LabMaster 9 Zi-A. Users of ultra-high bandwidth oscilloscopes (bandwidths >20GHz) want superior performance, expandability, the ability to view multiple channels simultaneously, and flexible operating modes.
The LabMaster 9 Zi-A system architecture separates the oscilloscope's signal acquisition function from the display, control, and processing functions. The LabMaster 9 Zi-A "Master" acquisition modules contain the display, control, and a single acquisition mode. Additional "Slave" acquisition modules contain additional acquisition systems. Its powerful central server-type CPU provides the processing power necessary to handle the large amount of data captured by the LabMaster 9 Zi-A platform. Using our patented ChannelSync™ technology, the LabMaster 9 Zi-A "Master" can be seamlessly synchronized with "Slave" acquisition modules, providing a channel density never before achieved in high-performance oscilloscopes. The flexible design of the LabMaster 9 Zi-A allows users to configure their system for use on conventional workbenches at a better price-performance ratio.
The modular design of the LabMaster 9 Zi-A provides the simplest way to upgrade both bandwidth and the number of channels. The user can start with the minimum configuration for their application and add channels throughout the life of the oscilloscope, simply by adding additional acquisition modules, upgrading the bandwidth of existing modules, or mixing and matching bandwidths in their system.
The LabMaster 9 Zi-A modular oscilloscope is a platform consisting of Master and Slave acquisition modules and a CPU (included with the Master unit). Each Master or Slave module is available in 13, 16, 20, 30, and 45 GHz bandwidths with up to 256 Mpts/Ch of acquisition and analysis memory up to 20 GHz, 512 Mpts/Ch at 30 GHz, and 768 Mpts/Ch at 45 GHz. Up to four Slave modules can be connected to one Master module, for a total of 20 channels at 20 GHz, 10 channels at 30 GHz, and 5 channels at 45 GHz. The Slave acquisition modules are attractively priced to minimize the increased cost of adding new channels, making the investment in additional channels more cost-effective than purchasing expensive probes. Furthermore, by carrying the signals via cable instead of using differential probes/amplifiers, the noise is reduced by more than 3dB, achieving greater signal fidelity in the entire measurement system.
The higher-bandwidth acquisition modules (45 and 30 GHz) contain the full bandwidth, sampling rate, and memory capacity of the lower-bandwidth modules. This provides great flexibility when performing jitter analysis on a smaller number of signals with very high bandwidths, or when characterizing multiple serial data lines simultaneously with lower bandwidths. Its server-grade CPU uses Intel Xeon X5660 processors (2.8 GHz per core, six cores per processor, and two processors per CPU, resulting in an effective clock speed of 33.6 GHz) with 24 GB of RAM (192 GB optional) to support all LabMaster 9 Zi-A transactions. Thanks to LeCroy's proprietary X-Stream II architecture, the CPU is capable of handling the massive amounts of data acquired by the LabMaster 9 Zi-A. The complete system fits together seamlessly to create a functional and simple oscilloscope, but without the typical limitations of channel count and bandwidth; it operates just like a standard oscilloscope. All waveforms can be displayed on its 15.3-inch screen, or using external displays (up to a resolution of 2560 x 1600).
Precise synchronization:
ChannelSync in the LabMaster 9 Zi-A mimics the architecture of a simple oscilloscope, even while synchronizing up to 20 different channels. A 10 GHz clock signal is generated in the "Master" acquisition module and distributed to up to four different "Slave" acquisition modules. The 10 GHz clock signal—1000 times faster than the 10 MHz reference signal typically used to synchronize laboratory equipment—ensures high timebase accuracy and precise synchronization between all acquisition modules. The result is a maximum jitter of 275 fsrms across all channels. The "Slaves" automatically lock onto the "Master," and automatic software corrects any static drift between the modules. The result is an oscilloscope with up to 20 channels operating like a simple oscilloscope.
The LabMaster 9 Zi-A builds upon the acquisition and analysis excellence of the WaveMaster 8 Zi-A. SiGe components ensure high performance with Digital Bandwidth Interleaving (DBI) technology, providing bandwidth upgrades and performance that would otherwise be unavailable. Signal fidelity is excellent, with exceptional rise time, impulse response, and a low jitter noise floor. Its high effective bit count (ENOB) across the entire operating frequency range, especially in the mid-band, ensures noise-free signal viewing. All software and hardware options available for the WaveMaster 8 Zi-A are also available for the LabMaster 9 Zi-A, increasing its power and flexibility.
High-speed SERDES applications
The development and characterization of high-speed SERDES is underway to support higher electrical transfer rates in the datacom and telecom markets. Traditional real-time oscilloscopes are limited to 30 GHz on two channels, and more bandwidth is needed for faster signals, while sampling oscilloscopes (with higher bandwidth) lack the data collection capabilities and flexibility necessary to understand the root causes of deterministic jitter problems. The LabMaster 9 Zi-A can be configured as a 2-channel system at 45 GHz for differential signal connections. This configuration also provides either 4 channels at 30 GHz or 8 channels at 20 GHz for multi-line debugging with lower bandwidth.
