Introducing the USB4™ Switch

[Philip Froese]

As part of the MUTT (Microsoft USB Test Tool) family and a follow-on to the USB Type-C Connection Exerciser, we are excited to introduce the USB4 Switch: a USB Type-C 1:2 programmable switch, compatible with USB4 as well as older protocols such as Thunderbolt™ 3, USB 3.2, USB Type-C Alternate Modes, and of course Power Delivery.

The USB4 Switch automates connect-disconnect of a USB Type-C port and will be used in stress testing, switching between peripherals (for example, a dock and a display), or any automated reconfiguration of a USB Type-C port.  It is compatible with the Connection Exerciser tools and scripts and integrates with the Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) test content. 

It will be a required test device for Windows Certification through the HLK but is highly recommended for use much earlier in your hardware development cycle as well.  In our experience, long-run randomized switching on a USB Type-C port is highly effective in exposing bugs in the hardware-firmware-software stack, both in the USB Type-C controller as well as the underlying data protocols.  We expect the USB4 Switch to have similar value in the development and validation of USB4 hardware and software.

The device is available to purchase from our partners at MCCI at https://mcci.com/usb/dev-tools/model-3141/ 

For UCSI based systems we recommended to perform testing with some additional settings to help discover firmware bugs. Please see “Converting firmware failures to bugchecks” in this blog post.

[dtimes3]

How can we get one of these?

[trivanks]

Hi, 

Thanks for the introduction of USB4™ Switch can we use it as portable in any windows pc?  and it's better than v3? (USB Type-C port) you know currently, I'm using a charger my new phone this type switch. let me know also how to get one of these too...?

Thanks

Buzz CNN

[Matt Chung]

Hi @dtimes3 ,

This is now available to purchase from MCCI at https://mcci.com/usb/dev-tools/model-3141/ 

Thanks,
Matt

[mikelu]

Can USB4 Switch replace the existing Type-C SuperMUTT for validating UCSI compliance tests?

[Philip Froese]

@mikelu , thanks for the question.  The USB4 Switch will not replace the USB Type-C SuperMUTT.  The USB4 Switch is a pass-through switch of USB4 (or USB3) signals, whereas the USB Type-C SuperMUTT is a full-fledged USB-C device that implements data and Power Delivery protocols.  The USB Type-C SuperMUTT will continue to be used to validate USB PD, USB Type-C, and USB 3.x features such as UCSI compliance.

[Deleted]

Philip Froese

 When  and from which  build  we can expect USB4 SW CM Inbox support ?