Ethernet to BNC, SMA or N

[xymox]

I need to hook a spectrum analyzer to Ethernet cables to test them. Like cat 8 and beyond. Its 4 pairs. 10khz - 3Ghz. Ideally what I need would be a test jig that that has impedance conversion for the 100Ohm to 75 or 50 ohm BNC or SMA or N. So Ethernet on one side, 4 connectors on the other. Cat 8 jack > PCB > Connectors.

I have googled till im cross eyed.. I am not finding anything.

[Yansi]

Will probably require a custom design. RJ45 terminal (if required so), a wideband balun transformer and a suitable 50ohm connector (SMA?) to connect your analyzer.

[joeqsmith]

I need to hook a spectrum analyzer to Ethernet cables to test them. Like cat 8 and beyond. Its 4 pairs. 10khz - 3Ghz. Ideally what I need would be a test jig that that has impedance conversion for the 100Ohm to 75 or 50 ohm BNC or SMA or N. So Ethernet on one side, 4 connectors on the other. Cat 8 jack > PCB > Connectors.

I have googled till im cross eyed.. I am not finding anything.

First hit:
https://www.keysight.com/en/pd-2711221-pn-N5395C/ethernet-10-100-1g-transmitter-electrical-test-fixture-for-n5392b-c-10-100-1g-compliance-application?cc=US&lc=eng

https://teledynelecroy.com/options/productseries.aspx?mseries=252&groupid=140

Not seeing the problem.

[ogden]

1000BASE-T test fixtures goes up-to 250Mhz at best. OP mentioned 10khz - 3Ghz, Cat8 bandwidth is 2GHz.

[xymox]

1000BASE-T test fixtures goes up-to 250Mhz at best. OP mentioned 10khz - 3Ghz, Cat8 bandwidth is 2GHz.

Interesting.. Nice board..

But yea.... I need to get to 2Ghz.  I really dont need all that stuff on that board, cool and handy tho, but I need need passive, very wideband, channels.

Yea, I know I can buy dedicated testers, but, I want to really do detailed very analog analysis..

[joeqsmith]

It's just the first Google hits.    I had a look on Keysights site, saw the CAT 7 and some papers on 8.   I just assumed you would contact them as it's obvious they are in the mix.   I didn't search Teledynes site but assume they also are still developing fixtures.   I would just pick up the phone and call them. 

There may be other companies.  I didn't spend a lot of time looking. 

[xymox]

Well i was hoping for some cheap, quick easy solution. That was why I posted.. I was hoping someone might make a balan based BNC to Cat 8 to BNC box for some reason other then testing. Or maybe just a 1Ghz version.. TONS of people make 250Mhz versions. A 2Ghz version, with 4 lines thru one wire and really good shielding would be appealing for many applications. So I just had a hope someone already had one..

Thank you tho.

[ogden]

I doubt that you can find Cat8 testing fixtures for "affordable price" if I can say so. Keysight board could be good starting point for you to make your own. For S11, S21 measurements you need to build two boards, each with [1] and [10] parts in it. 3GHz balun could be challenging but interesting build provided you have VNA of said range. In case of success you could have some pocket business in result as well.

[switchabl]

Keysight also has a 10GBase-T fixture available, which is specified to 3GHz. It may or may not be good enough for what you want to do.
https://www.keysight.com/de/pd-1439887-pn-U7237A/10gbase-t-transmitter-electrical-test-fixture
https://www.keysight.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/10GB-T_man.pdf

There are similar options from Lecroy and Tektronix.

Whether you use one of those or make your own, you will likely have to put in quite a bit of work characterising the fixture so you can de-embed it from your measurements. Also, modern network analyzers usually have the option to combine two ports into a virtual differential one. That may be preferable to using baluns. Of course you need a VNA with at least 4 ports for that (and ideally 16 if you want to characterize all pairs at the same time).

[ogden]

Precision Instruments 3GHz balun PI-102 alone costs $1090.95 

[switchabl]

Well, "affordable" very much depends on the context. If you are working on communication systems that require Cat. 8 cabling and cannot afford a balun, then the test fixture is probably the least of your problems.

[ogden]

It's not even about "affordable"! OP wanted to find "cheap, quick and easy solution". In short: forgetit.

[joeqsmith]

Well i was hoping for some cheap,....

Not sure what cheap would mean.  But it would be easy enough to make the call to find out if they even offer anything.   Then again, if it's for a home project and cheap is $50,  I wouldn't bother them.   

[Brumby]

Yeah .... I keep wondering what your definition of "cheap" is.

What sort of budget were you looking at for this?

[xymox]

Cheap.. hehehe... Well $1000 is out. $500 is unpleasant.. $250 would be OK. However you know with enough time something will pop out of China thats $20.. Free shipping..

So my thinking was why i should spend $1000+ for something that will, or may already be, $20.

I am not doing engineering or product development. I simply need to do some testing. Damn near a hobby. So a big expense will have no return on investment. I don't need and stds compliance. No traceability or calibration.

I have already made up cable. Not even using a impeadance conversion. Tracking generator, normalization, this is already close.. Not ideal obviously but it works sorta.

[ogden]

So my thinking was why i should spend $1000+ for something that will, or may already be, $20.

Here you go: https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?SearchText=Differential+Single-Ended+Converter+Balun. By replacing 3x capacitors with 3x 0ohm resistors and removing two traces for insanely stupid option to short(?) balanced end, you will seemingly get what you are looking for (cheap). Thou reaching promised 3GHz is questionable. Image ot thing attached.