Mar 27, 2008 Agilent demonstrated complete test automation for a DisplayPort sink device, including control of the device under test as well as the test instrumentation. The key measurement for sink compliance is a stressed signal test called jitter tolerance that requires involved engagement with the test device as it goes through training (frequency and symbol lock sequences) and bit error measurement. This compliance test is augmented by full, flexible characterization and margin testing. Complementary tests such as sensitivity and intra-pair skew tests provide additional value.
The DisplayPort standard defines a high-bandwidth interface for connecting laptops or personal computers with display monitors, or connecting computers with high-definition consumer electronics devices.
The Agilent DisplayPort automation solution addresses the need for efficient and consistent certification processes in compliance test labs, and enables fast design and margin analysis where repetitive measurements are required for temperature and design variability. After the initial setup, this solution allows fully operator-free tests with superior signal quality and performance.
The complete Agilent DisplayPort sink solution includes:
- a W2641A DisplayPort test point access adaptor;
- a device for controlling the auxiliary channel;
- the J-BERT N4903A or ParBERT 81250A;
- and the N5990A test automation software platform.
The automated solution is controlled from a Windows(r) XP PC. It is the latest application suite plugging into a modular, flexible test automation software platform. The software platform was introduced in January 2005. It includes a test sequencer and supports a whole range of digital high-speed bus compliance test software modules for PCI EXPRESS(r), USB, SATA, HDMI and DisplayPort.
Agilent's precision BERT generators with independently controllable signal stress sources provide quality test results while enabling designers to efficiently control signal parameters. The full test automation now combines signal quality with test speed. Automated DisplayPort physical layer receiver tests increase productivity significantly. As a representative DisplayPort device, the Analogix Semiconductor DisplayPort receiver ANX9813 was used in the PlugFest demonstration. Analogix develops analog and mixed-signal devices for digital media and communications interconnect applications.
"Agilent has served a crucial role in the development and deployment of the DisplayPort standard," added Craig Wiley, director of Technical Marketing with Analogix Semiconductor. "Over the last couple of years they have been a major contributor to the standard by being the first with measurement equipment and leading the physical layer compliance efforts. By collaborating with Agilent, Analogix and other semiconductor companies were able to finalize the DisplayPort standard by validating the performance and interoperability objectives that this next-generation interface is poised to deliver."
"This automated solution is a result of our customers sharing their difficulties in bringing products and new technologies to market, and is the first DisplayPort receiver test automation on the market," said Brian Fetz, DisplayPort program manager of Agilent's Digital Test Division. "We are excited about the value it offers our customers and the DisplayPort industry. Engineers are now able to test their DisplayPort designs systematically and 50 percent faster compared to manual test, while maintaining superior signal quality and performance. This is achieved with efficient, open, user-friendly top-level control software."
Additional information on Agilent's DisplayPort compliance test solution is available at http://www.agilent.com/find/DisplayPort. High-resolution images are available at http://www.agilent.com/find/DisplayPort_images.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Agilent DisplayPort solution is available now; pricing starts at $250,000./p>
About DisplayPort
The DisplayPort digital display specification was published by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) and is being endorsed by major PC manufacturers such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard Co. It promises a scalable, license-free technology that will simplify PC monitors.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 19,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.4 billion in fiscal 2007. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at http://www.agilent.com.
