PCIe 4.0 Transmitter Electrical Testing (Part II)

Figure 1: With an add-in card as our DUT, we will measure
the transmit signal at the root complex on the system board

With PCIe 4.0 compliance workshops close at hand, let's get familiar with the compliance test process. We've set the stage for electrical transmitter tests by describing the PCIe 4.0 nominal channel and also reviewed the test-equipment requirements; now we'll begin examining the tests in some detail. The two basic transmitter tests are the preset test and signal-quality test.

PCIe 4.0 Transmitter Electrical Testing (Part I)

Figure 1: The two basic PCIe 4.0 transmitter tests
are shown above outlined in green

You've been introduced to some of the background and history that has brought the PCI Express protocol standard to its fourth generation, and we've discussed the test-equipment requirements for PCIe 4.0 electrical compliance testing. Let's begin examining the compliance testing, beginning with transmitter electrical tests.