals RZ, R1 …

Clock Out:

Frequency reference, can be set

according to the logic family

Clock In:

Offers you to connect a clock signal from another device

Delay Control In:
Lets you use an external
signal to control jitter
in the data output.

Agilent 81141A 7 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator Data Sheet 3

Table 2: Key requirements for physical layer testing (Addressed by 81141/2A)

High-Speed Serial Buses

PCI Express I, II S-ATA II, III Fiber Channel …

Up to 5 GHz Up to 6 GHz 4 GHz

Low voltage differential signal 

Receiver tests 

• Jitter tolerance 

• Receiver sensitivity 

• Timing skew 

• PLL loop bandwidth 

500 MHz jitter modulation bandwidth 

Sequencing for protocol data 

Multiple pattern generation for protocol-like data 

High-quality waveform for ultimate characterization 

Keeping pace with technology and increasing speeds –
Are you ready for the next generation of applications?

The transfer of large amounts of data and spi­raling transmission rates, needed for services
such as video on demand and to ensure ever
increasing Internet bandwidth, are driving speed
increases in infrastructure and components.
Signals break through one performance barrier
after another. As electrical signals start compet­ing with laser-generated ones, it is no longer
necessary to convert to optical to reach high
speeds.

High-speed protocols rely on a solid physical
layer and dependable signal integrity. The next
generations of protocols such as PCI Express,
which in its second-generation doubles both
clock rate and data throughput, raise the stan­dards for jitter and sensitivity. Validation and

Applications in education and research Ultra Wide Band Radio

e.g. control of particle accelerators

Fast transition times 

Ultra-small pulses 

Trigger capabilities 

characterization become critical in ensur-ing
effects such as reflection and crosstalk are kept
within allowable limits.

As a developer you strive to keep pace with
faster and more complex bus standards.
Accelerated development cycles make propri­etary test solutions less attractive. Instead you
need standard instruments you can rely on to
accomplish the job you need to get done. There
can be no compromise on data quality, timing,
synchronization and control.

4 Agilent 81141A 7 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator Data Sheet

Agilents Offering of Leading Product Ranges

Agilent provides the most comprehensive po rtfo­lio of digital stimulus solutions to generate cur­rent and emerging digital waveforms and data
signals. Agilent instruments cover a frequency
range from 1 mHz to 13 GHz, with pulse pat­tern and data generators and output amplitudes
from 50 mV to 100V.

The Agilent 81140A series serial Pulse Data
Generator provides the smart way to measure –
delivering the confidence you demand for your
signal integrity in the next speed class.

• High-speed frequency up to 13 GHz

• High-quality waveforms with best transition
times and lowest intrinsic jitter

• High flexibility data streams for stress test
and application in education and research

•Jitter insertion

•Trigger capability

•Sequencing and looping

•Versatile pattern generation

Agilent 81141A 7 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator Data Sheet 5

Versatile, highest quality pulse and data signal

High-speed and high-quality signals

Achieving high-quality character­ization and reliable measure­ments needs superior signal
quality. As the frequency
increases, accurate results rely
on signal timing, transitions and
integrity. With its outstanding
rise and fall times and its
matchless jitter performance the
Agilent 81141/2A serial Pulse
Data Generators are indispensa­ble extensions to even the most
comprehensive instrument port­folio. The reliability of its test
signal lets you focus on the
measurement instead of the set
up.

Picture 1: Precision low jitter RZ signal measured on a scope

Data formats and flexible
parameters

The variety of data formats
available with the Agilent
81141/2A serial Pulse Data
Generator supports a broad
range of tests. Formats include
R1 and NRZ, and RZ for band­width tests. Of course, parame­ters like width and duty cycle
are configurable. You can even
adjust cross points for your
sensitivity tests.

Picture 2: Precision low jitter signal with cross-over

Delaying the data relative to the
clock lets you generate high fre­quency, low amplitude jitter. Or
you can apply an FM modulated
clock to generate higher amounts
of jitter at lower frequencies
(wander).

