What's New

• The latest version includes changes from all previous versions.
• See New Programming Commands.

Go directly to a PLTS software version listed below:

What's New in PLTS 2025 Update 1.0

• Re-code AFR “Fine Tune the Impedance Matching” feature from Matlab to C++ code for better speed

• Eye diagram algorithm enhancement to align with Keysight FlexDCA eye diagram result

• Segment sweep

• Support rectangular IF bandwidth shape for N522xB and N524xB PNA-X

• Add reset for time domain settings

• Add an option on the “Batched File Open / Import” dialog to overlap the data from all files automatically

• Remember the marker search operation in template view

• Add SCPIs for data integrity check and instrument connection selection

• Fixed a series of bugs

What's New in PLTS 2025

• Statistical eye diagrams, including eye diagrams in Multi-channel Simulation

• Batch Automatic Fixture Removal (AFR)

• Automatic Fixture Removal (AFR) Enhancements:

• Fine Tune the Impedance Matching: Advanced algorithm to fixture impedance mismatching cases for better results
• New mode conversion algorithm
• Auto-gating Span: Address large time-domain responses before time zero for better accuracy
• Save/recall AFR advanced settings
• Refine PLTS gating impedance transformation steps
• AFR DUT gating can be used by just advanced calibration license

• Multi-port embedding and de-embedding speed enhancement

• Add Pass/Fail to equation as limit line

• Add the single point legend on/off option in user preference

• Set line style of limit line

• Extended the time out time when control VNA for calibration and test

• Export eye measurement result to CSV file

• Capability of reordering the traces on a plot

• Copy plot to new plot

• Add bit-by-bit for PRBS eye diagram test

• Support to save new time domain settings as default

• Decimal place preferences for X-axis and Y-axis

• Improved precision of de-embedding process

What's New in PLTS 2024

New Features

• DK-DF and surface roughness extraction (new option N19308B PCB Material Extraction)

• Delta-L4.0 1L/3L

• Support IRL/IRLN (Integrated Return Loss and Integrated Return Loss Noise)

Enhancements

• Design improvement for frequency-time domain transformation algorithm to eliminate the 1/2Fstep limitation

• Add multi-channel simulation to standard test manager

• Python/Matlab equation enhancement to support db-db plot

• Trace Math/Python/Matlab equation enhancement to support the dB unit

• IRL, ICR, ILD, ICN Matlab equations dll version to run with built in Matlab runtime version

• AFR: settings save and recall

• AFR: option for automatic impedance iteration when Z0 is set

• AFR: apply additional gating on extracted S22 by default

• Multi-data sharing template enhancement

• Discrete plot points support more styles: *,^,-,+,o,#

• LFE support for more Keysight VNA options (205, 405, 220, 420, 425)

• Support Keysight ENA-X series VNA (E5801A/M9834A/M9837A)

• Upgrade Delta-L to KAL license and delete the CCL license service

• Update Pathwave license manager to version 2.7

• Update IO library Suite to IOLibSuite 18.3.29324.3

• Python version update to 3.11

• More AFR SCPIs. See New Programming Commands.

• Fixed a series of bugs

What's New in PLTS 2023

New Features

• Delta-L
• Eye limit test supports Standard FlexDCA eye masks for both NRZ and PAM4
• Windows 11 support

Usability Enhancements

• Unify the digit grouping format of the output of batched file converter
• Allow annotation’s position to be out of trace canvas
• Extend the time domain alias range from 1/(2*Freqstep) to 1/(Freqstep)
• Add Log Mag and Phase format export for CSV and TXT
• Save default values for time domain settings
• Set trace color and style for limit line

What's New in PLTS 2022 Update 1.0

New Features

• Use same thru for all groups in AFR
• Support three port  fixture s3p file in AFR
• New ICN/ILD/ICR equations
• New PSXT equation
• L8990M Switch Matrix Support
• Support latest Channel Operating Margin (COM) version 3.70

Usability Enhancements

• Support Keysight DCA TDR  differential file format
• Saving multiple traces with the same X scale
• Solved the German Windows OS compatibility issue in batch file converter and de-embedding
• Updated USB dongle driver to solve the compatibility issue in some Win10 versions

