CN102176702A - Test system and test method - Google Patents

Abstract

A test system and a test method are provided. The test system comprises a test device, a USB concentrator and a host device. The USB hub is coupled between the test device and the host device. The host device performs data transmission with the test device through the USB concentrator, and comprises a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit is used for storing a first test program and a second test program. When the USB hub is coupled between the test device and the host device, the processing unit executes a first test program to enable the test device to operate in a USB 3.0 mode, and then executes a second test program to enable the test device to operate in a USB 2.0 mode. The processing unit reads the first test program and the second test program stored in the storage unit through different interfaces.

Description

Test system and test method

technical field

The invention relates to a test system and method, in particular to a test system and method for testing USB hubs.

Background technique

With the advancement of technology, more and more digital devices are designed and produced, such as flash drives, external CD drives, external hard drives, digital cameras, mobile phones, etc. In order for the digital device to be connected to a computer host, the digital device usually has a connection port. When the connection port of the digital device is coupled with the connection port of the computer host, the computer host can access the data on the digital device.

However, the host computer has a limited number of connection ports. Therefore, the user cannot connect multiple digital devices to the host computer at the same time. In order to solve the problem of insufficient number of connection ports, the existing method is to use a hub (Hub) to expand the connection ports of the host computer.

Hubs have grown in importance as they effectively allow multiple digital devices to simultaneously connect to a host computer. In order to ensure that the hub can transmit data normally, a test system and method must be used to test the hub before the hub leaves the factory.

Contents of the invention

The invention provides a test system, which includes a test device, a USB hub and a host device. The USB hub has a dual-bus structure for transmitting USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 signals, and the USB hub is coupled between the test device and the host device. The host device transmits data with the test device through the USB hub, and includes a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit is used for storing a first test program and a second test program. When the USB hub is coupled between the test device and the host device, the processing unit executes the first test program for the conduction test of the USB 3.0 transmission function, and the processing unit executes the second test program for the USB 2.0 transmission function continuity test. The processing unit reads the first and second test programs stored in the storage unit through different interfaces.

The invention also provides a testing method, which is applied in a testing system. The test system has a host device, a USB hub and a test device. The USB hub is coupled between the host device and the test device. The testing method of the present invention includes, making the host device read and execute a first test program through a first interface, for data transmission with the test device, and conducting a conduction test of the USB 3.0 transmission function; and making the host device The device reads and executes a second test program through a second interface for data transmission with the test device and conduction test of the USB 2.0 transmission function. The first interface is different from the second interface. The USB hub has a dual-bus structure for transmitting USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 signals.

In order to make the features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, preferred embodiments are specifically listed below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the testing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a possible embodiment of the host device of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a possible embodiment of the testing method of the present invention.

Description of reference symbols

100: test system;

110: test device;

130: USB hub;

150: host device;

131: upward connection port;

134~137: downward connection ports;

151: storage unit;

154: processing unit;

157: USB connection port;

152, 153: Test procedures;

111-114: USB connection port;

115-118: USB device controller;

132: USB 3.0 hub controller;

133: USB 2.0 hub controller;

155: USB 3.0 host controller;

156: USB 2.0 host controller.

Detailed ways

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the testing system of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the test system 100 includes a test device 110 , a USB hub 130 and a host device 150 . The USB hub 130 is coupled between the test device 110 and the host device 150 . The host device 150 performs data transmission with the testing device 110 through the USB hub 130 . In this embodiment, the host device 150 knows whether the USB hub 130 can transmit data normally according to the signal sent back by the testing device 110 .

The present invention does not limit the internal structure of the testing device 110 . Any device capable of data transmission with the host device 150 via the USB hub 130 may be used as the test device 110 . In this embodiment, the test device 110 includes USB connection ports 111 - 114 and USB device controllers 115 - 118 , but the invention is not limited thereto. As shown in the figure, the USB ports 111 - 114 are coupled to the USB device controllers 115 - 118 one-to-one.

In addition, the present invention does not limit the internal structure of the USB hub 130 . Any hub that can expand the USB connection port of the host device 150 to multiple connection ports for connecting more USB peripheral devices can be used as the USB hub 130 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the USB hub 130 has a dual bus architecture, which can transmit USB 2.0 or 3.0 signals.

As shown in the figure, the USB hub 130 includes an upward connection port 131, a USB 3.0 hub controller 132, a USB 2.0 hub controller 133, and downward connection ports 134-137. The present invention does not limit the number of the upward connection port and the downward connection port of the USB hub 130 . In other embodiments, the USB hub may have multiple upward connection ports and at least two downward connection ports. In this embodiment, the upward connection port 131 is used to couple to the host device 150 . The downward connection ports 134 - 137 are used for coupling the testing device 110 .

