Continue reading »]]> Virtual Reality (VR) is trending in 2016, with multiple VR systems launching this year. Although VR applications may expand in the future, for now, the focus is primarily on VR gaming. As a result, it seems like prime time to examine the state of VR gaming systems, but rather than leading with hardware specs or market research, we begin the article on a lighter note with some popular VR games.

VR Games

VR games are the quintessential VR experience since they combine audio-visual storytelling with player interaction in immersive 3D environments. There are currently hundreds of VR games at various stages of development, from concept to launch. These include AAA titles from big name studios, as well as, smaller indie titles. Here we introduce three highly anticipated VR games that are winning hearts and minds in the gaming community.

EVE: Valkyrie

1. EVE: Valkyrie (evevalkyrie.com)

EVE: Valkyrie features intense team-based combat in beautifully rendered 3D-environments with rich surround sound. This spaceflight FPS is getting rave reviews and comes bundled with the soon-to-be released Oculus Rift. It will also be released on Sony’s PlayStation VR system at some point in the future.

[Source: http://www.theriftarcade.com/eve-valkyrie/ ]

Minecraft

2. Minecraft Cave (gamesminecraft.org)

This sandbox crafting franchise is a block-based world of its own. You would need to have been living in a dimly lit cave to have not heard about this pop-culture phenomenon. With over 70 million copies sold worldwide, Minecraft is a runaway hit that is certain to draw many hardcore fans into VR gaming. Minecraft will launch soon on both the Samsung VR Gear and Oculus Rift.

[Source: Oculus Showing First Look at ‘Minecraft’ on Gear VR at GDC Next Week ]

Job Simulator

This job simulation from the future is a multi-award-winning slapstick-comedy VR game. In a world where robots have replaced all human jobs, players can step into the "Job Simulator" to learn what it was like ‘to job’. Relive the glory days of work by simulating glamorous jobs, like gourmet chef, office worker, or convenience store clerk. This offbeat gem is an official launch title for the three major VR systems being released this year (HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and PlayStation VR).

[Source: http://jobsimulatorgame.com ]

As you can see, VR gaming covers a variety of genres, including action, adventure, and simulation. However, the real novelty of VR gaming is not in the games, but rather in the change in perspective moving from traditional 2D to fully immersive 3D environments. VR gaming is more engaging because it inserts players directly into the action via advanced motion sensors and game controllers. This fusion of seamless 3D environments with motion detection is fundamental to successful VR experiences. With three major VR systems launching in 2016, these experiences are more accessible than ever before.

Next, we discuss VR hardware requirements and introduce three leading VR systems shipping in 2016.

VR Hardware

2016 is the year that commercial VR systems go live, but it may be a while before they go mainstream. The first challenge for the industry is to prove that VR experiences are worth the hardware investment. So far, early adopters and journalists seem to be buying into the marketing hype surrounding VR gaming. The real test will come when hardcore gamers actually get their hands on these new VR systems.

At present, the leading VR systems are expensive peripheral devices that must be plugged into powerful personal computers or game consoles. For instance, according to NVIDIA [1], “immersive VR experiences require 7x the performance of a typical 1080p PC gaming experience”, as shown in the figure below.

These rigid hardware requirements limit the reach of VR systems to hardcore gamers, since most casual gamers do not have access to sufficient computing power. According to one article [2], only 13 million PCs and 36 million PS4 consoles are even able to run optimized VR experiences. This represents a combined market potential of 50 million VR host platforms.

Despite these limitations, if VR systems work as advertised, without major performance issues or negative health effects, then they are likely to increase in popularity. As VR technology develops, the user experience is bound to improve and prices will drop through economies of scale. Perhaps eventually, VR systems may overtake traditional 2D displays for desktop and mobile devices. If that happens, it may disrupt multiple industries and might even change how we all interact with the world.

As promised, here are the details for the three major VR systems launching in 2016.

Oculus Rift

The Oculus Rift started as a Kickstarter campaign that raised almost US$2.5 million in crowdfunding. Facebook later bought the parent company (Oculus VR) for US$2 billion. Over the years, several prototypes have been built, including two that were made available for purchase as ‘development kits’. These development kits, DK1 (2012) and DK2 (2014) were meant for developers, but many were also purchased by VR enthusiasts. The first consumer version of the Oculus Rift started shipping at the end of March 2016. With a purchase price of US$600, the system includes a headset display, motion sensor, and a game controller. Product photos, hardware specifications, and the official website are provided below.

HTC Vive

The HTC Vive is a joint project of HTC, a mobile device manufacturer, and Valve, a videogame developer/distributor. It was unveiled to the public at Mobile World Congress in March 2015. The hardware specifications are similar to the Oculus Rift, with identical display resolution and refresh rates. What sets the HTC Vive apart is that it is designed for movement, with room-scale tracking (12 m²) and an external camera to detect obstacles. The HTC Vive is scheduled for consumer release on April 5, 2016. With a purchase price of US$800, the system includes a headset display, motion sensors, and two game controllers. See product photos, hardware specifications, and the official website below.

PlayStation VR

This VR system is designed exclusively for the Sony PlayStation 4 video game console. First announced as Project Morpheus at the 2014 Game Developers Conference, it was expected to release in the first half of 2016, but the launch date was recently pushed back to October. Unlike the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, the PlayStation VR has only a single 1080p OLED display, but the screen refresh rate is higher at 120 Hz. The launch bundle costs US$500 and includes a headset display, motion sensor, and two controllers. Product photos, hardware specifications, and the official website are provided below.

VR Market Analysis

Sony’s PlayStation VR system (PS VR) looks to be in the best position to introduce VR gaming to the masses with a base price of just US$400. This is much less than the Oculus Rift (US$600) and exactly half the price of the HTC Vive (US$800). The PS VR also has greater sales potential in the near term, as there are about three times (3x) as many PS4 gaming consoles (36 million) as VR-capable PCs (13 million).[2] Also, an entire PS VR gaming system, including the PS4 console, will retail in the fall for about US$800.[3]

Although the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift seem to offer superior VR experiences, both are high-resolution dual-display headsets, they are fighting over a much smaller PC-based market. The only advantage these two systems have is time, in that they are available now, whereas the PS VR will not be available for another six months. If they can establish solid beachheads prior to the invasion of the PS VR in October 2016, they should be able to survive. If VR becomes more popular, the market advantage might switch to PC-based VR systems, since PC hardware constantly improves, while game consoles tend to lag behind.

Game developers are increasingly working on virtual reality games, as shown in a recent survey by the Game Developers Conference (GDC). This survey is probably the best window into the future of the virtual reality market, since the gaming industry is actively developing VR games. Between 2015 and 2016, the percentage of game developers working on VR titles more than doubled from 7% to 16%. As one gaming industry insider put it, “This year, VR is the thing that more developers want to do … It hasn’t taken over, but it has grown fast”. [4]

According to the 2016 GDC State of the Industry Report, 75% of survey respondents agree that VR is a long-term sustainable business. In addition, game developers are increasingly looking at VR tech, with 42% expressing interest in 2016, versus 37% in 2014. Despite the growing interest, most survey respondents do not expect VR systems to match the popularity of traditional gaming consoles in the near future. For instance, only 11% of those surveyed expect VR device adoption to match the current install-base of game consoles (about 40% of U.S. households) by 2020; and most respondents (62%) do not even expect VR systems to reach more than 10% of U.S. households by 2020.

VR game development is growing quickly, and yet, paradoxically, gaming insiders expect only slow growth in VR device shipments for the foreseeable future. The gaming industry seems to be hedging its bets by actively developing VR games, while simultaneously taking a conservative stance regarding future growth prospects. This seems rational, since it is impossible to predict the trajectory of the VR market; so much depends on how consumers react to this first-generation of commercial VR hardware.

According to the 2016 GDC State of the Industry Report, as of early 2016, more developers were working on game content for the Oculus Rift (19%) than any other platform. The next two most popular VR platforms were the Samsung Gear VR (8%) and Google Cardboard (7%). The HTC Vive and PS VR were tied for fourth with 6% of developers working on games for these platforms. These survey results are shown in the figure below.

