User guide

The following references may also be helpful in determining how to test your
device.
• For a list of recommended patterns for your device and application, see “When
to Use Which Pattern?” on page 64.
• For a list of recommended connection diagrams for your device and application,
see “Connecting the DUT - Concepts ” on page 29.
What are the Testing Requirements of Your Device?
Considering the requirements of your device will help you choose which instrument
functions to use during the test setup and when making measurements.
• Do you need to use a custom test pattern?
If you have a long series of 1's or 0's in your custom pattern, be sure to avoid
false sync. See “What is False Synchronization?” on page 209
• Do you want to use alternating patterns?
Then you must first import or create a custom pattern that contains an A half
(pattern A) and B half (pattern B). See “Pattern Alternation - Concepts ” on
page 161.
• Are you aware of how custom pattern size can affect the pattern output?
See “Why the Serial BERT Repeats Memory-Based Patterns” on page 69.
• Do you need more than two patterns or a mix of custom patterns and PRBS?
• Does your device change the input pattern it receives?
If your device inverts logic, then select Data Inverted in the Sampling Point
Setup window. If your device changes patterns in other ways, then you must
know the expected output pattern and select it as the error detector reference
pattern.
• What logic family is your device compatible with?
The pattern generator has preset voltage levels to work with ECL, SCFL,
LVPECL, LVDS, and CML. Be sure to select the correct logic family. See
“Understanding how the Serial BERT Uses Logic Families and Terminations”
on page 128.
• What is the input termination voltage of your device?
Make sure it is the same voltage as displayed in the pattern generator
termination list.
• What termination voltage is the output of your device designed to work with?
Make sure it is set for the error detector's data port termination. See “Data In
Port Termination” on page 170.
• What bit rate do you need to test your device at?
1 Planning the Test
26 Agilent J-BERT N4903B High-Performance Serial BERT