This week, Allion Japan announced with Tektronix, Inc. that they will implement Tektronix test and measurement solutions supporting HDMI 1.4a and SuperSpeed USB in their certification test services. As one of the first compliance test labs to conduct certification testing for HDMI 1.4a and USB 3.0 in one facility, this is an exciting development for Allion.

Read the complete announcement.

CeBIT 2010, the world’s largest annual technology showcase, set the tech world abuzz this year with exciting new technology on every table. Now that CeBIT has come to an end, here’s a look at some of the new technologies and trends we saw at the Hannover, Germany trade show:

SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0). Continuing to build on the momentum of its unveiling just over a year ago, the USB Implementers Forum announced that 50 SuperSpeed USB products – including notebooks, motherboards, storage controllers and external storage devices – have passed compliance and certification testing.

SSDs. Several new SSDs were unveiled at CeBIT, including Corsair’s new SandForce SF-1200 chip. With 280 Mbps read and 260 Mbps write speeds, it features one of the fastest controllers on the market. Plextor has also entered the SSD market, releasing its flagship 2.5” solid state drives. And not to be outdone, Patriot created an extravagant PC using 40 SSDs, capable of ripping a Blu-ray in under a second.

333 Motherboards. Motherboard manufacturers are combining the latest technologies to unleash unprecedented performance. GigaByte introduced its 333 Onboard Acceleration motherboards, featuring USB 3.0, 3x USB power boost and SATA 3.0. ASROCK also introduced its line of True 333 Onboard Motherboards, all of which include USB 3.0, SATA 3.0 and eSATA, which reaches data transfer rates of up to 3 Gbps.

Overall, CeBIT 2010 was an exciting show that highlighted the enormous steps taking place in consumer technology. USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0 continue to be adopted at lightning pace, and there seems to be no end in sight to applications for these new data transfer technologies. Needless to say, we can’t wait to see which new technologies will be showcased next year.

Learn More:

• SSD Poised to Become Drive of Choice in 2010
• DisplayPort and USB 3.0 Named Among Top Technologies of 2010

Earlier this quarter, Maximum PC compiled a list of top technologies in 2010. We think this list is worth sharing as it gives some insight into where the industry is headed which will influence the test, validation and certification ecosystem. Several technologies we regularly cover on the Blog including USB, PCI, SATA and DisplayPort are listed. We think this is a good indication that many emerging technologies are poised to make a big splash both within the industry and with consumers next year.

Maximum PC’s full list of top 2010 technologies includes:

• Intel Core i7 chip going mainstream – Intel’s new series of CPUs are affordable yet appealing to power users
• AMD Orochi chip – the next generation chip can be built on the 32nm processor, rather than the current 45 mn process. This processor will feature more than four cores, over 8 MB of L3 cache and a DDR3 integrated memory controller.
• PCI Express 3.0 – significantly increases bandwidth and efficiency over the existing PCIe 2.0.
• Graphics - graphics chips from industry leaders such as NVIDIA and AMD will be fast and functional
• Storage - hard drives will continue to become more spacious, fast and affordable
  • As we mentioned earlier this month, SATA Revision 3.0 (SATA 6 Gb/s) will give SSDs the throughput they need to optimize speed.
• Mobile Broadband – WiMAX is a 4G solution for handheld devices and notebooks and will help bring broadband to rural area. Another 4G technology is LTE (long term evolution), an IP-based, low latency network with bandwidth 2-3x what WiMAX offers.
• SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) - up to 10x faster than USB 2.0, backward compatible with Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) and optimized for power. Need we say more? We’re looking forward to testing SuperSpeed products as adoption becomes widespread.
• DisplayPort – this digital display connection has been gaining momentum and will continue to grow in 2010. It is a DVI replacement and is significant as the connector is small and easy to use. DisplayPort provides more data per wire than DVI, and supports HDCP content protection. Allion is the leading independent test lab accredited by VESA for DisplayPort testing and plans to continue DisplayPort compliance and logo program testing as adoption for the standard expands next year.
• Multi-touch – From gaming systems to computers to handheld devices, advanced touch technology will continue to be sought after in 2010.
• Multiscreen – AMD has a high-end graphics card that can support up to six DisplayPort connectors. In a California test lab, each connector was attached to a 30-inch display, and the six monitors were configured as a single monitor.

