Agilent Technologies 81250 User manual

Agilent Parallel Bit Error Ratio Tester
81250 ParBERT
Installation Guide
Agilent Technologies

Important Notice
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2004
Manual Part Number
81250-91010
Revision
Revision 3.0, May 2004
Printed in Germany
Agilent Technologies,
Deutschland GmbH
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Authors: t3 medien GmbH
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Agilent 81250 ParBERT Installation Guide, May 2004 Contents-1
Contents
1 About this Manual 1-1
Welcome to the ParBERT Installation Guide 1-2
General Structure of the Installation Guide 1-2
How to Use this Guide 1-3
Document History 1-5
2 Introduction 2-1
ParBERT Components Overview 2-1
The ParBERT Controller PC 2-2
The ParBERT Mainframes 2-3
The ParBERT Modules 2-4
About ParBERT Systems 2-11
ParBERT Software Components 2-14
Prerequisites 2-15
Power Supply 2-15
Environment 2-15
Controller PC Requirements 2-16
Tools 2-16
Unpacking ParBERT 2-17
3 Setting Up the ParBERT Controller PC 3-1
Setting up a Preconfigured Controller PC 3-1
Quick Check 3-2
Configuration of the Operating System 3-2

Contents
Contents-2 Agilent 81250 ParBERT Installation Guide, May 2004
Setting Up a Custom Controller PC 3-3
Installing the Agilent I/O Libraries 3-4
Installing the Interface Cards 3-5
Enabling the Interfaces 3-6
4 Connecting Mainframes to the Controller PC 4-1
Checking the Mainframe Clock Distribution 4-2
Connecting the Master Mainframe 4-4
Connecting Expander Mainframes 4-5
Interconnecting Slave Mainframes 4-6
Positioning the Mainframes 4-7
Installing the Synchronization Cable in a Slave 4-8
Connecting the Synchronization Cables to the Master 4-9
Connecting the Clock Reference Cables 4-11
Connecting the Giga Clock 4-13
5 Putting ParBERT into Operation 5-1
How to Configure the IEEE 1394 and GPIB Interfaces 5-2
How to Install the ParBERT User Software 5-6
How to Use the Agilent 81250 Config Tool 5-7
How to Configure I/O Interfaces and Systems 5-9
How to Check the Configuration and Serial Numbers 5-12
How to Specify Startup Settings 5-14
How to Configure SICL/LAN Interfaces 5-17
Starting the ParBERT User Software 5-18
How to Select the Firmware Server 5-20
How to Select the System 5-21
How to Specify a Start Setting 5-22

Contents
Agilent 81250 ParBERT Installation Guide, May 2004 Contents-3
How to Disable the UI Configuration Dialog 5-23
How to Get Help 5-24
Testing ParBERT’s Integrity 5-25
6 Changing the ParBERT Hardware 6-1
Removing a Module 6-2
How to Disconnect the Module Cables 6-2
How to Plug Out the Module 6-3
Installing a Module 6-4
How to Set the Logical Address 6-5
How to Plug In the Module 6-7
How to Connect the Module 6-8
How to Open a Module 6-12
Adding or Changing Frontends 6-13
How to Remove a Frontend 6-15
How to Install a Frontend 6-18
Installing the Trigger Input Pod 6-20
How to Proceed After Changing the Hardware 6-22
7 Special ParBERT Systems 7-1
Installing ParBERT 43/45G Systems 7-1
Components of ParBERT 43/45G Systems 7-2
Setting up ParBERT 43/45G Systems 7-4
Converting ParBERT 43/45G to a Basic ParBERT 7-6
ParBERT 43/45G Extensions 7-9
Making Clock Connections 7-11
Installing Optical Modules 7-14
Laser Safety Information 7-14

Contents-4 Agilent 81250 ParBERT Installation Guide, May 2004
Installing E4810A/E4811A Electrical-Optical Modules 7-16
Installing E4882A O/E and E4883A E/O Converter Modules7-19
Installing the 10.8 Gbit/s Booster Module 7-21
Expanding Systems with Embedded Controller 7-23
8 Troubleshooting the ParBERT Installation 8-1
Problems at the Power-On Selftest 8-1
Problems after Changing the Hardware 8-2
Problems with Clockgroups 8-4
9 Controlling ParBERT Remotely 9-1
Controlling ParBERT via GPIB 9-1
Controlling ParBERT via LAN 9-3
Appendix 10-1
Declaration of Conformity 10-2
Site Attenuation Requirements 10-5

