User`s guide

AG-100™ Theory of Operation
The AG-100 works with Fibre Channel, GigaBit Ethernet and InfiniBand data rates in Pattern Match
mode. For Fibre Channel and Gigabit Ethernet protocols, the instrument works at either 1X or 2X
speeds. For InfiniBand (2.5Gb/s) the unit must be set to for 2X Gigabit Ethernet operation. In Edge
Count mode the AG-100 works up to 2.5Gb/s.
The Arm Generator allows the user to easily adapt to various testing environments. The unit contains
an internal balun used to convert differential signals to single ended signals for use by the
instrument. Two amplifiers are also provided for signal amplification. The amplifiers can be used to
boost the input signal before the pickoff or to boost the signal to the "Detect In" port after the
pickoff. If the signal at the "IN" port of the pickoff is less than 250mV p-p it is recommended that an
amplifier be used. The amplifiers have a 3GHz, 3db bandwidth. It is very important to note that the
amplifiers will invert the signal in the time domain. A simple way to correct a data pattern inversion is
to pre-invert the data signal using the balun on the front panel. This is done by inserting the positive
half of the data signal into the negative port of the balun and the negative half into the positive port.
If a differential probe is being used the signal can be pre-inverted by flipping the probe polarity.
A high bandwidth pickoff is used to couple the data signal into the AG-100 in order to produce an
arming pulse. For proper operation the "Channel Out" port needs to be terminated at 50Ω when it is
not connected to the instrument’s measurement channel.
The unit may be used from the front panel or remotely via the GPIB interface. Once set for remote
operation, the GPIB interface gives users full control of the unit though a module in the
GigaView
Software.
Section 4 - GigaView © WAVECREST Corporation 2005
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