(Source: Game Developers Conference | Survey: Oculus Rift Proves the Most Popular VR Platform among Devs)

These survey results beg the question: If the Sony PS VR platform is really in a superior market position, why are most developers working on Oculus Rift games instead? It may have something to do with the timing of the survey, just prior to the launch of the Oculus Rift, but if timing were the only factor then the HTC Vive should have scored high as well. It seems more likely that these results reflect sustained efforts by Oculus VR to reach out to the gaming community over the past four years. Oculus VR may have won over game developers, simply because it delivered, “the most developer kits in the market”.[4]

For game developers, VR opens up whole new worlds of player interaction and exploration. Some commentators even talk about VR as a new media paradigm that might have an impact on our civilization equivalent to the introduction of television in the twentieth-century. Only time will tell, but it if happens, then VR gaming will be the driving force that pushes this technology into these new frontiers.

This concludes our introduction to VR gaming. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. To find out more about Allion Labs, read our company introduction below, visit our website – www.allion.com, or contact us by email at service@allion.com.

About Us

Founded in 1991, Allion Labs Inc. (Allion) has more than 20 years of experience in the product testing industry. Our success is built on putting our customers first, executing projects with professional diligence, and offering the most comprehensive services possible, while also maintaining ethical business practices throughout. By following this business strategy, Allion has become a trusted gatekeeper in the consumer electronics industry. As technology advances, Allion help its partners to stay ahead of the competition by shortening time-to-market, raising product quality levels, and improving user experiences. In recent years, we have increasingly emphasized the importance of interoperability testing and competitive analysis as invaluable product development tools that enable companies to compete effectively in global markets.

References

[1] "Get Ready: Unreal Engine 4 To Incorporate NVIDIA Gameworks VR | NVIDIA Blog". NVIDIA Blog

[2] “Sony’s PlayStation VR Stands To Be Almost 3x More Popular Than Oculus Rift In 2016”. Forbes.com

[3] “Sony PlayStation VR Will Cost $399 When It Arrives in October”. NYTimes.com

[4] "GDC: 16% of Game Developers Are Working On VR, Up From 7% a Year Ago". VentureBeat.com

Continue reading »]]> “In 2010, in fall, at sunset, we came to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. The sky was slightly dark. The evening sky was decorated with projection lamps. It’s so magnificent. When we saw a flock of birds flying around the domes of buildings, my friends and I took out our camera to capture the beautiful scene of the moment. However, no matter how we adjusted the camera or took pictures from different perspectives, the picture always seemed unnatural and was unable to simulate the image that human eyes perceived” (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1: Birds flying over the sky of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, 2010

The above description is a travel review written by Rick Li, Senior Technical Manager of Allion Labs, Inc. We believe that our readers have experienced similar situations. In addition to photos, there are also big differences between the images on TV and real life. For example, in low lighting conditions, the screen is too dark, while in bright lighting, it is too white. Why does this difference occur?

High Dynamic Range: HDR

The charge coupled device (CCD) and display have evolved and improved over time. However, dynamic contrast is still limited by available technology. In comparison, the human eye can perceive more contrast. Our eyes can see lighter, darker, and obvious contrasts between the lightest and darkest parts of our field of view (i.e., dynamic range). To reproduce images that better represent what our eyes observe in the real world, audio-visual equipment manufacturers have set the goal of capturing pictures with higher dynamic range. High Dynamic Range (HDR) represents a new pinnacle in display technology.

Fig. 2: Comparison of dynamic range of human eye versus typical TV signal: http://www.trusight.com

The two figures at the bottom of the page illustrate the difference that HDR technology can make. The first figure illustrates the loss of image quality for Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) content production (Fig. 3). The picture on the left side of this figure represents the im

age that human eyes perceive. You can see that there is a large contrast between the dark background and the bright bus headlights. When the image is captured, there is an immediate reduction in image quality. Subsequent image processing and distribution further degrades dynamic range. At the end of this process, the picture on the right represents what the viewer sees on their display device. In this image, the background is dark gray, rather than black, and the bus headlights are not as bright as before.

Fig. 3: Standard Dynamic Range (SDR), Source: CES 2016, LG Press Conference

The second figure shows the loss of image quality for High Dynamic Range (HDR) content production (Fig. 4). The picture on the left side is the same as in Fig. 3, representing (once again) the image that human eyes perceive. When captured, image quality is reduced slightly, but unlike SDR images, subsequent image processing and distribution does not significantly degrade image quality. You can see that the final dynamic range is much larger than in Fig. 3. Looking at the picture on the right of Fig. 4, you can see that the background remains dark, while the bus headlights are bright. In summary, the contrast between light and dark is much closer to reality with HDR images.

Fig. 4: High Dynamic Range (HDR), source: CES 2016, LG Press Conference

HDR and Related Certifications

At this point, someone may ask, “I recently bought the most popular 4K TV on the market. Can I see pictures with the above quality on my 4K TV?” The answer is “not necessarily”. First, the source images must be captured, processed, and distributed using HDR technology. Additionally, the latest generation of Blu-ray player and 4K TVs are required to display HDR images. The implication is that from recording, post-production, mastering, publishing, and decoding to display, every link in the chain must apply HDR imaging technology.

The HDR ecosystem is currently growing incrementally. Manufacturers, wholesalers, and dealers of have each developed their own technology and registered their respective trademarks. Manufacturers are mainly dedicated to the Vision (Dolby Vision™), which includes HDR technology. Blu-ray manufacturers are promoting high-resolution ULTRA HD Blu-ray players that support HDR. Meanwhile, display manufacturers have set standards for a new generation of super-high quality displays, ULTRA HD PREMIUM. The whole supply chain is advancing together in a united front to achieve this big leap forward in image quality.

Dolby Vision™

Dolby Vision technology is currently used by many manufacturers. The ideal specification of brightness is set between 0.0001 nits and 10,000 nits (see Fig. 5: Dolby Vision Technology). The feasible range of HDR films is between 0.005 and 5,000 nits (Dolby Vision Mastering Display Series). In practice, the image quality of HDR recorded films is very close to feasible techniques and can preserve the dynamic range from 0.005 nits to 4,000 nits (2016 Dolby Vision Enabled TV series). Compared to standard film (0.05~100 nits), dynamic range is increased by a factor of four hundred (400x). This helps film manufacturers protect their intellectual property. If consumers want to see films with the best image quality, they must buy legal copies.

Fig. 5: The brightness range of Dolby Vision Technology, source: Dolby Vision White Paper

ULTRA HD Blu-ray

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) is promoting next-generation ULTRA HD Blu-ray discs and players that include HDR technology. As shown in Fig. 5, HDR technology increases maximum image brightness to between 1,000~10,000 nits, depending on the underlying Dolby Vision standards applied.

Fig. 6: ULTRA HD Blu-ray Specifications, source: Panasonic Website

ULTRA HD PREMIUM

Driven by the evolution of signal origins, the HDR development of displayers is not inferior in any respect. UHDA was founded in 2015 to establish a new industry standard for 4K resolution displays for premium image quality with HDR technology. This new display standard is called ULTRA HD PREMIUM.

Fig. 7: ULTRA HD PREMIUM logo, source: http://www.uhdalliance.org

Meanwhile, finding the options in Figure 8 is not difficult. In addition to technology manufacturers, multimedia content providers such as Netflix, Walt Disney Studios, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Entertainment are also UHDA members.

Fig. 8: UHDA member companies, source http://www.uhdalliance.org

The star-studded UHD Alliance is poised to become the leading facilitator of home-entertainment technology convergence. The organization sets display standards for image resolution, color field, bit rate, brightness, and darkness to ensure that consumers have the best experience when watching 4K content.

The basic specifications for ULTRA HD PREMIUM display certification are summarized below:

• Image Resolution – 3840 x 2160
• Color Depth – 10 bit
• Wide Color Gamut (WCG) – 90% of DCI-P3
• High Dynamic Range (HDR)：

         Alternative 1: HDR range 0.05 ~ 1,000 nits (For displays with better light scale extension)

         Alternative 2: HDR range 0.0005 ~ 540 nits (For displays with better dark scale extension)

What Can We Do For You?

Allion Labs, Inc. (Allion) passed UHD Alliance accreditation in 2015 to become a UHDA Authorized Test Center. We provide manufacturers with ULTRA HD PREMIUM certification, consulting services, and compatibility testing.

