Hydra LRM-MIS System Manual

Hydra LRM-MIS
LRM 802.3aq Manufacturing Inline Stressed
Signal Generation System
Copyright Circadiant Systems, Inc., 2007. All rights reserved. Reproduction, adaptation,
or translation without prior written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under copyright
laws.
Printed in the USA.
Notice. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Circadiant makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including but not limited to
the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Circadiant shall
not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in
connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this manual.

Hydra LRM-MIS System Manual

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1
2

Table of Contents.............................................................................................. 2
System Information .......................................................................................... 3
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 3
2.2 Setting up Your System............................................................................. 3
2.3 SIM113 Switch Card................................................................................. 7
2.3.1 Connections......................................................................................... 7
2.3.2 IP Address ........................................................................................... 8
2.3.3 Testing the Network Configuration..................................................... 8
2.3.4 Status LEDs......................................................................................... 8
2.4 LRM 802.3ae Optical Stress Generator .................................................... 9
2.4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................... 9
2.4.2 Line Status Monitor Display ............................................................. 10
3 Controlling the Hydra System ........................................................................ 11
3.1 Command Structure................................................................................. 11
3.2 General SCPI Commands........................................................................ 12
3.3 SCPI Commands LRM Card Control................................................... 13
3.3.1 Configuring the Optical Degradation................................................ 13
3.3.2 Configuring the Optical Extinction Ratio ......................................... 14
3.3.3 Turning the Laser Output OFF or ON............................................... 14
3.3.4 Configuring the Maximum Optical Output Power............................ 14
3.3.5 Setting the Optical Output Power...................................................... 14
3.3.6 Checking the Optical Output Power.................................................. 15
3.3.7 Checking the Maximum Possible Optical Modulation Amplitude ... 15
3.3.8 Setting the Optical Modulation Amplitude of the Optical Output .... 15
3.3.9 Checking the Optical Modulation Amplitude of the Optical Output 15
3.3.10 Converting Between Average Power and OMA ............................. 16
3.3.11 Measuring the Optical Receivers Input Power .............................. 16
4 Error Messages ............................................................................................... 17

Hydra LRM-MIS System Manual

2 SYSTEM INFORMATION
2.1 Introduction
The LRM-MIS is an optical signal generator test system providing the stressed
signal(s) compliant to the IEEE 802.3aq LRM Standard. The system comprises:

One 3 slot HYDRA chassis

One SIM113 Switch Card
One LRM110M LRM Impairment Card

Control of this system is exclusively through a SCPI command set that is sent via
Ethernet connection to the SIM113 Switch Card. The LRM110M card takes a single
ended electrical input signal of rate 10.3125Gb/s and converts it into an optical
output. This output can be varied in terms of stress, extinction ratio and output
power. The LRM110M card will also take an input optical signal of rate 10.3125Gb/s
and convert it into a single ended electrical signal.

2.2 Setting up Your System copy of the Quick Start Guide

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2.3 SIM113 Switch Card
2.3.1 Connections
The SIM113 Switch Card provides a connection between a controlling
computer and the LRM110M card. When an Ethernet cable is connected into the
back of the chassis and the system then powered on, this card will acquire an IP
address via the Dynamic Configuration Host Protocol (DHCP). That is the host
computer or a network will assign the IP address and subnet mask to the Hydra
System. Two connection options are available:

Direct Connection
Network Connection

In both configurations, it is recommended that the DHCP server is

configured so that the same IP address and subnet mask is assigned every time
the Hydra System boots. This will ensure that any automation software does not
need to be reconfigured with a different IP address after the initial programming.
Direct Connection Using Crossover Cable
It is possible to connect the Hydra system directly to the controlling
computer if a DHCP server is run on the computer. In this configuration, the
Hydra System and the computer are connected directly using an Ethernet
crossover cable (see Figure 1).

Crossover
Cable
X
Figure 1: Direct Connection

Network Connection
The easiest way to connect the Hydra system and the controlling
computer is either over a network or with a router/switch (see Figure 2). The
network (or router/switch) will provide the IP address and subnet mask using
their automatic DHCP server.

Figure 2: Network Connection

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2.3.2 IP Address
The IP address acquired using the DHCP is displayed on the line status
monitor display (for further information on this display, please see Section 2.4.2)
of the LRM110M card for 15 seconds after the IP address has been assigned
during system start-up. After this initial display period, it will display the IP
address once every minute.
2.3.3 Testing the Network Configuration
To test the connectivity between the computer and the Hydra System,
open a command window on your computer. Use the command ping and the
IP address that has been set for the Hydra System. If a successful connection
has been made, you will receive a reply from the Hydra System.
2.3.4 Status LEDs
The SIM113 Switch Card has five status LEDs (see Figure 3). These
provide communication with both the network and the individual cards within the
system.

