USBHub3c: External Load Feature

USBHub3c External Load Feature

One External Load Expansion Connector is included at no cost with purchase of the USBHub3c and External Load Feature.

Let’s say you have your Acroname USBHub3c, which allows you to program unique power settings to individual ports. Most hubs negotiate power, but the USBHub3c allows you to configure a peripheral device as a sink and evaluate the PD negotiations that take place.

Acroname hubs also allow you to configure those peripherals as a source, but there’s something else:

You can turn the whole thing on its head and perform true testing on power sources with external loads.

What makes the external load feature special?

You basically get two devices in one. The capability for this kind of PD analysis is present in the hardware (take a look at the rear view of the hub), but we know it’s not for everyone.

If you do need to test power sources – for mobile device compatibility, as an example – then you can add the External Load feature and perform PD analysis on two types of power delivery norms with one hub. External load allows you to simulate a device sinking from a power source under test.

How does it work?

We’ve built on the up/downstream compatibility of our ports (0-5) to not just allow power to the hub itself, but also to source through the USB-C power rail connections on the back of the USBHub3 to an external load/sink.

You still get all the PD metrics you need for validation and testing, of course. Think of this as just one other way Acroname gives you manual testing control over a typically automated process.

Who is this for?

If you’re this far down on the page, it might be you. Here are some other use case scenarios for the external load feature of the USBHub3c:

• Power source design/test
• Testing source capabilities of a dual role device with load

Have questions about everything the USBHub3c can do? Get answers from our customer service team!

Check out our USBHub3c

Power Delivery Sink Testing

The external load software extension enables Vbus sink testing with programmable or resistive electronic loads by leveraging the USBHub3c's power delivery communication engine.

Power delivery devices can be fully validated by exercising and testing each PDO profile advertised. Once a PDO rule is selected, the USBHubC external rail switches can be enabled to electronically load the V_bus of the device under test.