Electronic Test Equipment

RapidWave4000 High-speed Advanced Cable Tester

USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1 Cable Testing

The RapidWave4000 is a high-speed advanced cable tester that meets the demanding test requirements of USB Type-C, HDMI 2.1 and other cables with transfer rates up to 48 Gb/s.

Performs comprehensive and fast cable testing
Ensures cable quality at a low cost
Improves cable failure analysis - debugs failure issues faster

48 Gbps

transfer rate

12 ps

tdr rise time

0.5 dB

insertion loss

5 Lane

pattern generator

USB-C and HDMI Cable Quality Testing – Are Your Vendors Delivering What You Need?

RapidWave4000 Performs Incoming Quality Inspections on USB-C and HDMI Cables

If you use USB-C and HDMI cables in critical applications and need to objectively measure vendor cable quality, then you need a RapidWave4000 Advanced Cable Tester.

Affordable and simple
Quickly performs 100% incoming inspections
Manage supplier quality with objective test data
Ensure that there are no avoidable critical failures

Quality Assurance and Manufacturing Engineer using the RapidWave4000 to perform an eye diagram analysis on a new cable design or failing USB Type-C or HDMI 2.1 cable.

USB Type-C and HDMI Cable Testing is Changing Quickly – Are You Ready?

Cables are transmitted more data at faster rates while carrying more power as well. The tests you performed on previous-generation cables won’t be sufficient.

Table showing increase in data transfer speed and power transfer of USB cables from 2008 to 2022.

High-speed USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1 cables

New Requirements

Ship Perfect Cables

Solve Failures Faster

Newer high-speed USB and HDMI cables transfer data many times faster and deliver much more power compared to previous generation cables.

Cable defects are harder to find at higher speeds
Cable failures can cause damage to connected devices
You can’t afford to ship bad cables!

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The RapidWave4000 automated advanced cable tester rapidly performs basic electrical tests, low-speed channel protocol communication, and advanced signal integrity tests.

The breadth of test capabilities fully satisfies high-volume high-speed USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1 cable production test needs
Also meets failure analysis needs of quality assurance, design and manufacturing engineers

View Competitive Comparison

Perform faster root-cause failure analysis on USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1 cables and solve production cable failure issues more quickly. The RapidWave4000 advanced cable tester improves cable failure analysis.

All production, quality assurance, engineering and failure analysis tests performed by a single instrument
Detailed pass/fail reporting speeds failure analysis
Engineering design changes validated faster

Solve Cable Failure Issues Faster

USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1 Production Cable Testing and Failure Analysis

The RapidWave4000 cable tester is comprehensive and fast. It rapidly performs all high-speed cable production and compliance tests and can also be configured for cable failure analysis.

Comprehensive electrical testing
Unique channel protocol communication testing
Advanced signal integrity tests for failure analysis

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: Production configuration – Image showing the RapidWave4000 mainframe with the T3RW4K-U production module for performing continuity, DC Resistance, quiescent current, SVID protocol test and E-marker alt-mode validation, as well as signal integrity insertion loss tests for each high-speed differential pair.

Comprehensive Electrical Testing

Continuity test with open/short analysis
DC Resistance (DCR) test
DCR Pins test
Quiescent Current test (USB only)
Insertion Loss measurements at specified points (pass/fail)

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: Image showing a USB Type-C cable with a cutout showing the E-marker, indicative of specialized channel protocol communication tests that the RapidWave4000 advanced cable tester performs

Unique Channel Protocol Communication Testing

Generates and reads protocol messages to and from the cable to measure proper and optimized cable operation
E-marker Read test for USB cables
Standard or Vendor ID (SVID) protocol test for USB cables

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: The RapidWave4000 shown configured with the Advanced Signal Integrity module T3RW4K-T (DSO/TDR) for a test bench Lab and quality control failure analysis.

