AN 835: PAM4 Signaling Fundamentals

ID 683852
Date 3/12/2019
Public
Document Table of Contents

2.4.4. Signal-to-Noise-and-Distortion Ratio (SNDR)

SNDR uses linear fit pulse response (p(k)) and linear fit error (e(k)), which is the difference between the actual transmitter output signal and the ideal signal. SNDR is the variation between the ideal signal and the measured signal for a specified number of measurements. It is calculated using p(k) and e(k). As shown in the following equation, where pmax is the maximum value of p(k), sigmae is the standard deviation of e(k). sigman is an average number of 4 measurements of RMS deviation of the PAM4 voltage levels.

Equation 10. Signal-to-Noise-and-Distortion Ratio

SNDR must be at a minimum 31 dB according to the OIF-56G-MR transmitter specification.

SNDR is measured at the transmitter output with transmitters on all lanes enabled and transmitting the QPRBS13-CEI pattern, with at least 14 symbol periods of delay between each lane and with identical transmit equalizer settings.