The Keysight N4968A is a high-performance clock and data demultiplexer engineered for characterization and validation of high-speed digital interfaces. It performs accurate bit error rate measurements at reduced clock rates, enabling simplified testing of high-bit rate applications across telecommunications and data networking domains.
Technical Specifications
• Data Rate Range: 3.5 Gb/s to 44 Gb/s
• Demultiplexing Modes: Demux-by-2 (17 to 8.5 Gb/s); demux-by-4 (38 to 9.5 Gb/s)
• Clock Output: Adjustable sub-rate clock output for instrument triggering
• Input Signal Types: Differential and single-ended
• Phase Alignment: Integrated phase shifter for precise clock and data alignment
– Key Features
The N4968A addresses the critical challenge of signal integrity analysis in high-speed serial testing. Its phase shifter enables precise alignment between clock and data signals—essential for accurate BER measurements across demultiplexing operations. The adjustable sub-rate clock output integrates directly with standard test instruments: Bit Error Ratio Testers, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers. Dual input modes (differential and single-ended) accommodate diverse signal conditioning architectures without requiring external adapters.
– Typical Applications
• OC-768/STM-256 telecommunication systems
• 100 Gigabit Ethernet (4 × 25.78 Gb/s) infrastructure
• Advanced high bit rate research and development
– Compatibility & Integration
The instrument functions as a front-end processor for systems requiring reduced-rate analysis of serial data streams. Its compatibility with standard BERT instruments and real-time oscilloscopes positions it for integration into multi-instrument test benches serving carrier-grade and enterprise networking validation.
