Samtec High-Performance Interconnects Empower AMD Versal VPK180-112 Eval Kit
This video shows a live product demonstration that’s a collaboration between Samtec and AMD. AMD’s Versal™ Premium VPK180 eval kit pushes 112G PAM4 performance at the full system level. Samtec interconnects are used throughout the system.
Bassam Mansour, Sr. Technical Marketing Manager at AMD, and J.R. Bonnefoy, Systems Engineer at Samtec, walk us through the demo that was presented at DesignCon 2026.
AMD Versal VPK180-112 Evaluation Kit
At the heart of the AMD Versal VPK180-122 evaluation kit is the AMD Versal Premium Series device, which delivers 112 Gbps PAM4 performance across the full system.
Bassam points out that AMD’s SerDes architecture features built-in signal-conditioning horsepower — advanced FFE, adaptive CTLE, and a really strong DFE, among others. These advanced features complement each other, enabling design engineers to achieve the desired SI performance with sufficient margin even in challenging signal channels.
Proper 112 Gbps PAM4 channel operation depends not only on component performance like FPGAs, BGA launches, breakouts, signal traces, and interconnects. The entire signal path from transmitter to receiver needs to be optimized on the PCB, or the connectors. It’s about the entire signal path working together. This includes the BGA launch, breakout, routing, connector transitions, and the cable assemblies. Every piece matters, and running proper SI analysis is key.
The AMD Versal VPK180-112 is not just a demo board; it’s a real development vehicle that AMD uses to show its customers how these systems behave in the real world.
Samtec Interconnects
We see two Samtec interconnect systems. In the first, the VPK180 sends 112 Gbps PAM4 PRBS 31 signals through a NovaRay® high-speed cable assembly to a Samtec Flyover® QSFP-DD 800, through a 1.5-meter passive DAC, and back to the receiver.
The results are excellent, with BERs of e-9.
On the other side of the platform is Samtec’s BE71A, a Bulls Eye® phase- and amplitude-stable test assembly. It uses Samtec Nitrowave™, low-loss flexible microwave cable technology.
The VPK is also sending 112G data to a Samtec AcceleRate® Boost connector system, through .5 meters of ultra-low skew Eye Speed® cable, and back for analysis. Results are amazing as well, we’re seeing BERs of e-14, and the slicer eye diagram is wide open, showing great separation.
The BE71A enables 224 Gbps PAM4 SerDes characterization without upgrading test equipment. Here’s a blog on how this works.
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