Over the years, display standards have progressed from FULL HD (1080p) to ULTRA HD (4K) and now to ULTRA HD PREMIUM. ULTRA HD Blu-ray discs and brand-named 4K displays are now available to consumers. Some streaming video providers also offer compatible content. As a result, ensuring the optimal display of HDR content on existing (and future) home entertainment equipment is not a trivial problem.

Senior Technical Manager Rick Li of Allion classifies compatibility problems into two categories. The first category of problems involve the integration of new equipment into existing home entertainment systems, e.g. “Can a 4K TV with HDMI 2.0(a), HDCP 2.2, and HDR interoperate with an older Blu-ray player that only supports HDMI 1.4 and HDCP 1.4?” The second category of problems involve compatibility between new components: e.g. “Can products that support Dolby Vision, ULTRA HD Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Premium work together?” See Fig. 9, which illustrates this situation. Compatibility testing is necessary to ensure that hardware and software supplied by different brands can interoperate to deliver superior entertainment experiences for end users.

Fig. 9: Compatibility Testing Flowchart

Through advances like High Dynamic Range and other audio-visual technologies, we expect that in the near future we can revise the description in the first paragraph as follows, “In 20XX, in fall, at sunset, we came to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. The sky was slightly dark. The dark blue sky was decorated with projection lamps. It’s magnificent. When we saw a flock of birds flying around the domes of buildings, my friends and I took out our camera to capture the beautiful scene of the moment. The picture we captured was so close to the real image that we were amazed. It was so clear and distinct.”

Continue reading »]]> Wi-Fi Passpoint is a key enabling technology that helps satisfy increasing consumer demand for mobile broadband service. This demand is being driven by the increased use of mobile devices, such as laptops, smart phones and tablets. High-bandwidth applications, such as VoIP and video streaming, are putting an added strain on cellular networks, especially in high-density locations, such as airports, shopping malls, conference halls, and coffee shops. As a result, cellphone carriers and mobile device manufacturers are increasingly turning to Wi-Fi Passpoint as a practical solution that balances peak cellular network loads in high-density locations.

When Passpoint certified devices enter an area with supported wireless service they seamlessly switch from cellular to wireless mode. Wi-Fi Alliance has prepared this introduction to Passpoint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw2Z6OuNQE4 

Passpoint Features

In 2012, Wi-Fi Alliance introduced Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Passpoint R1 (Release 1) with support for the following features.

In 2014, Wi-Fi Alliance launched Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Passpoint R2 (Release 2). This release builds on the solid security and seamless connectivity of the first release by making it even more valuable for service providers, while opening up new opportunities for other players. These new features are introduced below.

Business Case for Passpoint R2

Up until now, mobile device interoperability has been a major pain point for end users. For example, when users enter a coffee shop and wish to connect to the local wireless network, they are presented with a series of hoops to jump through. At a minimum, users need to find the correct network SSID and connect to it manually. For proprietary or secured networks, an additional authentication procedure is required, usually in the form of a user login. In most cases, the login procedure needs to be repeated each time that there is a loss of connection. In comparison, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Passpoint greatly improves the wireless connection experience. It automates all the procedures described above, to the point where end users can simply sit down in the same coffee shop and immediately begin using their device.

Wi-Fi Alliance planned to let Passpoint R2 replace Passpoint R1 in April 2015. Although Passpoint belong to non-mandatory provision verification category, the manufactures still recommend Wi-Fi Passpoint R2 need to be treated as high consideration of product quality, such as incompatible and using problems need to be eliminated.

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint R2 improves the wireless performance of mobile devices; and as shown in Figure 1, this improved performance will result in some tangible benefits for service providers, device vendors and consumers. For example, consumers will experience more reliable and secure connections; while service providers will enjoy an increase in customer loyalty and infrastructure cost savings.

Figure 1: Passpoint R2 – Benefits

As service providers and customers begin to experience these benefits, the installed base of Passpoint R2 compatible hotspots and mobile devices will grow.

Passpoint R2 – Mobile Device Requirements

Networking equipment and mobile device vendors should already be aware of Passpoint R2. However, they may not realize that Passpoint R2 certification requires additional Wi-Fi certification, as outlined in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2: Passpoint R2 – Certification

• Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ n/abg (with EAP authentication)
• Wi-Fi Protected Management Frames
• Wi-Fi Direct (if DUT supports)

Main Technique and Certified Content of Passpoint R2

Wi-Fi Passpoint uses standard networking protocols and techniques. For example, ANQP protocol uses the IEEE 802.11u standard; WPA2 Enterprise Security uses the IEEE 802.11i standard; various EAP methods (EAP-SIM, EAP-AKA, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS with MSCHAPv2) use the IEEE 802.1x standard; and the Wi-Fi Alliance standard uses Operator Policy & Online Signup.

Passpoint R1 provides support for the following four types of back-end servers: DHCPv4, AAA, DNS and PPSMO Web. Passpoint R2 supports these server types, but also adds four new server types: Subscription Remediation, OSU, Policy, and OCSP Responder. In addition, Passpoint R2 content is divided into three forms:

1. Setting DUT standards: Includes APUT and STAUT and needs to conform to preset parameters, other need to check whether DUT packets include ANQP.

2. Compatible Verification: Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Passpoint products need to provide downward compatibility features and verification device needs to connect on the network without Passpoint CERTIFIED.

3. Passpoint Verification Procedure: The verification maintains the original Passpoint R1 connection and the stored procedure function. It also add the new R2 Registration and Provisioning function (see Figure 3).

a. Discovery function

b. Registration function

c. Provisioning function

d. Access function

Figure 3: Wi-Fi Passpoint Provisioning Functionality

To get Passpoint R2 CERTIFIED, you also need to get other Wi-Fi verification test. The whole process might need 10 days of work, with repeat testing, debugging and other analysis problems. Therefore we usually advise manufactures to reserve some time when planning to obtain Passpoint R2 verification.

Wi-Fi Passpoint Release 2 with secured Wi-Fi user experience and uninterrupted connection

The technique of Wi-Fi Passpoint has fully used the Wi-Fi of user’s equipment normally, and provide more attractive service event for users. This technique also let users use Wi-Fi network as seamless and securely changed the automatic cellular connection.

Most wireless hotspots have a limited range due to the rapid reduction of signal strength as a function of distance from the central hub. Wireless signal coverage is also often uneven due to interference with other signals and objects, such as walls.

For this year’s Wi-Fi Passpoint Release 2, it also newly added (Online sign-up with immediate account provisioning and Secure registration) and (Operator policy) to make the technique more integrated. As Alliance planned to let Passpoint R2 replace Passpoint R1 in 2015 April, any Wi-Fi Passpoint product that need to be verify will be more functional and compatible. And will make greater market efficiency for service providers, equipment manufactures and end users in the future.

Wi-Fi association had setup many authorized test lab in different countries and areas. So far, Allion is one of the test labs that can completely provide all eighteen Wi-Fi verification services, including the new edition of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Passpoint R2. (Pic 5: Allion, the all aspects of Wi-Fi verification services). According to Allion’s years of Wi-Fi experiences, we are proud to say that no matter the client need Wi-Fi verification test or product development advisory service, Allion can provide you a full service and verification. For further information of Wi-Fi service, please visit our website – http://www.allion.com.tw/wi_fi.html .

Continue reading »]]> When a gaming laptop is running modern games this puts a heavy load on the CPU, resulting in more heat output which can degrade or damage internal components. Manufacturers have various options to mitigate this problem, including the installation of high capacity heat sinks and fans. It takes expert knowledge to determine the optimal solution, since high performance heat sinks and fans are expensive, while simply adding more fans can cause more noise, which degrades the gaming experience.

Allion test engineers are seasoned professionals with practical expertise in design optimization. Recently, our engineers applied these skills by evaluating the acoustical properties of two gaming laptops designed by a brand name company (A).