What's New in PLTS 2022

New Features

• Standard Test Manager
• Channel Loss Compensation
• Measure total inductance and total capacitance
• Time vector for standard/MATLAB/Python equations
• Frequency vector for standard/MATLAB/Python equations
• Window Coefficient preference in AFR
• DUT Gate Coefficient in AFR
• Support for P500xB, P502xB, P937xB, and P938xB VNA instruments

Usability Enhancements

• Change default template view using Measure button
• Hot TDR: limit frequency range to range of instrument
• "Apply for All" selection when closing files
• Default image size of exported plot changed to 1920x1080
• Diff/Comm port impedance adjustment added to Test Suite. Learn more about Diff/Comm.
• Open COM/JCOM configuration file from PLTS COM/JCOM window
• Coupled Marker enhancements
• Make port mapping consistent between Export Data and Batch File Converter
• Sortable Cal Set list with date and time
• Change default value of periodic frequency to 1 kHz in Multi-Channel Eye Diagram Simulation

What's New in PLTS 2021

New Features

• Upgraded to latest Keysight Advanced Licensing (KAL) system
• Align two TDR traces by de-skewing them
• Auto AFR Mode Conversion
• Edit AFR fixture impedance manually
• PLTS free viewer mode
• Support N1000A connection and  XY Verbose waveform data import

• Support to import XY verbose data file of DCA in .txt or .csv format

• Run COM while performing other actions simultaneously

Usability Enhancements

• Launch AFR Configuration dialog from AFR wizard
• Optimize time domain transformation for data with DC values
• Enhance eye diagram with 2^23-1 PRBS
• TRL Wizard enhancements
• Set marker setting
• Improved message when phase range is not available
• Support very short line lengths
• Python interface supports Python 3.8
• Increased speed of Batched File Converter using multithreading
• Increased speed of Batched Reference Plane Adjustment using multithreading
• Added image size options for exporting plots (1280 x 720 and 1920 x 1080)
• Added more display units for plot markers such as pU, nU, and uU
• Improved marker display resolution for small values
• Increased maximum number of open files from 100 to 1000

What's New in PLTS 2020

Support for 64 bit system

Keysight Advanced License (KAL)

New Features

• PAM4
• PAM4 DFE equalization (manual/automatic tap settings)
• PAM4 Crosstalk
• AFR improvements
• AFR N port supports the use of THRUs
• AFR DUT correction with Mode Conversion
• Enhanced AFR algorithm to correctly position the open in large inductance spike
• Channel Operating Margin (COM)
• Support for JCOM (JEDEC Channel Operating Margin)
• Support for more general port configurations

• Equation enhancements

• Added filter to search equation parameters
• Added port impedances to list box of equation parameters
• Added output units for equations
• Support for E5080B ENA Vector Network Analyzer

Usability Enhancements

• Added text box for editing parameters to plot
• Refresh plots immediately after changing trace color and line type
• Added Refresh Traces to menu accessed by right-clicking on a plot
• Enhanced LC lines
• Added plot size selection in characterization report
• Added combo box to choose single-ended or differential output in batch reference plane adjustment
• Enable loading/saving DUT configuration file when importing a file
• Improved display on high-resolution monitors

What's New in PLTS 2019

New Features

• PAM4
• PAM4 random jitter injection
• PAM4 enable F/2 jitter injection
• PAM4 random noise injection
• PAM4 CTLE equalization
• Random noise and total jitter parameter measurement results
• Channel Operating Margin (COM)
• New COM state parameters and results
• Support for COM version 2.28 (pass/fail of ERL and new PTDR TX, PTDR RX, etc. traces)
• Text box on canvas for COM results
• New configuration window based on XML
• AFR improvements
• Mode conversion
• Power Integrity Testing
• Support for ENA 5061B enabling calibrating, measuring, and analyzing data from 5 Hz to 3 GHz and plot power integrity information
• Show LC values in a marker
• Power integrity equations
• Power integrity formats
• DC point settings for reflection using ENA with TDR
• Support for log X-axis and log Y-axis sweep (right-click in a plot to access selections from menu)
• Differential/common mode port reference impedance adjustment

