SHF Communication Technologies AG
Wilhelm-von-Siemens-Str. 23D • 12277 Berlin • Germany
Phone +49 30 772051-0 • Fax +49 30 7531078
E-Mail: sales@shf.de • Web: http://www.shf.de

Datasheet
SHF 11104 A
Multi-Channel Error Analyzer

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 –Page 1/16

Description
The SHF 11104 A is a multi-channel 33/60/64 Gbps error analyzer (EA) plug-in, to be fitted in a SHF
10000 Series mainframes. It analyzes binary (NRZ) or PAM4 digital bit sequences. The data can be
pseudo-random (PRBS) or user patterns.
A wide range of operating bit rates from 4.8-64 Gbps is covered. Depending on the configuration, theinstrument features up to four 64 Gbps or up to eight 33 Gbps inputs, or a mix of 64 and 33 Gbps input
channels. See selection table for possible configurations.
The operating bit rate range is determined by a clock signal from an external clock source such as the
SHF 78210 D. The 60/64 Gbps inputs can operate at both full clock and half clock, so e.g. a 20 GHz or a
40 GHz signal is required for 40 Gbps operation. The 33 Gbps inputs operate at full clock only; therefore a
33 GHz signal is required for 33 Gbps operation.

Features
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
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

Multiple 60/64 Gbps and 33 Gbps data input channels
Broadband operation up to aggregated 264 Gbps
7
9
10
11
15
20
23
31
Eight built-in PRBS patterns (2 -1, 2 -1, 2 -1, 2 -1, 2 -1, 2 -1, 2 -1 & 2 )Up to 8 Gbit user pattern memory per channel to support user defined patterns
Individual auto search of optimum sampling point for each channel
All inputs can be used in single ended or differential mode
Q-factor analysis for each channel
Jitter analysis for each channel
Eye contour analysis for each channel
PAM4 analysis capability for PRBS patterns and user patterns like PRBS13Q and SSPRQ
Error trigger output
Gating input for loop experiments
Control by intuitive graphical user interface BERT Control Center (BCC)
Individual clock input per channel for selected configurations

Applications
The SHF 11104 A is the ideal error analyzer (EA) for basically any application in R&D or production whichneeds to test high speed data streams for electrical/optical components or transmission systems. The
flexible channel configuration possibilities, the broad band gap-free data rate coverage and the advanced
features make this error analyzer the perfect fit e.g. for

single channel applications
e.g. OC-768/STM-256 (using 40 Gbps NRZ or DPSK), CEI 56G, Fiber Channel®, PCI Express, SerialATAmulti-channel applications
e.g. OC-768/STM-256 (using 20 GBaud QPSK), 100GbE (using 32 GBaud DP-QPSK), 400 GbE(using 8x 56.2 Gbps)

multi-level applications
e.g. 100GbE (using 2x 28 GBaud PAM4), 400 GbE (using 8x 28 GBaud PAM4)

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 –Page 2/16

Configurations and Options
The SHF 11104 A can be equipped in a variety of different configurations; either with 60/64 Gbps or 33
Gbps data inputs only or with both types of inputs fitted together in one plug-in.

60/64 Gbps Data InputsQuad 60
Dual 60
Single 60- Four differential channels from 9.6 to 60 Gbps
- Two differential channels from 9.6 to 60 Gbps
- One differential channel from 9.6 to 60 Gbps




Quad 64
Dual 64
Single 64- Four differential channels from 9.6 to 64 Gbps
- Two differential channels from 9.6 to 64 Gbps
- One differential channel from 9.6 to 64 Gbps

33 Gbps Data Inputs

Oct 33
Quad 33
Dual 33- Eight differential channels from 4.8 to 33 Gbps
- Four differential channels from 4.8 to 33 Gbps
- Two differential channels from 4.8 to 33 Gbps