Figure 3: SIM113 Switch Card Indicator LEDs

UPLINK
z PWR
LNK/
z
ACT

Indicates that power is supplied to the system

Indicates an Ethernet connection to the network has been established.
Flashing LED indicates network activity

SLOT
z 1 Indicates that a card is present in Slot 1 and is communicating with the switch card
z 2 Indicates that a card is present in Slot 2 and is communicating with the switch card
z 3 Indicates that a card is present in Slot 3 and is communicating with the switch card

Hydra LRM-MIS System Manual

2.4 LRM 802.3ae Optical Stress Generator

2.4.1 Introduction
The LRM110M is an optical stressed signal generator card for providing
test signals for testing receiver compliance to IEEE 802.3aq.
The LRM110M card requires an external data source. This is a single
ended electrical data pattern of even polarity and a maximum consecutive bit run
length of 32bits.
The LRM110M will convert this electrical signal into a stressed optical
signal as defined by the standard. Depending on the system configuration
purchased, the system may be capable of producing any combination of the
following stresses:
Pre-Cursor
Split Symmetric
Post-Cursor
Dynamic
The LRM110M card also has an optical to electrical conversion capability.
An optical signal at 10.3125Gb/s can be inputed and it will convert this to a single
ended electrical signal.
The module has two 50 SMA connectors and two optical FC connectors:
Name
DATA

TX SM

DATA

RX
MM

Description
Parameter
Vpp (mV)
Data Input
Single ended electrical data pattern input
Data rate (Gb/s)
source for the stress generator
Optical Output
Average Power
(dBm)
Single mode optical output at 1310nm
Data Output
Vpp (mV)
Electrical data converted from the optical
data from the optical RX MM port.
If this port is unused it should be
Data rate (Gb/s)
terminated with a 50 load.

Optical Input
The RX input is an optical to electrical
digital conversion. The converted data is
available on the DATA output connector
directly above it.
This RX input is a limiting receiver and

Min

Max

200

600

10.3125100ppm
-30

+4

400mv typical

10.3125100ppm

Max Power(dBm)

Average Power
(dBm)

-15

-3

Data rate (Gb/s)

10.3125100ppm

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does not contain an EDC in the path and

therefore cannot tolerate stressed signals.

WARNING
Always follow precautions for handling electrostatic sensitive devices on all RF connections

2.4.2 Line Status Monitor Display

The status monitor (see Figure 4: Line Status Monitor Display Figure 4) is
located at the bottom of the LRM110M blade. The 5 lines reflect the type and power
of the optical output, the optical input power as well as a software watchdog status.
In addition, the display will flash the IP address of the system, for 15 sec upon
power up and then once a minute thereafter.

Figure 4: Line Status Monitor Display

The five lines of the display correspond to:

Line

Display

Display
NODE
DYN
POST
PRE
SYM
#.##
OFF
##.#

Unstressed optical signal

Dynamic stress condition
Post-cursor stress
Pre-cursor stress
Symmetric stress
Average optical power [dBm]
No added noise
QSQ value of the optical noise level
Average optical power [dBm]

Degradation type

Output power

Output optical noise

Input Optical Power

#.##

Software Watchdog

Animation indicates that the blade is functional

and communicating

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Hydra LRM-MIS System Manual

3 CONTROLLING THE LRM-MIS SYSTEM

3.1 Command Structure
All control of this system is provided by a modified SCPI command structure
that is used to send commands as well as receive query responses via a TCP/IP
socket interface.
At the beginning of the test sequence, a command should be sent to open
port 3010 at the IP address for the LRM System. Commands, queries and
returns can then be passed backwards and forwards between the external
computer and the LRM System. At the end of the test sequence, the port should
be closed (if the port is not closed, the external computer will not be able to
communicate again with the LRM System until there is 5 minutes of inactivity on
the port. After this period of inactivity, the LRM System will automatically close
the port.
Commands and queries are written out in this manual as long form (complete
spelling). Short Form (abbreviated commands) can also be used. The short from
commands are the first four characters of the keyword unless the keyword has
less than four letters (in which case the whole keyword should be used). In this
manual, short form characters are written as bold capital letters. The full form is
shown by additional lower cases showing the extra letters required. Examples of
this are shown in Table 1.
In general, commands and queries can be sent using any combination of
upper case or lowercase ASCII characters. That said, all string arguments need
to be entered as shown in this manual.
Long Form

Short Form

SENS:CONFIG:ALGORITHM AUTOSCAN

sens:conf:algo AUTOSCAN

lrm:noise:enable true

LRM:NOIS:ENAB true

Table 1: Examples of the Difference between Long Form and Short Form
Commands

All commands and queries are received, processed and a response placed in
the output queue. This response remains in the output queue until it is read or
until another command is issued. All successful commands return the response
OK. All successful queries return the response OK and then the response to
the actual query. If the command (or query) is unsuccessful (due to incorrect
command or an equipment conflict/error) then an error message will be returned.
For a complete list of error messages, please see Section 4. In this manual all
example responses are formatted as green bold underline.