The two gaming laptops (A1 and A2) came with different displays:

• Laptop A1 had a 17.3” display (DUT1)
• Laptop A2 had a 15.6” display (DUT2)

Our test team performed the following acoustical tests:

• Acoustic Noise: Keyboard Typing Noise and System Noise Tests
• Speaker Output Characteristic Test

Keyboard Typing Noise Test

The first part of the Acoustic Noise testing involved recording touch typing sounds. With the gaming laptop powered off, we recorded the sound volume (in decibels) of a single finger touching the keyboard at a frequency of three (3) times per second. Figure 1 indicates the laptop and microphone locations.

Figure 1 : Keyboard Typing Noise Test – DUT Placement & Microphone Location

For this test, we set the maximum acceptable volume at 55 dB for standard keys, and 60 dB for the function and space keys. In Table 1, we see that none of the key tests exceeded 55 dB SPL, so both laptops (A1 and A2) passed this test with flying colors.

Table 1 : Keyboard Typing Noise Test Results

Note: Background sound (2^nd pre-test): 22.488 dB SPL

System Noise Test

In this test, we checked the noise of the A1 system under idle and heavy loading conditions with AC power ON. Before recording the A1 system noise in the idle state, we waited an hour for the wireless radios (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) to switch off.

Figure 2 shows the placement of system A1 relative to the microphone.

To simulate heavy system loading, we chose the following three test suites: 3DMark06, FurMark, and Prime95. Before recording the A1 system noise under heavy loading, we waited an hour for the wireless radios (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) to switch off. For the FurMark and Prime95 test suites, CPU and GPU reached 100% performance; and the loudest noises were detected with these two test items, as shown in Table 2 below.

Table 2 : System Noise Test Results

Figure 3 : System Noise under Different Loading Conditions

Speaker Output Characteristic Test

This test determines the maximum output distortion by measuring the degree of difference between the digital audio and the analog speaker output. This is accomplished by comparing the audio output through the codec and AUD. Prior to testing the A1 system; we turned off its AUD and system sound effects and turned up its internal speakers to full volume. Figure 4 shows the test configuration.

Figure 4 : Speaker Output – DUT Placement & Microphone Location

The test method involved playing a 1000 Hz 0 dB full-scale sine wave audio signal for 30 seconds. This signal was then analyzed using the APx585 multichannel audio analyzer shown in Figure 5. The speaker output distortion should be less than 1%.

Figure 5 : APx585 Audio Analyzer

According to Picture 5 we can see that the maximum output distortion is about 2.3%. Although the distortion rate is still slight, it still exceeds the 1% test criteria, which suggests that the manufacturer should lower the audio file gain ratio. This would reduce the output distortion at high volumes, for improved sound quality.

Figure 6 : Speaker Output Characteristic Test Result

Conclusion

To better serve the increasing customer demand for acoustic and audio testing, Allion Labs, Inc. is proud to announce the opening of its Anechoic Chamber at its Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) Branch. Accredited by EC-60268, ISO7779 and 3GPP TS26 132 (following ISO3744/3745), Allion’s Anechoic Chamber is equipped with a high-specification audio analyzer, high sensitivity microphone, preamplifier, and decibel meter. With this new test facility, we can now perform advanced acoustical analysis of appliances, devices, materials, and components.

The Anechoic Chamber’s interior diagonal length is 5 m and it can transform into qualified Half-Anechoic Chambers in just 30 minutes. It can measure sound pressure, acoustic power, and sound quality:

• Electro-Acoustic (e.g. frequency response, distortion, signal noise ratio)
• Acoustic Noise (e.g. fan noise, vibrating mechanism)
• Sound Pressure Level (e.g. maximum sound pressure, sensitivity)

As an expert in product validation, Allion continues to expand with its focus on providing comprehensive customer services. We specially built 13 shielding rooms to provide a large capacity of wireless test environment with low sources of interference. All shielding rooms are equipped with USB and RJ45 junction boxes that can operate independently and automatically control external interfaces to remotely monitor DUTs and test-related devices. To learn more about our new test facility and services, please contact us at service@allion.com.

Continue reading »]]> With the arrival of the "digital home era", people can set TV show broadcast schedules through the Internet and seamlessly link to places all over the world via mobile phones. Children can learn new things with tablets and play with interactive games. With the rise of the Internet of Things (IOT) and Cloud Services (and other new emerging network concepts and applications), network technology now supports high-speed multi-functional IOT devices that are pushing us out of the "digital home era," and into a new "smart home era."

The trend of "smart home" applications can be found from Apple HomeKit platform and the packages introduced by MI and other various smart home manufacturers. The average family only needs to own a versatile network control center to easily manipulate the surrounding digital household products. A mobile phone can then be used to setup (via APP) the security sensor system for doors and windows, to turn on a smoke or gas detector in the kitchen, to remotely control smart light schedule and brightness. All sorts of intuitive applications can be used to achieve greater energy efficiency, security, automated detection, and comprehensive control of the home.

In order to achieve and promote the new "smart home era", manufacturers must strictly control transmission performance, product function stability, and improve compatibility between IOT products. Therefore, to ensure quality performance, there is a need for professional testing validation and consulting services.

Allion Smart Home Testing Services

Allion has developed a set of customized authentication programs for smart home environments, covering three major smart home ecosystems-"Cloud Service/Data Exchange", "UI/APP" and "End User Device", which is expected to assist our customers in debugging and to provide advisory services in different stages of product development, and bring optimized user experience to the end-users as a result.

Figure 1: Allion Smart Home Ecosystem

Smart home quality verification services include Hardware Development Support, Software Apps Validation & User Experience Optimization, Cloud Service Validation, RF Signal & Interference Validation and Interoperability Testing.

In addition to the product quality certification described as above, Allion has studied the transmission technology field for many years and is also accredited as a certified laboratory by a number of International Standards and Technology Associations, authorized to execute Wi-Fi, DLNA, Bluetooth, G.hn and so forth.

Figure 2: International Standards Association Certification Marks

Allion is currently one of the only laboratories in the world that certifies all 18 Wi-Fi certification services (please refer to Figure 3: Allion comprehensive Wi-Fi certification services). At the same time, our dedicated Bluetooth laboratory and certified experts are also combined with Bluetooth and networking technology, to work on smart home test program. Allion, a key player in the field of home networking standards is the first HomeGrid Forum (G.hn) testing laboratory in Asia. Allion is now working closely with the Associations to promote G.hn technology, and is planning to launch standard certification services for power lines, coaxial cables, and telephone lines in June of this year.

Figure 3: Allion Comprehensive Wi-Fi Certification Services

Through many years of accumulated experience and technology, Allion has assisted countless clients successfully launch their new products to market. In this way, we have become trusted partners with well-known international customers. From this experience we have come to realize that in the real world, even products that pass existing standards may face problems, such as poor performance and these problems cannot be always be perfectly simulated and verified in the laboratory.

In the lab, precise execution of each test session, in terms of the product basic or functional levels, ensures that the products meet the specification and verification standards of the certification process. However there situations may arise that distort the results, either in terms of product interoperability or transmission performance. A laboratory is a controlled space and therefore less susceptible to outside interference; it therefore may not always correspond to the situation in a typical family living environment. In real life, wireless RF products are more susceptible to interference by other devices that reduce transmission speeds. Different use patterns, antenna setup angles, and wireless signal reflections may also indirectly influence product function.

In order to better simulate real life, Allion this year is building a new "smart home test environment" to simulate the general user mentality, habits, behavior patterns as a starting point. With this new test environment, Allion can now operate and verify the quality and performance of the product design and provide innovative customized services in accordance with different customers demand for products.

The New Smart Home Test Concept

Allions’ new "smart home test environment", located nearby our Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) Branch, is a typical apartment with three bedrooms, two living rooms, and two bathrooms. This apartment matches a typical dwelling for a small family of three, with a master bedroom, guest room, and a child’s room.

The new smart home test environment is furnished with basic home items such as a sofa, TV cabinets, beds, desks, wardrobes and so forth. We also purchased some common appliances and electronics, such as a television, wireless speakers, computers (desktop and laptop), wireless LED lights, and so on. We installed these devices in different compartments with powerline wireless extenders, one-in-three wireless phones, and a microwave in the kitchen to introduce interference from other electrical products in the 2.4GHz band (see Figure 4: Allion Smart home testing environment).

Figure 4: Allion Smart Home Test Environment

Our planned smart home test environment program is suitable for testing different products and test scenarios. Here are two examples that will give readers a better understanding of our new smart home testing service.

