3 ms·

This isn't a Beagle. When I first read the headline, I was hoping that it would be more than a smart continuity tester. It seems to be a more comprehensive "Ma

This isn't a Beagle. When I first read the headline, I was hoping that it would be more than a smart continuity tester. It seems to be a more comprehensive "Make sure the lines go where they are supposed to" tester. Looks pretty good. But the devices that test things like transmission speed, are a lot more expensive. I think that many of the issues that this device tests, can be mitigated by simply buying cables from reputable sources.

Liftyee 7mo ago
Once in the realm of signal integrity, it's true that the price goes straight into lab grade levels. Even in my reputable cables, there are a couple with suspicious continuity issues. I wonder if this could find them. You could probably build a data transfer tester using an FPGA and some signal processing.
mwexler 7mo ago
Wasn't aware of this level of testing. $1300 for a Beagle is a big step up.
- ChrisMarshallNY 7mo ago
  That's a cheap one. Some of the analyzers can go into 5 figures. Don't forget the speeds at which modern serial interfaces go. Being able to look at the data, at that speed, requires some serious kit.
  - SAI_Peregrinus 7mo ago
    And the Beagles only do digital-domain stuff, they won't get you an eye diagram or a bit error rate. Even for USB 2.0 that's quite expensive, the test fixture from Keysight¹ is about $800, the differential probe they recommend is the $11,000 N2752A², the oscilloscope in the minimum configuration that meets the >1.5GHz bandwidth requirement they sell is the DSOX6002A³ for $24,000, and you'll also need a software option license for the eye diagram testing option. Not to mention a PC to run the USB-IF compliance test software, but that's pocket change at this point in the spending. Keep in mind that's just for the 480Mib/s USB 2.0. If you want to test USB 5Gbps, USB 10Gbps, USB 20Gbps, USB 40Gbps, or USB 80Gbps you'll be spending much more money. The USB4 V2 GEN4 Electrical Compliance Test Specification⁴ requires a 25GHz bandwidth realtime oscilloscope with ≥80Gs/s sample rate or better. Not to mention a ≥25.6Gbps pattern generator/BERT, 20GHz network analyzer, & RF signal generator, all of which are "call for quote" but likely to be in the 6-digit price range. You're easily looking at the better part of half a million dollars to test the 80Gbps cables fully. ¹https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/E2667B/usb-2-0-hi-speed-host-test-fixture-kit.html https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/E2667B/usb-2-0-hi-spe... ²https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/N2752A/infiniimode-active-differential-probe-6-ghz.html https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/N2752A/infiniimode-ac... ³https://www.keysight.com/us/en/products/oscilloscopes/benchtop/advanced-benchtop-oscilloscopes/build-my-product.html https://www.keysight.com/us/en/products/oscilloscopes/bencht... ⁴https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb4-electrical-compliance-test-specification https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb4-electrical-complia...

Liftyee 7mo ago

Once in the realm of signal integrity, it's true that the price goes straight into lab grade levels. Even in my reputable cables, there are a couple with suspicious continuity issues. I wonder if this could find them. You could probably build a data transfer tester using an FPGA and some signal processing.

mwexler 7mo ago

Wasn't aware of this level of testing. $1300 for a Beagle is a big step up.

ChrisMarshallNY 7mo ago
That's a cheap one. Some of the analyzers can go into 5 figures. Don't forget the speeds at which modern serial interfaces go. Being able to look at the data, at that speed, requires some serious kit.
- SAI_Peregrinus 7mo ago
  And the Beagles only do digital-domain stuff, they won't get you an eye diagram or a bit error rate. Even for USB 2.0 that's quite expensive, the test fixture from Keysight¹ is about $800, the differential probe they recommend is the $11,000 N2752A², the oscilloscope in the minimum configuration that meets the >1.5GHz bandwidth requirement they sell is the DSOX6002A³ for $24,000, and you'll also need a software option license for the eye diagram testing option. Not to mention a PC to run the USB-IF compliance test software, but that's pocket change at this point in the spending. Keep in mind that's just for the 480Mib/s USB 2.0. If you want to test USB 5Gbps, USB 10Gbps, USB 20Gbps, USB 40Gbps, or USB 80Gbps you'll be spending much more money. The USB4 V2 GEN4 Electrical Compliance Test Specification⁴ requires a 25GHz bandwidth realtime oscilloscope with ≥80Gs/s sample rate or better. Not to mention a ≥25.6Gbps pattern generator/BERT, 20GHz network analyzer, & RF signal generator, all of which are "call for quote" but likely to be in the 6-digit price range. You're easily looking at the better part of half a million dollars to test the 80Gbps cables fully. ¹https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/E2667B/usb-2-0-hi-speed-host-test-fixture-kit.html https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/E2667B/usb-2-0-hi-spe... ²https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/N2752A/infiniimode-active-differential-probe-6-ghz.html https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/N2752A/infiniimode-ac... ³https://www.keysight.com/us/en/products/oscilloscopes/benchtop/advanced-benchtop-oscilloscopes/build-my-product.html https://www.keysight.com/us/en/products/oscilloscopes/bencht... ⁴https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb4-electrical-compliance-test-specification https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb4-electrical-complia...