USB diagnostics hardware - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: axero
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 04:06:12 pm
content: Is there some simple tool, preferably in the form of a USB dongle that can conduct diagnostics of a USB connection?I would want something that could test the bandwidth of the connection and analyze whether the USB3.0+ port handle the data correctly. Not just measuring the amperage and voltage as I have seen some clips of on the YouTube.I have a few ports where USB devices aren't working properly and I'm not in the clear whether it is an issue of the device or the USB port. I'm sure though that the issue somehow is hardware related.Perhaps there is some app one could use that turn any Android device into a USB diagnostics device?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 04:49:18 pm
content: There are hardware USB analyzers, but they are very expensive. By the time things get to the OS, all the useful diagnostic information is gone, so cheap pure software solution will not be possible.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 05:12:44 pm
content: Quote from: axero on June 15, 2017, 04:06:12 pmDoes the device work on other ports?Do other devices work on the same port?Windows (at least) installs devices/drivers on a per-port basis. It's perfectly possible to have a device that works on one port but not another even though all the hardware is fine. A registry cleanup will fix it, there's a program called USBdeview that lets you delete registry entries for particular ports/devices.

author: idpromnut
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 05:25:23 pm
content: I have a couple of USB ports on my computer that no longer recognize any USB device plugged into them (and yes, these same devices work on different ports on this same computer). I am not sure if it's the same problem as you are having, but I'm pretty certain I fried one or more data lines on those ports (and they probably use the same USB controller chip or something.)

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 06:11:22 pm
content: probably the sockets, they are junk and fail fairly fast.infact there is a trend towards creating junk conectors and forcing them on people.the worst - in no perticular order:USB(A) - contacts wear flat and you get data dropouts.scart - just plain junk, after a while the socket loses tension and the plug gets dragged out by it's cable.HDMI - soldering fails due to leverage by the plug & cable - made worse by the fact most are 100% surface-mount inc the metal tabs.

author: idpromnut
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 06:24:00 pm
content: Quote from: stj on June 15, 2017, 06:11:22 pmIn my case, I'm certain it was because of the idiot user (namely me) that was testing some home brew USB device... lesson learned: use a cheap USB hub for home-brew USB device tests!

author: abraxa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 08:57:01 pm
content: Quote from: axero on June 15, 2017, 04:06:12 pmCan you use them as USB2 HS devices and see if the issue persists? Also, do the problems occur after enumeration or do they not enumerate properly?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 03:05:10 am
content: Quote from: axero on June 15, 2017, 04:06:12 pmLeCroy has some, e.g. theAdvisor T3. However as ataradov notes, these sorts of tools are very expensive. That one lists for about ~$4k on Tequipment. I want to buya smaller one for USB 2.0, but it is still about $1k.Some of it you can get from the host side, e.g. with tools like:http://www.usblyzer.com/orhttp://www.sysnucleus.com/, but if there is truly something wrong with the USB host interface it may not show much.

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 04:39:03 am
content: How about this:http://www.passmark.com/products/usb3loopback.htmChances are the USB receptacle on the PC is mangled/broken/loose/intermittent and in need of replacement.At my local OfficeMax, one of their PCs has at least one bad port. Dpending on who you get to "help you", they'll comment that there is no data on the USB stick.There is at least one guy there that will try the USB stick on one of the other ports and suddenly... data appears!

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 07:42:34 am
content: Quote from: idpromnut on June 15, 2017, 06:24:00 pmIt is always wise to use a powered USB hub.Some example:The Atmel AVR Dragon Programmer/Debugger can draw a lot of current, more than the USB port on some older laptops can deliver. Therefore they recommend to use it in combination with a powered USB hub.Some people even reported that an under-powered USB port scenario can destroy the AVR Dragon:"Because the PC doesn't always supply the proper power to the Dragon during enumeration - causing the switching regulator in the Dragon to malfunction, destroying the thing."The USB hub is not only good for safety, but it can also help to organize your cable structure on the bench. You can keep your laptop exactly where you want, and don't need to mess up the bench to reach your programmer/debugger