While the list is extensive it is certainly not exhaustive, so which technologies do you think will generate the most buzz in 2010? Let us know in the comments.

In an age of continual computing evolution, users often take for granted the usability and durability of their computers and devices. If a consumer drops a cell phone, they anticipate it will survive the fall. If a laptop is left in a sweltering car all day, it’s expected to continue to function properly. Increasingly electronic devices are utilized in environments not normally conducive to the sustained operation of electronic gadgetry: police duty, on the construction job site, combat environments, at sea and in climatic extremes of hot and cold. The sector of devices designed to deal with these extremes is referred to as ruggedized devices.

From cell phones, to GPS devices and laptops the sector is growing as users demand uncompromised performance from their devices in any condition. The delivery of uncompromised performance cannot be left to chance. There are many device tests used to push products to the limit, testing their sustained usability and durability.

Independent test labs like Allion can test computers and devices during the development stage to ensure they’ll operate appropriately, even in the harshest conditions. You can check out some of the ruggedized testing performed at Allion Test Labs in the Panasonic Toughbook video.

One common test is a temperature test that can simulate extreme climates and determine if devices continue to function in brutally hot, cold or wet environments. A static compression test can also be performed to determine a product’s response to extreme compression – an everyday example might be stepping on a device or accidentally driving over it.

Specific equipment allows labs to test battery life and simulate dropping devices from a variety of heights. Drop tests entail lifting the product to pre-determined heights and then releasing the product to hit the ground. If a product consistently functions properly after such a fall, it can be certified at a specific drop level. Common failures in a drop test range from display screens, hard disk drives, or the failure of a devices housing. All failures provide designers with valuable insights that they can use to further reinforce the device from impact.

Device testing enables consumers and those tasked with purchasing rugged devices a set of common specifications to review and ensure the device they intend to purchase will stand-up to even the worst abuse in the field. As future generations of ruggedized electronic devices appear in the market, durability should improve to meet customer demand for go-anywhere electronics.

For those of you new to device testing, here’s a look into product testing at a third party testing facility.

Device testing ensures the quality and interoperability of a product. In order for devices to achieve certification from a company or standards organization, the device must pass compliance tests, which ensure it will work properly with other certified products.

Nearly all companies require conforming a product to stated specifications and protocols to ensure functionality and compatibility with products from other manufacturers. Test procedures are developed in partnership with standards organizations (such as Bluetooth SIG, USB Implementers Forum and Wi-Fi Alliance) and the industry leaders who guide enabling technology.

Device test labs offer test and measurement and can benefit developers throughout each product stage. Using a third party test lab offers neutrality, cutting-edge testing methods and the ability to observe and address trending problems. Testing labs provide valuable feedback to product developers and standards organizations. Using a third party test lab is often a cost effective test solution – developing an in-house test lab calls for expensive equipment that requires frequent updating and a dedicated staff proficient in device testing.

After a device reaches all benchmarks and passes all checkpoints, certification can be established. Working with a trusted test lab throughout product development ensures quality testing and moves the product along through the development cycle.

Testing guidelines and certification programs rarely come handed down by a single company.  Most compliance testing is the product of standards organizations that create test specifications and logo certification guidelines to ensure accuracy and fairness for all product developers.  These standards organizations are major drivers of product certification.

A standards compliance group consists of at least two individuals, companies or organizations who come together to advance a technology.  Unlike proprietary solutions where control lies in the hands of a single owner, standards groups strive for technology advancements and interoperability to benefit all participating companies and ultimately, consumers.

Competing organizations come together for a variety of reasons, from creating guidelines to developing specifications, often addressing the needs of consumers. Standards groups face challenges, and conflicting viewpoints and opinions among group members that can hinder an organization. In order for the standards group to be successful, the group’s efforts must be in the best interest of the technology ecosystem as a whole.  The benefits and challenges of standards groups are very succinctly discussed in “Standards Matter: The Battle for Interoperability Goes On,” an article published earlier this year.

Once a company within a standards group begins product development, the product is usually tested to ensure that it has implemented the features necessary to comply with the group’s specification or guidelines. Typically, upon achieving certification, the product can bear the group’s logo.

Testing against these standards are conducted in-house, at independent test labs or at testing events hosted by standards organizations (plugfests).  Most logo programs require testing be completed at a third-party test lab or at a sponsored event.  Testing with a lab ensures developers as well as consumers that privacy, accuracy and honesty were held up in the process of allowing a product bear an assurance logo.

