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SuperSpeed USB Test Suite

Integrated USB 3.0 Test Suite for transmitter, receiver, TDR and protocol testing

LeCroy has announced what it terms a “single-source lineup” of test instruments to support the USB (Universal Serial Bus) 3.0 standard, also known as SuperSpeed USB. The package comprises an integrated selection of test instruments – with appropriate software – that addresses all USB3.0 transmitter, receiver, TDR and protocol tests. The bundle uses the SDA 813Zi oscilloscope for physical layer transmitter verification, compliance and debug; the protocol-enabled receiver and transmitter tolerance tester, PeRT3, for receiver testing; the WaveExpert sampling oscilloscope for critical characterisation and TDR measurements; and a USB 3.0 protocol analyser exerciser platform, the Voyager verification system, addresses the protocol layer. Physical-layer-compliance is addressed by the automated QualiPHY software, and USB 3.0 test fixtures allow rapid debugging

The PeRT3 handles insertion or deletion of SKP symbols without losing lock during automated testing programs and correctly measure BER (bit error rate). Because the PeRT3 combines the functions and features of a signal generator, bit error rate tester (BERT), protocol editor and serial data analysis system into one instrument, it is able to fully characterise the receiver tolerance envelope through the controlled introduction of various types and levels of signal stress, such as increased jitter while monitoring signal integrity.
The Voyager protocol analyser exerciser system records and analyses traffic between both USB 2.0 or 3.0 devices. The integrated exerciser can emulate USB 3.0 device behaviours to allow functional, reliability, and performance testing. LeCroy comments, “USB 3.0 introduces low latency flow control and aggressive power management policies that will require thorough testing for compliance….. the Exerciser option gives precise link layer control, permitting testing of marginal timing conditions.”
Finally, the TDR (time-domain-reflectometry) analysis feature of the WaveExpert 100H sampling oscilloscope measures transmitter and receiver common mode, and differential mode, impedance as required by the USB 3.0 specification. The measurements are integrated into the user interface along with a measurement wizard that guides the user through the set-up and calibration process.