USB Official Compliance Testing & Logo Certification Programs

GRL is an Independent Test Lab (ITL) authorized by USB-IF that offers USB expertise and comprehensive testing, that includes USB4®, USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and USB Power Delivery on peripheral, host, hub, and charger…   

GRL offers deep USB expertise and works especially closely with the USB silicon ecosystem. Offerings include compliance,certification and debug.

Cables and Connectors (A, C) , Hosts, Host Silicon, Embedded Hosts, Peripherals ( Devices ), Hubs , Hub Silicon:

  • USB4 Electrical Compliance
  • USB 3.2 & 2.0 Electricals
  • USB 3.2 & 2.0 CV/Functional
  • USB 3.2 & 2.0 & Interoperability 
  • USB 3.2 Link Layer

USB Pre-Compliance test services are also available.

Power Delivery Products

  • Sources
  • Sink
  • DRP
  • E-marker Cables 

USB and Power Delivery Extended Interoperability Testing services are also offered.

Login to register your product for USB certification testing here.

Contact Us

USB Test

 

USB 

Universal Serial Bus (USB) came out in 1996. It has become the most common transmission interface in current technology products. It can be found on desktops, laptops, monitors, and various electronic products. In response to market demand, the transmission speed has gradually increased, making it the most widely used interface on the market.

 

USB-IF

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) Association is a non-profit organization, co-founded by Apple, HP Inc., Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Renesas Electronics, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, and other companies, and is committed to the specification of Universal Serial Bus technology. The unification of the certification process, and the technical promotion of this interface. For more information about USB-IF, you can refer to the official website of USB-IF.

 

The latest version of the USB  Specification

Universal Serial Bus 4 Specification – May 2021

 

The latest version of  the USB-PD  Specification

USB Power Delivery Specification Revision 3.1 – July 2022

 

Certification Area

USB can be certified by the below product types.

USB Products

USB4® Test

 

USB-Implementers Forum (USB-IF) officially announced the specifications of USB4 on September 3, 2019. The main update is to supplement the existing USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 architectures to build a new generation of USB. The architecture of USB4 is based on the Thunderbolt™ protocol specification. The maximum transfer rate is increased from 20Gbps (10G x2) of the original USB 3.2 to 40Gbps (20G x2) and can send multiple data and images at the same time.

 

The Differences between USB4 & USB 3.2

  1. The fastest USB4 speed is Gen3 X2 = 40Gbps
  2. The USB4 Tunneling architecture packs USB3 / DisplayPort™ / PCI Express\® on the same interface for transmission, and the bandwidth allocation of each protocol can be dynamically adjusted
  3. USB4 can choose whether it is compatible with the Thunderbolt 3 system
  4. USB4 supports Host to Host (host and host docking transmission signal)

USB standards service_test lab_version revisions_brand name_speed_table

 

From the above characteristics, it is not difficult to find that the logical structure of USB4 is very similar to the network structure. A fixed frame and physical layer are used to carry different protocol packets, which can contain data and image packets, and each packet is marked with an address to ensure correct transmission. Therefore, USB4 gradually gets rid of the functional limitations of traditional USB Hosts and USB Devices, and USB4 uses a point-to-point signal transmission method. This design reserves great flexibility for future improvements in transmission speed and functions.

 

USB4 Product Types and the Specifications for Tunneling Support

USB standards service_test lab_USB4 product types_specifications for tunneling support

*Note: TBT3 Compatibility must support 10.3125G, but 20.625G is optional.

 

USB4 Certification Test Items

USB standards service_test lab_USB4 certification test items table

* Note:

  1. Products need to use USB-IF-approved connectors and chips, please log in to USB-IF members to refer to the URL: https://cms.usb.org/integrators-list. Please refer to <USB Certification Test Process>.
  2. Before USB4 certification, the product must pass the USB 2, USB 3.2, USB PD, and USB Type-C® compliance tests. For the test items, please refer to <USB Certification Test Items & Instruments>, <USB Power Delivery 3.1 Certification Test Items & Use Instruments＞.

 

USB4 related FAQ

1. If the product has passed the USB4 certification, does it need to pass the Thunderbolt certification?

If the product supports USB4 and is Thunderbolt compatible, you only need to obtain USB4 certification, no need to obtain Thunderbolt 3 certification. However, if you want the product to declare Thunderbolt certification or use the "Thunderbolt 3" logo, you need to obtain Thunderbolt certification separately.

 

2. Is it necessary to obtain USB4 certification before Thunderbolt 4 certification?

Unnecessary.

 

3. Is there a separate submission for USB4/TBT3/TBT4 certification?

The USB4 logo belongs to USB-IF; Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 logo belongs to Intel. They belong to different organizations, so submit them separately.



4. Can Thunderbolt 3 Compliance pass describe the USB 4 Compliance pass?

No. TBT3 only tests EV (electricity) and FV (compatibility), but USB4 contains more, please refer to USB4 test items



5. Can GRL teach customers how to do USB4 testing?

Yes. Please contact GRL phone: (02)26572199#103, email: info_taiwan@graniteriverlabs.com

USB & USB PD Certification Test Process

 

USB & USB PD Certification Test Process

USB standards service_test lab_USB & USB PD certification test process_flowchart

 

* All connectors on USB products must be certified by USB-IF.

