Total Phase Advanced Cable Tester v2 User manual
Advanced Cable Tester v2 User Manual
The Advanced Cable Tester v2 (ACT v2) provides an easy-to-
use web interface that allows for remote operation and logging.
The ACT v2 can be operated over USB or over Ethernet. The
ACT v2 can also be configured to operate in a stand-alone
mode that does not require a host PC. The tester provides audio
and visual pass/fail indicators for qualification of cables without
the need for the graphical interface.
Designed to be modular and flexible, the ACT v2 has
replaceable modules that are designed to support specific types
of cables. The following cable types are currently supported and
more cables will be included in the future:
• USB Type-C to USB Type-C
• USB Type-C to USB 3.1 Standard-A
• USB Type-C to USB 3.1 Standard-B
• USB Type-C to USB 3.1 Micro-B
• USB 3.1 Standard-A to USB 3.1 Standard-B
• USB 3.1 Standard-A to USB 3.1 Micro-B
• USB Type-C to MFi Lightning
• USB 3.1 Standard-A to MFi Lightning
• HDMI Type A to HDMI Type A
A complete battery of tests is performed when a cable is
plugged in. These test include:
•Continuity/Wiring - cable specific and customizable
•DC Resistance - pin and wire measurements, Rd, Rp, Ra,
and more
•Signal Integrity - configurable from 518 MHz to 12.8 GHz on
up to 5 differential pairs
•E-Marker Verification - PD2/PD3 verification, Quiescent
Current
•Apple MFi Mandated Tests - Over Voltage Protection,
Quiescent Current, Source Measurement Unit Tests
Advanced Cable Tester v2
User Manual v2.0.0
May 17, 2019
1 Quick Start Guide
The Advanced Cable Tester v2 was designed with the factory in mind. Once a valid cable
connector module is installed and the user has selected a valid test profile, the tester is
configured and ready to test. As soon as a cable is inserted, the tests defined in the test
profile will start.
These are the steps to get started:
1Connect the ACT v2 tester to the included power adapter
and plug it into a power source.
For optimal performance, the tester should be connected to
ground using the Ground Lug.
2Turn on the power switch to boot the tester.
3Connect a USB cable from the ACT v2 USB port to a local
computer.
The ACT v2 tester uses the RNDIS driver. Please see
Connectivity for more information.
4Open a Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome web browser
window.
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5Enter the USB IP address from the product label on the
back of the ACT v2 tester. This will take you to the main
web application interface.
6Install a cable connector module into the module bay of the
ACT v2 tester. Once installed, the module information will
be displayed in the web application.
7Configure the tester, Click on the Change button to open a
dialog window to show the available test profiles.
8Select the desired profile (and enter any tag information as
required) and click Save.
9The tester is now ready to test cables.
10 Insert a cable into the connector modules. When the cable
is detected, the tests will start. A progress bar on the LCD
screen and in the web application provide feedback.
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11 Once the tests complete, the cable will either Pass or Fail
the test requirements. The appropriate state will be
displayed on the LCD screen and the web application.
To re-test the same cable, click the Re-Test button in the
web application.
To test another cable, simply replace the cable in the tester.
When the new cable insertion is detected, the test
sequence will start.
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2 General Overview
2.1 Revision History
2.1.1 Release 2.00
This release provides support for the new v2.0 hardware architecture and modular
connector interface. All tests and the display of their results have been improved.
2.2 General Description
Combining blazing fast performance with a low cost per test and a rugged design, the
Advanced Cable Tester v2 enables rapid spot-checking of cables, easy-to-understand
reports, with 100% test coverage for lab and production environments at a fraction of the
price, time, and labor versus other solutions. Whether your application is 100% quality
control in a factory or statistical process control in a laboratory, the Advanced Cable
Tester v2 will provide high precision and accuracy with thorough test coverage, without
expensive scopes, custom fixtures, or highly trained personnel, saving hundreds of
thousands of dollars.
This document describes the Advanced Cable Tester v2 web software applications, the
Advanced Cable Tester v2 Hardware and how to use both.
