pybert_faq

PyBERT FAQ

1. Why PyBERT?
2. Why Python?
3. How can I help?

Why PyBERT?

Serial communication links are becoming more ubiquitous in electronic system designs at an astonishing rate. Yet, few tools are available for the analysis of such links, and those that are tend to be fairly expensive, certainly beyond the financial means of the average student/hobbyist. I wanted to release a tool into the public domain, which would bring, at least, the fundamental concepts involved in serial communication link design to anyone wishing to explore them, regardless of financial means or professional access.

Why Python?

Because I was proficient in it, because the Traits/UI package is a wonderfully convenient tool for wrapping a GUI around a numerical model, and because, in conjunction with the NumPy and SciPy libraries, Python makes an excellent numerical modeling tool, easily qualifying as a MATLAB substitute and, perhaps, even going beyond MATLAB, due to its inclusion of more modern programming concepts and constructs.

How can I help?

There's plenty to do for the Python coder interested in joining this effort! v0.1 is very preliminary. Here are just some of the missing features:

• Tx pre-emphasis
• Rx continuous time linear equalization (CTLE)
• Dual Dirac tail fitting for more accurate Rj estimation.
• Bathtub curve and eye contour plotting.

The list continues. I'll create official GitHub issues for these and more, soon, in hopes that we'll get enough people interested that we actually need to proceed in some semblance of an orderly manner. ;-)

Thanks for your interest in helping out!