DisplayPort Compliance Testing

30 November 2011 – Tektronix announced new software and test fixtures that provide fully automated compliance testing support for the DisplayPort 1.2 Compliance Test Specification (CTS). The new offerings are designed to work with an 8 GHz or higher bandwidth Tektronix DPO/DSA 70000 Series digital oscilloscope to ensure confident and repeatable test results.

DisplayPort is a digital display interface standard produced by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) used to connect a video source to a display device such as a computer monitor or television set. Improvements in DisplayPort 1.2 include the doubling of the effective signaling rate to 5.4Gbit/s, multiple independent video streams (daisy-chain connection with multiple monitors), support for stereoscopic 3D, increased AUX channel bandwidth and support for more color spaces.  All test permutations of the DisplayPort 1.2 CTS such as SSC, CTLEs, signal swing, bit rate, Post Curser 2 settings and pre-emphasis levels all combined  translate to over one thousand tests permutations – all of which are covered by the new Tektronix solution.

“The combined complexity of DisplayPort state control combined with the vast number of configuration permutations of transmitter parameters makes testing to the CTS1.2 specification particularly time consuming and challenging for those not immersed in the specification,” said Mike Rizzo, Manager of Oscilloscope Solutions, Tektronix.  “The Tektronix solution provides customers a comprehensive array of conformance measurements while automating the entire process – enabling optimized use of valuable engineering staff time and equipment.”

Intervention-Free Testing

With the new DisplayPort 1.2 software option on a DPO/DSA70000 Series oscilloscope, engineers and technicians can perform full intervention-free, automated testing of DisplayPort 1.2 designs. Implemented within Tektronix TekExpress Automated Compliance Test Software, the DisplayPort 1.2 solution offers simple setup and test execution. The DUT state control is fully managed though the Tektronix DP-AUX auxiliary controller and is automated through the TekExpress test framework. A graphical user interface provides an intuitive workflow through setup and testing. Upon completion of test execution, a report is generated displaying the test results.

In addition to the software support, Tektronix now provides a complete range of DisplayPort 1.2 test fixtures for source, cable and sink testing including support for the miniDisplayPort plug along with 13 GHz differential probes which permit full four lane concurrent testing.

Tektronix is the industry leader in supplying DisplayPort test solutions with full support for the previous DisplayPort 1.1 specification and was the first vendor to receive VESA certification.  This latest offering demonstrates Tektronix’ ongoing industry leadership in offering robust, industry recognized test solutions for all major high-speed serial data standards.

Availability & Pricing

DisplayPort 1.2 software and fixtures are available now worldwide starting at $9,500 U.S. MSRP.