Figure 1 : Advanced Cable Tester v2 Hardware
Designed to be modular and flexible, the Advanced Cable Tester v2 has replaceable
modules that are designed to support specific types of cables. Table 1 lists all the cable
connector modules that are available for testing with the ACT v2:
Table 1 : ACT v2 Connector Modules
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Part Number ACT v2 Connector Module
TP820110 USB Type-C to USB Type-C
TP820210 USB 3.1 Standard-A to USB Type-C
TP820310 USB Type-C to USB 3.1 Micro-B
TP820410 USB 3.1 Standard-A to USB 3.1 Micro-B
TP820510 USB 3.1 Standard-A to USB 3.1 Standard-B
TP820610 USB Type-C to USB 3.1 Standard-B
TP821010 HDMI Type A to HDMI Type A
TP823010 USB 3.1 Standard-A to MFi Lightning USB2
TP823110 USB Type-C to MFi Lightning USB2
The Advanced Cable Tester v2 is able to support custom cable connectors. Please
contact Total Phase Sales for more details about our custom cable program.
A complete battery of tests is performed when a cable is plugged in. These tests include:
•Continuity/Wiring - cable specific and customizable
•DC Resistance - pin and wire measurements, Rd, Rp, Ra, and more
•Signal Integrity - configurable from 518 MHz to 12.8 GHz on up to 5 differential
pairs
•E-Marker Verification - PD2/PD3 verification
•Apple MFi Mandated Tests
- Over Voltage Protection, Quiescent Current, Source Measurement Unit Tests
The Advanced Cable Tester v2 can be operated with or without a computer or tablet. The
tester provides clear audio and visual feedback to test operators to indicate whether DUT
passed or failed for fast processing.
Continuity testing checks all pins for continuity, preventing dangerous situations like
shorts of VBUS to data signals, VBUS/GND reversal, etc., which could damage devices.
DC Resistance ("DCR") and IR Drop testing confirms that each power pin (VBUS and
GND) is capable of carrying the required current to meet the applicable specification. For
Type-C cables, each power pin is individually measured, then the cable as a whole is
tested.
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E-Marker testing reads the data from all E-Markers present on the cable, then validates
the advertised data and power capabilities against the actual measured parameters of
the cable. Additionally, the values of fields such as Vendor ID, Product ID, Test ID,
firmware and hardware versions can be specified by the operator, for easy pass/fail
determination of cables through a QA process.
Lightning testing ensures proper operation of the Lightning plug, including proper
Lighting plug power-up, over-voltage, recovery, quiescent current, and current limit
testing per the Apple MFi specification. The ACT v2 tester is the only tester available that
can perform the tests required by the Apple Accessory Interface Specification (R31 and
greater).
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3 Device Specifications
3.1 Hardware Specifications
Figure 2 : Advanced Cable Tester v2 Hardware
Table 2 : Advanced Cable Tester v2 - Front
1 Screen LCD screen provides pass/fail and progress information. Please see
Standalone Operation Overview for more information about how to use the
ACT v2 in standalone mode.
2 Power Green LED indicates that the unit is powered on.
Red LED indicates a power-related system fault.
3 Speaker Speaker provides audio pass/fail indicator. The volume of the speaker can
be set in the web application
4 Module Bay The ACT v2 is designed to support replaceable connector modules.
Connector modules can be full-height or half-height. When using half-height
connector modules, a separate plate must be secured to the module bay to
prevent accidental intrusions into the chassis.
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Figure 3 : Advanced Cable Tester v2 Hardware - Back
Table 3 : Advanced Cable Tester v2 - Back
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1 USB The ACT v2 can be accessed locally via USB. All firmware updates
must be performed via the USB port. Please see Connectivity for
details.
2 LAN The ACT v2 can be accessed remotely via Ethernet. Please see
Connectivity for information about how to connect to the ACT v2.
3 Product Labels The serial number for the ACT v2 tester and the controller are provided
on these labels. The Controller serial number label provides the default
USB IP address used to access the web application and the system
management application.
4 Ground Lug For optimal performance, the ACT v2 tester should be connected to
ground using the Ground Lug. A grounding tab is provided that can be
soldered to a ground wire. Simply unscrew the nut to get access to the
grounding tab.
5 Power The ACT v2 tester must be powered with the provided power adapter to
ensure the correct voltage and current levels to reliably run the cable
tests.
3.1.1 Securing the ACT v2 to a Work Surface
Figure 4 : Advanced Cable Tester v2 Hardware with
brackets installed.
Optional mounting brackets can be installed on the ACT v2 tester so that it can be
secured to a work surface. To install the brackets, simply remove the screws as shown in
the diagram below. The bracket can then be attached to the ACT v2 with the provided
screws.
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Table of contents