* EPR Cable (240W) Certification Test Process is a little different, please refer to <USB Cable/Conn Certification Test>.

 

(1) Apply for online registration qualification

If you want to obtain USB certification, you or your customer (brand company) must have a USB VID (Vendor ID) and get a website account password for product registration.

Apply for Vendor ID: https://www.usb.org/getting-vendor-id 

 

(2) Application process for TID

USB standards service_test lab_TID application process_flowchart

 

(3) Test Sample & Product Information

Before starting the USB and USB PD certification test, please provide:

  • 2 sets of test samples
  • USB Product Information Form
  • USB Power Delivery Product Information Form
  • USB Cable/Connector Product Information Form
  • VIF (Vendor Information File):
    VIF records the capabilities of your product PD. When testing, the standard test instrument will need to import this file to compare the actual functions of the product.
    This file is necessary for testing, please prepare it before sending it for testing.
    Searching USB Vendor Info File Generator, the VIF Generator can be downloaded from USB-IF official web pages.
  • If your product is an Embedded host, there is a special instruction to enter Test mode, please provide it before testing

USB Certification Test Items & Instruments Used

 

USB Certification Test Items for General Products

USB standards service_test lab_certification test items_general products_updates table

 

USB Test Instruments for General Products

USB3.2 Electrical test:

  • Keysight scope DSOV334A 33GHz
  • Keysight M8020A
  • Anritsu MP1800/MP1900
  • Tektronix DPO72004C 20 GHz

USB 2.0 Electrical test:

  • Keysight scope MSOS254A 2.5GHz

Link Layer test & LVS test:

  • LeCroy M310P

Battery Charging 1.2 test:

  • MQP USB-PET

Interoperability test & Framework test:

  • Dell XPS8930

Type-C Functional test:

  • LeCroy M310P
  • Ellisys EX350

USB Cable/Conn Certification Test

 

USB Cable/Conn Certification Test Process

USB standards service_test lab_EPR cable process_flowchart

 

USB Cable/Conn Certification Test Items

conntecor

* Notice:

  1. The USB 2.0/USB 3.2/USB4®/cable/connector test in the A1 group is different.
  2. Full-Featured USB-C Cable (USB4 Gen2/Gen3) needs to use a certified USB PD 3.0 E-Marker IC (USB4).
  3. Full-Featured USB-C Cable (USB4 Gen2/Gen3) Added B8 high-frequency test.

 

USB Cable & USB Cable Silicon Power Delivery Certification Test Items

cablecon

 

USB Cable/Connector Test Instruments Used

USB standards service_test lab_cable and connector test instruments table

 

USB4®, USB, USB-C®, USB Type-C®, and USB-IF are registered trademarks of USB Implementers Forum

Disclaimer

This information is provided for reference only. This information is not and should not be regarded as an official communication of the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). The official communication of USB-IF can be obtained from its website  usb.org or directly from USB-IF.

USB Power Delivery 3.1 Certification Test Items & Instruments Used

 

USB Power Delivery Compliance Test Specification Rev 1.2 (PD Merged Test Specification)

USB-IF released the latest version of the test specification-PD Merged Test Specification on June 23, 2021, which combines the original three documents: PD 3.0 test file, PD 2.0 Communication Engine MOI, and PD 2.0 Deterministic MOI, and responds to extended power (The emergence of Extended Power Range) adds a new test item, which is the PD Merged Test Specification.
The PD Merged Test Specification is different from the old version of the CTS rules in the selection of test instruments. For details, please see the table below (new and old test specifications).

 

USB Power Delivery Specification Revision 3.1

The USB Promoter Group released the latest USB PD 3.1 (USB Power Delivery Specification Revision 3.1) on May 26, 2021. The USB Type-C® specification has also been updated to version 2.1. The biggest feature of the new specification is to increase the charging power to 240W and supports voltage output up to 48V.
If you want to achieve high voltage output and ultra-high charging power, the product should support the Extended Power Range (Extended Power Range) specification in PD 3.1.

 

USB Power Delivery Certification Test Items

USB standards service_test lab_USB Power delivery certification test items_specification table_new and old* All the connectors on USB products need to be certified by USB-IF

 

USB Power Delivery Specification of Power Supply Wattage

USB-IF has clear power supply design specifications for certified products. In response to the latest USB PD 3.1, we have compiled the following table. If your product needs to pass USB certification, please design in accordance with the following power supply specifications.

USB standards service_test lab_PDP rating table

 

PD 3.0 vs. PD 3.1

The PD 3.1 specification summarizes the contents of the original PD 3.0 into the Standard Power Range (SPR), the maximum power remains the original 100W, and at the same time increases the Extended Power Range (EPR).