Case I: Tablet PC Usage and Link Effectiveness

Case II: Test G.hn Power Line Adaptor

In addition to the two test cases listed above, the test subject can be extended and applied over various products. For instance, Bluetooth manufacturers can test whether there is any interaction between Wi-Fi APs and Bluetooth remote controls or headsets. Additionally, manufacturers can verify whether or not wireless microphones affect LTE calls. In turn, mobile phone manufacturers can test the performance of different branded phones using an authentic test environment.

We firmly believe that with our new smart home test environment program, customers will be able to obtain better recommendations for their hardware, software, and user interface design. With this new test facility, Allion is ready to welcome the arrival of the imminent arrival of the Internet of Things. Allion has more than twenty years of experience in the electronic test services industry. We have leveraged our strength in standard certification and product quality analysis, to create this new smart home test environment. Herewith, we earnestly invite you to experience our excellent customer support and new innovative services!

Continue reading »]]> Smart phones, which have dominated the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for the last several years, will by some accounts, lose some of their luster this year, as there are no significant breakthrough technologies among the major manufacturers. Overall, smart phones should continue to gain market share, as there is no differentiation between product specifications. For CES 2015, the two hottest technologies were wearable and smart home devices. Allion Taiwan (Allion Labs, Inc.) is now focused on four future trends arising from these technologies, as described below:

1. Ubiquitous Sensor & Screen

In the future, anything can be monitored, recorded, shared and analyzed. Two interesting examples are food ingredient detection and brain activity tracking. Apart from the devices themselves, the associated user data will be a valuable commodity of trade between manufacturers and consumers. These new devices integrate new display concepts, such as smart mirrors, screen projection, and digital signage. These displays range in size from wrist watch size to home theater size and beyond. These technologies will also integrate more with existing technology, such as automobiles and entertainment systems. Using cloud servers to control every interface, the boundaries between devices will become increasingly blurred.

2. New Mobility

CES 2015 also introduced new breakthroughs in transportation technology. New lightweight personal travel options included electric scooters, electric unicycles, and even electronic shoes.

3. Smart Appliances

"Smart" and "networking" were two of the most important keywords at CES 2015. In the future, no matter where we go, sensors will track our progress and then transfer this information wirelessly. As someone returns home, a camera with integrated computer vision technology will detect the homeowner using facial recognition technology and then open the door automatically. Later, the user will be reminded to do exercises or watch their favorite TV program. Indeed, technology and human behavior will become even more tightly integrated. As these technologies proliferate, it will also change our thinking and behavior. In the future, our lives will become more cybernetic through the introduction of these Internet-powered gadgets.

4. User-Friendly Interfaces

Mice and keyboards were the dominant user interfaces during the PC era, but mobile and wearable devices have now introduced a more intuitive, gesture-based paradigm. Colorful smart watches, eye-tracking products (Tobii) and gesture-based products (Ring or Fitbit) are gradually taking over our lives. We have got the ceramic necklaces that beam notifications on your skin as an example of wearables which is becoming popular by morphing into potentially luxury fashion items. The smart t-shirt that collects user data is another example of technology integration into the very fabric of our lives. For these new smart, mobile devices, the quality of the user interface is a major factor influencing the consumer purchase decision.

At CES 2015, many manufacturers launched new smart home devices. The market research company IDC estimates that from 2013 to 2020, the annual compound growth rate for the smart home market will reach 17.7%, for a total market size of $51.8 billion by 2020. But although there are a number of innovative products on the market, consumers do not seem so keen to use their mobile phone to control light switches. Smart home technologies should conform to consumer habits and provide a more streamlined and intelligent user interface. When developing an integrated smart home system, many manufacturers ignore the fact that a family consists of more than one member. As a professional certification and consulting services institution, Allion offers comprehensive usage scenarios that simulate real-life situations, to help manufacturers prepare for device certification and product use.

Allion Promotes G.Hn Technology and Continua Technical Applications

As the first Accredited Test House (ATH) of the HomeGrid Forum (HGF) based in Asia, Allion joined forces with HGF to promote Gigabit home networking (G.hn) technology at CES 2015. For the first time ever, smart TVs and Wi-Fi routers with embedded G.hn were on display at CES. Other exciting demos featured multi-vendor interoperability within the three main G.hn system types (power lines, coaxial cables and telephone lines) and a large-scale network with multiple TVs running multiple high-definition videos over a G.hn power line.

"We are proud to cooperate with HGF to join this event. G.hn technology is a set of wired networking protocols allowing signal transmission over home power lines, coaxial cables, and telephone lines. G.hn possesses the advantages of easy arrangement of wires and does not rely on or interfere with existing home networking technology. Therefore, this year we can see many medium and large-scale telecom companies and service providers are interested in G.hn technology“; said Mark Lai, Global Technical VP of Allion.

Additionally, both our test laboratories in Taiwan and Japan, are officially accredited by Continua Health Alliance as Continua Test Labs, authorized to provide test certification programs and consulting services for personal connected healthcare devices, as part of the Continua Certification program. Continua is an international organization promoting health care and medical technology that aims to establish a better connected health care system to enhance the quality of personal health data management. In this way, they help the elderly and disabled persons live more independently, and enable personal health solutions and fitness tracking solutions.

Both our test laboratories in Taiwan and Japan have a Certified Expert – officially authorized by Continua (Continua Certification Expert) – dedicated to test certification and customer services. With this business relationship, Allion is very excited to bring its extensive experience serving the technology industry to support the healthcare sector. Our professional test laboratories provide comprehensive testing to fully satisfy the diverse certification needs of manufacturers in either sector. If you want to know more, please contact Allion at service@allion.com

Continue reading »]]> Over time, HDMI has become a dominant multimedia interface that can be found in home theater equipment, personal computers, automotive electronics, and many mobile devices. Previous iterations of HDMI conquered the consumer electronics market by squeezing HD video and Hi-Fi audio signals through a single cable. In anticipation of market demand for Ultra-High Definition (UHD) displays, which offer four times the resolution of HD video, HDMI Forum published the new HDMI 2.0 specification in September 2013. This was followed by the publication of the corresponding HDMI Compliance Test Specification 2.0 in April 2014. These developments have enabled television manufacturers to begin launching UHD TVs in the 2^nd half of 2014.

As the next iteration of HDMI technology, HDMI 2.0 offers significantly more bandwidth (~18 Gbps) to support UHD (2160p@50/60Hz) with 1080p/60 video resolution. HDMI 2.0 also supports up to 32 audio channels with a 1536 kHz audio sample frequency. Besides improving audio/video quality, HDMI 2.0 also enhances overall usability with full backwards-compatibility with earlier HDMI specifications, simultaneous transmission of dual-video streams, and multi-streaming audio to multiple users. On the more technical side, HDMI 2.0 offers CEC extensions for expanded command and control of consumer electronics devices, support for movie-theater-sized wide-angle 21:9 video aspect ratios, and dynamic synchronization of streaming media. Due to these revolutionary features, HDMI 2.0 can deliver exceptional multimedia entertainment experiences to consumers, both at home and on the go.

Table 1 : HDMI 2.0 versus HDMI 1.4

Since many of our customers have misgivings about HDMI 2.0 certification, Allion Labs, Inc. has taken the lead in assisting them. For instance, Allion recently worked with Toshiba and Pioneer to obtain HDMI 2.0 certification for their products. Taiwanese companies developing HDMI 2.0 compliant products have also benefitted from our recent hosting of the 2014 HDMI Plugfest in Taipei, which allowed manufactures to pre-test HDMI 2.0 products and thereby become familiar with the test procedures and constraints.

The 2014 HDMI Plugfest was attended by the President of HDMI Licensing, LLC., Mr. Steve Venuti and two representatives from Sony’s HDMI Authorized Test Laboratory (Mr. Kei Matsubayashi and Mr. Hiroyuki Funama). Many Taiwan based integrated circuit vendors and instrument manufacturers that are deploying HDMI 2.0 products were also in attendance. During the Plugfest, these companies could gain valuable experience and understanding related to the HDMI 2.0 certification process. The senior HDMI validation team provided on-the-spot Q&A and debugging services.