• Equation enhancements

• Equation based limits (start, stop)
• Equation based limits supports Matlab equation
• Python equation enhancements
• Equation based limits supports Python equation
• Text box on canvas with hooks to equations
• Support for P937xA USB Vector Network Analyzers

What's New in PLTS 2018

New Features

• Support for Python Interface
• Python programming example
• Channel Operating Margin (COM)
• GUI enhancements
• Support for version 1.54 and 1.65
• New COM template views
• Insertion loss fit parameters
• New impedance traces
• Full version of MATLAB no longer required
• Support for MATLAB full version 2014b-2016b
• 64 port support for the following:
• DUT configuration
• Round-robin measurements
• Import and export
• Advanced parameter selection for plotting
• N port reference plane adjustment
• AFR wizard
• Run SCPI commands as macro to automate test actions
• Support for slower system rise time measurement using data truncation
• Memory monitor and memory handling
• Pattern loop count functionality
• Support for Low Frequency Extension (LFE)

Usability Enhancements

• Add frequency labels on each vertical graticule of the X-axis of a plot
• Support for Windows 10

What's New in PLTS 2017

New Features

• SCPI API to control PLTS
• Channel Operating Margin (COM) test feature
• Support for PAM4 in eye diagram test
• Time domain delay measurement
• 1-port AFR with DUT correction

Round-Robin Enhancements

• IF bandwidth measurement setting

Usability Enhancements

• Export marker data to clipboard
• Edit DUT port assignments in ENA cal and measurement wizard
• Turn off calibration on continuity check traces
• Apply button added to Export Data dialog
• Add large number of traces/plots to view all at once - DUT ports number > 4
• Set marker frequency in GHz
• Plot vertical scale setting in Min/Max mode
• Improved limit line in log sweep display

What's New in PLTS 2016

New Features

• TDR Wizard for DCA oscilloscopes with FlexDCA
• Customize characterization report using MSWord template
• Increase maximum number of plots from 16 to 144 per view
• Support for E5080A
• Support for M9485A
• Tabular trace data display
• Automatic N-port reference plane adjustment (50 Ω-42.5 Ω-DUT-42.5 Ω-50 Ω)
• Export 4-port file from 2-port data
• 3-port de-embedding
• API for 32-Port PXI ATE solution:

• • Automatic fixture removal example program

  • Import data and analysis example program

  • Measure data example program

AFR Enhancements

• File version number for AFR extracted fixtures
• R value used as characterization system Z0
• Add a marker to the Measure Fixture Impedance TDR Data dialog
• Automatically find impedance to bring fixture back to 50 Ω
• Enable calibration reference to system Z0 in batched AFR
• AFR gating on DUT measurement to get S11a and S22b

Round-Robin Enhancements

• Save intermediate SnP files
• Show differential parameters
• Display measurements on PNA as they are made
• Support for 12- and 16-port systems

Usability Enhancements

• System Z0 set to port impedance if all port impedances are the same
• Legend data stored with template
• Vertical scaling spin button increments in a 10-5-2-1 pattern (10, 5, 2, 1, .5, .2, .1, .05, .02, .01, etc.)
• Fixture length coupled to gate value
• Drag & drop to re-order plots
• Run PLTS without requiring administrator privileges
• Export DC values, have improved FFT enabled, and export extrapolated values between the measured frequency and DC
• User preference dialog plot tab enhancement
• Plot/Trace radio button behavior change
• Skew measurement result indicates which trace is shorter/longer
• Upgrade to IO Lib 17.1

What's New in PLTS 2015

• AFR Enhancements
• Keysight M937xA PXI Support
• • AFR Enhancements
• PLTS State Files
• 36 DUT Ports
• 36 Traces per Plot
• All Data Sharing
• Smooth All Parameters
• Export Smoothed Data
• Import or Export Time Domain Touchstone (*.snp) File
• Export DC Value
• Number of Ports added to Template View
• Round-Robin Measurements
• Add and Edit Trace Legend
• Edit Plot Annotation Color
• Copy and Paste Annotations
• Exported Data shows Deembed/AFR

See Test Conditions and Firmware Requirements for PLTS 2015

What's New in PLTS 2014 Update 1

AFR Wizard Enhancements

• Edit Impedance and Electrical Length

• Up to 32 ports.