When the test device 110 operates in a USB 3.0 mode, the USB 3.0 hub controller 132 is responsible for data (eg TX+/TX−/RX+/RX−) transmission between the host device 150 and the test device 110 . On the contrary, when the test device 110 operates in a USB 2.0 mode, the USB 2.0 hub controller 133 is responsible for the data (such as D+/D−) transmission between the host device 150 and the test device 110 .

For example, when the test device 110 operates in a USB 3.0 mode, the USB 3.0 hub controller 132 can process the USB 3.0 signal received by the upward connection port 131, and then pass the processed result through the downward connection port 134- 137 , provide to the test device 110 . In another embodiment, the USB 3.0 hub controller 132 can receive and process a received USB 3.0 signal of the downward connection ports 134-137, and then provide the processed result to the host through the upward connection port 131 device 150.

For example, the host device 150 can first execute a first test program, and transmit the USB 3.0 test signal to the test device 110 through the USB hub 130 through the first path (such as TX-/TX+/RX-/RX+). The test device 110 generates a reply signal according to the test signal provided by the host device 150 , and sends it back to the host device 150 through the first path. According to the reply signal, the host device 150 can know whether the USB hub 130 can transmit the USB 3.0 signal correctly.

In this embodiment, the USB 2.0 hub controller 133 provides the USB 2.0 signal from the host device 150 to the test device 110 through the downward connection ports 134-137, or the USB 2.0 signal provided by the test device 110 The signal is provided to the host device 150 through the upward connection port 131 .

For example, after the USB 3.0 test of the USB hub 130 is completed, the host device 150 executes a second test program, and transmits the USB 2.0 test signal through the USB hub 130 through the second path (such as D-/D+). to test set 110. The test device 110 generates a reply signal according to the test signal provided by the host device 150 , and sends it back to the host device 150 through the second path. According to the reply signal, the host device 150 can know whether the USB hub 130 can transmit the USB 2.0 signal correctly.

In a possible embodiment, before performing the USB 3.0 and 2.0 tests, the host device 150 will first provide a specific command (vendor command) to the test device 110 through the USB hub 130, so as to make the test device 110 operate on USB 3.0 or USB 3.0 or USB 2.0. 2.0 mode.

In addition, the present invention does not limit the sequence of USB 3.0 and 2.0 tests. In this embodiment, the host device 150 first tests the USB 3.0 transmission function of the USB hub 130, and then tests the USB 2.0 transmission function of the USB hub 130. In other embodiments, the host device 150 may first test the USB 2.0 transmission function of the USB hub 130, and then test the USB 3.0 transmission function of the USB hub 130.

FIG. 2 is a possible embodiment of the host device of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the host device 150 includes a storage unit 151 , a processing unit 154 and a USB connection port 157 . The storage unit 151 stores test programs 152 and 153 . The present invention does not limit the operating system under which the test programs 152 and 153 are executed. In this embodiment, the test programs 152 and 153 are performed under the DOS operating system.

In a possible embodiment, the test program 153 is a basic input output system (BIOS). When the test device 110 is operating in the USB 2.0 mode, the test program 153 transmits USB 2.0 data with the test device 110 through the USB hub 130, and according to the transmission result, it is known whether the USB 2.0 transmission function of the USB hub 130 is normal.

The processing unit 154 reads the test programs 152 and 153 of the storage unit 151 through different interfaces. The present invention does not limit the types of interfaces between the processing unit 154 and the test programs 152 and 153 . In this embodiment, the processing unit 154 reads the test program 152 through an extended host controller interface (Extended Host Controller Interface; xHCI), and reads the test program 152 through an enhanced host controller interface (Enhanced Host Controller Interface; eHCI). Test program 153.

The extended host controller interface xHCI and the enhanced host controller interface eHCI mainly standardize the registers and data structures between the system software and hardware. Among them, the extended host controller interface xHCI is a USB 3.0 host controller and USB 3.0 peripheral driver A standard way of communication between.

In this embodiment, the processing unit 154 includes a USB 3.0 host controller 155 and a USB 2.0 host controller 156. The USB 3.0 host controller 155 reads and executes the test program 152 through the extended host controller interface xHCI to test the USB 3.0 transmission function of the USB hub 130. The USB 2.0 host controller 156 reads and executes the test program 153 through the enhanced host controller interface eHCI to test the USB 2.0 transmission function of the USB hub 130.

