SHF Communication Technologies AG,
Wilhelm-von-Siemens-Str. 23 D • 12277 Berlin • Germany
Phone ++49 30 / 772 05 10 • Fax ++49 30 / 753 10 78
E-Mail: sales@shf.de • Web: http://www.shf.de

Application Note
Dual-Band
Multi-Channel BPG
SHF 12103/4 A

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Content

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Truly Synchronized Multi-Channel Data Generation ............................................................................... 4
Jitter Transparency .................................................................................................................................. 6
Applications ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Optical (D)QPSK Signal Generation ................................................................................................... 7
Optical 16QAM Signal Generation ...................................................................................................... 8
Optical DP-QPSK Signal Generation ................................................................................................ 12High Baud Rate Optical (D)QPSK Signal Generation ...................................................................... 15
100 Gbps Serial Data Generation ..................................................................................................... 16
Pre(de)-Emphasis High Speed Back-Plane and PCB Design Applications ..................................... 17
Setup Requirements for Two-Channel Pre-Emphasis at 28/32 Gbps .............................................. 19
Cross-Talk Analysis .......................................................................................................................... 20

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Introduction
Current market requirements point towards high channel count as a cost effective route tosatisfying the ever increasing demand for capacity. Complex and highly spectral-efficientmodulation formats invoking multi-level phase and amplitude, and coherent demodulation havebecome standard practices in the realization of long distance transmission.
As the technology for Si-based digital signal processing (DSP) matures and advances, and theburden of over-all system complexity begins to erode the benefits of increasing channel counts,
future system evolution is expected to call on the increase in symbol rate as an effective element in
the high capacity tool box. Therefore, the ability to deliver multi-channels at symbol rates beyond
the current commercial product focus is highly desirable. This would enable early investigations on
the high speed limits of many of the current complex modulation formats.
An important aspect of multiple signal propagation in a multi-channel system and component test
bed, is the potential impact of cross-talk, which could manifest in either the amplitude/intensity andphase domains, or indeed both. Therefore, the ability to control and manipulate the bit sequencetiming relationship between the propagating data streams becomes indispensable. In other words,
the output data channels of the BPG must be bit synchronized and preferably adjustable over awide range in fine resolution.
The objective of this note is to provide a reference to illustrate how to make the best use of the truly
synchronous features, dual bit rate bands, and multi-channel nature of SHF 12103A and 12104A
BPGs. Hardware implementation examples are given towards the realization of many advanced
system experiments, as well as setups for module production tests in a manufacturing
environment.

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Truly Synchronized Multi-Channel Data Generation
The dual-rate broad band, multi-channel pattern generator SHF 12103/4A, features true
synchronization between the output data streams, be it at the high rate band of 6 to 56 Gbps or
3- 32 Gbps.
•

Upon pattern length selection, the internal pattern generators automatically set all the
output data streams to the same starting bit at the beginning of the sequence. The time
position is exactly aligned through internal clock synchronization.

•

The timing relationship between the channels can be synchronized to within one bit via thebit delay control feature in the control software. The number of bit delay can be as long as
31
the chosen sequence length. For example, if 2 -1 is chosen, the bit delay can range from
1 to 2,147,483,647.

•

In the 3-32 Gbps band, a skew control option allows for phase adjustment, for eachchannel, in 0.1 ps resolution for precision delay control of up to ±15 ps.

These features are particularly crucial for applications such as (D)QPSK, multi-level signal
generation for QAM, multiple tap pre-emphasis via external components, cross-talk evaluation in
multiple parallel channels measurements as Infini-Band, Fiber Channel and Data-Com testing. In
these applications, the N bit delay per channel can be used to de-correlate the transmitted data
streams, whilst the 0.1 ps resolution can be used to negate any channel path deviation in acomplex multi-channel parallel test setup. Details of these specific applications are dealt with laterin this note.
Figure 1 and 2 show, respectively, how the bit delay and timing skew control feature is setup in the
BCC, and a timing diagram illustration of these features for one chosen data stream.

