Verification of the Simulation Result Concerning 16-Gbit/s Serial Signal Transmission by Using the Printed Circuit Board with FPGA

Abstract

To acquire knowledge about the accuracy and effectiveness of a simulation for high-speed signal communication, we prepared several boards, each with an FPGA which corresponds to 16 Gbit/s serial signal transmitting and receiving. We then measured their eye patterns and BERs, and compared the actual measurement results to the simulated ones. Regarding the eye patterns observed in a 50 Ω terminated environment with an oscilloscope, the simulations agree very well with the experiments. This shows that simulation is effective for selecting the material of the printed wiring board before the pattern design and the emphasis condition of the transmitting signal. On the other hand, for the FPGA reception BER, the simulation results tend to be better than the actual measurements, so it is necessary to consider this in simulation operation.