STP8000L, help you build accurate and efficient high-speed cable test system

High-speed cable is the guarantee of high-frequency and high-speed signal transmission rate and quality, and the increasing demand for it has led to the rapid growth of the demand for cable automation testing.

STP8000L, a high-speed cable test system from Sematic Measurement and Control, supports mainstream high-speed digital standard protocols, extends the measurement of up to 144 ports, covers the frequency range from DC to 40GHz, and improves the test accuracy through advanced calibration technology, fixture S-parameter extraction and de-embedding functions, which, together with the automated test software, can satisfy the needs of cable testing in both the R&D and production phases.

High-speed cable testing background

With the rapid development of GPU technology, data centres, cloud computing, AI and other fields bring explosive growth of data. Signal transmission has continued to develop towards high frequency and high speed in recent years.

At this year's NVIDIA GTC conference, the newly released GB200 with copper connection became a highlight, and it also signalled a new round of growth in demand for high-speed cables. The demand for efficient, accurate and reliable high-speed cable automation testing will also continue to grow.

Compared with the traditional manual testing with high uncertainty, low efficiency of batch testing and slow updating and iteration, automation test system combines precision test instruments with automation management software to achieve automation and standardisation of cable key parameters testing, effectively reducing testing uncertainty, improving testing accuracy and testing efficiency.

High-speed cable test system STP8000L

Figure 1 STP8000L high-speed cable test system

In response to the current testing needs of the industry, Sematic has developed the STP8000L high-speed cable test system, which supports the mainstream high-speed digital standard protocols. The system can be adapted to mainstream vector network analysers (VNAs), and based on the self-developed test software, it provides industry-leading test speed and accuracy.

Test System Functions and Features

🔹 Wide Test Coverage

Supports PCIe Gen4/Gen5, MiniSAS HD/SlimSAS, USB3.0/4.0, TBT3.0/4.0, SFP/SFP+, QSFP/QSFP+, HDMI, DP, and more;
🔹 Comprehensive testing of cable parameter indicators

Including insertion loss, return loss, common mode - differential mode conversion, impedance (rise time can be set), signal-to-noise ratio, crosstalk, transmission delay and so on;

🔹 Fixture de-embedding, improve test accuracy

Through the AFR de-embedding, support for each channel independent de-embedding, de-embedding items can be selected;

🔹 fully automated calibration, test and display software

Adapt to mainstream vector network analyser, simplify test operation and improve efficiency;

System Composition

The STP8000L system is mainly composed of vector network analyser, switch matrix, automated test software and related accessories. The system supports the industry's mainstream vector network analysers, and based on self-developed automated test software, it provides leading test speed and accuracy.