Production testing of host ports such as network switches – Loopback module
With the explosion of AI and the growing demand for cloud services, the demand for network switches, network cards, and other hosts has also increased. The production testing of hosts has become increasingly important, and port testing is an essential part. According to conventional understanding, the host port is used to plug and unplug optical modules or DACs to achieve communication between hosts. If optical modules or DACs are used in the production process, the production cost will become very high and the efficiency will not be optimal. Based on this situation, the industry has developed an electrical loopback module (Loopback) specifically for port testing. This type of electrical loopback module has low-speed protocol handshake function for optical modules or DACs, and can also complete multi-channel Tx ->Rx signal loopback for the host. This type of module not only has a much lower cost than optical modules or DACs, but also has higher testing efficiency.
In response to the requirements of different network switch or network card manufacturers, the industry has also developed different types of electrical loopback modules that are compatible with different versions of CMIS. We have also brought different electrical loop modules for different applications.
1. To meet the requirements of different packaging, Tangling Technology has brought the following passive electric loop module packages to meet the needs of network switches and network cards with different port designs.
2. For host testing that requires understanding of power consumption or heating conditions and simulating the heating of optical modules or AECs, we can provide different power consumption or electric loop modules with displays to real-time understand port heating and eliminate problem ports. At the same time, it can be used as an optional item for reliability testing.
3. For DAC applications, customized development of electrical loop module verification host ports that match DAC losses can be selected 3db-9dB The insertion loss value.
4. With the emergence of LPO modules, a new generation of hosts that support LPO has also emerged. Active loop back modules can further support and verify such hosts. Due to their CTLE adjustment and FFE monitoring functions, active loop back modules can be used to optimize the Rx capability of hosts during testing, especially in EVT/DVT small batch testing, which is of great help. At the same time, the active electric loop module can simulate the operation of optical modules with different DSPs and AECs in real life, which is more suitable for practical applications to verify the host port.
5. The creative active loop module with real-time error rate monitoring function is particularly suitable for verifying the performance of the host port Tx in production reliability testing, monitoring real-time error rate curves and SNR related parameters, and verifying the reliability of the host port Rx through different FFE settings.