Advanced Signal Integrity Testing for Failure Analysis

Generates PRBS traffic for signal integrity testing
Multiple eye diagrams with pass/fail masks
High-accuracy (+/- 0.2 dB) Insertion Loss plot with pass/fail mask
Crosstalk between all differential lanes
Impedance Profile
Inter-pair and intra-pair skew

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Automated Production Testing of USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1 Cables

The RapidWave4000 Production Test Module (T3RW4K-U) for the RapidWave4000 mainframe uses an affordable and interchangeable adapter for different connectors. Test and measurements include continuity analysis, DC resistance (DCR) and pins test, quiescent current, insertion loss (±1.5 dB), and E-marker data verification.

RapidWave4000 advanced cable tester mainframe with T3RW4K-U production module for production USB Type-C or HDMI 2.1 cable testing for continuity, DC resistance, quiescent current, SVID protocol test and E-marker alt-mode validation, as well as signal integrity insertion loss tests.

Continuity Analysis

Complete analysis by pin and for each port
Open, short, expected, connected color-coded analysis

Accurate DC Resistance Measurements

Includes wires, shield, ground, pins.

Insertion Loss

Up to 4 high-speed differential pairs simultaneously measured
Tabular and graphical results with pass/fail status report
Insertion mask automatically recalled from cable profile type

RapidWave4000 advanced cable tester screen image showing expected and measured values for verification of E-marker data for a USB Type-C cable and quiescent current in pass/fail report.

Verification of E-marker Data (USB Type-C®)

Each subtype shows expected and measured value
Standard or Vendor ID (SVID) protocol test

Quiescent Current

Accurate Resistance, includes wires, shield, ground and pins
Expected Min and Max values reported

Failure Analysis and Signal Integrity Testing of USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1 Cables

The RapidWave4000 Advanced Signal Integrity module (T3RW4K-T) for the RapidWave4000 mainframe works with the Production Module (T3RW4K-U) to perform signal integrity measurements and failure analysis tests. Tests include multiple eye diagrams with masks, insertion loss measurements, crosstalk, impedance profile, and inter-pair and intra-pair skew

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RapidWave4000 advanced cable tester configured for lab test bench and QC/QA failure analysis including one production module and two Advanced SI DSO/TDR modules – shown testing an HDMI® 2.1 cable.

RapidWave 4000 advanced cable tester screen image showing eye diagram analysis of multiple cable pairs for a USB Type-C or HDMI 2.1 cable, using two differential channels for each Advanced Signal Integrity module

Eye Diagrams

Voltage amplitude in mV for the vertical axis and time in ps/UI for the horizontal axis
Simultaneous analysis of multiple eye diagrams for all differential pairs in the cable

Mask Testing

Simultaneous analysis of multiple eye diagrams for all differential pairs in the cable

RapidWave4000 advanced cable tester screen image showing multiple differential pair insertion loss analysis of a USB Type-C or HDMI 2.1 cable, using two differential channels for each Advanced Signal Integrity module.

Insertion Loss Measurements

De-embed fixtures and interconnects that are not part of the cable device under test
Insertion loss values are well-correlated to a vector network analyzer (VNA)
Insertion mask automatically recalled from cable profile type

Crosstalk

Crosstalk measurements between all high-speed differential lanes
Recommended crosstalk requirement masks depending on cable type

Impedance Profile

Immediately reveals cable imperfections
12 ps TDR rise time for exceptional spatial resolution

Inter-Pair skew

Precisely measure the skews between different differential pairs in the cable

Intra-Pair Skew

Accurately measure the unequal propagation delays on each of the wires that make up the differential pairs.

Solve Cable Failure Issues Faster – Work Better Together

All production, quality assurance, engineering and failure analysis tests performed by a single instrument
Detailed pass/fail reporting speeds failure analysis
Engineering design changes validated faster

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Comparison of a RapidWave4000 advanced cable tester configured for production testing (left) and and for advanced signal integrity and failure analysis tests (right).

Single Instrument for Production, QA and Engineering

Solve production impairments faster
Quickly identify cable imperfections and corrective actions
Permits complete automated Advanced Signal Integrity testing in production area when required

A sample of a portion of a RapidWave4000 pass/fail test report.

