USB Official Compliance Testing & Logo Certification Programs

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)

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

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

USB4 Certification Test Items

* 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

* 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

(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 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 Cable/Conn Certification Test Items

* 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

USB Cable/Connector Test Instruments Used

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

* 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.

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:

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

◎ Represents USB-IF approved instrument

▲ Represents USB-IF approved instrument application

PD Merged Test Specification:

• GRL-USB-PD-C2-EPR
• Ellisys Explorer 350
• MQP-PDT
• LeCroy Voyager M310P

Type-C Functional Test:

• Ellisys Explorer 350
• LeCroy Voyager M310P
• GRL-USB-PD-C2-EPR

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:

• GRL-USB-PD-C2-EPR
• Ellisys Explorer 350
• MQP-PDT
• LeCroy Voyager M310P

USB FAQ