Available Combinations
No
33 GbpsDual
33 GbpsQuad
33 Gbps

Oct
33 GbpsNo60/64 Gbps
Single60/64 Gbps
Dual
60/64 Gbps
Quad
60/64 Gbps
: Individual clock inputs to enable multi-channel analysis at different bit rates inclusive

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 –Page 3/16

Configuration Examples

SHF 11104 A in Configuration Oct 33

SHF 11104 A in Configuration Quad 60/64

SHF 11104 A in Configuration Quad 33 (with individual clock inputs)

Options
SHF offers matching external modules to de-multiplex a high speed signal into two data streams at half ofthe original high speed signal before applying the demultiplexed data to the SHF 11104 A.
Such an extender can be placed very close to or even directly at the device under test. In order to serve
the individual configuration and testing needs SHF provides the modules without any cabling. However,
we would be very happy to add the required clock and data cables tailored to the individual setups.

Option Extender SHF 621 A
One 60 Gbps data stream can be de-multiplexed externally by the SHF 621 A before being applied to two
30G input channels. For details please be referred to the data sheet of the SHF 621 A.

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 –Page 4/16

Specifications – SHF 11104 A
60/64 Gbps Data Inputs
Parameter

Symbol

Unit

Min.

Typ.

Max.

8

9.6

Comment

Minimum Bit Rate

Gbps

Maximum Bit Rate in
60 Gbps configuration

Gbps

60

62

Bit rates above 56 Gbps
require half clock mode

Maximum Bit Rate in
64 Gbps configuration

Gbps

64

65

Bit rates above 56 Gbps
require half clock mode

Minimum Baud Rate for
PAM4 Measurements

GBaud

Maximum Baud Rate for
PAM4 Measurements

GBaud

32
-240

8
33

Threshold Adjustment

Vthreshold

mV

1

Vin

mV

PAM4 Sensitivity

mV

Delay /
Clock Phase Adjustment

ps

0

CPM

°

200

Max. Input Amplitude

Vin

mVpp

Max. Input DC Voltage

Vin_DCV

Sensitivity

2

Clock Phase Margin

3

9.6

240

Adjustable in 0.5 mV steps

25

50

Up to 64 Gbps

20

40

Up to 32 GBaud

70

Adjustable in 0.1 ps steps

900

AC coupled-5+5Connectors

1.85 mm (V) male

Typical Clock Phase Margin

30
20
10
0
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Clock Phase Margin [°]Sensitivity [mV]

Typical Sensitivity
350
300
250
200
150
100

40

Bitrate [Gbps]

1

50

60

70

Bitrate [Gbps]

Value corresponds to the measured eye height on an Agilent 86100 C with 70 GHz samplers using 231-1 PRBS at a BER limit of 10-9.

2

Value corresponds to the measured eye heights of a symmetric PAM4 signal on an Agilent 86100 C with 70 GHz samplers using 223-1
PRBS at a BER limit of 10-9.
3

BER limit 10-9, PRBS 231-1, eye height 100 mV, Peak-to-Peak-Source-Jitter as displayed on an Agilent 86100 with 70 GHz samplingheads and precision time base, calculated using the formula:
Clock Phase Margin[]  360  

Measured Clock Margin[ps] - (Peak - to - Peak - Source - Jitter [ps])Eye Length [ps]SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 –Page 5/16

33 Gbps Data Inputs
Parameter

SymbolUnit

Min.

Minimum Bit Rate

Gbps

Maximum Bit Rate

Gbps

Minimum Baud Rate for
PAM4 Measurements

Gbps

Maximum Baud Rate for
PAM4 Measurements

Gbps

32
-240

Threshold adjustment

Vthreshold

mV

4

Vin

mV

Sensitivity

Sensitivity PAM4

33

Typ.

Max.