By hosting this event, we learned that the majority of HDMI 2.0 products in the development pipeline were sink devices rather than source devices. In general, most HDMI 2.0 source device vendors were from overseas. We also found that only IC components were 6 Gbps compatible and most of these products were in the research and development stage. Next year, some HDMI 2.0 source products should begin to emerge on the market.

The following paragraphs describe some typical product issues that we observed during the HDMI 2.0 Plugfest:

2. HDMI 2.0 Reception IC testing showed a 112 ps intra-pair signal delay, which can cause signal noise and a loss of video. HDMI 2.0 Transmission IC testing also yielded disappointing results with severe problems as observed in the Ultra-Pair Skew and Eye pattern below. These results suggest that manufacturers still have many HDMI 2.0 design challenges ahead.

Title: 6G Eye Diagram

During the Plugfest, Allion Cable and Connector Testing engineers provided HDMI cables from various companies for cable testing. By analyzing the results, we conclude that the different cables had a significant effect on the test results, especially with bandwidth and data transfer performance. This result emphasizes the importance of complete interoperability testing to make sure the end product does not encounter pairing failure or signal delays due to poor cabling.

“With the various benefits of HDMI 2.0, the greatest technological challenge of all will also be approached in the field of certification testing, particular in 18 Gbps throughput and 4K resolution, so that the reliability and stability of related functions and performance become extremely important,” said Kei Matsubayashi, the representative of SONY HDMI ATC.

As a Sony ATC for HDMI technology, Allion provides comprehensive HDMI 2.0/1.4b compliance and validation services for all four HDMI product types (sink, source, cable and repeater). Our quick and convenient test services enable customers to assess, improve, and validate their products. As a comprehensive certification provider, we also support MHL and HDCP test services for a variety of transmission interfaces. Besides validation testing, Allion also offers device interoperability and user experience analysis to achieve higher levels of product quality and customer satisfaction.

For further information about HDMI 2.0, please refer to the official website: http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdmi_2_0/index.aspx. If your company is seeking a reliable test services provider and quality partner, please go to http://www.allion.com.tw/hdmi.html or email us directly: service@allion.com.

Continue reading »]]> Wi-Fi Direct® is an IEEE 802.11 wireless network protocol that supports direct wireless connections between compatible devices. Wi-Fi Direct uses peer-to-peer connections to perform common networking tasks. With Wi-Fi Direct users can quickly and securely share, print, display, and sync files between linked devices.

According to ABI Research (Figure 1), 2013 shipments of Wi-Fi Direct devices reached 636 million. By 2018, ABI Research forecasts just under three billion Wi-Fi Direct device shipments, including 90% of tablets, 61% of mobile phones and 57% of smart TVs.

Figure 1

However, despite the increasing volume and variety of Wi-Fi Direct devices available on the market, there is a significant lack of standardization among these products. This causes problems for consumers who wish to use Wi-Fi Direct features, since the peer-to-peer services and user experience are different for each device. In response, the Wi-Fi Alliance has introduced a new peer-to-peer service structure featuring five enhanced Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct® services: Send, Play, Display, Print, and Enable. Figure 2 shows these five services supported by a new Applications Services Platform that supports new automated discovery and control functionality for more convenient Wi-Fi device interoperability. To ensure quality, devices that support Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct® services must pass certification.

Figure 2 – Peer-to-Peer Service Structure

The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct® services are as follows:

- Send: This service allows two or more devices to share files or other data with minimal user interaction.

- Play: This service uses DLNA protocols to establish a multimedia connection between source and sink devices.

- Display: This service uses Miracast® for device screen sharing.

- Print: This service prints documents with a single command sequence.

- Enable: Application developers can use this service to develop and deliver customized or advanced functionality.

Wi-Fi Direct Services Sessions

Wi-Fi Direct Service Sessions (see Figure 3) are sequenced events that depend upon the successful initiation of each preceding step in the sequence.

Figure 3 – Wi-Fi Direct Service Session

- Discovery: Wi-Fi Direct Services (WFDS) are first advertised using either probe or service discovery request/response frame exchange methods.

- P2P Connection: Once a device discovers a WFDS, the P2P connection procedures use provision request/response frames to form a P2P group.

- ASP Session: An Application Service Platform (ASP) session forms a logical link between ASPs running on devices through a P2P connection.

- Service Session: A service session forms a logical link between WFDS services running on different devices through an ASP session.

Wi-Fi Direct Services assign different device roles:

- Service Advertiser: A device that advertises a service (printer).

- Service Seeker: A device that seeks out services (print transmitter).

Acquisition Procedure of Wi-Fi Direct Services Validation

Wi-Fi Direct Services (WFDS) validation is currently voluntary, yet it is an important quality assurance step for any company promoting Wi-Fi compatible devices. This is especially true for Wi-Fi compatible devices that support multimedia content sharing such as TVs, smart phones, printers, tablets, or wearable devices. Since these are some of the most popular (and profitable) consumer devices on the market, it underscores the importance of improving Wi-Fi device interoperability through expanded WFDS validation.

Figure 4 – Wi-Fi Direct Service Validation

Before proceeding with Wi-Fi Direct Services validation, developers need to pass product certification for the following Wi-Fi standards (see Figure 4):

- Wi-Fi Certified for WPA2™ or 802.11n

- Wi-Fi Protected Setup 2.0

- Wi-Fi Direct

- Miracast (required for Wi-Fi Direct Display service)

Wi-Fi Direct Services Test Procedures

- Application Service Platform (ASP) Tests

These device tests verify that WFDS frames conform to the Wi-Fi standard. This requires detailed examination of Discovery, P2P Connection and ASP Session Management. These tests are required for every test device (DUT), no matter what Wi-Fi Direct services the DUT supports.

- Send Service Tests

These tests verify that the Discovery and P2P Connection steps meet the WFDS process specification requirements. This testing basically ensures that file transfers proceed quickly and completely.

- Play Service Tests

These tests analyze multimedia content sharing between source and sink devices. This sharing must meet the Wi-Fi Direct-Play service standards, which use the DLNA transfer protocols.

- Display Service Tests

These tests evaluate screen mirroring with Wi-Fi Direct-Display Service, which use the Miracast transfer protocols.

- Print Service Tests

These tests check device conformance with the Wi-Fi Direct-Print Service.

- Enable Service Tests

These tests verify the settings for Enable API and whether or not the column conforms to the standard. This ensures that the DUT meets the Wi-Fi Direct-Enable Service standard.

As these test procedures usually take at least two weeks to complete, excluding additional time for resolving inconsistent certification results and debugging problems, we suggest that companies reserve at least a month of lead time for WFDS testing. This will add flexibility to the test project schedule and reduce the risk of costly shipping delays while you wait for your product to clear Wi-Fi Direct Services certification testing.

Wi-Fi Direct Service Enables Ubiquitous P2P Networking

Allion continues to provide comprehensive product testing services and professional engineering solutions to its customers. WFDS validation is just the most recent addition to our wireless device testing services. Besides a full-range of Wi-Fi standards testing, we also offer product compliance services for other wired and wireless connectivity standards. Besides these basic testing services we also offer value-added consulting services to improve your product designs and user experience. For more information about any of our services, please contact us at service@allion.com.

Continue reading »]]> Last century, the Internet was new and data flowed over IP to connect the world. Due to limited bandwidth, only text-based email and primitive web surfing was initially available to consumers. As networking technology advanced, multimedia content delivery became more viable and as a result, the desire for bandwidth has steadily increased. At this point, most consumers now expect stable and convenient broadband Internet service, especially at home. Since high-bandwidth home Internet service is now a reality in most modern countries, the delivery bottleneck has now moved from the curb to the living room.

In parallel with the rise of the Internet, home entertainment options have proliferated and advanced. Over the past decade, the television industry has gradually moved from analog to digital content delivery. As a result, consumers now have instant access to an almost unlimited multiverse of multimedia content, in the form of on-demand and live programming. Simultaneously, the television itself has evolved from a bulky, power-hungry box into a sleek, slim, and more eco-efficient LCD display. New TVs support 4K UHD (Ultra-High-Resolution) and offer “Smart” Internet-enabled interfaces and applications, similar to those found on popular tablet devices. Home entertainment accessories such as DVD players, Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), Over-The-Top (OTT) boxes, and game consoles also compete for attention. Most of these new devices and technologies are either dependent on or enhanced by a broadband connection. Unfortunately, these same devices are often located far from a wireless hub or direct wired Ethernet connection.

