Agilent/Keysight N4980A

The Keysight N4980A is a multi-instrument BERT software platform that centralizes control of high-speed serial data test equipment through a unified graphical interface. It enables simultaneous Bit Error Rate (BER) and Jitter Tolerance (JTOL) measurements across single and multi-channel configurations, supporting unlimited channel capacity. Engineers use the N4980A for signal integrity analysis, compliance testing, and characterization of serial data receivers, multi-lane devices, and SERDES components operating at data rates from 12.5 Gb/s to 32 Gb/s.

– Technical Specifications

BER Measurement Capability: Supports single-channel and multi-channel BER testing with unlimited channel count. Real-time instantaneous BER monitoring via strip chart display. Bathtub curve visualization across variable BER confidence levels for eye opening analysis.

JTOL Testing: Optional N4980A-JTS extension enables both single and multi-channel jitter tolerance characterization. Parallel testing accelerates multi-lane device measurement.

Pattern Generation: Programmable pattern editor supports patterns up to 8 Mb in length with sub-pattern definition for complex sequences. Integrated de-emphasis tap weight computation tool for equalization calculation.

– Key Features

• Windows-based GUI with centralized multi-instrument control
• Automatic instrument discovery via GPIB or USB
• Strip chart BER history tracking
• Bathtub curve graphical analysis for performance visualization
• Tabular and graphical results output

– Compatible Instruments

The N4980A controls Keysight serial BERT and pattern generation hardware:

• N4960A Serial BERT (17 and 32 Gb/s)
• N4962A Serial BERT (12.5 Gb/s)
• N4963A Clock Synthesizer (13.5 GHz)
• N4965A Multi-channel BERT (12.5 Gb/s)
• N4971A Pattern Generator (13 Gb/s)
• N4972A Clock Synthesizer (16 GHz)
• N4951A/B Pattern Generator (17/32 Gb/s remote head)
• N4952A Error Detector (17/32 Gb/s remote head)
• N4955A Pattern Generator (12.5 Gb/s remote head)
• N4956A Error Detector (12.5 Gb/s remote head)
• N4957A Clock Doubler (remote head)

– Typical Applications

Signal integrity analysis, standards compliance verification, receiver characterization, and multi-lane serial link validation.