Ethernet

With rapid adoption of Ethernet standards, you face constant pressure in designing and validating the physical layer of Ethernet devices, to improve efficiency, and need tools to perform quick and reliable standards validation.

Tektronix' comprehensive, integrated tool set for Ethernet technologies - analog validation, compliance software, and device characterization solutions - enables you to resolve design challenges quickly and efficiently. Tektronix provides full PHY layer support for ethernet variants 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T.

Full Compliance Test Support for Ethernet 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T

The battery of compliance tests supported in Tektronix' ET3 software provides access to the key core tests specified by the IEEE standard. In addition, through automation, these tests get completed accurately, consistently with little time wasted on instrument setup. The Ethernet Methods of Implementation (MOI's) provide details on how to use Tektronix equipment to perform the electrical tests; from Template Testing, Droop to Return Loss Measurements.

PHY Layer MOI's

Electrical Testing for Ethernet

Ethernet variants 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T run at 10 Mbit/s, 100 Mbit/s, and 1 Gbit/s, respectively. At these data rates, it is recommended that you have a 2.5 GHz Oscilloscope to make proper acquisitions of transmitted signals for eye pattern analysis. The DPO7254 Real-Time Oscilloscope from Tektronix is an ideal fit for Electrical Validation and Debug Testing Solution for Ethernet.

To meet the IEEE requirements for Ethernet Jitter testing, it is required to perform a 250 million sample acquisition. The DPO 7254, with the ability to capture records up to 400 Mega Samples in length on a single channel acquisition, is a valuable tool when making accurate jitter measurements.

The ability to add/remove a "Disturbing" signal from a test pattern is another important electrical test for Ethernet. Tektronix' AWG5000 Series can insert the elements that make up a disturbing signal using an approach called Digital Direct Synthesis.

Physical Layer Signal Path Characterization

With Ethernet transmission speeds in the 1 Gb/sec range, signal integrity and transmission affects become important. As the leader in the market for TDR-based solutions, Tektronix Digital Serial Analyzer Sampling Oscilloscope gives you the greatest performance for serial data network analysis applications on your Ethernet network design - TDR performance, S-parameter bandwidth, signal fidelity, and RMS noise.

For a complete summary of recommended test equipment for Ethernet testing from Tektronix, consult the recommended equipment tables on the right or print/view the Ethernet Solutions Fact Sheet.