The Five Step Process for USB4 Type-C Link Initialization

PublishTime： 2022-05-13 Article Source：Keysight

USB Type-C is a breakthrough standard designed to meet the demand for technology that supports new, ever smaller, and thinner computers and devices, higher-speed data, and more power and flexibility. Key USB Type-C areas of focus include the connection between devices, managing power, and ensuring valid data transmissions.

USB has changed from a simple 4-pin connection for power and data to asymmetrical, reversible, highly functional 24-pin connection. The USB Type-C connection provides more design flexibility for device transmit/receive and includes 4 sets of transmit and receive (Tx/Rx) pairs. This allows for one, two, or all four channels to be used for data transfer at any time. The USB Type-C connection also incorporates a dynamic power system called power delivery (PD). USB PD's intelligent and flexible system-level power management supports bi-directional power that can switch direction for the connected provider (sourcing power) and consumer (sinking power) devices. This dynamic power makes it possible for USB Type-C to support other standards for video and audio signals, such as DisplayPort or Thunderbolt, through the use of the alternate (ALT) mode. These combined Type-C features and enhancements create a much more challenging USB Tx/Rx conformance test criterion.

Understanding the USB Type-C and USB4 transmitter and receiver test challenges can help to ensure successful USB Type-C integration and test for devices. The key is to first understand link initialization and training. For USB4, the Lane Adapter State Machine describes the behavior of the logical link layer during the linkup sequence.

The sequence includes the following steps:

◆ Link partners connect initially during CLd state entry (lane initialization)

◆ Transition to training sub-state from CLd state (transmitter and receiver lanes are on)

◆ Transmitter Feed Forward Equalization (TxFFE) negotiation during Training.LOCK1 sub-state

◆ The transition from two single-lane links to a dual-lane link via land bonding

◆ Link partners disconnect

Design and test engineers face several challenges as they integrate USB Type-C into their products while ensuring interoperability and test compliance. Bringing up a USB4 Type-C link is a complex task due to the numerous Type-C, USB-PD, and high-speed negotiations and requirements defined by the standard. The USB4 link is complicated due to several factors which include the 20Gbps signaling rate, crosstalk from three other lanes running at the same speed, a bonded aggregate bit rate of 40Gbps, and the need for optimization over a low-cost passive cable. Successful testing requires highly accurate and standard-compliant test instruments, software, and fixtures.

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