Agilent 81250 ParBERT Installation Guide, May2004 1-1
1 About this Manual
ParBERT is the term for Agilent Technologies’ family of Parallel Bit Error
Ratio Testers.
Agilent 81250 ParBERT is a modular parallel electrical and optical bit
error rate (BER) test platform that operates at up to 45 Gbit/s. The
ParBERT 81250 platform comprises modules that operate at 675 Mbit/s,
1.65 Gbit/s, 2.7 Gbit/s, 3.35 Gbit/s, 7 Gbit/s, 10.8 Gbit/s, 13.5 Gbit/s, and
45 Gbit/s.
The system generates pseudo random word sequences (PRWS), standard
pseudo random binary sequences (PRBS) and user-defined patterns on
parallel lines. You can analyze bit error ratios with user defined patterns,
PRBS/PRWS, or mixed data (a combination of user-defined patterns and
PRBS).
This installation guide leads you through the steps to identify, install, and
configure the Agilent 81250 ParBERT or any component of this system.

1 About this Manual Welcome to the ParBERT Installation Guide
1-2 Agilent 81250 ParBERT InstallationGuide, May 2004
Welcome to the ParBERT
Installation Guide
This manual is not only the guide for the first-time installation. It
contains also the necessary instructions if you wish to change or upgrade
an existing ParBERT configuration.
General Structure of the Installation Guide
The chapters two to five provide all the information you need for setting
up a standard, multi-purpose ParBERT system. This is a system
consisting of a controller PC and one to three VXI mainframes that
contain clock modules and electrical data generator/analyzer modules.
Chapter six explains how you can change the hardware configuration of
an existing ParBERT system.
Chapter seven deals with special ParBERT systems. These are systems
containing special components or modules for special purposes. Such
modules are, for example, the MUX/DEMUX modules of 43/45 Gbit/s
systems, optical modules, the 10.8 Gbit/s Booster Module, or the
embedded ParBERT controller (a PC built up as a 2-slot VXI module).
Chapter eight provides assistance if you have changed the hardware and
the system does not react as expected.
The last chapter gives some advice about how to set up ParBERT for
remote control.
Basics
Hardware changes
Special systems
Troubleshooting
Remote control

Welcome to the ParBERT Installation Guide 1 About this Manual
Agilent 81250 ParBERT Installation Guide, May2004 1-3
How to Use this Guide
This manual is not meant to be read through from its beginning to its
end. It depends on your situation which information you need.
If … … refer to Chapter Chapter contents
… you install ParBERT for
the first time “2 Introduction” on page 2-1 This chapter provides an overview of the standard system components and the prerequisites for the
installation.
… you have received a new
ParBERT system “3 Setting Up the ParBERT Controller
PC” on page 3-1
ParBERT requires a controller PC. This chapter
provides information on:
• How to start a preconfigured ParBERT controller
PC
• How to install the ParBERT hard- and software
on a custom PC
•
… you wish to connect one
or several ParBERT
mainframes
“4 Connecting
Mainframes to the
Controller PC” on
page 4-1
This chapter provides instructions on how to connect
a single or multiple ParBERT mainframes through IEEE
1394 PC link to VXI interfaces.
If you wish to add mainframes to a ParBERT system
with embedded controller PC (a special VXI module),
refer to chapter “Expanding Systems with Embedded
Controller” on page 7-23.
… you are starting
ParBERT for the first time,
or if you have changed the
hardware configuration
“5 Putting ParBERT
into Operation” on
page 5-1
This chapter explains how to check the hardware
identification and how to use the ParBERT
Configuration tool.
… you wish to add,
exchange, or remove
modules or frontends
“6 Changing the
ParBERT Hardware”
on page 6-1
This chapter contains all the necessary information.

1 About this Manual Welcome to the ParBERT Installation Guide
1-4 Agilent 81250 ParBERT InstallationGuide, May 2004
If … … refer to Chapter Chapter contents
… your system includes
special modules “7 Special ParBERT Systems” on page 7-1 In this chapter, you find the supplementary
• installation instructions for 43/45 Gbit/s systems
• installation instructions for optical modules
• installation instructions for the 10.8 Gbit/s
Booster Module
• upgrade instructions for ParBERT systems with
embedded controller PC
… your installation was not
successful “8 Troubleshooting the ParBERT
Installation” on
page 8-1
This chapter provides information on frequent
problems, possible causes, and solutions.
… you wish to control
ParBERT from a remote
computer
“9 Controlling
ParBERT Remotely”
on page 9-1
Though remote control via GPIB is possible, the
preferred method is via LAN. This chapter explains
how to set up ParBERT for remote control.
Several optional as well as standard system components are delivered
with their own dedicated installation and user manuals. Such
components are for example:
• E8403A/E8404A VXI mainframe
• E9850A embedded VXI controller
• E8491B IEEE 1394 PC link to VXI
• VXI bus extenders
Before you start with the installation, it is therefore recommended that
you inspect the shipment for additional documentation that may be
required for a successful setup and installation.
For latest information, answers on frequently asked questions, and
related documentation, please check the following URL:
http://www.agilent.com/find/parbert
To contact the ParBERT support via e-mail, use the following address:
[email protected]
NOTE
Internet

