Xgig Tuning and Equalization

Tuning and Equalization are procedures to optimize ports on the 6G SAS/SATA 4x/Wide-Port Blade for your environment. When you connect the Xgig SAS Analyzer in a new environment (for example, after changing devices or cable length) we recommend that you run the Tuning procedure below. If, after Tuning, the analyzer detects excessive signal integrity issues, go on to adjust the Equalization settings. For more information about Tuning and Equalization, see the Technical Overview section at the end of this document.

Tuning
Tuning is used to fine-tune the sampling position in the data stream. The tuning function optimizes the Xgig ports for the particular devices and channel in use, and maximizes the receiver margin to ensure signal interoperability. Always perform Tuning after Equalization settings have changed. Tuning can only be performed when the Analyzer ports are in Analog Passthrough mode. Digital retiming would initiate an OOB sequence which would cause the users devices to temporarily stop sending traffic needed by the tuning algorithm. Jammer ports are automatically switched from Digital Retime mode to Analog Passthrough, tuned, and then switched back to Digital Retime. This switching process will bring down any links established to the Jammer ports. Requirements for Tuning
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All ports to be tuned must be exchanging traffic in both directions. All ports will be tuned at their respective data rate. Use high link utilization, if possible. If possible, use a stress pattern such as unscrambled CJTPAT; however, this is not required.

Initiate Tuning
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Set up and connect all ports to be tuned on a blade so that they are exchanging traffic in both directions. Tuning can be initiated from either TraceControl or Maestro.
a

In TraceControl, create a domain and lock all ports to be tuned. Right-click on the LEDs shown in the domain created for the 6G SAS/SATA 4x/Wide-Port Blade and select Change Equalization Settings.

Xgig Tuning and Equalization

In Maestro, create a domain and lock all Jammer ports to be tuned. Click on the Actions button in the Xgig Maestro Main Window and select Tuning and equalization from the menu. A dialog box will appear that allows you to select the blade and the Jammer ports to be tuned. Select the blade and the port-pairs within the blade to tune and click OK. Only port-pairs set as Jammer can be selected.

You will be prompted to enter the user name and password for the chassis web page. The default user name is JDSU and the default password is JDSUsnt. If the defaults have been changed, check with your system administrator for the correct user name and password. To start tuning, press the Tune button on the Blade X Equalization Settings web page. If you have not selected all the ports on the blade to be included in the domain, the unselected ports will be grayed out and therefore will not be tuned when you click the Tune button.

The tuning process optimizes the receiver. This process takes a variable amount of time and can last up to 30 seconds. During tuning, the TraceControl and Jammer software LEDs will

Xgig Tuning and Equalization

flash red while the optimal parameters are determined for the receiver. Upon completion of a successful tune, the LEDs will turn yellow. A page in the Xgig Web Utility will display showing Tuning has started for the blade/ports and the Equalization page automatically returns after a brief period. The Tuning result is shown on the Equalization page.
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If using TraceControl, manually reset the TraceControl LEDs. Right-click on the LEDs and select Reset LEDs and Link Speed Status from the menu. You can also reset the LEDs by clicking on the Reset LEDs and Link Speed Status button in the toolbar.

The optimized settings will take effect immediately. If you press Apply Configuration or start a capture in TraceControl, the newly optimized settings will be used. Notes for Tuning
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The optimized values determined by Tuning become invalid when any of the following occur:
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The blade is moved to a different chassis or slot The blade is replaced A cable is changed Device is replaced (drive, HBA, expander, etc.) Device transmitter settings are changed (for example, de-emphasis is increased)

Upon completion of tuning, if some ports still receive errors, follow the instructions below to modify the equalization on that particular port and attempt to tune again. If problems persist, shorten the cables or adjust the emphasis and/or amplitude settings on the transmitter, if possible. Settings persist across an Xgig chassis reboot or power cycle.

Restore Tuning Defaults To restore the original factory settings for tuning, press the Restore button on the web page. The restore function will also cause all link rates to return to the original factory settings. The tuning process will automatically apply both the Tuning results and the lastest Equalization settings at the end of the tuning process.

Equalization
The general rules for choosing the appropriate Equalization setting are listed below. The suggested settings for Equalization for each port and speed are provided in Table 1. Note that the legend below Table 1 shows the precise meaning of cable lengths and de-emphasis settings at the input device.
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At data rates of 1.5Gbps and 3.0Gbps the equalization setting can be left to None. The Equalization process is performed for all ports on the blade. If Equalization is not required for a particular port at a particular speed, make sure it is set to None. At 6.0Gbps, you may need to change the equalization setting. Situations where equalization settings should be changed include when the transmitting device has low or no emphasis, or where a long cable is used. See Table 1 for a list of the suggested settings for equalization based on de-emphasis of the signal and the length of the cable.

Xgig Tuning and Equalization

Always perform the Tuning procedure after you have completed Equalization. In the unlikely event you believe the analyzer is receiving false errors after performing both Equalization and Tuning, you should attempt Equalization at the higher and lower settings from the current setting. Re-tune whenever you change Equalization settings.

Table 1: Recommended Equalization Settings

Case / Equalization Settings 1.5Gbps Operation 3.0Gbps Operation 6.0Gbps Operation, Short Cables, No De-Emphasis 6.0Gbps Operation, Long Cables, No De-Emphasis 6.0Gbps Operation, Short Cables, Low De-Emphasis None Low Medium High Notes Frequency components not high enough to need equalization in normal use. Frequency components not high enough to need equalization in normal use.