As a result of all these technological developments, digital entertainment content delivery is now increasingly dependent upon the broadband Internet. Unfortunately, pre-existing paradigms of Internet service delivery have impeding broadband penetration rates and degraded the user experience. Historically, wireless home networks were relatively slow (MB/s) and suffered from inconsistent coverage. In contrast, wired connections were faster (GB/s) and more reliable. However, most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) chose wireless over wired in-home networking solutions due to the relative ease of installation and management of a single wireless hub. This imperfect situation may be resolved in the future through the adoption of new wired networking technologies that piggyback broadband signals over existing power, cable and telephone wires.

Three wired networking protocols compete for dominance in this new space: G.hn, HomePlug, and MoCA. A fourth protocol, HomePNA, also exists, but it is a more mature standard that is managed under the same umbrella as the G.hn protocol. The following discussion introduces G.hn networking technology. Many of its advantages also apply to competing protocols (i.e., HomePlug and MoCA), but we will not compare or contrast these other protocols here, in part for the sake of impartiality. Regardless of its advantage over preceding networking technologies, G.hn represents an emerging broadband networking solution that deserves attention in and of itself.

What is G.hn?

G.hn is an abbreviation of Gigabit Home Networking, a set of wired networking protocols, established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and managed by HGF (HomeGrid Forum). HGF unites more than 70 stakeholders, from international telecommunications providers, system vendors, to chip suppliers. The G.hn protocol allows signal transmission over home power lines, coaxial cables, telephone lines, and even plastic optical fiber for connection speeds up to 1 Gbps. G.hn represents a new home networking alternative. Like wireless technology, it extends Internet connectivity without the need for new wiring. Unlike wireless, it operates at must faster speeds. G.hn does not rely on or interfere with existing home networking technology and consumers do not need to replace existing devices. Due to these factors, G.hn seems to be the ultimate wired networking technology, achieving high performance over existing home wiring.

G.hn and HomePNA

In 2014, the HomeGrid Forum (HGF) attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. At this show, HGF successfully demonstrated two generations of home networking technologies, HomePNA and G.hn, delivering IPTV content simultaneously over the same wiring. Figure 1 如下 shows the poster from the CES booth that outlines the demonstration, while the text box below Figure 1 provides more details.

Figure 1: HGF Demonstration at 2014 CES

This demonstration proves that G.hn works well with other networking protocols. With HomePNA operating over coaxial cables and G.hn over power lines, each protocol can establish its own separate network without interference. Using G.hn power line networking to extend an existing HomePNA network, service providers could reduce installation costs involved with deploying new cables to rooms with no coaxial or telephone connections. ITU-T also developed G.cx, a G.hn based standard for coexistence with other power line technologies (e.g. IEEE 1901). It enables the shared use of power lines, where the networks take turns using the wire. While this is a less than optimal solution, it does offer an option to operators that wish to convert existing IEEE 1901 deployments to G.hn in phases.

Power line connections from the power plant cannot be interrupted between the inside and outside of a home, as electricity must be able to flow freely between the utility and the home residence. Power Line Communication (PLC) networks send signals outside the home that can interfere with other nearby PLC networks. In Asia this occurs frequently with PLC networks, mainly in high-density multi-dwelling unit (MDU) apartments found in major metropolitan areas. G.hn has well-defined algorithms and signaling mechanisms that enable G.hn networks to coexist with other PLC networks.

Standard G.hn features stable broadband signal transmission that coexists with other networks, requires no additional wiring, and conforming to environmental standards. In contrast, G.hn Lite is focused on home automation with a simplified transmission protocol that offers less complexity and lower power requirements. Using a power line transfer mode that operates in the 25 MHz bandwidth, G.hn Lite devices can operate on the same wire, regardless of the frequency range. Imagine, using your Smart TV remote to control lights or directly manage the house security system. These types of applications are possible with G.hn Lite.

                                                              Figure 2: G.hn-Lite Logo

G.hn Compliance and Interoperability (C&I) program

Products that pass G.hn logo verification ensure interoperability with other G.hn compatible devices. As the first Asian test house for G.hn certification and validation, Allion helps companies pass G.hn certification testing and gain product verification. Since G.hn testing is focused on chip design, compliance tests can be avoided by using pre-certified chipsets. This represents significant time and cost savings for developers. Smaller developers are always looking for ways to get products and services to market with lower overhead. G.hn certified systems enable these companies to move ahead relatively quickly, speeding their time to market. Allion provides the following test services for G.hn certification:

Compliance Testing: Silicon

Microchip testing is fundamental to confirm G.hn network compliance; this covers both basic network performance and higher logic calculations. Integrated circuit hardware is analyzed for network signal interruption under various conditions. Device software and firmware is also tested to confirm compliance with the associate standards and specifications.

Product Logo Certification Testing: Systems

The HGF has established prerequisite certification testing for system that incorporate G.hn certified silicon. The two main dimensions of system testing are interoperability and performance. G.hn test devices that pass interoperability testing will work with other certified G.hn devices. G.hn devices that pass the performance testing are certified to perform either at or above minimum acceptable networking standards.

G.hn Market Trends – Focus on Asia

At this point, there are 22 system companies developing G.hn compatible products that represent an impressive roll call of leading brands from all parts of the globe. The list includes Arris, Blu-Castle, CIG, D-link, Gemtek, Netwave, ST&T, Teleconnect, Ubiquoss, ZTE, and ZyXEL. Just as there are many system vendors, silicon is also available from several sources, including certified chipsets from Marvell and Sigma Designs, with chipsets from Metanoia, Xingtera and TangoTex in development, in addition to Triductor. The Industrial Technology Research Institute of Taiwan predicts that in the next four years, global equipment sales of G.hn products will reach up to US$6.67 billion, which means the demand for G.hn on the market is increasing.

This year, HGF is focused on Asia because it is poised for growth. First, Asia is the center of telecommunication equipment manufacturing. Second, progressive service providers, such as Chunghwa Telecom and China Telecom, are already deploying G.hn. In 2014, Chunghwa Telecom vigorously pushed out G.hn technology, with the launch of its high-speed broadband Internet service, offering speeds up to 300 Mbps to the home. G.hn has recently been promoted at the Shanghai Technical Forum (April 2014) and at Computex in Taipei (June 2014). At Computex, Comtrend announced the first G.hn verified system product. Marvel has also released the first G.hn verified silicon product, which includes MIMO for easy home network expansion.

G.hn seems to be the ultimate wired networking technology, achieving high performance over any existing home wiring. Although its applications are not limited to home entertainment, it seems ideally suited to bring broadband content from the curb to the living room. Whether or not it becomes the dominant standard for unified wired home networking, it is definitely a formidable technology for extending broadband networks within the home.

Continue reading »]]> As a leading global engineering validation and consulting company, Allion has already cultivated and built strong capabilities in the field of wireless device validation and testing. With the increasing penetration of the IEEE 802.11ac wireless standard across a wide range of electronic devices, increasing the overall availability and quality of compatible wireless access points (APs) is attracting more market attention.

Operating both as signal transmitting and relay stations, wireless APs play a central role when it comes to building out wireless local area network (WLAN) infrastructure. Wi-Fi usage scenarios such as the smart home, modern mobile office, in-vehicle infotainment, or wireless urban spaces all require a solid wireless infrastructure that delivers reliable and high-capacity throughput. The irony is that as wireless technology advances the level of service that consumers expect also rises accordingly.

In recent years, an increasing proportion of electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, digital cameras, and digital home entertainment systems include WLAN connectivity using Wi-Fi technology. Wi-Fi technology includes a range of WLAN standards including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac. The newest WLAN standard, 802.11ac, features increased data throughput and improved performance. The introduction of 802.11ac has also rejuvenated the wireless access point market, since its new specifications are not supported by older equipment. Wireless AP devices are now necessary at home, in the office and in public spaces since most electronic devices require wireless network support. Even if the simplicity and usability add greatly to wireless AP usage, the essential problems exist with poor qualities of signal coverage and unstable performance as with any wireless AP user experience in the marketplace.

