MultiLane ML4079ELN – 800G Long-Reach BERT
The ML4079ELN is an 8-channel 800G Bit Error Rate Tester (BERT) from MultiLane designed as a turnkey platform for validating next-generation high-speed interconnects. It is optimized for long-reach applications, featuring up to 34 dB receiver equalization, real-hardware FEC analysis, and support for Ethernet, PCIe, Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO), active cables, passive cables, and automotive communication links.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Aggregate Throughput | 800G |
| Channels | 8 |
| Maximum Baud Rate | Up to 66 GBaud PAM4 |
| Rx Equalization | Up to 34 dB |
| Modulation | PAM4 and NRZ |
| FEC Analysis | Real Hardware FEC |
| BER Measurement | Real-time BER |
| Additional Measurements | SNR, Histogram, SER |
| Noise Injection | AWGN / Error Injection |
| Link Types | Ethernet, PCIe, LPO, Automotive |
Core Features
Long-Reach Validation
The ML4079ELN is specifically engineered to test channels with substantial insertion loss. With receiver equalization exceeding 34 dB, it can characterize:
- Passive copper cables
- Active electrical cables (AEC)
- Backplanes
- Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO)
- Optical transceivers
This makes it particularly useful for validating long-reach 800G infrastructure.
Real Hardware FEC Analysis
Unlike software-only emulation approaches, the ML4079ELN includes hardware-based FEC processing that allows engineers to evaluate DUT performance under realistic system conditions.
Capabilities include:
- Pre-FEC analysis
- Post-FEC analysis
- FEC margin measurements
- SER and BER monitoring
PAM4 Stress Testing
Supported test patterns include:
- PRBS7
- PRBS9
- PRBS13
- PRBS15
- PRBS23
- PRBS31
- PRBS13Q
- PRBS31Q
- SSPRQ
The platform also supports custom user-defined patterns for advanced validation workflows.
Advanced Equalization
The instrument includes:
- CTLE Equalization
- DFE Equalization
- Receiver Equalization
- 3-Tap Pre/Post Emphasis
- Optional 7-Tap Linear FFE
These features enable realistic emulation of modern SerDes environments.
Built-In Signal Integrity Tools
SNR Monitoring
Provides continuous Signal-to-Noise Ratio measurements to monitor channel health and performance.
PAM4 Histogram Analysis
Allows visualization of PAM4 eye distributions and signal quality metrics.
Noise Injection
Supports:
- AWGN (Additive White Gaussian Noise)
- Burst noise
- Random noise
- Error injection
Useful for receiver tolerance and stress testing.
Supported Applications
Ethernet
- 400G Ethernet
- 800G Ethernet
- IEEE 802.3ck validation
PCI Express
- PCIe Gen 3
- PCIe Gen 5
- PCIe Gen 6
- PCIe Gen 7
Optical Networking
- Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO)
- Optical transceivers
- Active optical cables
Automotive
- Low-rate automotive communication validation
Comparison with ML7008F-LFT
| Feature | ML4079ELN | ML7008F-LFT |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Speed | Up to 112G-class / 66 GBaud PAM4 | 224G PAM4 |
| Aggregate Capacity | 800G | 1.6T-class |
| Rx Equalization | Up to 34 dB | Over 40 dB |
| Real Hardware FEC | Yes | Yes |
| BLER | Limited FEC metrics | Dedicated BLER support |
| Link Training | Not primary focus | Full 224G link training |
| Primary Use | Long-reach 112G ecosystem validation | Next-generation 224G ecosystem validation |
Ideal Users
The ML4079ELN is particularly suited for:
- Switch ASIC developers
- Optical module manufacturers
- PCIe ecosystem vendors
- Data-center infrastructure designers
- Signal integrity engineers
- Compliance and interoperability test labs
Its combination of 800G throughput, 34 dB equalization, real-hardware FEC, noise injection, and broad protocol coverage makes it a versatile platform for validating both current-generation 112G-based systems and advanced long-reach interconnect technologies.