In addition, in this embodiment, the USB 3.0 host controller 155 is coupled to the USB port 157 through a Super Speed Bus Interface (SSBI) for transmitting USB 3.0 signals. When the USB port 157 is coupled to the USB hub 130 , it can communicate with the test device 110 through the USB hub 130 .

The present invention does not limit the content of the communication between the host device 150 and the testing device 110 . In a possible embodiment, the host device 150 will first load the test program 152 . The test program 152 can enumerate whether the USB hub 130 has been inserted into the host device 150 through the interface xHCI. When the USB hub 130 is coupled to the host device 150 , the processing unit 154 can enumerate to the USB hub 130 .

Next, the test program 152 reads a device descriptor of the USB hub 130 to identify the type of the USB hub 130 . The test program 152 can obtain the device information of the USB hub 130 according to the device descriptor of the USB hub 130 , for example, the USB hub 130 has an upward connection port 131 and four downward connection ports 134 - 137 . At this time, it also means that the continuity test between the upward connection port 131 of the USB hub 130 and the host device 150 is completed.

Next, the test program 152 detects the connection states of the four downward connection ports 134 - 137 of the USB hub 130 , that is, detects whether the downward connection ports 134 - 137 are connected to the USB connection ports 111 - 114 of the testing device 110 . The invention does not limit the order of the test program 152 to detect the down-connection ports 134 - 137 . In a possible embodiment, the test program 152 can detect the connection states of the downstream ports 134 - 137 sequentially or according to a preset sequence.

When the downward connection ports 134-137 are connected to the USB connection ports 111-114, the test program 152 can detect that the downward connection ports 134-137 are all coupled to a USB device, and then the test program 152 reads the downward connection port 134 ~137 A device descriptor for the connected device. At this time, the USB device controllers 115 - 118 and the USB ports 111 - 114 are regarded as four USB devices. Therefore, the test program 152 can know 4 device descriptors.

For example, in this embodiment, the processing unit 154 issues a get device descriptor command (get device descriptor command) by using the super high speed bus interface SSBI. When the test device 110 receives the read device descriptor command, the test device 110 will operate in a USB 3.0 mode, and report a USB 3.0 device descriptor according to the read device descriptor command. Since the downward connection ports 134 - 137 are all coupled to a USB device, the steps of reading and reporting are repeated 4 times.

After completion, it means that the USB 3.0 bus conduction test of the downwardly connected ports 134-137 is completed. At this time, the test program 152 will issue a first specific order (first vendor command), so that the test device 110 is switched to a USB 2.0 mode to conduct a continuity test of the USB 2.0 bus.

When the test device 110 operates in a USB 2.0 mode, the test program 153 enumerates whether the USB hub 130 has been inserted through the enhanced host controller interface eHCI. When the USB hub 130 is coupled to the host device 150 , the processing unit 154 can enumerate to the USB hub 130 .

Next, the test program 153 reads a device descriptor of the USB hub 130 to identify the type of the USB hub 130 . When the test program 153 can read the device descriptor of the USB hub 130 , it means that the continuity test between the upward connection port 131 of the USB hub 130 and the host device 150 has been completed.

Then, the test program 153 reads the device descriptor of the test device 110 through the USB hub 130 to perform the USB 2.0 bus conduction test on the downwardly connected ports 134-137 of the USB hub 130. Next, the test program 153 detects the connection states of the four downward connection ports 134 - 137 of the USB hub 130 , that is, detects whether the downward connection ports 134 - 137 are connected to the USB connection ports 111 - 114 of the testing device 110 .

When the downward connection ports 134-137 are connected to the USB connection ports 111-114, the test program 153 can detect that the downward connection ports 134-137 are all coupled to a USB device, and then the test program 153 reads the downward connection port 134 ~137 A USB 2.0 device descriptor for the connected device. At this time, the USB device controllers 115 - 118 and the USB ports 111 - 114 are regarded as four USB devices. Therefore, the test program 153 can know 4 device descriptors.

For example, in this embodiment, the processing unit 154 uses the bus interface BI to issue a read device descriptor command. Since the test device 110 operates in a USB 2.0 mode, when the test device 110 receives the read device descriptor command, it will report a USB 2.0 device descriptor. Since the downward connection ports 134 - 137 are all coupled to a USB device, the steps of reading and reporting are repeated 4 times.