Detailed Pass/Fail Reporting

Automatically generated and detailed measurement report for each measurement
Tabular and graphical results with pass/fail indication
Provides details for fast and efficient cable inspection and failure analysis

Engineering Design Changes Validated Faster

Design validation can utilize the same test equipment used in production
Performs many of the same tests as expensive high-bandwidth oscilloscopes and vector network analyzers (VNAs)
Replaces complicated methods of implementation (MOI) for USB Type-C, HDMI 2.1 and other cables

Reduce High-speed Cable Test Costs While Improving Quality

T3RapidWave4000 performs all required electrical and signal integrity tests with low upfront capital equipment and operating costs. Or use Pay-per-test with Teledyne Manufacturing Cloud to minimize upfront equipment costs, assign costs where you want, and optimize your test budget.

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Graphic describing traditional purchase model with full up-front cost (left) and pay-per-test purchasing option (right), which has a lower upfront capital cost and then costs only $0.01 for each USB Type-C or HDMI 2.1 production cable test.

Graphic showing view of pay-per-test credit details for the RapidWave4000 Advanced Cable Testers

Pay-per-test Purchase Option

Reduces upfront capital equipment cost by 50%
Makes it easier to invest in required new test equipment
Assign actual test cost to shippable cable bill of material (BOM)
Only $0.01 for each cable production test
Equipment may also be purchased outright with unlimited testing.

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Graphic showing Teledyne Manufacturing Cloud (TMC) for RapidWave4000 advanced cable tester showing test cost tracking and pay-per-test credit status for many different RapidWave4000 advanced cable testers owned by one company.

Simplify Test Cost Tracking with Teledyne Manufacturing Cloud

Purchase pay-per-test credits in bulk
Assign credits to any RapidWave4000 cable tester at any time
View the pay-per-test credit status for all of your RapidWave4000 cable testers.

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Low-cost Replaceable Cable Adapters

Items that wear after many insertions are not located within the test modules
Allows the test modules to connect easily to different cable types
Ensures test consistency for a large amount of test cycles.
Available for both the Production test module and the Advanced Signal Integrity test module

Compare RapidWave4000 Advanced Cable Tester
to Total Phase Advanced Cable Tester v2

The RapidWave4000 performs the full-range of electrical tests and advanced signal integrity failure analysis tests for
USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1 Type A cables at their highest rated speeds. Total Phase cannot claim these capabilities
with their Advanced Cable Tester v2. Furthermore, test cost can be much lower with the RapidWave4000.


PRBS Line Rate
Number of PRBS Channels
Modulation Scheme
TDR Rise time
Continuity
DC Resistance ( DCR )
DCR pins
Quiescent Current
Insertion Loss ( Pass/Fail)
E-marker Read
SVID Protocol
Advanced Signal Integrity Tests
Eye Diagram ( Data )
Insertion Loss Measurements
Crosstalk
Impedance Profile
Inter-pair Skew
Intra-pair Skew
Pay-per-test
Production Pay-per-test cost
Price
USB Type-C Adapter Price

Teledyne LeCroy T3RapidWave4000
up to 29 Gb/s
5 lanes
NRZ
12 ps















$0.01
$12,350
$50

Total Phase Advanced Cable Tester v2
up to 12.9 Gb/s
4 lanes
NRZ
n.a.




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Not available
$15,000
$400

Resources

Technical Docs

Firmware

Videos

Webinars

Document Name / Description	Type
T3RapidWave4000 Datasheet Product details and ordering information with product configuration examples for production pay-per-test and unlimited test configurations.	Datasheet	Download
T3RapidWave4000 Fact Sheet Summarized product overview and detailed ordering information with product configuration examples for production pay-per-test and unlimited test configurations.	Fact Sheet	Download
T3RapidWave4000 Sales Sheet Summarized product overview and detailed competitive comparison to Total Phase Advanced Cable Tester v2	Sales Sheet	Download
T3RapidWave4000 Operator's Manual Operator's Manual for the T3RapidWave4000 Production Cable Tester	Manual	Download

T3RapidWave4000 Firmware Upgrade

Download File

RapidWave4000 Advanced Cable Tester Product Overview