4

4.8

34
4

4.8

33
240
15

5

ps

0

CPM

°

250

Max. Input Amplitude

Vin

mVpp

Max. Input DC Voltage

Vin_DCV

Clock Phase Margin

30

6

-5

140

Adjustable in 0.1 ps steps

900

AC coupled+5

Connectors

2.92 mm (K) female

Typical Clock Phase Margin

Typical Sensitivity
Clock Phase Margin [°]16
Sensitivity [mV]

Adjustable in 0.5 mV steps

60

Delay /
Clock Phase Adjustment

14
12
10
8
6
0

10

20

30

40

360
350
340
330
320
310
300
290
280
270
260
250
0

Bitrate [Gbps]

4Comment

10

20

30

40

Bitrate [Gbps]

Value corresponds to the measured eye height on an Agilent 86100 with 70 GHz samplers using 231-1 PRBS at a BER limit of 10-9.

5

Value corresponds to the measured eye height of a symmetric PAM4 signal on an Agilent 86100 with 70 GHz samplers using 223-1
PRBS at a BER limit of 10-9.
6BER limit 10-9, PRBS 231-1, eye height 100 mV, Peak-to-Peak-Source-Jitter as displayed on an Agilent 86100 with 70 GHz samplingheads and precision time base, calculated using the formula:
Clock Phase Margin[]  360  

Measured Clock Margin[ps] - (Peak - to - Peak - Source - Jitter [ps])Eye Length [ps]SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 –Page 6/16

Clock and Trigger Specifications
Parameter

Symbol

Unit

Min.

Typ.

Max.

ruggedized 1.85 mm (V)male connector
ruggedized 1.85 mm (V)male connector
ruggedized 2.92 mm (K)male connector
ruggedized 2.92 mm (K)male connector

Connector TypeClock Input
Clock Output

ΩComment

50

Clock/2 Output
Selectable Clock Output
4.8
9.6

half clock mode
full clock mode

Minimum Clock Input
Frequency

fin_clockGHz

Maximum Clock Input
Frequency

fin_clock

GHz

30
56

half clock mode
full clock mode

Maximum Clock Input
Frequency with Option“64 Gbps” Input

fin_clock

GHz

32
56

half clock mode
full clock mode

Clock Input Frequency
Individual Clockfin_clock

GHz

2.4

16.5

for 33 Gbps inputs

Input Level

Vin_clock

mVpp

600

1000

AC coupled

Output Level
Clock Output
Clock/2 Output
Selectable Clock Output

Vout_clock

mVpp

1000
1000
800

AC coupled, @Pin = 0 dBm
AC coupled,
AC coupled

56
28
14

same as input frequency
half of input frequency
input frequency/N(N=4,8,16,32,64,128,256,
512,1024)

Output Frequency
Clock
Clock/2
Selectable Clock Output

500
500
400

700
800
600

GHz

4.8
1.2
0.0023

Input Voltage High

V

2.0

3.3

5

LV TTL, SMA female

Input Voltage Low

V

0

0

0.8

LV TTL, SMA female

Output Voltage High

V

2.4

3.3

3.8

LV TTL, SMA female

Output Voltage Low

V

0

0

0.4

LV TTL, SMA female

fout_clock

Gating Trigger Input

Error Trigger Output

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 –Page 7/16

Pattern Specifications
Parameter

Symbol

Unit

Min.

Typ.

Max.

ITU-T (CCITT) conform
PRBS patterns at a length of
7
9
10
11
15
2 -1, 2 -1, 2 -1, 2 -1, 2 -1,
20
2331
2 -1, 2 -1 & 2 -1 plus user
definedInput Pattern

