Introduction

Overview

• Single setup tester for concurrent USB Power Delivery 3.0 negotiation, 1000W power loading, and USB 2.0 & USB 3.1 data loopback testing
• Test up to 10 ports concurrently in a single 3U rack unit

Description

GRL-V-UP addresses the needs of test engineers with demanding test requirements for their USB Type-C/PD hosts, hub modules, docks, monitors, and chargers. Modular and scalable, the GRL-V-UP tester can add up to 10 test cards in a single 3U rack unit chassis. Each test card supports loading of a single 100W USB-C port, or dual 60W USB-C ports. Users can start with any number of test cards and add more cards based on increased testing volume. Additional 3U rack units can be fitted to the same rack to add even greater test capacity. GRL-V-UP has an open API which allows test engineers to use their own software (C#, NI TestStand, Python, etc.) for control or take advantage of easy to use software developed by GRL. The GRL-V-UP tester setup is suitable for reliability and environmental chamber testing as well as meeting high volume production testing requirements. Strong thermal airflow design on the GRL-V-UP tester allows for 1000W max to be continuously run per rack unit. USB test times can be designed to be less than a few seconds with a single setup.

Features

• Supports USB PD 2.0 & PD 3.0 PPS negotiation
• Supports USB 2.0 & USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gb/s) data loopback
• Capable of supporting up to 1000W continuous loading using ten 100W VBUS tester cards
• Single 100W VBUS USB-C and Dual 60W VBUS USB-C tester cards available
• Add and remove tester cards as needed
• Save time by concurrently testing USB PD, VBUS and VCONN (7.5W Max) power, and data with one setup
• Automatic data throughput level monitoring
• LED's to show USB interface link behavior
• USB control from rack mounted or external PC
• Open API allows hardware control from customer’s existing software
• GRL production and validation software can also be used to control the hardware
• All detailed test results are saved in database for further analysis
• Supports USB Type-C and Type-A ports
• Battery Charging 1.2 and Qualcomm Quick Charge detection and testing
• Voltage sense line available to compensate for IR drop
• Includes calibration board if voltage sense line is not used
• Supports screw based connectors to mechanically latch test cables to test cards

Prerequisites

Make sure the following prerequisites are met before using the GRL-V-UP API Test Software:

• Knowledge of USB Power Delivery Specification Standards
• Knowledge of C# or Python programming
• Visual Studio or any other IDE's
• Laptop or PC running on Windows 10 with minimum 8GB of RAM
• GRL-V-UP-10SC / GRL-V-UP-2SC Hardware

• GRL-V-UP API Test Software installed on the Host PC / Laptop (all the necessary drivers will be installed along with the software). The software can also be downloaded and installed from https://graniteriverlabs.com/download-center/

Architecture

Custom test cases can be written in either the C# or Python platform as an independent standalone application. These test cases will call the API's defined in VseriesControllerLibrary.dll.

Hardware Setup

The following diagram illustrates the hardware connection setup for GRL-V-UP-10SC / GRL-V-UP-2SC :

The GRL-V-UP API Test Software should be installed on a Windows 10 computer. Below is the procedure for connecting the GRL-V-UP hardware and computer.

1. Connect the GRL-V-UP-10SC / GRL-V-UP-2SC unit using a physical USB Type-A to Type-B cable between the computer and the GRL-V-UP controller.
2. Install the GRL-V-UP API Test Software on the computer. This will also install the USB drivers included with the software.
   

3. Once installed, open the GRL-V-UP API Test Software which will display all the GRL-V-UP-10SC / GRL-V-UP-2SC units connected to the Host PC via the USB Type-A to Type-B cable from the drop-down menu.

Software Setup

To create custom test cases using C#, the following software is required:

• GRL-V-UP API Test Software installed on the Host PC / Laptop (all the necessary drivers, API libraries and helper functions will be installed along with the software). The software can also be downloaded and installed from https://graniteriverlabs.com/download-center/
• Install Visual Studio 2017 from https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/
  Download the appropriate Visual Studio installer version and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.

Environment Setup

Develop custom test cases in C#

To develop the application in C#, follow the below instructions:

1. Open Visual Studio 2017 or higher.
   
2. Create a console application in the Visual Studio wizard. From the [File] menu, select [New]-[Project…], and click on "Windows Forms App (.NET Framework)" or "Console App (.NET Framework)".
   
   
   
   
3. Add "VseriesControllerLibrary.dll" and "CyUSB.dll" under the project "References".
   
   
   
   
4. You are now set for C# application development; refer to the sample code documentation for further details.