By GRL Team on 2019. 01. 07

GRL Selected for Testing New VirtualLink Standard for Next-Gen VR Equipment

Granite River Labs (GRL), a global leader in engineering services and test solutions for connectivity and charging, announced today their selection by the VirtualLink™ Consortium to perform product qualification testing for VirtualLink-enabled products – including PCs and other host devices, virtual reality (VR) headsets, and cables.

GRL is the first testing company authorized by the VirtualLink Consortium – led by NVIDIA, Oculus, Valve, AMD, Microsoft, and HTC – to test products to ensure that they meet the VirtualLink specification.

An open industry standard unveiled in 2018, VirtualLink enables next-generation VR headsets to connect with PCs and other devices using a single, high-bandwidth USB Type-C® connector, rather than a range of cords and connectors.

“We’re thrilled to be playing a key role in supporting the VirtualLink Consortium in building a strong ecosystem of next-generation VR products,” said Johnson Tan, CEO of GRL. “We have leveraged our leadership and technical expertise to develop the VirtualLink product qualification test suite and offer a full range of services for product developers, with ultra-responsive service and deep technical support.”

“A strong test program is critical to the successful rollout of VirtualLink-enabled products,” said Rambod Jacoby, principal technologist at NVIDIA and chairman of the VirtualLink Consortium.  “It assures consumers that these products meet exacting compliance and interoperability requirements and deliver the key features for the next generation of VR experiences. GRL has invested significant energy in support of the VirtualLink product qualification testing program and we are pleased to approve them as an authorized test center.”

VirtualLink Speeds VR Setup Time
VirtualLink is an Alternate Mode of USB-C that simplifies and speeds up VR setup time, avoiding key obstacles to VR adoption.  It connects with VR headsets to simultaneously deliver four high-speed HBR3 DisplayPort lanes, which are scalable for future needs; a USB 3.1 data channel for supporting high-resolution cameras and sensors; and up to 27 watts of power.

Purpose-built for VR, VirtualLink optimizes for the latency and bandwidth demands that will enable headset and PC makers to deliver the next generation of VR experiences.

Please email your media inquiry to mktg@graniteriverlabs.com

VirtualLink is a trademark of the VirtualLink Consortium.  USB Type-C® and USB-C® are trademarks of USB Implementers Forum.

Published by GRL Team January 7, 2019