View the standards compliance test programs Allion manages.

With increased demand for Apple/Mac compatible devices, compatibility testing for products connected to Mac systems has never been more important. To help developers verify interoperability of devices early in the product development cycle, Allion has a full line of Mac computers and Mac OS versions available for third-party software and hardware application testing.

After successfully testing for compatibility, there are several options you can use to promote your Mac compatible device.

• Compatible with Mac OS X Logo
• Compatibility Certificate
• Interoperability Directory

Products that have been verified as compatible with all Mac systems are able to use the “Compatible with Mac OS X” logo, signaling to consumers that they can expect a quality product that is fully functional with their Mac. The logo ensures that the product has gone through rigorous testing in an independent, third-party test lab. Products that pass the compatibility tests in independent labs will be issued a pass certificate as a third-party claim for product interoperability and quality. Products that pass Allion interoperable testing have the right to be listed in the Allion Direct Web site, which provides verified product information for end users.

NEC Electronics introduced the first SuperSpeed USB host controller at the SuperSpeed USB Developers Conference in Tokyo this week. The host controller, designed for PCs and digital devices, is the first product built according to the new version of the SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) standard. Under the new spec, SuperSpeed USB is capable of reaching speeds 10 times faster than Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0). With its high data rate transfer speeds, the host control extends the boundaries for PCs, digital TVs and DVD recorders.

The benefits of SuperSpeed USB are many:

• Backward compatible with previous generations of USB
• High transfer speeds offer compatibility with today’s high-performance computer interfaces including PCI Express® and Serial ATA (SATA).
• New energy efficient features

Samples of the first host controller from NEC (part number µPD720200) are anticipated to be available in June of this year. Additional information can be found at http://www.necel.com/usb/en/index.html.

No timeline for when a USB 3.0 test specification will be available has been given but hopefully we will see movement on that front soon since products look to be on the horizon.  Our Allion techs have been following USB’s evolution since the beginning and are looking forward to certifying SuperSpeed USB products when its time.

Product localization involves adapting a product so it can perform under the conditions of a specific region, often by adjusting locale-specific components of the product. Underestimating or failing to invest in product localization/localization testing results in stagnant sales, retail returns, and diminished brand preference by consumers when entering new markets. By utilizing localization testing and ensuring a product will function properly in a specific locale, a manufacturer can aggressively look to increase sales and access additional markets.

Allion Test Labs makes localization or your products easy by offering localization development support, and testing, via our worldwide network of test facilities, conditions, and environments.  Working closely with you, Allion develops and administers a centralized testing plan specific to your product and the specifications of the locale or region you are targeting for growth.

Our localization testing service ensures that your product can meet the target market’s quality and environmental requirements. Testers thoroughly inspect each test device, generate a product specific test plan, and then create a testing environment which seamlessly matches the local attributes of any regional market. Allion testing locations include:

There are many universal elements in product development.  Partnering with Allion helps you extend those universal elements and reach new markets by achieving the standards of additional locales and by verifying successful product localization.

Collecting, storing and sharing health information online are all made possible with Microsoft HealthVault, a health application platform, set of platform services and catalyst for creating a health application ecosystem. The HealthVault platform provides a private and secure foundation that can be used to transfer and store information among health devices.

Allion has been approved as an Independent Test Lab (ITL) for the ‘Works with HealthVault’ logo program and can now certify HealthVault compatible devices. Allion’s participation in the program will help support the process and grow the ecosystem.

The HealthVault logo program enables consumers to identify devices that are compatible with Health Vault, enhancing confidence in using the Health Vault platform and also the quality of user experience with the devices. More information on the logo program is available at http://www.healthvault.com/devicelogo/.

Current HealthVault enabled devices include fitness watches, pedometers, pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, peak flow meters and weight/body composition scales. Manufacturers wanting their devices to connect to a PC and upload data to HealthVault must develop a driver compatible with HealthVault Connection Center (HVCC), an application that runs on the PC and manages data exchange between devices and HealthVault.

HealthVault users control the record they create, determine the content that goes into the record and decide who it is shared with. Anyone can create a free HealthVault account using Hotmail, MSN, Passport or Windows Live.

More about the HealthVault Certification program