Real Time User Pattern
Memory Size for 33 Gbps
Data Inputs

Comment

Gbit

4

Per Channel
See Chapter User Pattern
Capabilities

8

Per Channel
See Chapter User Pattern
Capabilities

Real Time User Pattern
Memory Size for 60/64
Gbps Data Inputs

Gbit

Real Time User Pattern
Granularity for 33 Gbps
Data Inputs

Bit

512

See Chapter User Pattern
Capabilities

Real Time User Pattern
Granularity for 60/64
Gbps Data Inputs

Bit

1024

See Chapter User Pattern
Capabilities

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 –Page 8/16

Input Adjustment Capabilities

Data Rate
The data rate of all inputs is continuously adjustable by a single external clock signal applied to the clock
input. The 60/64 Gbps data inputs are always running at a data rate of twice the speed of the 33 Gbps
data inputs. For configurations Dual 33 and Quad 33 each channel may be driven by an individual clock
allowing different bit rates for each channel.
Pattern TypeAll PRBS and user patterns can be assigned individually to each channel.
Delay / Threshold
The decision point of each channel can be adjusted using the delay and threshold settings.
Auto Search
To facilitate finding the best decision point an auto search function is available to determine the delay andthreshold values.
Error Trigger
If selected an error at one of the channels triggers a signal at the Error Trigger Output. Further an error
rate dependent sound can be played. These features allow the optimization of the setup without having towatch the error rate on the BERT Control Center display.
SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 –Page 9/16

User Pattern Capabilities
In addition to the pre-defined PRBS patterns, arbitrary user-defined patterns can also be analyzed.
The user pattern is analyzed in ’real time mode’. This means, the user does not need to load an externallycreated pattern into the error analyzer. One only has to define the length of the pattern and the error
analyzer will capture and store the first incoming bit stream of this length into its internal memory.
Subsequent incoming data is compared to the data stored within the internal memory. Therefore it is7,8
possible to measure a continuous bit stream without any gaps .

Granularity Requirement
The maximum available user pattern is 8,589,934,592 bit (1 Gigabyte, approx. 8 Gbit) per 60/64 Gbps
channel and 4,294,967,296 bits (512 Mbyte, approx. 4 Gbit) per 33 Gbps channel. Due to the internalarchitecture of the error analyzer the user pattern lengths has to be a multiple of 1024 bits for the 60/64
Gbps inputs or 512 bits for the 33 Gbps inputs.
In case this granularity requirement is not met, the EA will automatically record the pattern as often as
required until the condition is satisfied. For example, in case a 127 bit long data stream shall be analyzed,
the length of the real recorded pattern is 127 * 1024 = 130,048 bits when using the 60/64 Gbps inputs.
For significantly longer patterns (patterns longer than 8,388,608 bits) in can happen that the real recorded
pattern length does exceed the memory size, although the actual size of the user pattern is smaller than
the available memory. The actually available user pattern memory is shown below.

Maximum user pattern (bits)
8,589,934,592
4,294,967,296…
33,554,432
16,777,216
8,388,608

7

in case the word lengths is dividable by
60/64 Gbps inputs

33 Gbps inputs

1024
512
…
4
2
1

N/A
512
…
4
2
1

The details are documented in the application note: Real time user pattern BER analysis with the SHF 11104A error analyzer.

8

The incoming data stream is internally de-multiplexed into sub-channels. Each individual sub channel requires an alternating pattern.
As a consequence a 1010 pattern cannot be measured, as the sub-channels would see a constant ‘1’ or ‘0’ and no alternating pattern.
SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 – Page 10/16

Error Counting with Real Time User Pattern
Ideally the real recorded reference pattern used by the error analyzer should be error free. The conditions
for error free reference patterns are described below.
The probability p to detect no errors within a bit stream of length n and a bit error ratio BER can be
expressed by the following expression derived from the binomial distribution:𝑝 = (1 − 𝐵𝐸𝑅)𝑛
The following table lists the probability to receive an error free real recorded pattern for different patternlength for the 60/64 GBit/s input channels.
7

23

A PRBS 2 -1 pattern requires 127*1024= 130,048 Bits, a PRBS 2 -1 pattern 8,388,607*1024 =8,589,933,568 Bits to be recorded. The probability to record and assure an error-free segment depends on
the lengths of the real recorded pattern and the actual BER.

