1.8.7.2 SmartBERT

SmartBERT enables you to run diagnostic tests on the transceiver lanes. SmartBERT uses the PRBS generator and checker functionality available in each transceiver lane to determine a lane's bit error rate (BER). The various PRBS patterns supported are PRBS7(SmartBERT IP), PRBS9(SmartBERT IP), PRBS15(SmartBERT IP), PRBS23(SmartBERT IP), and PRBS31(SmartBERT IP). Near-end loopback can be performed using one of these PRBS patterns.

To run SmartBERT in Debug TRANSCEIVER, follow these steps:

  1. Select the SmartBERT tab in the Debug TRANSCEIVER window.
  2. Select LANE in the left pane.
  3. Select the Pattern from the drop-down list.
  4. Select the EQ-NearEnd check box to enable internal loop-back, (this step can be ignored if external loop-back is enabled).
  5. Click Start. This enables both transmitter and the receiver for a particular lane and for a particular PRBS pattern. The following figure shows the Debug TRANSCEIVER window and the PRBS pattern options for SmartBERT.
    Figure 1-39. Debug TRANSCEIVER—Smart BERT

    When a SmartBERT IP lane is added, the Error Injection column is displayed in the right pane. The error injection feature is provided to inject an error while running a PRBS pattern. This feature is unavailable if regular lanes are added. Also, this feature is enabled only for SmartBERT IP supported PRBS patterns.

  6. Select Reset to clear the error count under Cumulative Error Counter. Error Count is displayed when the lane is added.

Figure 1-39 shows the Smart BERT tab and status of the TXPLL, RXPLL, Lock to Data, Data rate, and the BER.