SerialCables integration

SerialCables integration

SerialCables are well known for their wide range of cables, adaptors, host cards, and JBOFs. Quarch combines its advanced power testing and analysis technology with Serial Cables’ high-performance connectivity solutions. When it comes to setting up a test lab, many of the key items you require are available here as a one-stop shop:

An example we use in our own lab is their Gen6 host cards. These are first to market and provide a much-needed way to test Gen6 devices.

SerialCables resells the Quarch range in the USA, but they also integrate our power analysis range directly. Calibrated power measurement via the PAM and PPM range can be added directly to some of their key products.

This handy fixture allows direct connection of an enterprise SSD right into a PCIe slot. Two Quarch integrations are present:

1. A Quarch PPM (Programmable Power Module) can be used to supply power. This allows for a wide range of power tests: margining, ramping, glitching, brownout, crowbar, and similar.
   The PPM can also provide detailed power measurement data
2. An additional power measurement mezzanine from Quarch can also be attached to provide Quarch PAM features. This calibrated board can provide both analog and digital capture. You can record 12v and 3v3 rail measurements and also view the digital sideband assertions. This is very useful for understanding what your device is doing.

Both power options are fully compatible with Quarch Power Studio and automated power capture scripts.

These integrations greatly extend the power of the adapter and allow you to perform an additional set of important tests.

Serial Cables ‘Hydra’ JBOF

This Gen6 JBOF supports a wide range of SSDs and configurations for flexible testing.

Each drive slot has a configurable interposer.  This can be a simple MCIO connector to the host, but it can also include a Quarch PAM fixture.

Fitting the PAM to one or more slots will give you a great deal more data on the SSD operation, with detailed power and sideband capture.  the fixture will plug into existing PAM controllers, scripts and software for easy integration.

Interposers will also be available with Quarch ‘Torridon Breaker’ features.  This will allow individual control of high speed lanes, clock signals, sidebands and power rails for detailed hot-plug and fault injection testing.