6 Agilent 81141A 7 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator Data Sheet

Full control of data streams for stress testing

Jitter

Wide bandwidth insertion
capability is essential for
stressing your device to its
limits. The external modulation
input of the Agilent 81140A
Series serial Pulse Data
Generators let you control the
extent and form of signal jit­ter, to emulate real world con­ditions. A variable crossover
point provides further control
for deteriorating the signal
quality.

Picture 4: Random jitter

Picture 5: Sinusoidal jitter

Picture 3: Periodic Jitter: UI max vs. data rate
(at modulation frequency: DC to 1 GHz)

Agilent 81141A 7 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator Data Sheet 7

Picture 6: Pattern Editor

Picture 7: Sequence Editor

Pattern Generation

The Agilent 81141/2A serial
Pulse Data Generator hardware
is perfectly suited to long,
high-speed random traffic
(pseudo-random binary
sequences) and memory-based
patterns. These simulate the
data your device might be sub­jected to in the real world.
Multiple types of data pattern
are available to present differ­ent data loads for your device.
User-defined or software-gen­erated patterns – representing
any type of arbitrary data –
can be loaded into memory.
Software-generated patterns
can be further modified with
variable mark density to stress
your device or system to its
limit. The larger the pattern,
the greater the stress. The pat­tern can also be repeated if,
in case you require pre­dictability for your debug.
A collection of sample patterns
for FDDI, Fiber Channel, SDH
and SONET are available for
the Agilent 81140A Series.

Trigger

Extensive triggering ensures
the Agilent 81141/2A serial
Pulse Data Generators can
interact easily with other
instruments.
There are two modes:
Trigger In (set up via Aux In)
the Agilent 81141/2A serial
Pulse Data Generators can
select and run different pulses
or data streams based on

Sequencing and looping

Sequencing and looping of up
to 4 blocks are available to
address the needs for protocol
emulation of S-ATA and PCI
Express.

predefined signals or edges.
This lets you define a trigger
condition to start a data or
pulse sequence, or, on the
other hand, to suppress the
output.
The Trigger Out of the Agilent
81141/2A serial Pulse Data
Generator can send a trigger
sequence for external devices,
such as an oscilloscope.

150 MHz to 7 GHz / 13.5 GHz

For RZ/R1: min. 620 MHz; < 620 MHz only with external clock

For RZ/R1/Pulse Up to 7GHz

± 15 ppm typical

± 20 ps

NRZ, normal or inverted, RZ, R1

0.10 V to 1.8 V, 5 mV step

-

2.0V to +3.0V

ECL, PECL (3.3 V), LVDS, CML

< 20 ps

< 25 ps

9pspptypical

±0.75 ns in 100 fs steps

-

2 V to +3 V

Adjustable from 20 % to 80 % typical

70 ps to period

-

70ps

35 ps to period -35 ps (81142A only)

Adds single errors on demand

Fixed error ratios of 1 error in 10nbits, n = 1...12

Differential or single-ended, DC coupled, 50 Ω

2.4 mm female

8 Agilent 81141A 7 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator Data Sheet

Data Output (DATA OUT)

Table 3: Specifications for Data Output

Range of operation

Frequency accuracy

Width accuracy

Format

Amplitude/Resolution

Output voltage window

Predefined levels

Transition times

(20 % to 80 %)

(10% to 90 %)

Low Intrinisic Jitter

Clock/data delay range

External termination voltage

Crossing point

RZ/R1 width

Pulse width

Single error inject

Fixed error inject

Interface

Connector

0.1 Vppto 1.8 Vpp, 5 mV steps

-

2.00 V to +2.8 V

< 20 ps

< 25 ps

-

2 V to +3 V

< 1ps

rms

typical

Differential or single-ended, DC coupled, 50 Ω output impedance

2.4 mm female

Clock Output (CLK OUT)

Table 4: Clock output characteristics.

