Allion Software for USB4® Electrical Test Automation (ASUE)
USB standards have significantly increased in speed and complexity, and the amount of required electrical compliance testing for USB has also increased.
As a leading USB-IF Independent Test Lab (ITL), Allion has developed the Allion Software for USB4® Electrical Test Automation (ASUE), which is qualified by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) and complies with the Universal Serial Bus 4 (USB4®) router assembly electrical compliance test specification. This solution enhances the USB4® electrical compliance test throughput for multi-lane standards.
Electrical Transmitter (Tx) and Receiver (Rx) tests used to take just a few hours in early generations of USB, but now they can take days for USB4®. Therefore, test labs require faster compliance test throughput to meet their business requirements.
Highlights from the Latest USB4® Specification
USB4® Specification released the latest version by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) in September 2022, which includes the following features:
- Two-lane operation using existing USB Type-C® cables and up to 40 Gbps operation over 40 Gbps certified cables.
- Multiple data and display protocols to efficiently share the maximum aggregate bandwidth.
- Backward compatibility with USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and Thunderbolt 3.
Optimize Your Tx/Rx Testing Efficiency
As the test scope of USB4 (Thunderbolt3/4) electrical very wide, which needs to take more than 5 days to complete the whole test for a single port in a manual test, in addition, there are several test configurations, test speeds that need to be performed with, which is very easy to use an incorrect setup for test if the testers do that in the manual, so an automatic is very important to resolve these problems, that’s why Allion developed this software.
What is Allion Software for USB4® Electrical Test Automation (ASUE)? How Does it Help Me?
Allion Software for USB4® Electrical Test Automation (ASUE) is designed as an automatic software for USB4 V1, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4 Electrical compliance tests, including Transmitter compliance tests, Receiver compliance tests, and Receiver calibration.
This software is very simple to use for users and can help users avoid incorrect setup, skipping complex processes, and extending the testing time (overnight operation).
Pre-running electrical tests in-house before formal certification ensuring PHY quality and avoiding hardware change during certification.
Allion Software for USB4® Electrical Test Automation (ASUE) achieving faster compliance test throughput for multi-lane standards. This solution runs on the Keysight V/Z/UXR series of scopes and the Anritsu MP1900A BERT, which are specifically designed to provide the fastest compliance test throughput for multi-lane standards.
For Tx testing, both lanes are captured and analyzed using the Keysight high-performance scopes. For Rx testing, multiple iterations of long waveform records are captured and analyzed as part of receiver calibration, with the Anritsu MP1900A BERT serving as the stressed signal generator. The Tx and Rx compliance tests are
fully automated using the USB4® Electrical Test Automation Solution, enabling complete USB4® compliance test results to be obtained with a single push of a button.
Equipment Support Expansion Plan
2023 Q3~2023 Q4 – Addition of support for Keysight M8000A Series BERT equipment.
2023 Q4~2024 Q1 – Addition of support for Teledyne LeCroy Scope equipment.
What Core Value Do We Offer You?
The core value of our USB4® Electrical Test Automation Solution is to save and shorten your project schedule and enable faster turnaround time for your equipment and testing staff with the following three efficiency features:
The Five Specific Advantages of the Solution
- Fully Automated
The testing process is fully automated with only a few simple clicks, eliminating the need for human intervention. - Platform Compatibility
The software is compatible with all platforms, including Intel, AMD, and re-timers from Intel, Parade, and Kandou. - Higher Time Efficiency
The software shortens projects schedule and speeds up turnaround time. - Consistent Quality
The unified test process and detailed logs ensure consistent quality and are free of human errors. - Expand Equipment Usage
The software is integrated on a specific control PC provided by Allion, maximizing the utilization of high-value instruments.
The Key Features of USB4® Electrical Test Automation Solution
- Allion-USB4v1-TX covers all the Transmitter tests in automatic, including:
- Gen2 and Gen3(20G/40G) Speeds
- TP2 and TP3
- Transmitter EQ, SSC, TX Frequency Variation, Rise/Fall Time, Jitter and Eye Diagram
- Allion-USB4v1-RX: Covers all the Receiver tests in automatic, including:
- Gen2 and Gen3(20G/40G) Speeds
- TP3’ and TP3
- Receiver Calibration, Receiver BER Tests
- Supported Equipment:
- Transmitter: Keysight V, Z and UXR series
- Receiver: Anritsu MP1900A (with Keysight scopes)
- Equipment Support Expansion Plan:
2023 Q3~2023 Q4 – Addition of support for Keysight M8000A Series BERT equipment.
2023 Q4~2024 Q1 – Addition of support for Teledyne LeCroy Scope equipment.
- Supporting all kinds of products:
- Skipping the complex configuration and process
- Reducing equipment turnaround time for test engineer
- Extending test overnight
- For In-house validation
Allion has worked closely with USB-IF and contributed to the drafting of USB4® specifications. We are authorized by USB-IF as a n Authorized Test Lab to deliver Full-Featured USB Type-C® Cable (USB4® Gen3), USB PD 3.0 E-Marker (USB) Certifications services, as well as all certification programs for different USB products, including cable assemblies, connectors, hosts, devices and peripherals.
For any consulting needs related to the Allion PCIe Measurement System (APMS), please feel free to reach out to us at US_service@allionusa-sgs.com or by filling out our contact form.