(October 26th, 2009)
During the week of Intel Developer Forum San Francisco (Sep. 22-24), the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) announced that the first certified SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) commercial product was available. Commercial availability of the host controller from NEC Electronics Corporation advances the technology toward broad adoption among host and peripheral manufacturers.
Allion covered the NEC host controller unveiling last May and the certification of the device by the USB-IF is an indication to PC manufacturers that the component will be interoperable with the entire SuperSpeed USB device ecosystem. The NEC Electronics host controller uses a PCI Express 2.0 bus, allowing designers to add up to two USB 3.0 interfaces to systems containing the PCIe interface.
What USB 3.0 Brings to the TableSuperSpeed USB also brings compelling enhancements to the popular USB standard. SuperSpeed USB delivers data transfer rates up to 10 times faster than Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0), optimizes power usage and offers backward compatibility with previous generations of USB (see Comparing USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 for more).
USB 3.0 AdoptionSo when will USB 3.0 be in the hands of consumers? Analyst firm In-Stat anticipates that SuperSpeed USB will expand upon the broad market adoption of the current USB standard and will make up about 30 percent of the USB market within five years. However, recent announcements from storage manufacturers Buffalo, Freecom and Active Media Products indicate that SuperSpeed USB consumer products will be on store shelves before the end of 2009.
The timeline for USB 3.0 test specification availability is still being determined, but as the technology reaches broader adoption, it is certain test labs will be enabled to verify SuperSpeed USB designs and products.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
SATA thinks small with mSATA
Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO), the consortium behind serial ATA technology, is developing a new specification that will outline a mini-SATA (mSATA) interface controller. The new connector will enable easy SATA integration in small form factor devices. mSATA will offer the same speed and reliability of today’s SATA interface standards; providing system designers and manufacturers high performance and cost-effective storage solutions for small CE products like notebooks and netbooks.
According to PC World the new specification maps SATA signals onto the current small form factor connector Mini PCI Express. This allows for the seamless integration of storage, primarily solid state drives (SSD), into a variety of netbooks and other small, portable electronic devices.The BenefitsOne compelling benefit of the small mSATA connector is that companies can increase storage offerings of devices without sacrificing physical space, a precious commodity on today’s devices. mSATA will support 1.5 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s data transfer rates.
Technology AdoptionAn indication that the technology will see widespread adoption among netbook SSD manufacturers is recent news by storage manufacturer Toshiba introducing a line of mSATA SSDs. The drives are produced using Toshiba’s new 32nm process technology and are available in 30 and 62 GB capacities. Performance was outlined as 180 MBps reading speed with a maximum writing speed of 70 MBps – impressive performance for components designed for low cost PCs.
Testing TimelineThe mSATA connector and products were showcased at Intel Developer Forum in September. No concrete timeline has been given for when the mSATA test specification will be available, but Allion has been testing SATA for many years and looks forward to testing mSATA products.
According to PC World the new specification maps SATA signals onto the current small form factor connector Mini PCI Express. This allows for the seamless integration of storage, primarily solid state drives (SSD), into a variety of netbooks and other small, portable electronic devices.The BenefitsOne compelling benefit of the small mSATA connector is that companies can increase storage offerings of devices without sacrificing physical space, a precious commodity on today’s devices. mSATA will support 1.5 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s data transfer rates.
Technology AdoptionAn indication that the technology will see widespread adoption among netbook SSD manufacturers is recent news by storage manufacturer Toshiba introducing a line of mSATA SSDs. The drives are produced using Toshiba’s new 32nm process technology and are available in 30 and 62 GB capacities. Performance was outlined as 180 MBps reading speed with a maximum writing speed of 70 MBps – impressive performance for components designed for low cost PCs.
Testing TimelineThe mSATA connector and products were showcased at Intel Developer Forum in September. No concrete timeline has been given for when the mSATA test specification will be available, but Allion has been testing SATA for many years and looks forward to testing mSATA products.
From Production to Primetime: TV Testing Makes Viewing Experience Better
Connecting a digital TV to the wide variety of devices found in a home theater can present challenges. TV signals input/output (I/O) interfaces, standards, and device variety are complex, and they can lead to poor connectivity among TVs and devices.
TV tests aid television developers by ensuring product interoperability between the TV and top consumer devices. In determining the top consumer devices, factors such as market share, customer satisfaction, sales ranking and device generation are considered. A reputable testing facility will purchase the newest devices and buy devices from specific locales. TV tests ultimately help developers sell their products by delivering quality products, which lead to positive reviews.
Some common tests to ensure that the TV can function as it should include:
Cable Capability Test: verifies that the TV and devices work properly with bundled cables.Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) test: checks whether the TV can offer DLNA setup and if the TV can play back all supported DLNA files on the connected devices.Full Connection Test: verifies that every I/O port on the TV works properly.Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) Test: verifies CEC function.Input Switching Testing: alters signal sources (switches analog and digital signal source) and verifies the TV’s input and interface functions.Power Function Test: verifies the TV works correctly after powering on or off the TV and devices.Play Back Test: checks if the TV can properly play back media content of the connected device and from the USB interface and determines if the TV can display all supported resolutions.