Amplitude/Resolution

Output voltage window

Transition times

(20 % to 80 %)

(10% to 90 %)

External termination voltage

Jitter

Interface

Connector

Specifications

Agilent 81141A 7 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator Data Sheet 9

Subrate Clock Output (SUB CLK OUT)

The subrate clock output is used to generate reference clocks that are subrates of the data rate,
e.g. the 100 MHz clock for PCI Express (2.5 GHz data rate).

Table 5: Specifications for Subrate Clock Output

Divider factors

Levels

Transition times

Interface

Connector

N

= 2, 3 … 128

High: +0.5 V

Low:

-

0.5 V typical

35 ps typical

DC coupled, 50 Ω

SMA female

200 mV to 2 V

AC coupled, 50 Ω nominal

SMA female, front panel

Clock Input (CLK IN)

Uses an external clock as generator clock.

Table 6: Specifications for Clock Input

Amplitude

Interface

Connectors

10 MHz Reference Input (10 MHZ REF IN)

If a 10 MHz reference clock is applied, the PLL generating the internal clock for the generator will lock to

the applied signal.

Table 7: Specifications 10 MHz Reference Input

Amplitude

Interface

Connectors

200 mV to 2 V

AC coupled, 50 Ω nominal

BNC, rear panel.

1 V into 50 Ω typical

AC coupled, 50 Ω output impedance

BNC, rear panel

10 MHz Reference Output (10 MHZ REF OUT)

Uses an external clock as generator clock.

Table 8: Specifications 10 MHz Reference Output

Amplitude

Interface

Connectors

10 Agilent 81141A 7 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator Data Sheet

Delay Control Input (DELAY CTRL IN)

The external signal applied to Delay Control Input, varies the delay between Data Output and Clock Output.
This can be used to generate jittered signals to stress the device under test.

Table 9: Specifications for Delay Control Input

Range

Sensitivity

Linearity

3dB modulation bandwidth

Levels

Interface

Connector

-

100 ps to +100 ps

400 ps/V typical

±5 % typical

DC to 1 GHz

-

250 mV to +250 mV

DC coupled, 50 Ω nominal

SMA female

TTL compatible

DC coupled, 50 Ω nominal

SMA female

Error Add Input (ERROR ADD)

The Error Add input adds a single error to the data output for each rising edge at the input.

Table 10: Specifications for Error Add Input

Levels

Interface

Connector

Trigger Output (TRIGGER OUT)

This provides a trigger signal synchronized with the pattern, for use with an oscilloscope or other test equip-

ment. There is a delay of 32 ns typically between trigger and data output for data rates ≥ 620 MHz. The two

modes are pattern trigger and divided clock trigger.
Pattern Trigger Mode: for PRBS patterns, the pulse is synchronized with a user specified trigger pattern.

One pulse is generated for every 4th PRBS pattern.

Divided Clock Mode: the trigger is a square wave at the clock rate divided by 2, 4, 8, 10, 16, 20, 32, 64,

and 128.

Table 11: Specifications for Trigger Output

Pulse width

Transition times

Levels

Interface

Connector

Square wave

35 ps typical

High: +0.5 V; Low

-

0.5 V typ.

DC coupled, 50 Ω nominal, single ended or differential

SMA female

AUX Input (AUX IN) (Trigger In)

When the Alternative Pattern Mode is activated, the memory will be split into two parts. The user can define

a pattern for each part. Depending on the operational mode of the Auxiliary I nput, the user can switch the

active pattern in real-time by applying a pulse (Mode 1) or a logical state (Mode 2) to the Auxiliary I nput.
If the Alternative Pattern Mode is not activated, the user can suppress the data on the data output by
applying a logical high to the Auxiliary Input (Mode 3).

Table 12: Specifications for Auxiliary Input

Levels

Interface

Connector

TTL compatible

DC coupled, 50 Ω nominal

SMA female

Agilent 81141A 7 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator Data Sheet 11

Pattern

PRBS

2

n

-

1 and 2nwith n= 7, 10, 11, 15, 23, 31
User-definable pattern: 32 Mbit, independent for
pattern generator and error detector.

Sequencing

Pattern sequences can be started by command
or by a signal at Aux Input.
Number of blocks: up to 4. The block resolution
of user definable pattern is 512 bit.
Loops: over 4 or fewer blocks.