Probability (in %) to record error free pattern
BER

Pattern length:1024 Bits

Pattern length:
130,048 Bits
(PRBS7*1024)

Pattern length:33553408 Bits
(PRBS15*1024)

Pattern length:8,589,933,568 Bits
(PRBS23 * 1024)-4

90.266

0.000

0.000

0.000

-5

98.98127.240

0.000

0.000

-6

99.89887.805

0.000

0.000

-7

99.99098.708

3.490

0.000

-8

99.99999.87071.4960.000-9100.000

99.98796.7000.019-10100.000

99.99999.66542.359-11100.000

100.000

99.96691.769-12100.000

100.000

99.99799.145

10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10

Error free recorded user patterns cannot always be assured. For such cases a statistical approach9interpreting the measurement data is possible .

9

The details are documented in the application note: Real time user pattern BER analysis with the SHF 11104A error analyzer.

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 – Page 11/16

Jitter Measurements

The SHF 11104 A has built-in jitter analysis functionality. This performs a BER scan and calculates
random, deterministic and total jitter components from the measurement results. For further refinement of
the results the BER scan parameters can be adjusted. There are two different algorithms available for thejitter calculation.
The results of the BER scan and the jitter analysis can be exported for further analysis.
Further information about this program and the theory used in deriving the jitter values can be found in the
SHF application note “Jitter Analysis using SHF 10000 Series BERT Equipment” on our web site(www.shf.de/)

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 – Page 12/16

Eye Contour Scan

The SHF 11104 A has built-in eye contour scan functionality. This performs an eye scan along a user
specified BER threshold. The eye scan algorithm also determines the center point of the detected eyewhich can be used as the decision point for further BER measurements.
The results of the eye contour scan can be exported for further analysis.

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 – Page 13/16

Q-Factor Measurement

The SHF 11104 A has built-in Q-Factor analysis functionality. This performs a BER scan and will calculate
the Q-Factor from the measurement results. For further refinement of the results the BER scan parameters
can be adjusted.
The results of the BER scan and the Q-Factor analysis can be exported for further analysis.

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 – Page 14/16

PAM4 Measurements
The error analyzer can be used to analyze PAM4 signals of up to 32 GBaud.
To perform BER measurements of the PAM4 signal, the error analyzer successively samples all eye
openings of the 4-level eye and calculates the individual bit error ratios. There are two operation modes forerror counting:

Hardware Decoding (PRBS) Mode
For data streams generated from PRBS data without any encoding the error analyzer includes an internal
hardware decoding where the EA synchronizes its internal reference generators to the two data streams
coded into the PAM4 signal. In this mode the EA is able to detect data generated from a PRBS data
31
stream up to PRBS 2 -1.
Real Time User Pattern Mode
For coded PAM4 signal like QPRBS13 or non-PRBS patterns like SSPRQ the EA operates in real timeuser pattern mode. Please refer to the chapter User Pattern Capabilities for further details on the patternlength and operating principles.

In all modes the error analyzer offers an auto search algorithm determining the decision for each of the 4level signal. This auto search algorithm can perform either a quick four point search or a more detailed eye
contour scan as shown in the screenshot below. Jitter Measurements for each eye are supported as wellas eye contour measurements.

For PAM4 signals the overall BER will be calculated according to the following formula:
𝐵𝐸𝑅𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 =1
1
𝐵𝐸𝑅𝐸𝑦𝑒2 + 𝐵𝐸𝑅𝐸𝑦𝑒1 + 𝐵𝐸𝑅𝐸𝑦𝑒0
2
2

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 – Page 15/16

Outline Drawings

25.0

30.0

15.0

15.0
3 x 30.0

15 x 15.0

145.0
392.0

SHF 11104 A front panel for 33 Gbps input configurations

25.0

30.0

15.0
11 x 30.0
392.0

SHF 11104 A front panel for 60/64 Gbps input configurations

25.0

30.0

15.0
7 x 30.0

15.0
7 x 15.0

265.0
392.0

SHF 11104 A front panel for mixed configurations

All dimensions are specified in millimeters (mm).

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice – SHF 11104 A - V008 – June 8, 2017 – Page 16/16