Channel Synchronisation

Bit delay control

Skew control

Figure 1

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Bit Delay Control & Skew Control Feature

Reference
Initial+ 10 ps+ 5 ps+ 5 ps+ 5 ps + 2 bits

Each channel can be delayed in• Integer bits
• ± 25 ps at 0.1 ps resolution

Figure 2

However, once different pattern lengths are chosen, the bit delay function is automatically ‘switched
off’, as the patterns are automatically de-correlated. This is illustrated in figure 3.

De-correlation via Pattern Length Mismatch
Bit delay function in-operative as all channels
are automatically de-correlated

Skew control stays active

Figure 3

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Jitter Transparency
Additionally, the 12103/4A family of BPGs is jitter-transparent, and this means the output data
streams (both the 56 and 32 G outputs) can be jittered for stress tests commonly performed intransceiver module testing. Figure 4 below shows how a random jitter is ‘copied’ into the BPG data
outputs. Using the SHF 78210A Option J1, and a suitable AWG, various modulation signals
including sinusoidal, peak-to-peak as well as random jitter with an amplitude of up to 90 ps, andmodulation frequency range of up to 1 GHz, can be ‘copied’ into the pattern generator. Further
details on jitter transparency of the SHF 12103A, and the clock synthesizer with jitter injection are
1
documented elsewhere .

Jitter Transparency
•
•
•
•
•

Clock jitter generation using the SHF 78210A Option J 1
Low frequency AWG to provide modulation source for different
jitter types
Jittered clock ‘copied’ to output data
90 ps jitter range, up to 1 GHz modulation
2.5 UI at 28 Gbps

AWG

Jittered clock

Jittered data output

Figure 4

1

Jitter Injection using the Multi- Channel BPG (http://www.shf.de/en/communication/support/application_notes/)

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Applications
Optical (D)QPSK Signal Generation
•
•
•
•
•
•

2 data channels for I and Q modulation
2 cables of approximate lengths
Skew control to mitigate input paths delay deviation
Pre-coding for PRBS BER analysis after 1-bit delay demodulation at receive side
Optical transmitter SHF 46213DDPSK receiver SHF 47215A or SHF 47215C may be used for 1-bit demodulation and error
analysis using the SHF 11104A

Setup example using SHF 12103A Quad-28/32 option in figure 5 below:

64 Gbps (D)QPSK Signal Generation(D)QPSK Transmitter

Multi-channel BPG• Two data channels A and C are needed• Use cables of approximate lengths• Activate bit delay for de-correlation if same
PRBS length• Internal pre-coding function in BPG
activated for PRBS BER analysis atreceive side after 1-bit delay demodulation• Skew control for differential path delay
mitigation

Figure 5
Figure 6a shows a typical directly detected two-level signal from the output of the transmitter, andwhich also shows that any differential path deviation between the two signal propagation paths has
been minimized (through the BPG output skew control). The results obtained from using theAgilent N4391A modulation format analyzer is given in 6b which displays the re-construction from
captured amplitude and phase data, the constellations as well as the eye pattern of the transmitted
signal.

Figure 6a

Figure 6b

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Optical 16QAM Signal Generation
Basic transmit side requirement
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

4 data channels, A, C, B & D
Two 4-level signal generators are needed for I and Q modulation. These can be of the ‘all2
passive’ type as described in the ‘Multi-level’ signal generation’ application note , or a DAC
nd
A, C to form one 4-level signal, and B, D form a 2 4-level signal for I-Q modulation as shownin figure 7
Skew control for optimum 4-level signal generation, as well as to mitigate input paths delay
deviation
Use A, C, B & D amplitude control for eye-opening pre(de)-emphasis for optimum
constellation generation. Figure 8 illustrates how this is realized using the amplitude and skew
control on the BCC software
For coherent transmission experiments or coherent receiver assessment, de-activate precoding function
Optical transmitter SHF 46213D
Constellation analysis using a variety of commercial tools such the Agilent N4391A, andEXFO PSO 200 had been successfully trialed

16QAM Signal Generation(D)QPSK Transmitter

Multi-channel BPG• Four data channels A and C are needed• Two 4-level signal generator are needed• Use cables of approximate lengths• Activate bit delay for de-correlation if same
PRBS length• De-active pre-coding function in BPG
for coherent-related analysis• Skew control for differential path delay
mitigation

Figure 7

It is worth noting that in addition to the ‘all-passive’ method, a multi-level signal can also be
generated using a high speed DAC with an appropriate number of effective bits. The following
sections will describe how to implement the ‘all-passive’ 4-level generator, and the use of a 3-bit
DAC for 4- and 8-level signal generation.

