Key Takeaways
- Teledyne LeCroy introduces the USB4 v2.0 / Thunderbolt 5 PAM3 Exerciser for end-to-end testing of next-generation systems and devices
- The exerciser supports Gen 4 link rates, enabling developers to validate functionality, interoperability, and timing margins
- The Voyager M480x Exerciser software option provides fine-grained control of link training, device enumeration, error injection, and recovery mechanisms
- The exerciser is backward compatible with predefined command libraries and test scripts developed for Gen 3
- Automation framework enables every aspect of exerciser operation and post-processing
Introduction to USB4 v2.0 and Thunderbolt 5
The latest USB4 Version 2.0 specification introduces PAM3 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation 3-level) signaling, supporting 80 Gbps of symmetric bandwidth and 120 Gbps of asymmetric bandwidth. This significant increase in data rates creates new validation and interoperability challenges for chipset and product developers.
Voyager M480x Exerciser Software Option
The Voyager M480x Exerciser software option is designed to help silicon, device, and system developers bring up and validate new designs. The exerciser enables script-based traffic generation that emulates real-world USB4 Gen 4 behavior, providing fine-grained control of the entire link training, device enumeration, error injection, and recovery mechanisms.
Features and Benefits
The Voyager M480x Exerciser offers several features and benefits, including:
- Verify Compliance: The exerciser can be used in conjunction with the USB Implementers Forum's Command Verifier application to generate the required PAM3 traffic for USB4 Version 2.0 logical, protocol, and tunneling layer compliance workflows
- Backward Compatible: Predefined command libraries and test scripts developed for Gen 3 will automatically run at Gen 4 by changing the link configuration setting to 80Gb/s
- Automation framework: A powerful automation environment enables every aspect of exerciser operation and post-processing
Comparison of USB4 v2.0 and Thunderbolt 5
| Feature | USB4 v2.0 | Thunderbolt 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Data Rate | 80 Gbps (symmetric), 120 Gbps (asymmetric) | 80 Gbps (symmetric), 120 Gbps (asymmetric) |
| Signaling | PAM3 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation 3-level) | PAM3 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation 3-level) |
| Compatibility | Backward compatible with USB4 v1.0 and Thunderbolt 3 | Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 v1.0 |
Bottom Line
The Teledyne LeCroy USB4 v2.0 / Thunderbolt 5 PAM3 Exerciser is a powerful tool for developers to validate and test next-generation systems and devices. With its fine-grained control of link training, device enumeration, error injection, and recovery mechanisms, the exerciser enables developers to thoroughly validate functionality, interoperability, and timing margins. The exerciser's backward compatibility and automation framework make it an essential tool for any developer working with USB4 v2.0 and Thunderbolt 5 technologies.