• 2X Thru standard - Remap ports

• Make s4p fixture file from s2p files

What's New in PLTS 2014

Updated Automatic Fixture Removal

• Updated AFR UI

• One-port AFR

Time Domain

• Windowing Types

• DC Extrapolation with PNA method

Miscellaneous

• AMI (IBIS) Models with Multi-channel Simulations

• Select Preference font size for axis labels

• Map S.E. to Differential parameters when Importing Multiple Files

• Export data for all traces in a plot to a *.csv file.

• Batched File Converter to different Domains

What's New in PLTS 2013

Multi-channel Enhanced Eye Diagram

• Show Plots with ONLY the selected Transmit or Crosstalk Effects

• Show Enhanced Bit Pattern Waveforms

• Advanced Receiver Equalizations (CTLE, FFE, DFE)

• Synthesize Effects with Equations

Calibration Enhancements

• Automatic Fixture Removal (AFR)

• • Non-50 Ohm fixtures

  • Verify 2X Thru

• TRL Cal Kit Wizard

• • Load an existing Coaxial Cal Set

  • Reverse measurements to verify the cal kit symmetry

• 'Legacy' Cal mode is no longer supported with version 2013

Eye Diagram enhancements

• Eye color gradient shows trace density.

• New Preference for setting default Eye Mask Scale

• User Preference Shortcut

• Create Eye Mask using Ratios or Voltage

• Change Sampling Windows

Equation editor enhancements

• Wildcard for DUT designator

• getNumOfPoints function

Miscellaneous Enhancements

• Marker Table

• User span for Marker Search and Trace Statistics

• Enhanced Measure button

• More accurate skew measurement.

• Scale Step Size Bar

• 'Pan' a plot

• Create Limit Line from Equation

PLTS 2013 was tested using the following instrument firmware versions:

See PNA Firmware Requirements for PLTS 2013

What's New in PLTS 2012

Eye Diagrams

• Multi-channel Eye Diagrams  

• Eye Diagram 'Show Results' buttons

Math, Equations, and MATLAB

• MATLAB Interface

• New Equation Functions

• New Apply Equation Dialog

• Quicker Quick Math .

Time Domain

• Transmission/Reflection settings on Hardware setup

• Bandpass Gating Mode

• Excess Reactance on TDR display

Data Import/Export

• Touchstone 2.0 support

• Export RLGC Common and Differential data

• Export Frequency Domain Data to new Formats-

Miscellaneous

• Hot TDR measurements  

• Estimated Measurement Time and Abort Measurement

• Full support for ENA calibration

• User Preference for Marker Readout resolution.

• Add Second Thru for Automatic Fixture Removal

• Mixed Mode System Impedance

• Close All Files

Programming Commands

• Export Text Files

• ExportPlots Method

• Close Doc and Close View

PLTS 2012 was tested using the following instrument firmware versions:

See PNA Firmware Requirements for PLTS 2012

What's New in PLTS 2011 (Version 6.0)

• Automatic Fixture Removal with Asymmetric Fixtures

• Data Integrity Check and Enforcement

• Test Suites

• Multi-Data Templates

• Specify VISA Address to Find Instrument

• Connect PNA using LAN (TCPIP)

• Install PLTS on the PNA

• Math Formula dialog enhancement

• Marker Search for 3 dB point

• Right click to Delete and Rename Traces

• Docking and Reset Panes and Toolbars

• Auto-save Measurement Data

PLTS 2012 was tested using the following instrument firmware versions:

See PNA Firmware Requirements for PLTS 2012

What's New in PLTS Version 5.5

• Test Suites (Templates)

• Connect to PNA using USB Cable

• Enhanced Scaling Bar

• Easy OFF | ON Testing for Limit Line and Eye Mask

• User PreferenceDo NOT Update Eye Data

• User PreferenceUse 20-80% for Rise Time

• Added Top and Bottom Region to Eye Mask Tool

• Trace Statistics

• Rename Traces

• Trace Smoothing

• Updated Characterization Report

• Batched File Open/Import

• Time DomainRise Time Settings

• Marker; Find Target Value

• Marker Coupling

• Measure Step Rise Time (Tr) of Time Domain Trace

• Measure Skew of two or more Time Domain Traces

• Licensing Glossary (in this Help file)