2‘Multi-level’ generation using the multi-channel SHF 12103A’(http://www.shf.de/en/communication/support/application_notes/)

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4-level Signal Generation-Passive Approach

BCC Software control of the 4-Level parameters

BPG‘s skew control
to minimize the jitterand migate path
lengths variation

BPG‘s amplitude control
to adjust the 4-level eye
symmetry

Figure 8

Figure 9 shows a 4-level signal generated by optimizing the amplitude and skew control of theBPG, and the coherently detected signal at the output of the QAM transmitter.

Figure 9a

Figure 9b

It is worth pointing out that the ‘all-passive’ 4-level generator, or the custom-designed semi-rigid
cables can be obtained from SHF. A picture of this all-passive structure is shown below.

Figure 10 ‘All-passive’ 4-level signal generator
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Figure 11 shows the salient features of a high speed 3-bit DAC appropriately designed for thegeneration of high baud rate 4- and 8-level signals. Potential applications includes high baud rate
QAM for future systems beyond 100G, as well as the next generation 100GbE for client-side andshort reach applications such as PAM-4 and PAM-8. Key features of this module, SHF 611A, is the
on-chip signal regeneration at the inputs and re-configurability for either 2- or 3-bits. The former
renders the multi-level signal generation process less sensitive to cable/component related
bandwidth and length issues between the BPG and the multi-level signal generator. This means,the multi-level generator can be brought closer to the optical transmitter, rather like a ‘remotehead’. Although an additional clock input is necessary for the input signal regeneration function.

3-Bit DAC for Multi-level Signal Generation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Configurable to 2- or 3-bit binary inputs
DFF for retiming and re-shaping of input data streams
Target baud rate 32 GBaud
Input data amplitude 100 mV min, 250 mV max
Clock input amplitude 100 mV min, 200 mV max
Adjustable output amplitude
External bias board included

4-level8-levelFigure 11
Typical multi-level signal waveforms resulted from using this approach are illustrated in figures 12,
configured for 2-bits, and 13 for 3-bits operation. When configured for 2-bits, operation up to atleast 43 GBaud is possible, whilst 32 GBaud appears to be the limit for 8-levels, for the technology
used.

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4-Level for 16QAM & PAM-4
28 GBaud

32 GBaud

40 GBaud

43 GBaud

Figure 12

8-Level for PAM-8

28 GBaud

32 GBaud

40 GBaud

Figure 13

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Optical DP-QPSK Signal Generation
Basic transmit side requirements
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

4 data channels, A, C, B & D
A, C for X-Pol I-Q modulation and B, D for Y-Pol I-Q modulation
4 cables of approximate lengths
Skew control to mitigate input paths delay deviation
For coherent transmission experiments or coherent receiver assessment, de-activate precoding function
For direct detection analysis, pre-coding may be activated for PRBS BER analysis after 1-bit
delay demodulation at receive side
Optical transmitter SHF 46215A
Constellation analysis using a variety of commercial tools such the Agilent N4391A, Tektronix
OM4106D and EXFO PSO 200 had been successfully trialed

Setup example using SHF 12103A Quad-28/32 option is shown in figure 14, whilst the dual
polarization signal as captured and displayed by a coherent signal analyzer, EXFO PSO-200 is
illustrated in figure 15.

128 Gbps DP-QPSK Signal Generation

DP-QPSK Transmitterv

Multi-channel BPG• Four data channels A, B, C and D needed• Use cables of approximate lengths• Activate bit delay for de-correlation if same
PRBS length• De-active pre-coding function in BPG
for coherent-related analysis• Skew control for differential path delay
mitigation

Figure 14

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Figure 15
Dual-polarization signal captured by the PSO-200 constellation analyzer

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DP-16QAM Signal Generation
In this application, the SHF 12104A Oct-28/32 would be the ideal candidate for the binary data
streams. All the other key functionalities such as skew and amplitude controls remain the same as
the SHF 12103A.

