In the video above Ralph Page, Systems Architect at Samtec, walks us through a live product demonstration that received a lot of attention at Super Computing 2019.
Ralph discusses several Samtec 56 Gbps PAM4 connector solutions and shares some incredible results. The system can also run up to 28 Gbps NRZ.
This is a fully-packaged system that populates signal paths using real-world signal integrity design practices. It demonstrates up to 56 Gbps PAM4 signaling, utilizing Samtec Flyover® products.
For this active product demonstration, Samtec partnered with Credo. Credo’s mixed signal 56 Gbps PAM4 Bald Eagle 2 silicon generates 16 bi-directional channels of QPRBS-31 signal data.
Every signal passes through two or more Samtec connectors before returning to the SERDES. We measured bit error rates, insertion loss, eye height and diagrams, all in real-time.
Extreme Density Array To Backplane Cable Assembly
In the first system the signals travel from the Credo chip, to a NovaRay® extreme density array, to an ExaMAX® backplane cable, and then it loopbacks to the NovaRay and back to the chip. This is 8 channels bi-directional.
The bit error rates are very good, all at e-12 and the eye heights are large. More details are shown in the video.
High Density Slim Design Connector to Flyover® QSFP-DD
The second signal path runs from the Credo chip, through an AcceleRate® high density slim body cable system, to a Samtec Flyover® QSFP double density connector, looping back to the AcceleRate system, and back to the chip. This is also 4 channels, bi-directional.
Looking at the results, we see low error counts, and very good bit error ratios and eye heights. Again, the details are shown in the video.
FireFly™ to QSFP
Another signal travels from the chip, through a FireFly copper cable assembly, to a Samtec Flyover QSFP single density connector, and back to the Credo device through the FireFly cable.
This system demonstrates zero error counts, BER of e-14, and very strong eye heights.
Bulls Eye® High-Performance Test System
The demo incorporates the Samtec Bulls Eye high-performance test system. BullsEye can be used to test another interconnect system, or to connect to a Samtec SI evaluation board.
Since you’re watching this video I assume you have an interest in Samtec high speed interconnect solutions. We have a number of these mobile active product demonstrators, and we can bring this demo to your office or lab. We can walk through the system capabilities and show you how these high speed connectors can work in your system.
For more information, or to arrange a demo in your office or lab, contact us at SIG@samtec.com.
Other blogs that may be of interest, pertaining to a 112 Gbps or 56 Gbps PAM4 connector system:
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