Solutions
i-CTS is a complete, single-vendor solution for high-speed cable production testing: a self-developed vector network analyzer, the MSW matrix switch and i-CTS test software. Frequency options of 26.5 / 40 / 67 GHz and 64 to 384 ports scale to any production line.
One system, three self-developed pillars
VNA mainframe
Self-developed vector network analyzer up to 67 GHz with dynamic range up to 135 dB — overall performance on par with the industry benchmark.
MSW matrix switch
Scales the system from 64 to 384 test ports so a single station covers complete multi-pair cable assemblies without re-cabling.
i-CTS test software
Full support for PCIe 4.0/5.0/6.0, IEEE 802.3cd/ck/dj, CEI 4.0/5.0/5.1 and SAS algorithms, with self-developed IFD automatic de-embedding matching benchmark AFR/ISD accuracy.
Measured efficiency on customer production lines
| Customer application | i-CTS | Benchmark system | Capacity gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| A — 16-pair cable, full S-parameter test | 19 s | 38 s | +100% |
| D — 12-pair cable, full S-parameter test | 17 s | 34 s | +100% |
| E — 16-pair cable, 4000 points | 32 s | 45 s | +41% |
| H — 8-pair cable, full S-parameter test | 17 s | 66 s | +288% |
| F — 16 cables per cycle | 4 s | 7 s | +75% |
| M — crosstalk test added | 198 s | 290 s | +46% |
| N — crosstalk test added | 165 s | 383 s | +132% |
The industry’s only 112G → 224G upgrade path
Protect your investment: the VNA4435 mainframe returns to the factory for a hardware upgrade to 67 GHz in about one month — and ships back with a new 3-year warranty. No other cable test platform offers this.
Proven consistency and stability
VNA4435 vs E5080B
Insertion loss difference < 0.02 dB, phase < 0.2°, return loss −45 dB across the full range.
i-CTS vs PNA (N5224B)
On x8 DAC cable: insertion loss difference < 0.1 dB, impedance < 1 Ω, crosstalk envelope < 2 dB.
14-day stability run
10 MHz–40 GHz, 4000 points: SDD21 variation only 0.13–0.15 dB, NEXT 0.99 dB, FEXT 0.91 dB, TDD11 0.01 Ω.
Simplified calibration
Two-port electronic calibration kits complete a full 64-port calibration in just 36 steps — minutes instead of hours, with no manual reconnection errors.
Customer case: global top-tier high-speed cable manufacturer
Testing PCIe 6.0 x8 16-pair cable assemblies (SlimSAS and server internal cables) at 10 MHz–26.5 GHz, 100 kHz IFBW, 2000 points: 128 tests (16 differential pairs + 7 crosstalk) completed in about 60 seconds — more than 15% faster than the incumbent system, with result deviation under 5%. The customer purchased more than 10 i-CTS systems.