Below is the difference between PD 3.0 and PD 3.1:

USB standards service_test lab_PD 3.0 vs 3.1 items comparison table

 

  1. If it supports 240W charging power, the charger, cable, and terminal equipment must all support EPR. Among them, the cable must support up to 5A, 50V.
  2. The maximum charging power can reach 240W.
  3. Three new fixed voltages have been added: 28V (above 100W), 36V (above 140W), and 48V (above 180W).
  4. Added three sets of adjustable voltages.

    * Due to the increase in the maximum charging power, the new USB PD architecture defines a more stringent power protocol to ensure that high-power products can be used safely. The safety requirements for products designed with a power range of 100-240W will also be more stringent. You should pay attention to countries' Safety regulations for import sales.

 

USB Power Delivery Test Instruments

USB standards service_test lab_usb power delivery test instruments table

◎ Represents USB-IF approved instrument

▲ Represents USB-IF approved instrument application

 

PD Merged Test Specification:

Type-C Functional Test:

Battery Charging 1.2 Compliance Test:

  • MQP-PET

Source Power Test:

  • QuadraMAX

Interoperability Test:

  • Google Pixel 4 Phone
  • Samsung Galaxy S21
  • Google Pixelbook Go
  • MacBook Air M1
  • ASUS 4K Monitor

PD 3.0 Test:

USB Membership & Test Process FAQ

1. How to become a USB member?

Please refer to <USB, USB PD Certification Test Process>.

2. How to use a USB Logo?

If your company's product has passed the test and got the product TID, you also need to sign a Trademark License Agreement with the USB-IF to use the USB Logo.

For detailed USB Logo usage specifications and contract signing, please refer to: https://www.usb.org/logo-license.

3. How to confirm if the product gets USB TID?

You can find the TID of certified products in the Integrator List on USB-IF official website:

(Please log in your account first) https://cms.usb.org/integrators-list

4. The product has passed the certification and got the TID, can I resell it to other manufacturers for use?

 If the following conditions are met, OEM Arrangements can be carried out and resold.

  • The buyer needs to be a member of the USB Association
  • The buyer needs to sign the USB-IF Trademark License Agreement

For details, please refer to: https://www.usb.org/compliance (the content of OEM Agreements )

5. If there is a Family Model, what can I do?

USB-IF can apply for QbS (Qualification by Similarity) for specific modifications, please refer to the USB-IF website for the degree of modification

QbS application: QbS application link

6. What is the duration of the USB Vendor ID (VID)?

The USB VID is valid for life, even if your membership has expired, the VID is still valid.

USB Testing FAQ

1. Which USB Legacy Connector products can be certified?

USB standards service_test lab_USB 2.0 vs 3.2 comparison table

2. Which USB Legacy Cable products can be certified?

USB standards service_test lab_legacy cable_usb 2.0 plugs table

* The data wire gauge association of Standard A to Micro B and standard A to Standard B cable must be 28AWG.

3. Is there any length limit for USB Legacy Cable certification?

USB standards service_test lab_USB 3.2 and 2.0 length table

4. Which USB Type-C to Type-C Cables can be certified? Any precautions?

USB standards service_test lab_usb type-c cables eligible for certification_list table

 

5. What USB Legacy to Type-C of the cable can be certified?

USB standards service_test lab_USB version_current_recommended length and plug table

6. What USB adapter can be certified?

USB standards service_test lab_USB adapters_certification eligibility table

*Note：2.0 C to Micro B Adapter does not need to be wired; 3.2 C to Standard A Gen1 Adapter must be wired.

7. Can the special cable/architecture pass the USB certification?
  • Type-C cable with LED lights
  • Tilted Head Type-C cable
  • Flat wire/telephone wire

Please contact us for other special products.

8. Products whose special Connector/architecture cannot pass USB certification?
  • Standard A+ Type-C Double Connector
  • Apple charging cable

Please contact us for other special products.

9. What are the preparation for USB Embedded Host testing?

When any product is being tested, it needs to enter the test mode before the test can be performed.

  • The recommended way to enter test mode using USB-IF, please refer to the USB-IF page as below paragraph.
  • If you do not use the method recommended by the association, please provide it to GRL when you send it for testing.

Embedded-Host-test-mod

 

10. Can a Type-C connector be certified?

There are EMC pads inside the product

  • There are shrapnel above and below the iron case
  • Shrapnel on one side, convex hull on the other
  • The top and bottom of the iron shell are convex hulls, and the distance between the convex hulls must be greater than the thickness of the plug iron shell
  • The top and bottom of the iron shell are convex hulls, and the distance between the convex hulls must be greater than the thickness of the plug iron shell

There is no EMC pad inside the product

  • There is no shrapnel above and below the iron case
  • Shrapnel on one side, convex hull on the other

Please contact us for other special products.

 

 

USB、USB-C®、USB Type-C®, USB-IF are registered trademarks for USB Implementers Forum

Disclaimer

This information is provided for reference only. This information is not and should not be regarded as an official communication of the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). The official communication of USB-IF can be obtained from its website usb.org or directly from USB-IF.

 

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