3 pattern converter – Maxim Integrated HFAN-09.5.0: Pattern Creator/Converter Software User Manual

Page 6

Application Note HFAN-9.5.0 (Rev.1; 04/08)

Maxim Integrated

Page 6 of 8

sequence list adds the letters INV to the end

of the PRBS sequence to indicate it was

inverted (Figure 14).

Figure 12. Creator Example Step #6

Repeat Step 5 except with the Zeros option

selected (Figure 13).

Figure 13. Creator Example Step #7

The pattern is now created. As seen in the

pattern statistics, the pattern is balanced

(same number of ones and zeros). Given the

long CID sequences that were added, the

transition density is much less than 50%

(Figure 14).

Click the Done button to complete the

procedure. The pattern is now ready to be

used as a text file or converted to a pattern

generator test file.

Figure 14. Creator Example Step #8

3 Pattern Converter

The pattern Converter section of the software reads-

in existing patterns and converts them to one of three

formats for use with common pattern generators.

3.1 Pattern Types

3.1.1

Hex Pattern Files

HEX pattern files can be used with Agilent N4901/2

and 86130 pattern generators. The HEX files can be

opened and viewed in any text editor.

3.1.2

PTRN Pattern Files

PTRN file types can be used with Agilent N4901/2

and 86130 pattern generators. The files are binary

files so they can not be read in text editors. PTRN

files should be used for longer pattern files because

they require less disk space.

3.1.3

DAT Pattern Files

DAT file types can be used with Agilent 70843 and

70841 pattern generators. These files are also binary

files but they include different file header

information than the PTRN file type. Pattern

generators that use DAT file types have pattern store

locations 5-12 available. The pattern file name is

included in the header information of the file. If the

name is changed, the pattern generator will not

recognize the file.

3.2 Pattern Granularity

When using the Agilent 86130A, 70843 or 70841

pattern generators, the length of a user input pattern

must be a predefined multiple for a given range of

pattern lengths. As the pattern length increases, the

multiple increases as well.

Tables 2 and 3 list the pattern granularity of each

generator. This information can also be accessed

with the software by clicking the Pattern
Granularity

button.