Agilent Technologies Introduces Industry's First DisplayPort 1.2 Source Compliance and Validation Software

The DisplayPort specification defines a digital audio/video interconnect used primarily between a computer and its monitor or a computer and a home-theater system. The Video Electronics Standard Association released the DisplayPort 1.2 specification in January 2010 and is close to releasing the related compliance test specification. In DisplayPort 1.2, the data rate possible doubled to 5.4 Gbs, and new measurement methods and patterns were created, adding complexity to a designer's task of validating all of the possible DisplayPort states.



Transmitting data robustly at 5.4 Gbs over inexpensive media such as standard or flexible PC boards requires pre-emphasis constructs in the transmitter, and receivers must employ a minimum equalization to decode the data. The transmitter tests require that a mathematical worst-case channel model be used on the source before a reference equalizer is employed to make the source eye diagram and jitter measurements.



However, Agilent DisplayPort 1.2 source compliance and validation software makes these measurements automatically, and it builds on the usability and configurability of previous-generation compliance test software. As a result, engineers can continue to count on the usability and accuracy they have enjoyed in the past.



Features of the Agilent U7232B DisplayPort 1.2 source compliance and validation software include:



Full physical-layer testing of the high-speed DisplayPort lanes.

Multiple-standard support (DisplayPort 1.1a and DisplayPort 1.2).

Physical-layer AUX channel tests and inrush current test support.

Test automation support.

Guided device and test setup system.

Measurement parameter configurability for debugging.



We've built broad capabilities into our new DisplayPort source test solution because we have confidence in DisplayPort technology and its expected growth, said Jay Alexander, vice president and general manager of Agilent's oscilloscopes business. DisplayPort technology demands a flexible, configurable tool that can be employed in a variety of use models - from characterization of transmitter integrated circuits to compliance testing of systems. Our DisplayPort compliance test software gives engineers that flexibility and helps them be productive quickly in their DisplayPort characterization tasks.



In addition to the U7232B software, Agilent DisplayPort test solutions include:



DSA91304A or DSA90000 X-Series Infiniium oscilloscopes.

W2641B DisplayPort test-point adapter or other appropriate test-point adapter such as the BIT-mDP-PTF-0001 from Bitifeye Corp.

Oscilloscope amplifiers and probes (optional).