Document History 1 About this Manual
Agilent 81250 ParBERT Installation Guide, May2004 1-5
Document History
All editions and updates of this manual and their creation date are listed
below. The first edition of the manual is edition 1. The edition number
increments by 1 whenever the manual is revised. New editions are
complete revisions of the guide reflecting alterations in the functionality
of the instrument. Updates are occasionally made to the guide between
editions.
• Edition 1, July 2000, related to Agilent E4875A Software Release 1.0
and higher.
• Edition 1.1, March 2001. Update to cope with added functionality,
related to Agilent E4875A Software Release 3.0 and higher.
• Edition 1.2, April 2001. Update with special focus on clockgroups and
their implementation.
• Edition 2, October 2001. Installation of ParBERT 43G systems added.
Enhanced Agilent 81250 Configuration Tool and user interface
configuration. Related to Agilent E4875A Software Release 4.0 and
higher.
• Edition 2.1, February 2002. Update with special focus on replacement
instructions of 3.35 Gbit/s. frontends. Updated software start
procedure (Agilent 81250 Configuration Tool). Related to Agilent
E4875A Software Release 4.2 and higher.
• Edition 3, May 2004. Complete revision with special focus on ease of
use and new ParBERT components. Related to Agilent E4875A
Software Release 5.6 and higher.

1 About this Manual Document History
1-6 Agilent 81250 ParBERT InstallationGuide, May 2004

Agilent 81250 ParBERT Installation Guide, May2004 2-1
2 Introduction
This chapter familiarizes you with the ParBERT components, systems,
and specific terms. It provides additionally an overview of the conditions
that must be met before installing ParBERT.
ParBERT Components Overview
ParBERT consists of hardware and software components. This section
presents the components and explains the basic terms that are used in
the ParBERT documentation and in this installation guide.
The ParBERT components are described here, not the installation
procedures.
NOTE

2 Introduction ParBERT Components Overview
2-2 Agilent 81250 ParBERT InstallationGuide, May 2004
An Agilent 81250 Parallel Bit Error Ratio Tester consists of a controller
PC, one to three mainframes, and modules plugged into the mainframes.
Figure 1 Basic ParBERT Configuration
The ParBERT Controller PC
The ParBERT 81250 software suite runs on an external PC or a laptop
which is connected to the system via an IEEE 1394 PC link to VXI.
ParBERT controller is the computer on which the ParBERT firmware
server runs. The ParBERT firmware server is the software that forms the
interface between the graphical user desktop or any user-written
application and the ParBERT hardware.
The ParBERT controller can be any state-of-the-art PC running under
Windows 2000 or Windows XP (see also “ParBERT Software
Components” on page 2-14).
The hardware interface between the controller and the mainframes is an
IEEE 1394 PC link to VXI. This interface (also called FireWire) needs a
one-slot module in the leftmost slot of the ParBERT mainframe and
generally requires a free PCI slot in the PC. Both VXI-module and PCI-
card are included in the E8491B option.

ParBERT Components Overview 2 Introduction
Agilent 81250 ParBERT Installation Guide, May2004 2-3
If you order ParBERT with a controller PC, all required hardware and
software is factory-installed, and the tester is ready for use. If you have
ordered ParBERT without a controller PC, you have to install the
interface and software on your PC.
Older ParBERT versions were shipped with an embedded controller. This
is a special VXI module that communicates directly with the VXI bus. It
occupies the two leftmost slots of the first mainframe and does not use
the IEEE 1394 PC link to VXI.
If you wish to add mainframes to a ParBERT with embedded controller,
please refer to “Expanding Systems with Embedded Controller” on
page 7-23.
The ParBERT Mainframes
ParBERT mainframe is the E8403A or E8404A VXI mainframe with 13
VXI slots.
Figure 2 E4803A Mainframe with Modules
The mainframe that is connected to the controller PC is called master
mainframe.
You can connect one or two expander mainframes to the master
mainframe. An expander mainframe needs an interface module (usually
an IEEE 1394 PC link to VXI module) and at least one clock module.

