Keysight Technologies and Credo Semiconductor developed a joint testbed that demonstrates the first IEEE P802.3dj draft specification compliant 1.6 terabit Ethernet measurement system running full line rate layer 2 Ethernet traffic on a real world hardware development platform.
The demonstration proves that 1.6T Ethernet speed is possible and that its performance can be measured.
Highlights of the Keysight and Credo testbed demonstration include:
- Operational 1.6T Layer 2 engine – The engine operates on an interface of 16 electrical lanes running at 106.25 gigabits per second (Gbps) per lane with Pulse Amplitude Modulation 4 (PAM4) signaling and Forward Error Correction (FEC). This is also called 16 x 100G SERDES. Keysight hardware development test platform
- –With OSFP-XD front panel ports that can send and receive full line rate 1.6T layer 2 bi-directional traffic over a Credo provided 2-meter HiWire Active Electrical Cable (AEC). The 1.6T measurement system measures the performance of the link and the AEC. Reliability with FEC
- – The Layer 2 engine running at full 1.6T line rate provides packet and FEC measurements, plus counters, and other related statistics. FEC enhances data reliability by detecting and correcting errors that occur during data transmission.
Bill Brennan, Chief Executive Officer, Credo, said: “Credo launched the 1.6T HiWire AEC in support of our key customers’ product roadmaps in 2023 and it’s generated a great deal of industry interest. We’re excited to work with Keysight to support the buildout of a robust test and measurement ecosystem for this developing networking standard.”
Ram Periakaruppan, Vice President and General Manager, Network Test & Security Solutions, Keysight, said: “1.6T Ethernet is the next generation of Ethernet that addresses the demand for more network bandwidth and data throughput, driven in part, by ever-increasing AI workloads within the network infrastructure. The 1.6T Ethernet Layer 2 traffic generation and analysis demonstration moves the needle forward to enable development of 1.6T devices and the entire networking equipment ecosystem. Keysight’s Layer 2 and FEC test and measurement systems are also vital to the success of the eventual deployment of 1.6T capable networking devices and equipment.”