Test solutions from Tektronix for USB 3.1 Rx and MIPI M-PHY v3.1

Tektronix released USB 3.1 compliance test solutions to include new USB 3.1 receiver test solution supporting the 10 Gb/s data rate, a new USB Power Delivery test solution and a new USB Type-C cable test solution. Tektronix solutions also support debug and margin analysis.

Tektronix explains "The new BSAUSB31 solution for Tektronix BERTScope bit error rate testers significantly simplifies receiver testing. No longer must the end user be an expert in USB. Processes for defining test parameters, putting the device into the proper test mode, measuring errors, showing results after each frequency is executed, and printing/storing the test results are all fully automated, saving time and improving accuracy. The solution provides all of the required signal impairments for USB 3.1, including SJ, RJ, SSC, and signal attenuation with a compliance channel."

"The latest version of USB 3.1 is all about speed and better user experience – faster data rates and fast time to market," said Brian Reich, general manager, performance oscilloscopes, Tektronix. "With this latest release, Tektronix continues to demonstrate its market leadership in providing USB test solutions that enable our customers to confidently and quickly validate, characterize and troubleshoot designs and gain a competitive advantage."

"With the help of advanced Tektronix instrumentation and software, ASMedia's controllers, switches and other USB 3.1 I/O products have excellent electrical characteristics with minimal jitter and a very clear eye," said Weber Chuang, Senior Vice President Product Marketing Division for ASMedia. "We're confident it will provide a very stable and consistent link to the host controller and yield excellent throughput even with a cascaded three meter USB 3.1 cable. Tektronix tools were crucial in helping us achieve our design goals so quickly."

The new GRL-USB-PD software developed by Tektronix and its partner Granite River Labs supports critical PHY layer testing as detailed in chapter 5 of the Power Delivery specification. Tests include rise/fall time, transmitter and receiver eye mask and others. In addition, the software provides pattern decode of the Binary Mark Coded (BMC) signals for further debug and analysis.

"The updated USB Power Delivery specification is an exciting addition to the USB ecosystem and will open up a broad range of interesting applications for USB that simply haven't been possible until now," said Mike Engbretson, chief technology engineer for Granite River Labs. "Since USB Power Delivery is now more complex than it has been in the past, test solutions such as GRL-USB-PD will be critical to efficiently debugging and validating new USB Power Delivery ICs and system designs."

Tektronix is also offering a new USB Type-C cable test method of implementation (MOI) document, which can be downloaded from www.tektronix.com/USB.

"From faster data rates with USB 3.1 reaching up to 10 Gbps to an exciting new USB Type-C cable design and upgraded USB Power Delivery specification, USB is well-positioned for long-term growth and even broader market acceptance," said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF President and COO. "But this doesn't happen without a thriving ecosystem and the ability to ensure product compliance and reliability under a broad range of conditions. Tektronix continues to make major contributions to the success of USB specifications with comprehensive test solutions that have been broadly adopted across the industry."

The TekExpress USB 3.1 transmitter test solution (option USBSSP-TX) is available now worldwide for use with Tektronix DPO/MSO70000 Series oscilloscopes with 16 GHz bandwidth and above. The BSAUSB31 USB 3.1 receiver test software requires a BSA125C or higher BERTScope.

Tektronix has recently announced the first physical layer transmitter characterization and debug solution for the MIPI M-PHY v3.1 specification recently approved by the MIPI Alliance. The new Tektronix solution includes support for MIPI M-PHY High Speed Gears 1, 2 and 3, PWM Mode (G0-G7), and SYS Mode and offers the industry's lowest noise solution for MIPI M-PHY measurements when used with Tektronix MSO/DPO 70000DX oscilloscopes and P7600 series probes.

Testing MIPI M-PHY requires scope and probe system with rise time 3X faster than the signal rise time, sensitivity of 200 mVFS, minimal added noise (<1 or 2 mVrms), and high return loss as specified in the MIPI M-PHY standard, Tektronix says its latest solutions fulfills all this. The closest alternative has 10X worse sensitivity (Tektronix: 35 mVfs vs. Competition: 360mVfs) and adds 4X more noise (Tektronix: <1mVrms vs. Competition: 4 mVrms) to the signal, claims Tektronix.