A Preliminary Competitive Analysis of Three Wireless APs

One particularly effective wireless test methodology that Allion has developed involves a competitive analysis of wireless AP devices. This methodology involves a series of wireless device validation scopes and test items. In this report, we present sample test results for a competitive analysis of three wireless APs currently available on the market. The specifications for the three sample APs are presented in Table 1.

As shown in Table 2, the seven validation scopes are based on wireless AP usage scenarios and key success factors. Each validation scope includes one or more test items that involve a functional or comparative analysis of one key component of wireless performance. Using this methodology, Allion analyzes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and potential threats to wireless AP devices.

I. Conductive Throughput Test

One of the main issues for end users is wireless throughput. One way to measure wireless throughput is with conductive throughput testing. This test measures wireless throughput under ideal conditions and thereby delivers results that are more reflective of maximum possible throughput. Allion’s conductive throughput tests evaluate both raw throughput and signal stability. The first test method simulates different bandwidth channels to detect any instability in throughput over time. The second test method involves measuring path loss using signal attenuation as an analog for wireless range. Using these test methods (Throughput x Channels x Range), Allion can reliably determine the stability and throughput of any wireless AP.

In this case, conductive throughput testing was used to compare the performance of the three sample wireless APs (see Table 1). Figure 1 shows the results of testing with a 20 MHz channel bandwidth. Under this condition, AP3 has the best performance on channels 36 and 64, but on channel 128 its performance drops dramatically. AP2 also has consistently better performance than AP1 across all three channels for these tests.

Figure 2 shows the test results with the “Auto” channel bandwidth setting enabled. With this setting enabled, the wireless AP will search for the most suitable bandwidth to transfer the signal. Under this condition, AP1 once again has the worst performance on channels 36 and 64. Significantly, we found that the default channel bandwidth setting for AP1 is “Auto”. Since most users would not change this default setting, AP1 would likely have the worst throughput performance in actual use.

Due to the poor throughput performance of AP1, we focused especially on its test results. Figure 3 shows that AP1 throughput performance is best on channel 128 and worst on channel 36. In other words, end users should change the channel setting to 128 to experience the best throughput performance possible. However, if end users rely on default settings, the throughput performance will prove to be relatively unstable due to automatic channel switching. In this case, Allion would recommend that the manufacturer could improve AP1 throughput performance by modifying the “auto bandwidth transfer” setting in the device firmware.

II. Over The Air (OTA) Throughput Test

The Conductive Throughput Test is an excellent test, but it does have some limitations. For example, since the RF signal is sent directly from the test device to the test equipment, the wireless antennas are bypassed and therefore the test results are rather one-dimensional. By comparison, Over The Air (OTA) throughput tests are more accurate, since they measure the actual signal power sent and received from antennas in three dimensions. However, this method also has drawbacks, primarily its susceptibility to signal interference and reflections. Allion’s OTA throughput tests simulate multi-angle Line of Sight (LOS) to observe the signal distribution at different angles including 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°, 225°, 270° and 315°.

Figures 4 and 5 show typical OTA test results for the sample APs (see Table 1).

Figure 4 shows clearly that AP1 performs worse than AP2 and AP3 on channels 36 and 64. This result matches the Conductive Throughput test results presented in the previous section. As shown in Figure 5, when the channel bandwidth is set to “Auto”, AP1 performance is extremely poor on channels 36 and 64; and much worse in the 90° and 225° angles on channel 128. In this case, Allion would suggest that the antenna design and configuration issues need further work to improve performance, so that AP1 could be more stable in every direction and angle.

III. Association Capacity Test

The purpose of the Association Capacity Test is to ensure that a wireless AP can support its maximum client capacity and maintain throughput when multiple users connect simultaneously. In order to simulate real world conditions, we used a small office for our test setting. An Azimuth Systems test device was used to simulate a heavy wireless usage environment (most of the WLAN devices in the office are used via one wireless AP by hundreds of users at the same time, so we did not even try to over-raise the capacity limit), and to measure the performance of the sample APs.

The Association Capacity test results for the sample APs (see Table 3) show that AP1 and AP2 pass the test, but AP3 fails with only 36 users connected in 5GHz wireless mode. In other words, compared with AP1 and AP2, AP3 has the worst performance at this higher frequency.

IV. Overtime Stress Test

To test the performance of wireless APs under high traffic flow and multi-tasking conditions, the Overtime Stress Test is applied. With this test, Allion test engineers can observe data throughput and changes in excess capacity over a longer time period. This test evaluates the design and quality of wireless AP software and hardware.

As shown in Table 4 and Figure 6, the three sample APs exhibit similar overtime stress test performance. It is worth noting that although AP1 showed the worst performance on the conductive and OTA throughput results (see sections I and II), on this test, AP1 performed comparatively well. We speculate that its poor performance on those previous tests might be due to the AP1 antenna design, placement, or related component matching issues. The design of the AP1 base plate or related component matching issues might also have caused interference and thereby reduced throughput.

V. Extreme Temperature Test

To test the performance of wireless APs under extreme environmental conditions, the Extreme Temperature Test can expose test devices to both extreme cold (-50°C) and extreme heat (150°C) for up to 12 hours. Under these conditions, Allion engineers test device performance (data throughput) and design (structural integrity). Validating the safety and durability of the constituent components and the overall design is another important goal of this test.

The Extreme Temperature test results for the sample APs are shown in Table 5; while the temperatures and times shown in Table 5 are plotted in Figure 7. These test results show that the sample APs continued operating for the entire test period. Once again, AP1 showed the worse transmission performance (45 Mbps) compared with the test results for AP2 (86 Mbps) and AP3 (72 Mbps).

VI. Heat Map Test

The heat map test involves the collection and visualization of wireless AP location, maximum transmission speeds, signal strengths, and area coverage for a set period of time. Using this graphical method, our test engineers can more easily understand and compare the impact of changes in internal (wireless AP settings) and external (RF interference) conditions. For the sample AP heat maps (Figures 8 and 9 below), the color green represent areas of higher signal strength while the color yellow represents areas of lower signal strength.

In Figure 8 we can see that AP3 and AP2 had better signal quality than AP1. In fact, for the highest signal strength (bright green) AP1 only managed to cover roughly 25% of the area covered by its competition. In view of this poor performance, Allion proposed two possible solutions using our previous test experience. First, we proposed adding an absorber on the AP1 to reduce interference. Second, we proposed positioning the AP1 upside down to change the antenna orientation. As shown in Figure 9, implementing these two proposals significantly boosted the signal coverage. This suggests that the manufacturer of the AP1 should add shielding or an absorber to reduce noise interference. They should also redesign and calibrate the antenna position, to improve its transmission efficiency and coverage range.

VII. Streaming Media Performance Test

The Streaming Media Performance test simulates typical multimedia usage through video, audio and photo playback. The test is useful for investigating and resolving potential issues with multimedia quality that end users might experience, such as interrupted playback or signal interference. Table 6 shows that the sample APs can all play standard media streaming formats.

This test also includes thermal heat measurement of the printed circuit board and chipset components using an infrared imaging camera. The infrared images shown in Figure 10 were taken while the sample APs were playing streaming media. These images show that AP1 had the lowest core temperature (36.5 °C), AP2 was slightly hotter (40.6 °C), and that AP3 was much hotter (49.1 °C). In other words, AP1 has the best overheating protection mechanisms. However, taking into account all the test results, it is obvious that AP1 performs poorly in general. We can infer that the AP1 chipset is structurally sound, but the component configuration needs further RF validation and signal integrity testing to discover the root causes of its dysfunction.

Allion Labs – A Trusted Wireless Testing Service Provider

This report provides a simple preliminary competitive analysis of three generic wireless APs currently available on the market. Allion provides more detailed test data and advice to its clients. As the wireless industry continues to grow, we are committed to expanding our wireless testing services, to provide even more comprehensive and detailed validation testing for our clients around the world.

Remark: This article provides test results collected using our proprietary test methodologies and therefore further details will not be disclosed. If you are interested in hearing more about our wireless test services or you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact service@allion.com.