Samtec and Keysight teamed up at DesignCon 2024 to showcase a multi-domain template testing Samtec’s high-performance NovaRay connector system.
This live signal integrity product demonstration incorporates two different types of test instrumentation. First, we see a Keysight four-port, 53 GHz VNA (Keysight P5028B) testing a Samtec NovaRay mezzanine connector system (NVAM, NVAF products) at 112 Gbps PAM4. We also see a Time Domain Reflectometer (Keysight DCA-Z, N1000A) with a six-picosecond rise time testing a Samtec NovaRay Flyover® cable system (NVAC series).
![](https://blog.samtec.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Keysight-TDR-DC-2023-112-G-112-Gbps-PAM4-NovaRay-300x139.jpg)
When testing with time-domain reflectometry (TDR), we can precisely examine the Samtec Flyover Cable system, examining the impedance discontinuities of the smallest features. We use the Physical Layer Test System (PLTS) Software to analyze in both time and frequency domains, including insertion loss, return loss, impedance, and skew, among others.
In the demonstration we see a multi-domain template with time domain, frequency domain, and eye diagrams, all being generated and analyzed from S parameters and time domain information. When you’re running PLTS, besides performing multi-domain analysis, you can now also examine material characterization with Keysight’s new software option.
The test system also shows the dK and dF of the PCB stack-up on the NovaRay SI Eval Board. Additionally, the system also tells us about surface roughness, which is critical when looking at PCB materials needed for high-speed reference designs featuring NovaRay.
One way to ensure correlation between measurements and modeling is to use material characterization with a physical layer test system.
![Samtec NovaRay 112 Gbps PAM4 system - 112 G - high density - high speed
new connectors](https://blog.samtec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NovaRay-Cable-Shielded-300x268.jpg)
Samtec NovaRay cable assemblies combine extreme density and performance to support 112 Gbps PAM4 per channel in 40% less space than traditional arrays. Applications include datacom, AI/ML, HPC, computer and semiconductor, medical, test and measurement, military/aerospace, and mobile networks. They enable extremely low (<30 dB, FEXT and NEXT) crosstalk out to 40 GHz. Operating across -40 to +125 C, the NovaRay cable assemblies are PCIe®6.0/CXL® 3.1 capable.
The innovative design of the Samtec NovaRay connector combines extreme density with extreme performance, which is critical as system sizes decrease and speeds increase. The fully shielded differential pair design and two reliable points of contact contribute to its industry leading 4.0 Tbps aggregate data rate.
Here’s a list of a few more 112 Gbps PAM4 blogs that you might be interested in:
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