Ideally, the TV test environment will simulate the most common scenarios for consumers connecting their devices to their TVs. Third party testing at facilities like Allion Test Labs ensure that TVs will properly function.
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Friday, October 2, 2009
Apple Moves Smaller with Mini DisplayPort
The Mini DisplayPort interface is a smaller version of the traditional DisplayPort plug and connector, and was first publicly announced by Apple in 2008. Apple products featuring the Mini DisplayPort connector include the MacBook family of laptops, the iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro and the entire Apple Cinema line of displays. The user-friendly Mini DisplayPort connector links the Mac to an LED display, and offers both video and audio support, significantly reducing the number of cables associated with incorporating an external display and speakers.
Mini-DVI vs. Mini DisplayPortUnlike Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI predecessors, the Mini DisplayPort is capable of displaying the high resolutions commonly associated with 30 inch and larger displays. Large displays are becoming more common as DisplayPort integrators Dell and Apple recently released 30 inch product offerings. Laptops with a Mini DisplayPort can connect a computer with to an external display or projector with a VGA or DVI interface by using an adapter.
In early 2009, VESA announced that it would include Mini DisplayPort in the DisplayPort 1.2 specification.
DisplayPort TestingWorking with an independent test lab for DisplayPort testing will help developers build properly functioning DisplayPort products. DisplayPort test categories include:
Physical Layer Test
Link Layer Test
Electrical Test
HDCP Test
The DisplayPort compliance & logo program ensures that products comply with DisplayPort standard guidelines. The DisplayPort Certified Logo ensures that certified products are of high quality and that they will work together seamlessly.
DisplayPort: An Emerging A/V Interconnect
DisplayPort, an audio-video interconnect standard, is designed to advance display simplicity and the adoption of protected digital outputs on computers. This allows users to easily view commercial HD content and other protected files.
Because DisplayPort signaling can transmit both DVI and HDMI signals (other digital display standards), DisplayPort is compatible with many popular interconnects and subsequently, the consumer devices that utilize the standards. What this means for consumers is the easy incorporation of DisplayPort sources or devices in their homes and offices.
The DisplayPort interface, developed for computers, monitors and home-theater systems by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), and formally approved in 2006, includes DisplayPort Content Protection (DPCP). This content protection capability uses 128-bit encryption and features full authentication and session key establishment. For consumers this means that even commercially protected content will play back over the DisplayPort interface, ensuring a seamless user experience.
DisplayPort technology appears to be gaining momentum. According to a 2008 report from industry analyst firm In-Stat; DisplayPort is predicted to reach the milestone of more than 600 million products shipped by 2012. The DisplayPort Web site lists more than 165 members of VESA, a veritable who’s who of the consumer electrics and PC industries. Many of these companies have announced their intention to implement or support DisplayPort technology into their products. Some notable industry heavyweights, like Dell, for example, already have numerous displays shipping with DisplayPort technology.
DisplayPort TestingWorking with an independent test lab accredited by VESA to perform DisplayPort testing helps ensure that Display Port products will function properly, which is especially essential with consumer video applications.
While VESA does not require certification of DisplayPort products, it is highly encouraged. The DisplayPort Certified Logo reassures end users that certified products will interoperate properly and provide a quality digital display experience.
Because DisplayPort signaling can transmit both DVI and HDMI signals (other digital display standards), DisplayPort is compatible with many popular interconnects and subsequently, the consumer devices that utilize the standards. What this means for consumers is the easy incorporation of DisplayPort sources or devices in their homes and offices.
The DisplayPort interface, developed for computers, monitors and home-theater systems by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), and formally approved in 2006, includes DisplayPort Content Protection (DPCP). This content protection capability uses 128-bit encryption and features full authentication and session key establishment. For consumers this means that even commercially protected content will play back over the DisplayPort interface, ensuring a seamless user experience.
DisplayPort technology appears to be gaining momentum. According to a 2008 report from industry analyst firm In-Stat; DisplayPort is predicted to reach the milestone of more than 600 million products shipped by 2012. The DisplayPort Web site lists more than 165 members of VESA, a veritable who’s who of the consumer electrics and PC industries. Many of these companies have announced their intention to implement or support DisplayPort technology into their products. Some notable industry heavyweights, like Dell, for example, already have numerous displays shipping with DisplayPort technology.
DisplayPort TestingWorking with an independent test lab accredited by VESA to perform DisplayPort testing helps ensure that Display Port products will function properly, which is especially essential with consumer video applications.
While VESA does not require certification of DisplayPort products, it is highly encouraged. The DisplayPort Certified Logo reassures end users that certified products will interoperate properly and provide a quality digital display experience.
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