Alternative Pattern

Switch between two equal length user program­mable patterns, each up to 16,777,216 bits
(16Mbit). Switching is possible using a front
panel key or the auxiliary input port, or over
GPIB. Changeover is synchronous with the end

of the pattern. The length of the alternating
patterns should be a multiple of 512 bits. Two
methods of controlling pattern changeover are
available: one-shot and alternative.

Zero Substitution

Zeros can be substituted for data to extend the
longest run of zeros in any of the library of
predefined patterns. The longest run can be
extended to the pattern length -1. The bit fol­lowing the substituted zeros is set to 1.

Variable Mark Density

The ratio of ones to total bits in any of the
library of predefined patterns can be set to 1/8,
1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or 7/8.

Library of predefined patterns:

SONET, SDH, FDDI, Fiber Channel.

5 °C to 40 °C

-

40 °C to +70 °C

5 °C to 40 °C, 95% relative humidity, non-condensing

>50 °C to 70 °C, 50% relative humidity

100 VA to 240 VA, ±10 %, 47 Hz to 63 Hz, 350 VA

Width: 424.5 mm

Height: 221.5 mm

Depth: 580.0 mm

24.5 kg

36.0 kg

1 year

1 year. Extended warranty available.

Table 23: General Characteristics

Operating temperature

Storage temperature

Operating Humidity

Storage Humidity

Power requirements

Physical dimensions

Weight (Net)

Weight (shipping) (Max)

Recommended recalibration period

Warranty period

Display

8” color LCD touch screen

Data Entry

• Color touch screen display,

numeric keypad with up/down arrows, dial­knob control or external keyboard and mouse
via USB interface

• Pattern Export/Import

Hard Disk

For local storage of user patterns and data. An
external disk is also available for connection via
USB interface.

Interfaces

GPIB (IEEE 488), LAN, parallel printer port,
VGA output, 4x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 1.1 ports

Operating System

Microsoft Windows XP

Regulatory Standards

Safety:IEC 61010-1:2001, EN 61010-1:2001

CAN/CSA-C22.2 No.61010-1-04
UL 61010-1:2004
EMC: EN 61326:1997 + A1:1998+A2:2001,
IEC 61326:1997+A1:1998+A2:2000
Quality Management: ISO 9004

Specification Range of Validity

The specifications in this brochure describe the
instrument’s warranted performance. Non-war­ranted values are described as typical. All spec­ifications are valid in a range fro m 5°C to
40°C ambient temperature after 30 minutes
warm-up phase. All measurements are carried
out at ECL Level. If not otherwise stated, all
inputs and outputs need to be terminated with
50 Ohms to ground. All specifications, if not
otherwise stated, are valid using the recom­mended cable set N4910A (2.4mm, 24” matched
pair).

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Related Literature Publication Number

Pulse Pattern Family Brochure 5980-0489E

Ordering Instructions

7 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator 81141A /
13 GHz serial Pulse Data Generator 81142A

4x 50 Ω, terminations,
4 2.4mm male to female adaptor 50 W SMA termination.
1 Stylus Palm Touchscreen pen

Warranty:
Extended Warranty R1280A

Calibration: R1282A

Commercial Calibration
with test data 81141A-UK6 /

81142A-UK6

Recommended Accessories:

2.4 mm cable kit N4910A

Complementary Products:

Agilent Oscilloscopes
(Real-time or Sampling) DSO80000/DA-J

The new Agilent INfiniium 80000 Series oscillloscopes and
Agilent InfiniiMax II Series probes are the highest signal integrity
measurement system available.

• Up to 13 Ghz bandwidth and 40 GSa/s sample rate to the probe
tip

• Lowest trigger jitter in the industry

• Unrivaled InfiniiMax II probe heads support solder-in, browsing,
socket and SMA use models up to 13 GHz bandwidth. This i sthe
only probe systemin the market to offer this level of performance

and usability.

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© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2005
Printed in Netherlands, 6th October 2005

5989-3052EN

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