Keysight Technologies’ Type-C Test Solutions Provide Most Extensive Automated Validation of Physical Layer for High-Speed Interfaces

New Type-C test controller allows testing Type-C devices in any state and for device appropriate standards

Keysight N7018A Type-C Test Controller
Image 1: Keysight N7018A Type-C Test Controller to set power contracts and alt mode

Highlights:

  • New Type-C test controller (N7018A) sets the device to desired power state, orientation and alternate mode
  • New versions of compliance software packages automate characterization and validation testing with the integrated N7018A test controller
  • Sequencing software for receiver and transmitter test solutions provides testing of multiple standards without interruption or monitoring

Keysight Technologies, Inc. announced the N7018A Type-C test controller, which enables unfettered automated validation of USB 3.1, TBT 3, and DisplayPort over Type-C, and is a key component of Keysight’s high-speed validation systems. The N7018A can set contracts up to 100 watts and set devices into alternate modes (DisplayPort and Thunderbolt).

The N7018A enables complete test device control by routing SBU lines to industry-standard controllers for the alt mode testing and by providing low frequency periodic signaling (LFPS) signals for the control of USB3.1 devices. The test controller ensures faster bring up and debug by providing control and access of the Type-C interface’s CC, VBus and SBU lines. Engineers can operate the test controller from a stand-alone graphical user interface, or through an application programming interface (API) integrated into one of Keysight’s compliance applications.

Keysight N7018A Type-C Test Controller
Image 2: Keysight N7018A Type-C Test Controller with N7015A Type-C high speed test fixture to control a device under test.

New versions of Keysight’s compliance solutions, with the integrated N7018A test controller, are as follows:

  • USB 3.1 transmitter compliance testing
U7243C
  • DisplayPort transmitter compliance testing
U7232E
  • TBT 3 transmitter compliance testing
N6470B
  • Type-C control in receiver testing
N5990A option 006
  • Multi-standard sequencing
N5990A option 007
  • BT3 transmitter (combined solution with TBT receiver for complete TBT 3 testing)
N5990A option 204

 

“At Keysight, we recognize that it is critical to address the entire process of characterization and validation and not just the compliance regimen,” said Kailash Narayanan, vice president and general manager, Wireless Device and Operators. “The new Type-C Test Controller is a perfect example of this because it enables testing a Type-C device in any state, for all standards appropriate for that device, allowing the validation engineer to efficiently accomplish standard compliance test and corner case testing.”