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3.2 General SCPI Commands

ADMIN:FEATURES?
Description
Allowed
Responses

ERR?
Description

Error Query. When an SCPI command error occurs, a 1 I added to the error register. The total
will stay in the register until it is read through the ERR? query at which point it will be reset to a 0.
This command is not recommended, instead a general instrument read should performed after
each command and query since the string response will include error information. If the command
is entered correctly and executed, the first word response of the read will be OK otherwise the
first word will indicate what the issue is (please see Section 4 of this manual)

NPENDING?
Description

Queries the number of pending commands.

IDN?
Description

Standard SCPI query that will return the instruments identification code. The identification code
includes the vendor, model number, serial number and software revision levels

Return String

OK Vendor: Circadiant Systems, Model: HMTS1000, serial number: ######, software version:
v#.#.#, Build Date: Month DD, YYYY HH:MM:SS

LRM:IDN?
Description

Standard SCPI query that will return the LRM110Ms identification code. The identification code
includes the serial number and software revision levels

Return String

OK type: lrm, version: v#.#.#, firmware: ######, serial: #######, xbserial: x#######, kernel:#.#.#

LRM:INITialize
Description

Command to reset all user configurable LRM settings (and corresponding output) to default
settings

OPC?
Description

Operation Complete query. When an OPC? Query is sent, a 1 is placed in the output queue after
all pending command operations are complete. If all commands are complete, the response will be
1, otherwise the response will be 0.

RST
Description

12

Command to cancel all pending commands and reset all user configurable parameters to default
values.

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3.3 SCPI Commands LRM Card Control

3.3.1 Configuring the Optical Degradation
Since the types of degradation available will vary from system to system it
may be useful to query the types of calibrated stress that are available on your
system:
LRM:STREss:CHOIces?
Description

Command to provide a list of stressors available:

Allowed
Responses:

DYNAMIC
NODEGRADE
PRECURSOR
POSTCURSOR
SYMMETRIC

Example:

To list the available stressors

LRM:STRE:CHOI?
OK NODEGRADE, SYMMETRIC, DYNAMIC

Circadiant dynamic stress condition

No optical stress
Pre-cursor stress
Post-cursor stress
Symmetric stress

To set a specific Stress (Note: not all the options listed may be available
on your system):
LRM:ISI [STRING]
Description

Command to set a calibrated stressed optical output

Allowed
Arguments

DYNAMIC

NODEGRADE
NOISI
PRECURSOR

POSTCURSOR

SYMMETRIC

Set an optical output that cycles between the different

IEEE802.3aq comprehensive test signals at a user defined
rate
Set an optical output with no added noise or ISI
Set an optical output with no added ISI
Set an optical output that meets the noise and ISI
specifications of the IEEE802.3aq pre-cursor comprehensive
stressed receiver test signal
Set an optical
output that meets the noise and ISI
specifications of the IEEE802.3aq post-cursor comprehensive
stressed receiver test signal
Set an optical
output that meets the noise and ISI
specifications of the IEEE802.3aq symmetric comprehensive
stressed receiver test signal

Example:

To set an output with an output that corresponds to the IEEE 802.3aq post-cursor stressed signal:
LRM:ISI POSTCURSOR
OK

Related Query

LRM:ISI?

To set a specific cycle frequency for the dynamic stress:

LRM:DYNAmic:FREQ [NUMBER]
Description

Command to set the rate of change for the Dynamic ISI stressor

Range

0.001 NUMBER 20

Example:

To set a frequency of 10Hz:

LRM:DYNAMIC 10
OK

[Hz]

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Related Query

LRM:DYNA:FREQ?

3.3.2 Configuring the Optical Extinction Ratio

LRM:ER:TX [NUMBER]
Description

Command to set the extinction ratio of the optical stressed signal. Two options are available;

Extinction ratio for sensitivity measurements = 3.5dB

Extinction ratio for overload measurements = 6.5dB

Allowed Argument

3.5
6.5

Example:

To set an extinction ratio of 6.5dB

LRM:ER:TX 6.5
OK

Related Query

LRM:ER:TX?

