Parametric representation of custom masks for compliance tests of high-speed optical transmitters

This paper demonstrates that NRZ and RZ masks can be represented in terms of a compact set of parameters closely related to the measurement tolerances enforced during compliance tests of high-speed optical transmitters. The adoption of parametric representations as the representation of choice for standard RZ masks deserves serious consideration. Besides conferring meaning to the mask description and mask creation process, the resulting representation allows the interactive definition of custom masks through a graphical interface: the manipulation of mask parameters is far easier and more efficient than the direct manipulation of polygons, as typically required. Agilent´s Infiniium DCA supports the interactive creation of NRZ and RZ custom masks, as well as the automatic derivation of mask boundaries and margins based on the mask parameter specifications.