Frequency components close to the source may need medium equalization as the channel will attenuate high frequencies. Frequency components far from the source may need high equalization as the channel will significantly attenuate high frequencies. Frequency components close to the source may need low equalization as low de-emphasis and cable may cause the channel to mildly attenuate high frequencies. Frequency components far from the source may need medium equalization as the low de-emphasis and long cable may cause the channel to moderately attenuate high frequencies. Frequency components close to the source may not need equalization as high de-emphasis and short cable may normalize the signal.

6.0Gbps Operation, Long Cables, Low De-Emphasis

6.0Gbps Operation, Short Cables, High De-Emphasis

6.0Gbps Operation, Long Cables, High De-Emphasis

Frequency components far from the source may need low equalization as high de-emphasis and long cable may cause the channel to mildly attenuate high frequencies.

Low De-Emphasis< 3dB Medium De-Emphasis = 3dB High De-Emphasis > 3dB

Short cable = 0.5m to less than 2.0m Long cable = 2.0m to 3.0m

Steps to Apply Equalization

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In TraceControl, right-click on the LEDs shown in the domain created for the 6G SAS/SATA 4x/Wide-Port Blade and select Change Equalization Settings. You will be prompted to enter the user name and password for the chassis web page. The default user name is JDSU and the default password is JDSUsnt. If the defaults have been changed, check with your system administrator for the correct user name and password. A web page will appear with drop down boxes for each port at all speeds, 1.5Gbps, 3.0Gbps, and 6.0Gbps. An example of the web page is shown below. The Xgig chassis name appears in the title bar, and the slot number for the chassis is displayed at the top of the web page. If you

Xgig Tuning and Equalization

have not selected all the ports on the blade to be included in the domain, the unselected ports will be grayed out and therefore not configurable in the web page.

Press the Submit button after the appropriate settings have been selected from the drop-down boxes. This results in an update on the chassis with your requested settings, but does not update the hardware. A page will display showing the settings you have selected. Press Go back to return to the Equalization page. Perform the Tuning procedure. Whenever you press the Tune button, the tuning process will automatically apply the both the Tuning results and the lastest Equalization settings at the end of the tuning process.

Once the equalization setting(s) have been submitted, the settings will persist across an Xgig chassis reboot or power cycle. Unless a device is replaced or the transmitter settings are changed, the Equalization and Tuning settings will remain valid. If a device is replaced or the transmitter settings are changed, then the Equalization and Tuning settings should be reset. Press Reset to refresh the web page to the currently stored settings. Restore Equalization Defaults To restore the original factory equalization settings, press the Restore defaults button.The restore process will automatically apply the factory default Equalization settings. and the latest Tuning results at the end of the Tuning process.

Xgig Tuning and Equalization

Technical Overview of Equalization and Tuning

Given the challenge of extreme serial bit rates for 6.0Gbps SAS/SATA and the state of current 6.0Gbps SAS/SATA components, manual Tuning and Equalization procedures are required to ensure that you receive reliable results. JDSU feels that these procedures may become unnecessary in the future as SAS-2 devices evolve and signal quality and jitter issues are resolved, but at present they are the best way to achieve optimal results. Tuning is used to fine-tune the sampling position in the data stream. There are interoperability challenges with the high serial bit rates for 6.0Gbps SAS/SATA. These include jitter sources, transmitter voltage levels, and slew rate, to name a few. A user-initiated tuning function optimizes the Xgig ports for the particular devices and channel in use. The tuning process maximizes the receiver margin to ensure signal interoperability. In addition to the interoperability issues above, there are parasitic effects found in the copper channel. The copper channel used in SAS/SATA, consisting of traces, vias, connectors, and cables, has low-pass filter characteristics. This means higher-frequency components in the serial bit stream will have their voltage amplitude attenuated in comparison to low-frequency components in a pattern. To compensate for this phenomenon, the SAS-2 specification requires the use of de-emphasis at the transmitter and equalization at the receiver. De-emphasis reduces the low-frequency signal. Equalization attempts to correct any lingering differences between high and low frequencies at the signal destination. Equalization is required for all SAS-2 devices; however, most current SAS-2 devices, including the current version of the 6G SAS/SATA 4x/Wide-Port Blade, do not have auto-equalization circuitry. This means that equalization settings are selected for the ports when the blade is shipped, and the settings may need to changed based on the environment they are used in. The primary variables for setting equalization are the length of the cables and amount of de-emphasis from the source. See Figure 1 for contrasting examples showing how Equalization is required to ensure signal integrity when there is no de-emphasis. The first example shows no de-emphasis at the source, signal degradation, and the need for a moderate equalization setting to ensure signal integrity. The second example shows how de-emphasis at the source can eliminate the need for changing the Equalization setting. See Figure 2 for an example of how the use of long cables slightly increases the need for Equalization. Note that only 6.0Gbps devices are allowed to have 3M cables, and all devices at lower speeds are restricted to 0.5M (or possibly 1M).

Xgig Tuning and Equalization

Figure 1: SAS Signal Characteristics, With and Without De-Emphasis at Source

Xgig Tuning and Equalization

Figure 2: SAS Signal Characteristics Using Long Cables

Copyright 2009 by JDSU

December 2009 All trademarks are registered to their respective companies. JDS Uniphase Corporation 430 N. McCarthy Blvd. Milpitas, CA 95035 USA Technical Support: Phone- US Toll Free- 1 866.594.2557 Phone- International- 1 408.546.7096 E-mail: techsupport-snt@jdsu.com Sales and Maintenance Support: Phone- US Toll Free- 1 888.746.6484 Phone- International- 1 408.546.7097 E-mail: sales-snt@jdsu.com E-mail: insidesales.snt@jdsu.com Website: www.jdsu.com/snt

Note: Specifications, configurations, and availability subject to change without notice.