Keysight N2102B PXIT Pattern Generator

The Keysight N2102B 2-Slot, 3U PXIT Pattern Generator belongs to the Agilent/Keysight PXIT module family. This module can produce multiple industry standard patterns with low jitter but needs an external clock source like the N2099A PXIT Synthesizer for operation. The N2099A has three options which encompass varying frequency ranges.

The N2102B PXIT Pattern Generator has user selectable data patterns of CRPAT, K28.5, and K28. The control panel application comes with a user patetrn editor which enables users to store and import text pattern-files to and from the module. The API for this module enables control of the Pattern Generator by allowing the host application to configure the N2102B, generate and erase communication channels to the module, and receive alerts for status updates.

The Keysight N2102B has SMA connectors, a bit clock rate divided by 128, 5 mV amplitude resolution, and 622 Mb/s to 10.3125 Gb/s operation range. If the user designates the output signal amplitude under the minimum value, then the output signal will automatically set to 250 mV.

The N2102B PXIT Pattern Generator must be used in a PXI Chassis controlled by an external PC or an embedded PXI Controller. The external PC used with the module has several requirements. The PC must have NI-VISA, a Pentium processor 133 MHz or higher, a Windows 2000 or XP operating system, and 1 GB RAM. Additionally, the Keysight N2102B must have ideal air flow in the PXI Chassis, which can be achieved by replacing the air filters on the Chassis.