Advanced Science And Novel Technology Company, Inc.
2790 Skypark Drive Suite 112, Torrance, CA 90505

Offices: 310-530-9400 / Fax: 310-530-9402
www.adsantec.com

ASNT6901-MOD64Gbaud PAM4 Data Generator with USB Control
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Adjustable data output amplitude and eye quality
Output data eye cross point adjustment
Built-in 4-chanel phase-aligned programmable PRBS7-PRBS31 data generator
Programmable custom data pattern with up to 1Mbit lengthInternal precision low jitter (below 1ps p-p) frequency synthesizer
Alternate external reference clock inputDifferential CML PAM4 data output interface
Can be used as a PRBS Data Generator up to 64Gbaud
Reference clock-divided-by-2 output
Precision delay adjustment on clock input
USB port for connection to an external PC
Full functional control from GUI software
Single +12V power supply from an external AC-DC converter
High speed 1.85mm connectors for PAM4 differential data output
Low jitter and limited temperature variation over industrial temperature range

Fig. 1. Front and Back Views of the Unit

Rev. 1.3.21July 2019

Advanced Science And Novel Technology Company, Inc.
2790 Skypark Drive Suite 112, Torrance, CA 90505

Offices: 310-530-9400 / Fax: 310-530-9402
www.adsantec.com

DESCRIPTION
The ADSANTEC’s differential PAM4 generator unit can be used for test applications, design verification,and R&D environments. The PAM4 Generator can also be configured to operate as a PRBS or custom
word NRZ generator. The fully self-sustained device is integrated in a box with power conditioning,
control circuitry, and a USB computer interface. All signal I/O’s are CML-type. The front panel of theinstrument is shown in Fig. 1 (top). It includes connectors as described in Table 1.
Table 1. Front-Panel ConnectorsConnector
Name

DESCRIPTIONTypePAM4 DATA OUT P 1.85mm
PAM4 DATA OUT N female
CLOCK IN P
2.92mmfemale
CLOCK OUT
SMA
TRG

High-Speed I/Os
DC-coupled CML differential data output port, requires external SE50Ohm terminations to groundAC-coupled CML SE clock input port with internal SE 50Ohm
terminations to groundAC-coupled CML SE clock output ports, require external SE 50Ohm
terminations to groundThe back panel of the instrument is shown in Fig. 1 (bottom). It contains a power switch (Power), a power
supply female connector (+9-12V DC) for connecting a male 2.5x5.5 barrel jack from an external AC-DCadapter, and a USB-B connector (USB) for connecting an external PC with installed Windows GUI
control software.
The PAM4 generator’s functional block diagram is shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2. Block Diagram of 1-Channel PRBS PAM4 Generator

The system consists of five main parts: a Frequency Synthesizer, a Four-Channel PRBS Generator, twohigh-speed 2:1 Multiplexers, two high-speed differential PAM4 combiners, and a Power Supply unit.
The Frequency Synthesizer generates internal clock signals that are used by other parts of the system. It
also generates a synchronization signal (not shown in the diagram) as a divided down clock with aRev. 1.3.2
2July 2019

Advanced Science And Novel Technology Company, Inc.
2790 Skypark Drive Suite 112, Torrance, CA 90505

Offices: 310-530-9400 / Fax: 310-530-9402
www.adsantec.com

selectable division ratio from 4 to 1024 at multiples of 2. This signal can be used to trigger an outsideoscilloscope.
The Four-Channel PRBS Generator delivers four user-defined binary signals. The signals may beprogrammed as PRBS7-PRBS31 patterns with pre-defined initial states, or as a custom data pattern withup to 1.0Mbit length. The four output signals are phase-aligned, and two pairs of signals are processed bytwo 2:1 MUXes to produce two PRBS signals with doubled data rate. The MUXes also provide the clock
required for the Four-Channel PRBS Generator. The clock phases may be individually adjusted in eachMUX2:1 module via the USB control interface.
The output signals from 2:1 MUXes are mixed in two PAM4 combiners to form a differential PAM4signal. The output amplitude of this signal may be adjusted. The amplitude of the middle eye opening canbe individually adjusted without affecting the top and bottom eye opening amplitudes. Alternatively, thesystem may be programmed to output PRBS data or a custom word pattern instead of PAM4 data throughthe same I/Os.
All the parameters of this PAM4 Generator are controlled by an external PC through a USB port. A
special GUI software is installed on the PC to simplify the system control.

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Table 2. PAM4 Generator Specifications

PARAMETER
Vcch
Vccm
Vccl
Vee
Power Consumption
Frequency
JitterData Rate
Maximum
OutputAmplitude
Rise / Fall TimeTDECQ (no FFE)TDECQ (with 5-tap FFE)
Frequency

Frequency
Rev. 1.3.2

TYPICAL
UNIT
General Parameters
12V
5V
3.3
V
0V
133
W
Input Internal Clock0.5-32GHz
1ps
Output Data
1-64
Gbaud
1.2
V

COMMENTPower Supply
Internal Power Supply
Internal Power Supply
External Ground

From Frequency Synthesizer

Differential pk-pk

81.51.2

ps80%-20%dB
With Rx OptimizerdB
With Rx Optimizer
Output Clock0.25-16GHzInternal Clock divided by 2
Output Sync (Trigger)
Internal Clock divided by selectable division
0.0005-16
GHzratio from 2 to 1024 at multiples of 23July 2019

Advanced Science And Novel Technology Company, Inc.
2790 Skypark Drive Suite 112, Torrance, CA 90505

Offices: 310-530-9400 / Fax: 310-530-9402
www.adsantec.com

MECHANICAL DIMENSIONSThe Unit’s external dimensions are presented in Table 3.
Table 3. Unit’s External Dimensions

PARAMETER TYP

UNIT COMMENTS

Length

TBD

mm

Width

TBD

mm

Height

TBD

mm

REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

1.3.2
1.3.1

07-2019
05-2018

1.2.1
1.1.1

05-2018
01-2018

1.0.1

11-2017

Rev. 1.3.2

Changes

Updated Letterhead
Updated Mechanical Dimensions section
Format adjustments
Updated rise/fall time in Electrical Characteristics
Corrected title
Corrected description
Added Table with connector descriptions
Initial Release
4July 2019

Advanced Science And Novel Technology Company, Inc.
2790 Skypark Drive Suite 112, Torrance, CA 90505

Offices: 310-530-9400 / Fax: 310-530-9402
www.adsantec.com

Rev. 1.3.2

5

July 2019