Optical Module Test Device Emulating SerDes Characteristics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing testing methods for optical communication modules are inefficient and costly, requiring multiple types of expensive equipment and manual operations, and often fail to address interoperability issues across different networking devices, leading to unstable links and errors.
Innovation Solution
A highly integrated test device and method that allows multiple optical communication modules to be tested simultaneously, using a processor, memory, and ASIC/FPGA to emulate common SerDes characteristics of major networking devices, adjusting test parameters to determine optimal settings for bit error rate and frame loss ratio, and storing these parameters for future use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple types of expensive test equipment are used to handle different test aspects, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and testing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate test equipment functions (bit error rate testing, frame loss ratio testing, digital eye diagram generation, module coding/programming) into a single integrated test device. This consolidation maintains comprehensive testing capabilities while reducing the number of separate equipment pieces needed, directly addressing the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The test device is designed with multi-functional capabilities to perform various test aspects simultaneously or sequentially on optical communication modules. The device can generate digital eye diagrams, perform bit error rate tests, measure frame loss ratios, and handle module coding/programming, making a single device universal enough to replace multiple specialized equipment while maintaining test accuracy
2Measurement precision
If multiple types of test equipment are coordinated and combined, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to repeated plugging and unplugging
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple test functions into one device, the patent eliminates the need to repeatedly connect and disconnect the optical communication module between different equipment. The module remains connected to the single integrated test device throughout the entire testing process, maintaining comprehensive test accuracy while dramatically improving testing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The test device performs multiple test aspects in a streamlined sequence without requiring intermediate disconnections. The digital eye diagram generation, bit error rate testing, and frame loss ratio measurements are conducted in a predetermined sequence within the same test session, eliminating repeated setup and teardown operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If optimal test parameters are determined for each optical communication module, then adaptability is improved, but testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test device automatically determines optimal test parameters by analyzing the characteristics of each optical communication module during initial testing. The system uses feedback from these measurements to automatically adjust and optimize test parameters for subsequent tests on the same or similar modules, achieving high adaptability without manual intervention or excessive time consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary characterization testing to establish optimal parameters for each module type. Once determined, these optimal parameters are stored and automatically applied to future tests on identical or similar modules, eliminating the need to repeatedly determine parameters and significantly reducing testing time while maintaining high adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a testing method for optical communication module, and a test device. The testing method includes: reading encoded information from the optical communication module to be tested; obtaining a pre-stored optimal test parameter corresponding to the optical communication module, and adjusting test parameter configuration of test device accordingly to the optimal test parameter; obtaining test mode configuration, and performing a test on the optical communication module to obtain first test result; and obtaining a determination result according to the first test result and expected result. This method improves test efficiency and proposes a test device which emulates the estimated common performance characteristics of the main stream networking devices where the optical communication module attaches to in real-life applications, therefore, a qualified module passing the proposed test method has much lower possibility of having the interoperability issue mentioned in the background of the present disclosure.