Tektronix TPI4000 analyzer tests multiple serial protocols

Portable and rack-mount configurations handle up to 32 ports.

-- Test & Measurement World, 1/23/2012 7:00:00 AM

With the TPI4000 protocol analyzer from Tektronix, you can analyze, stimulate, stress, and characterize high-speed serial links at speeds of up to 10 Gbps. This single instrument, along with its configurable protocol database, performs multiple test functions on a wide variety of protocols, including Ethernet, Fibre Channel, CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface), Serial FPDP (Front Panel Data Port), SAS (Serial Attached SCSI), SATA (Serial ATA), and SRIO (Serial RapidIO.

The TPI4000 series comprises two models. The TPI4202 is a portable unit with a built-in monitor and keyboard that handles up to eight ports. The TPI4208 is a 4U rack-mount system that accommodates up to 32 ports. Each model can be configured with options that support different data rates, protocols, and applications. For example, the TPI4000 can be configured by the user to be any combination of protocol analyzer, traffic generator, system stress tester, or BER tester. In addition, the system supports any combination of protocols simultaneously and can be reconfigured by the user to support different protocols.

An editable protocol database allows you to define custom protocols using an optional editing tool. This makes the TPI4000 useful for applications such as defense electronics, which add proprietary and confidential extensions to existing protocols.

The TPI4202 portable unit is available now. The TPI4208 4U rack-mount unit will be available starting in the second half of 2012.

Tektronix, www.tek.com/protocol-analyzer/tpi4000