December 2, 2008 -- Agilent Technologies and Quantum Data have released a jointly developed DisplayPort test platform that fully automates physical layer testing of the DisplayPort main link for sink- and source-device testing.
The Agilent W2642A AUX Channel Controller enables engineers to control a device under test through the DisplayPort connector only. The W2642A is based on the Quantum Data 882E frame and incorporates Agilent IP for DisplayPort AUX channel control.
Separate proprietary software for back-channel control of each test device is no longer required. According to the companies, via the platform customers can expect productivity to improve dramatically because engineers and other test personnel no longer must be present during the test process, which can take five hours for DisplayPort sources. Compliance test labs may also find these processes offer them increased productivity, consistency and accuracy.
In addition, the companies maintain that via the platform, developers can now automate physical layer tests using the same test instrument they need for testing and understanding the link layer. Automated physical layer tests can be made using Agilent test equipment such as the DSO90000A Infiniium oscilloscope or the N4903A J-BERT with the N5990A test automation software.
The W2642A provides the following features:
-- Automated physical layer tests: For testing DisplayPort source devices, the W2642A can be used with Agilent's U7232A Infiniium oscilloscope DisplayPort compliance test software. For testing sink devices, the W2642A can be used with the Agilent N5990A test automation software and the Agilent, N4903A J-BERT or ParBERT 81250A.
-- Graphical user interface for standalone operation: The W2642A can control the state of a DisplayPort source or sink device for verification of data exchange over the DisplayPort AUX channel.
-- Link layer and HDCP (high-definition content protection) compliance testing: This capability was leveraged from the Quantum Data 882 video test instrument.
"We are delighted to collaborate with Quantum Data on DisplayPort as we did with HDMI," says Brian Fetz, DisplayPort program manager of Agilent's Digital Test division. "Our joint offering provides customers an unprecedented level of automation, convenience and speed. It is a beautiful thing to press 'Go,' leave for lunch and have the system test while you are gone. We are excited about the future of the DisplayPort interface, and this product line-up completes our test vision for this technology."
"It was clearly a synergistic play," adds Al Jorgensen, president and CEO of Quantum Data. "Agilent had developed the IP for the AUX channel control while Quantum Data had already developed the link layer and HDCP compliance test capability as well as AUX channel analysis. Adding the automation feature to our platform seemed very natural and logical to us. The result is an instrument set that customers can use to do any testing required for DisplayPort."
The Agilent DisplayPort test solution (W2642A) is available now. Pricing starts at $86,000, depending on the configuration. Additional information is available at www.agilent.com/find/DisplayPort.
On the Web:
www.agilent.com
www.quantumdata.com