After completing the bus conduction test of USB 2.0 and 3.0, the test program 153 can issue a second specific command (second vendor command) to switch the test device 110 back to the USB 3.0 mode, and set a flag value for End all testing processes.

In a possible embodiment, the test program 153 is an option in the BIOS (such as Legacy USB support). This option can be enabled when the user enters the BIOS at boot time. When the test device 110 operates in a USB 2.0 mode, the test program (such as 153) in the BIOS starts to perform the USB 2.0 bus conduction test on the USB hub 130.

By using the original test function in the BIOS, the USB 2.0 bus conduction test is performed on the USB hub 130, so the program code of the test program 152 can be reduced, because the tester does not need to write additional USB2.0 test code.

Fig. 3 is a possible embodiment of the testing method of the present invention. The testing method of the present invention is applied to a testing system. The test system has a host device, a USB hub and a test device, wherein the USB hub is coupled between the host device and the test device. For convenience of description, the test system shown in FIG. 1 will be combined below.

First, make the host device 150 execute a first test program for data transmission with the test device 110, and make the test device 110 operate in a USB 3.0 mode (step S310). Next, make the host device 150 execute a second test program for data transmission with the test device 110, and make the test device 110 operate in a USB 2.0 mode (step S330).

In a possible embodiment, the first and second test programs are executed under a DOS operating system. In addition, in other embodiments, the second test program is a basic input output system (BIOS). The BIOS can perform USB 2.0 data transmission with the test device 110 through the USB hub 130 .

In this embodiment, the host device 150 reads the first and second test patterns through different interfaces. For example, the host device 150 uses an extended host controller interface xHCI to read the first test program, and uses an enhanced host controller interface eHCI to read the second test program.

The present invention does not limit the execution order of steps S310 and S330. In this embodiment, step S310 is executed first, and then step S330 is executed. In other embodiments, step S330 may be performed first, and then step S310 may be performed.

In addition, the present invention does not limit the testing process of the first and second testing procedures. In this embodiment, through the first test procedure, the host device 150 can enumerate whether the USB hub 130 is plugged in (step S311 ). If the USB hub 130 is enumerated, the host device 150 reads a device descriptor of the USB hub 130 (step S313 ).

If the host device 150 can read the USB 2.0 device descriptor of the USB hub 130, it means that the USB 3.0 continuity test of the connection port (such as 131) between the USB hub 130 and the host device 150 has been completed. Next, the host device 150 reads the device descriptor of the test device 110 connected to the USB hub 130 (step S315 ). If the host device 150 can read the device descriptor of the test device 110 connected to the USB hub 130, it means that the USB 3.0 continuity test of the connection ports (such as 134-137) between the USB hub 130 and the test device 110 has been completed.

After steps S311-S315 are completed, it means that the USB 3.0 bus continuity test of the USB hub 130 has been completed. In this embodiment, by executing the first test program, the host device 150 sends a first specific command (step S317) to set the test device 110 in the USB 2.0 mode, so as to perform the USB 2.0 bus of the USB hub 130 Continuity test.

When the test device 110 operates in the USB 2.0 mode, the second test program enumerates whether the USB hub 130 is inserted (step S331). If the USB hub 130 is enumerated, the host device 150 reads a device descriptor of the USB hub 130 (step S333 ).

If the host device 150 can read the device descriptor of the USB hub 130, it means that the USB 2.0 continuity test of the connecting port (such as 131) between the USB hub 130 and the host device 150 has been completed. Next, the host device 150 reads the device descriptor of the test device 110 connected to the USB hub 130 (step S335 ). If the host device 150 can read the device descriptor of the test device 110 connected to the USB hub 130, it means that the USB 2.0 continuity test of the connection ports (such as 134-137) between the USB hub 130 and the test device 110 has been completed.

After steps S331-S335 are completed, it means that the USB 2.0 bus continuity test of the USB hub 130 has been completed. In this embodiment, by executing the second test program, the host device 150 sends a second specific command (step S337) to set the test device 110 in the USB 3.0 mode and set a flag value for End the testing process.