See PNA firmware requirements for PLTS Version 5.5

What's New in PLTS Version 5.2

• Probe Cal Wizard for GGB probes

• Auto Fixture Removal for Single Ended Devices  

• Eye Diagram Amplitude (High and Low) Setting

• Define Eye Mask Tool

• Added Bandpass/Lowpass Mode in Time Domain

• Added 'virtual' 12-port PNA

• Context-sensitive help

• Marker Set Save / Recall

• Export Marker Data

• New Parameter "ALL" Selections

• New DUT Configurations allowed (2-port reflection and Differential/Single-Ended combinations)

• New User Preferences:

• Windows Vista 64 supported in Measurement Mode

• Japanese and Chinese Text Entry

• 2 New Programming commands.

What's New in PLTS Version 5.0

• Advanced Cal PackageOption 5xP

• • TRL Cal Kit Wizard

  • Automatic Fixture Removal

  • Edit Differential Crosstalk TRL Cal Kits

  • Perform Differential Crosstalk TRL Cal

  • Calculate Cal Set

• Enhanced PNA Cal and Measurement Wizard includes:

• • Cal Step Groups

  • Create Probe Cal Kit

  • Refresh Cal

• Load Error Terms

• Continuity Check

• Balanced-SE Converter

• Batched File Converter

• Batched File Ref Plane Adjustment

• Import Bit Pattern files

• DC Point Setting for Time Domain Measurements

• New View Menu items

• File Storage User Preference

• Statistical Equation Traces

• Log Sweep Control

• Enter Power in Volts (p-p)

• Scroll through traces or markers

• New Programming commands

• Support for 20 GHz ENA-C model

• DCA application 16K points

Note: The minimum usable PNA firmware for PLTS 5.0 is A.06.04.32

Learn more about PNA firmware requirements.

What's New in PLTS Version 4.5

• Measure with ENA Series Network Analyzers

• Works with Vista Operating System

• QSOLT Calibration

• Eye Diagram Mask (Pass / Fail) Testing

• Automated Eye and Jitter Measurement

• Eye Diagrams can be Scaled

• Multiport Reference Plane Adjustment

• Cal Window (PNA)

• License Manager

• Import Time Domain Files and Differential data

• Save and Load Math Formulas

• Selectable Limit Line Target and Color

• System Impedance Z0 Setting

• Edit / Group Connector Types

• Merge Data Files

• User Preferences

• • FFT Extrapolation

  • Skip Search for Hardware

  • Create Delta Marker

• New Help topics:

• • PLTS Licensing Overview

  • PLTS System Requirements

What's New in PLTS Version 4.2

• More than 7 DUT files can be opened simultaneously

• Autoscale and Reset ALL with a single click.

• Time Domain Gating settings

• • Autoscale while gating

  • Apply gating to all reflection parameters

• New Frequency Domain formats: SWR, Impedance, Unwrapped Phase

• Right-click to Close All Windows for a File

• Export Data with Math Applied

• New User Preferences

• • Load and Save Preferences

  • Plots / Traces

  • Display One-way Distance for Time Domain Reflection

  • Use Legacy Cal Mode

  • Use Legacy Export Mapping

• Up to 32 port file can be built when Importing

• Improved TDR Correction in Frequency Domain

• Settable stimulus amplitude for eye diagram

• Limit Line Testing

• API Programming Interface

• PLTS License Reset Utility

• PLTS Multi-Version Launcher Utility

PLTS 4.20 has been tested against PNA firmware versions A.04.87 through A.07.50.  To take advantage of the newest calibration features, upgrade your PNA to the latest firmware version possible.