2 Introduction ParBERT Components Overview
2-4 Agilent 81250 ParBERT InstallationGuide, May 2004
The ParBERT Modules
The ParBERT modules are divided into:
• Clock modules
• Data generator/analyzer modules
• Special modules
Clock Modules
A clock module generates the system master clock and distributes it to all
the data modules of the system. If expander mainframes are used, the
clock modules of the expander mainframes are connected as slaves to the
master clock module.
Only clock modules of the same type can be connected in master-slave
configuration.
A clock module can generate the master clock from its built-in oscillator
or from an external clock source.
The following clock modules are supported:
• E4805B clock module
• E4808A high performance clock module
• E4809A 13.5 GHz clock module
NOTE

ParBERT Components Overview 2 Introduction
Agilent 81250 ParBERT Installation Guide, May2004 2-5
The E4805B and E4808A clock modules have the same front panel layout.
The E4805B clock module can be used in ParBERT systems that do not
exceed data rates of 2.7 Gbit/s.
Clockto expander frames
Master clockto
data modules
CLOCK/REFINPUT
TRIGGEROUTPUT
EXT INPUT
Deskewprobeconnector
Outlet for Trigger Pod
ribboncable
Figure 3 E4805B/E4808A Clock Modules
The E4808A high performance clock module has the same properties as
the E4805B clock module, but superior jitter and noise characteristics. It
can be used for all data modules except the 7 Gbit/s and 13.5 Gbit/s data
modules.
Both modules provide the master clock to up to 11 data modules.
The E4809A clock module is required for systems that contain 7 Gbit/s
and/or 13.5 Gbit/s data modules. It generates not only the system master
clock but also an additional 13 GHz giga clock for these modules.
E4805B/E4808A clock modules
E4809A clock module

2 Introduction ParBERT Components Overview
2-6 Agilent 81250 ParBERT InstallationGuide, May 2004
The E4809A clock module needs two VXI slots and provides both clocks
to up to 10 data modules.
Clock toexpanderframes
Master clock to
datamodules
Giga clockto
datamodules
External CLOCK INPUT
10 MHz REF.
CLOCK INPUT
TRIGGER OUTPUT
START INPUT
Deskew probe connector
Figure 4 E4809A Clock Module
The E4809A clock module uses power splitters for the giga clock outputs.
The output connectors are paired as follows: [1,2] [3,4] [5,6] [7,8] [9,10]
[11,12]. Output #1 is at the top, output #12 is at the bottom.
If only one connector of a pair is used, the unused connector must be
terminated with 50 Ohm to RF ground.
For example:
• Only one module is in the system and the corresponding giga clock
cable connected to output #1. Output #2 has to be terminated with
50 Ohm to GND.
• Two modules are in the system and the corresponding giga clock cables
are connected to output #5 and output #6. No other output needs to be
terminated with 50 Ohm to GND.
NOTE

ParBERT Components Overview 2 Introduction
Agilent 81250 ParBERT Installation Guide, May2004 2-7
The E4809A clock module is shipped with two special tools for removing
or inserting the giga clock cable connectors.
Gigacableplug-in
tool, p/n E4809-23801
Gigacableremoval
tool, p/n E4809-23802
Figure 5 Giga Cable Tools
Never attempt to plug or unplug the giga clock distribution cables with
your fingers. The giga clock connectors do not tolerate any oblique
insertion or removal. Use the tools.
The trigger input pod is an option to the clock modules. It is used to
detect and react on external signals.
Figure 6 Trigger Input Pod
The trigger pod has eight TTL-compatible input connectors. An external
voltage applied to one of these lines can change or even terminate a
Tools for the E4809A clock module
CAUTION
Trigger Input Pod

2 Introduction ParBERT Components Overview
2-8 Agilent 81250 ParBERT InstallationGuide, May 2004
running test. The flat ribbon output cable of the trigger pod is to be
plugged into the master clock module of the system.
Data Generator/Analyzer Modules
To simplify the reading, the data generator/analyzer modules are called
data modules in this manual.
The data modules generate the stimulus signals and analyze the response
signals in real time.
There are data modules that have slots for two or four replaceable
frontends. Generator and/or analyzer frontends can be plugged into these
slots. Such modules provide two or four tester channels, respectively.
The following figure shows two examples.
Figure 7 Data Modules with Frontend Slots
Data modules with frontend slots