Since the USB 2.0 bus conduction test of the USB hub 130 is performed by a BIOS, the tester does not need to write the USB 2.0 test code when writing the test program, so the program code of the test program can be reduced, and the writing can be reduced. time.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. In addition, unless expressly stated, the definition of a word in a general dictionary should be interpreted as consistent with the meaning in the article in its related technical field, and should not be interpreted as an ideal state or an overly formal voice.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore The scope of protection of the present invention is based on the claims of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. test macro comprises:

One testing apparatus;

One usb hub has dual-bus structure, and in order to transmit USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 signals, this usb hub couples this testing apparatus; And

One host apparatus, by this usb hub, carry out transfer of data with this testing apparatus, and comprise:

One storage element is in order to store one first test program and one second test program;

One processing unit, when this usb hub is coupled between this testing apparatus and this host apparatus, this processing unit is carried out this first test program, in order to carry out the continuity test of USB 3.0 transfer functions, this processing unit is carried out this second test program, in order to carry out the continuity test of USB 2.0 transfer functions;

Wherein this processing unit reads this stored first and second test program of this storage element by different interfaces.

2. test macro as claimed in claim 1, wherein when this processing unit is carried out this first test program, this testing apparatus operates under a USB 3.0 patterns, this processing unit reads the unit describe symbol of this testing apparatus, after this processing unit receives this unit describe symbol, this processing unit is carried out this second test program, and this processing unit sends one first specific instruction and give this testing apparatus, with so that this testing apparatus operate under a USB 2.0 patterns.

3. test macro as claimed in claim 2, wherein when this processing unit is carried out this second test program, under these USB 2.0 patterns, this processing unit reads the unit describe symbol of this testing apparatus once more, after this processing unit receives this unit describe symbol, this processing unit sends one second specific instruction and gives this testing apparatus, with so that this testing apparatus operate in once more under these USB 3.0 patterns.

4. test macro as claimed in claim 1, wherein this processing unit is by one first interface, read this first test program, this processing unit is by one second interface, read this second test program, wherein this first interface is an expansion Host Controler Interface, and this second interface is an enhancement mode host controller interface.

5. test macro as claimed in claim 1, wherein this processing unit comprises:

One USB, 3.0 console controllers are in order to carry out this first test program; And

One USB, 2.0 console controllers, in order to carry out this second test program, wherein these USB 3.0 console controllers couple this usb hub by a ultrahigh speed bus interface, and these USB 2.0 console controllers couple this usb hub by a bus interface.

6. test macro as claimed in claim 1, wherein this second test program is a basic input output system, this basic input output system can be passed through this usb hub, carries out the USB2.0 transfer of data with this testing apparatus.

7. test macro as claimed in claim 1, wherein this usb hub comprises:

One connectivity port upwards is in order to couple this host apparatus;

A plurality of downward connectivity ports are in order to couple this testing apparatus;

One USB, 3.0 line concentration controllers, when this testing apparatus operated in these USB 3.0 patterns, these USB 3.0 line concentration controllers were responsible for the transfer of data between this host apparatus and this testing apparatus; And

One USB, 2.0 line concentration controllers, when this testing apparatus operated in these USB 2.0 patterns, these USB 2.0 line concentration controllers were responsible for the transfer of data between this host apparatus and this testing apparatus;

Wherein this testing apparatus comprises:

A plurality of usb connecting ports couple these downward connectivity ports one to one; And

A plurality of USB Setup Controllers couple these usb connecting ports one to one.

8. a method of testing is applied in the test macro, and this test macro has a host apparatus, a usb hub and a testing apparatus, and this usb hub is coupled between this host apparatus and this testing apparatus, and this method of testing comprises:

Make this host apparatus by one first interface, read and carry out one first test program, in order to carrying out transfer of data, and carry out the continuity test of USB 3.0 transfer functions with this testing apparatus; And

Make this host apparatus by one second interface, read and carry out one second test program, in order to carrying out transfer of data, and carry out the continuity test of USB 2.0 transfer functions with this testing apparatus;

Wherein this first interface is different from second interface;

Wherein this usb hub has dual-bus structure, in order to transmit USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 signals.

9. method of testing as claimed in claim 8, wherein this second test program is a basic input output system, this basic input output system can be passed through this usb hub, carries out the USB2.0 transfer of data with this testing apparatus.

10. method of testing as claimed in claim 8, wherein when carrying out this first test program, this testing apparatus operates under a USB 3.0 patterns, make this host apparatus read the unit describe symbol of this testing apparatus, after receiving this unit describe symbol, carry out this second test program, and send one first specific instruction and give this testing apparatus, with so that this testing apparatus operate under a USB 2.0 patterns.

11. test macro as claimed in claim 10, wherein when carrying out this second test program, under these USB 2.0 patterns, read the unit describe symbol of this testing apparatus once more, after receiving this unit describe symbol, send one second specific instruction and give this testing apparatus, with so that this testing apparatus operate in once more under these USB 3.0 patterns.

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