Probing Techniques and Tradeoffs (Part XI): Non-Ideal Situations

Figure 1: VP@Rcvr builds a transmission-line model
to virtually move less-than-ideal probing points

In using an oscilloscope to investigate transmission-line performance, we often encounter situations in which we don't have the luxury of probing at the ideal location. Fortunately, there are software tools that enable us to virtually move our probing point close to the receiver.

Testing the DDR Memory Interface's Physical Layer (Part III)

Figure 1: For analysis purposes. it's critical to separate
read and write bursts of interest

Last time around, we began examining some of the challenges that come with testing the DDR interface's physical layer. In that post, we concentrated on getting to the devices' physical connections by various means including interposers, backside vias, and DIMM series resistors. Now, presuming we've managed to gain access to the DDR's ball-grid array, the next hurdle is separation of read and write bursts.