What's New in PLTS Version 4.0

• 8,12,16, 20 Port 20/50 GHz Solutions

• Full PNA Calibration Mode

• Display Improvements

• • Scroll bar to show all parameters (16 at a time)

  • 16 traces per plot

  • Marker Math

  • 9 markers per plot

• New File Import features (& additions to export)

• PLTS Studio (Analysis Only)

• Connect to PNA over LAN

• Simplified Data Sharing

What's New in PLTS Version 3.12

• New Hardware Support

• • N4421B-H6767 GHz Test Set

  • N4433A 20 GHz  4 port ECal module

• User Preferences

• • Skip selected Measurement Wizard dialogs

  • 'Set As Default' buttons on dialog boxes

• TRL Cal Kit

• • Define up to FIVE Line Standards

  • Reflect Standard can be Open or Short

• File Export

• • Save to one file instead of a file for each parameter

  • Save Time Domain data in volts, log, and impedance formats

• FlexLM licensing on Solaris and HP-UX servers

What's New in PLTS Version 3.0

• New Hardware Support

• • N1958A - PNA 4-port

  • ECal Modules

• Improved File Export Capability

• • Export *s1p, *.s2p, *.s3p touchstone files

  • Export a modified port configuration form SnP files

  • Export a Limited Data Range

  • Export in Cadence Allegro Format

• TDR Correct Impedance Profile

• Custom Cal Kit Files Saved Before PLTS Upgrade

• Continuous Sweep no longer supported

What's New in PLTS Version 2.0/2.5

• New hardware support

• • TDR-Based Systems

  • • Keysight 86100 Family with 54754A TDR module(s)

    • Tektronix TDS/CSA 8000 with 80E04 TDR module(s)

  • PNA Network Analyzer Based Systems

  • • Keysight N1935A PLTS, 10 MHz-20 GHz, 4-port (N5230A-225 PNA & N4419B test set)

    • Keysight N1953B PLTS, 10 MHz-20 GHz, 4-port (E8362B PNA & N4419B test set)

    • Keysight N1955B PLTS, 10 MHz-40 GHz, 4-port (E8363B PNA & N4420B test set)

    • Keysight N1957B PLTS, 10 MHz-50 GHz, 4-port (E8364B PNA & N4421B test set)

• General Hardware Support Enhancements

• • Embedded Keysight Connection Manager with Microsoft .NET framework

  • Manage multiple instruments on single GPIB User interface additions and enhancements

  • Markers. Drag & drop, "Find Min", "Find Max", "Set at…" Functional with multiple traces

  • Mouse driven trace/waveform zoom (lasso zoom)

  • Autoscale/reset scale

  • Automatic user-defined plot labels

  • Copy/paste plot format

  • Data sharing and trace overlay. Up to four traces per plot, regardless of data source, bandwidth, time base, or number of points

  • Quick trace math (mouse driven)

  • Time-domain math

  • Default time-domain format changed from impulse to step

  • Performance improvements for data display and memory management

• Calibration and measurement

• • Automation for TDR module calibration, normalization, reference plane calibration, de-skew

  • Fully user-defined calibration sequence (including thrus)

  • LRM (Line/Reflect/Match) calibration for PNA-based systems

  • SOLT (Short/Open/Load/Thru) load inductance term for PNA-based systems

  • Measurement averaging for VNA-based systems

  • Enable/disable auto-optimize start/stop algorithm

  • 4-port de-embedding for coupled models

  • Uncoupled Start/Step frequencies provides access to 16001 measurement points for enhanced frequency domain resolution

  • 4th line added to TRL calibration

  • Enhanced user control over the digital filter user for I-FFT

• Data output

• • Export screen images to clipboard or image file (BMP, JPG, TGA)

  • Characterization Report: Creates device test report. Includes calibration, user-supplied device information, and automatic time-domain impedance profiles, frequency-domain reflection and transmission plots, and eye diagram

  • Direct 4-port S-parameter export to TDA Systems MeasureXtractor

  • Export individual or multiple time-domain or frequency-domain parameters data in a single action

  • RLCG fitted and smoothed data viewing and export

  • RLCG W-Element tabular output format

• Other

• • File converter: Converts S-parameter and CITIfiles (*.s2p and *.cit) to PLTS de-embedding files (*.txs)

  • FlexLM server-based floating license option.

  • Software annual update service