2.4 KiB
2.4 KiB
The USB micro-B and C cable tester identifies functionalities supported by USB cables. It helps figuring out if a USB cable is for charging or to transfer data. It supports type A to micro-B, A to C, and C to C USB cables.
usage
- ensure the tester has a non-empty battery in the CR2032/2025, or is externally powered through the USB power port
- plug one end of the cable in one of the host ports
- plug the other end of the cable in one of the devices ports
- the tester will identify the cable's capabilities
design choice
features
do:
- USB micro-B: still wide-spread and popular for charging devices
- USB type-A: still the de-facto host plug
- USB type-C: becoming the standard for battery operated devices
- C to C: often used for high power charging of phones and laptops
- battery operated: it's a very simple device, and this avoids needing to require external power
- power port: in case you have no battery or it runs out
- USB 3.0: because it is hard to identify if C-C cable support Super-Speed
don't:
- small: no need to build it as compact as possible
- A or micro-B 3.0: the connectors that support it are obvious, and it's rare they are used for anything else than Super-Speed transfer (plus they are less common or problematic)
- Power Delivery capabilities: this requires complex host software communicating with the eMarker chip in the cable
- OTG: even if detecting this functionality is easy, micro-B OTG adapters are not popular anymore
future:
- interpret the supported functionalities to show the cable purpose
- show a simple cable type result, and not just the individual capabilities
alternatives
- USB micro-B cable tester: only does micro-B cables
- USB A-C cable tester: only does USB type A to type C cables
- USB C-C cable tester: only does USB type C to type C cables
- DT3 Data Cable Detection Board: does not check shield, battery charging, USB 3.0
- USB Cable Checker 2: too complex and expensive
- USB Cable Tester: only for USB-C and you have to understand and interpret the signals