[dB]
[dB]

3.3.3 Turning the Laser Output OFF or ON

LRM:LASEr [ARGUMENT]
Description

Command to turn on/off the optical output from the LRM card:

Range

false
true

Example:

Command to turn the optical output off:

LRM:LASER false
OK

Related Query

LRM:LASEr?

Output OFF
Output ON

3.3.4 Configuring the Maximum Optical Output Power

The system has a software protection that will limit the maximum optical
output power. This is defaulted to 0dBm. If you wish to change this:
LRM:MAXPower:TX [NUMBER]
Description

Command to set the maximum allowed average optical power

Units are dBm.

Example:

To set the maximum output power at the DUT to +2dBm

LRM:MAXP:TX 2
OK

Related Query

LRM:MAXPower:TX?

3.3.5 Setting the Optical Output Power

LRM:POWEr:TX [NUMBER]
Description

Command to set the average optical power from the LRM card
Units are dBm

Example:

To set a power of -10dBm

LRM:POWE:TX -10dB
OK

Related Query

LRM:POWEr:TX?

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3.3.6 Checking the Optical Output Power

Since the output power may be limited by the combination of the
maximum allowed output power and the Extinction Ratio setting, the actual
power may differ from the set power. To check the current optical output power:
LRM:POWMeas:TX?
Description

Query to measure the LRM cards current optical output power

Example:

To measure the DUT input power:

LRM:POWM:TX?
OK -4.729

3.3.7 Checking the Maximum Possible Optical Modulation Amplitude

The maximum allowed optical modulation amplitude will depend on the
maximum allowed optical output power that has been set. To check the
maximum allowed optical modulation amplitude:
LRM:MAXOma:TX?
Description

Query the maximum optical modulation amplitude possible from the LRM card optical output based on the
maximum optical power setting.
Units are dBm

Example:

To query the output OMA

LRM:OMA:INST?
OK -5.960

3.3.8 Setting the Optical Modulation Amplitude of the Optical Output

LRM:OMA:TX [NUMBER]
Description

Command to set the optical amplitude modulation output from the LRM card
Units are dBm

Example:

To set an output OMA of -10dBm

LRM:OMA:TX -10
OK

Related Query

LRM:OMA:TX?

3.3.9 Checking the Optical Modulation Amplitude of the Optical Output

Since the output optical modulation amplitude may be limited by the
combination of the maximum allowed optical output power and the ER setting,
the actual optical modulation amplitude may differ from that set. To check the
current optical modulation amplitude:
LRM:OMAMeas:TX?
Description

Query the current optical modulation amplitude seen at the DUT.

Units are dBm

Example:

To query the current OMA at the DUT:

LRM:OMAM:TX?
OK -10.8

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3.3.10 Converting Between Average Power and OMA

If the extinction ratio does not change, there is always a constant offset
between the output power and the optical modulation amplitude. That is, if the
power is decreased by 5dB, the optical modulation amplitude is also reduced by
5dB. To find this offset:
LRM:OMAConv:TX?
Description

Query the offset between OMA and average optical power for this extinction ratio setting. Note, a positive
returned value indicates that the average power is greater in magnitude than the optical modulation
amplitude.
Units are dB

Example:

To query the output OMA

LRM:OMAC:TX?
OK -1.158

3.3.11 Measuring the Optical Receivers Input Power

LRM:POWMeas:RX?
Description

Queries the input power measured with respect to the DUT output (i.e. with calibration factor included)

Example:

To measure the DUT output power:

LRM:POWM:IN?
OK -11.902

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4 ERROR MESSAGES
Error
APPLERR
BADINPUT
BADSCPI
CANCELLED
COMINGSOON
DNOTREADY
EXCESSARGS
FOPENERR
FOPERERR
HWINCONS
INVALIDARG
IOERROR
MEASERROR
NOSUCHDEV
NULLVALUE
OOR
OORHIGH
OORLOW
OPINVAL
MEMNOTAVAIL
SCPIBADARG
SCPIEXCESSARGS
SCPIFAIL
SOCKCLOSE
STATEERR
SYNTAX
TIMEOUT
XBOARD
XMLFORMAT

Meaning
Application error
User Input is inconsistent
SCPI command error
Operation was cancelled
Not yet implemented
Device not ready
Too many arguments for SCPI command
File open error
File operation error
Hardware inconsistent
Invalid argument
Io error
Measurement error
No such device
An unexpected null value
Out of range
Out of range high
Out of range low
Operation invalid
Memory not available
SCPI bad argument
SCPI excess arguments
SCPI fail
Unexpected socket close
Invalid state transition
Syntax error
Operation timed out
Generic Xboard error
XML format error

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4.1.1 System Photos

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