Basic transmit side requirements
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

SHF 12104A for 8 data channels
Four 4-level signal generators are needed for the X- and Y-polarisations and I and Q
modulation for each polarisation
These 4-level generators can be of the ‘all-passive’ type as described in the ‘Multi-level’ signal
generation’ application note (Note 2), or the 3-bit DAC as described earlier
8 cables of approximate lengths
Skew control to mitigate input paths delay deviation
Use binary data amplitude control for eye-opening pre(de)-emphasis for optimum constellation
generation.
The SHF 46215 may be considered as the optical transmitter for generating the dualpolarization 16QAM optical signal.

Figure 16 below suggest how the new generation of multi-channel BPG, the SHF 12104A witheight output channels may be used as the data source to form the four 4-level signals for I-Q
modulation.

4-level signal generation for DP-16QAM

X-Pol
I

Y-Pol
Q

I

Q

4-level signal generation can be the ‘all-passive’ approach or an active DAC

Figure 16

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High Baud Rate Optical (D)QPSK Signal Generation
In this application, two high speed outputs of the BPG are used. Currently, the internal skew timing
control feature is not installed, and therefore either a suitable external delay line is used, or a pairof custom-matched cables is to be used to mitigate any timing variation in the propagation paths
between the BPG and the modulator structure.
•
•
•
•
•

Dual-56 data channels for I and Q modulation
2 custom-matched cables
Pre-coding for PRBS BER analysis after 1-bit delay demodulation at receive side
Optical transmitter SHF 46213DDPSK receiver SHF 47215A or SHF 47215C may be used for 1-bit demodulation and error
analysis using the SHF 11104A

Setup example using SHF 12103A Dual-56 and SHF 46213D is shown in figure 17.

Dual-56G for 112G (D)QPSK transmission• Use custom-matched cables or suitable externaldelay line for I-Q bit alignment• Software pre-coding via 1Gb user patternmemory for BER analysis in PRBS mode
• In NRZ mode, operation up to 56 GBaud (112Gbps capacity) guaranteed, 64 GBaud has beenshown to be possible

Figure 17
Figure 18 shows the demodulated I(Q) channel using a variable rate 1-bit delay demodulator, andthe constellation as captured by a coherent receiver front-end.

55 Gbaud
S/N: 5.9, Jitter: 1.8 ps

56 Gbaud

64 Gbaud

Constellation diagrams extracted from coherent receiver and off-line
DSP “Courtesy of Prof. David V. Plant, ECE Dept., McGill University”

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100 Gbps Serial Data Generation
Both the SHF 12103A and 12104A with Dual-56 option can be used for this application. A
dedicated setup selection is built-in to ensure the two 56G outputs are maintained at ½ patternlength delayed at all times and all PRBS pattern lengths. Since there is no internal skew control in
the current product offering, the user is recommended to use two custom-matched cables. If
external delay lines are used, care must be taken to mitigate any path delay difference.
Setup example using SHF 12103A Dual-56 is shown in figure 19. For detail setting up of the 100 G
3
2:1 multiplexer, the reader is referred to the corresponding application note .

Dual-56G for Serial 100G Data Generation• 100 Gbps option selected for true PRBS
data generation• AxC and BxD maintain ½ pattern delaydifference at all PRBS lengths• Custom-matched cables recommended• 2:1 multiplexer availability on request

100 Gbps

107 Gbps

Differential
OutputFigure 19

3

Application note AN 408 on request.

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Pre(de)-Emphasis High Speed Back-Plane and PCB Design Applications
As a result of the multi-channel nature of the SHF 12103/4A, the BPG lends itself readily
configurable for pre(de)-emphasis investigations. However, currently this functionality can only be
implemented using external components, chiefly attenuators and power combiners. The number oftaps in the pre-emphasis function that can be implemented will depend on the number of binary
data channels available, and to a large extend, the complexity that can be conveniently managed.
For most applications in the evaluation of propagation loss in high speed back plane connections,and high speed line designs in PCBs, a one-tap implementation should incorporate, for mostpractical purposes, all the important effect commonly encountered.
Figure 20 shows the basic principle involved for the case of the simple one-tap pre-emphasis.

Basic Pre-emphasis (One Tap)
D
D

tB
-1
One-tap pre-emphasis
logical representation

Data
Delay, invert &attenuate
Power addition

One-tap pre-emphasis timing diagram

Figure 20

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The BCC control software representation for an example of one-tap pre-emphasis configured fortwo-channel, and the key parameter definitions are shown in figure 21.

Software Control

•
•
•
•

External attenuators and combiners
assumedInternal channel skew control invoked
Attenuator value sets the output signal
amplitude and over-shoot range
Higher the value, lower is the amount ofover-shootPre-emphasis

Amplitude
Over-shoot:Pre-emphasis x 100%
Amplitude

Figure 21
Figure 22 shows the an example on how the dispersion of a 3.5 m long SMA cable can becompensated with 40 % of overshoot in the pre-emphasized signal at the bit rate of 32 Gbps.

With & Without Pre-emphasis

Frequency response
pre-emphasised signal

3.5 m cable
Frequency response

40 % pre-emphasis
Signal at input

3.5 m coaxial cable(> 7 dB attenuation at 30 GHz)

Outputafter 3.5 m SMA cable

No pre-emphasis

40 % pre-emphasis

Figure 22

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Setup Requirements for Two-Channel Pre-Emphasis at 28/32 Gbps•••

Two external combiners
Attenuators as required for the magnitude of pre-emphasis
SHF 12103A Quad-28/32 with skew control option

Figure 23 shows the practical implementation using the SHF 12103A and external attenuators andpower combiners to form two pre-emphasized channels. The bit delay feature provides the one bit
delay required for the one-tap implementation, whilst the skew control allows for sub-ps fine tuning
for any remaining path delay variation. The choice of attenuator value will determine the amount of
pre-emphasis and signal amplitude realizable. These signal parameters are selected through the
BCC software as shown in figure 18.

Pre-emphasis With the Multi-channel SHF 12103A• Two independent data channels for one preemphasised output stream• Internal bit delay control, data inversion &amplitude adjust for pre-emphasis• Addition external components readily
available• Two additional pre-emphasised outputs canbe formed with remaining output ports

Outputs withpre-emphasis

Figure 23

In the event that more four pre-emphasized channels are needed, it is possible to make use of theun-used data and inverted data outputs, too. In this case the two extra channels are the inverted
version of the previous.
Should even more channels are required, it would be worth considering using the SHF 12104A
Oct-32 with eight data streams, providing 16 single ended outputs.

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Cross-Talk Analysis
In general, crosstalk occurs when a signal is affected by the transmission of another signal on its
adjacent transmission lanes, through coupling of electromagnetic radiation. The latter is commonlyin the form of RF as well as optical signal formats.
For this kind of investigation, two or more data channels are needed, one channel interferes, whilst
the other(s) suffers from such disturbance. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to study
the impact of more than one source of disturbance. This is especially true in practical scenarios
where many channels on a single back plane interconnect or a multi-channel/multi-layer PCB, andin the case of an optical system, when a large number of WDM channels, at different wavelengths,
even different bit rate and modulation formats are transmitted in a single fibre. In these situations,the ability to set the individual test data pattern length, relative timing relationship between data
streams are mandatory to explore the degree of correlation and its impact on the damage due tocrosstalk. A possible experimental setup for crosstalk investigation is shown in figure 24, involving
the SHF 12103A Quad-28/32, 4-channel BPG, as the data source and the SHF 11104A Quad28/32, 4-channel error analyser.

CFP, Fiber Channel, Infini-band Testing
Example of 4-channel test setup, 3-32 Gbps coverage

DUT could be in the form of,••••Multi-channel TOSA & ROSA modules
100G CFP
Fiber channels to at least 32GFC
Infini-band up to at least EDR

DUT DUT DUT DUT
#1
#2
#3
#4

Individual channel BER analysis

Figure 24

Should more than 4 channels needed, the SHF 12104A Oct28/32 and the SHF 11104A Oct-28/32
with eight channels capability may be considered. The former provides all the pre-requisite
synchronization features required, whilst the latter can be configured either with a single common
clock input or individual clock inputs rendering the individual channels completely independent to
one another.

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