Type-C Tracker ™

Protocol and Electrical Analysis Tool

for USB Type-C Standards

Compact ▪ Comprehensive ▪ Precise

Sales Contact:
USA: +1 866 724 9185
Asia: +852 2272 2626 [email protected] www.ellisys.com/ctr1
Europe: +41 22 777 77 89
Ellisys Type-C Tracker™ Ellisys Type-C Tracker™
Protocol and Electrical Analysis Tool for USB Type-C Standards Protocol and Electrical Analysis Tool for USB Type-C Standards

All-in-one, super-portable, multi-protocol Type-C analyzer with voltage tracking, Powerful Ellisys Features
integrated logic analysis, and Alternate Mode support.
■
All-in-One: Concurrent and tightly synchronized capture of USB Power Delivery protocol, Type-C
voltage tracking (Vconn, Vbus, SBU, CC and EPR), USB 2.0, Thunderbolt™/USB4™ sidebands
Overview Voltage State Tracking (SBU) control protocols, and DisplayPort™ auxiliary (AUX) signaling over the Type-C SBU lines,
Pocket-sized and bus-powered, the Ellisys Type-C Tracker Tracking Type-C electrical signaling is crucial to under- alternate mode support for DisplayPort, HDMI, and Thunderbolt, and capture and decoding of
delivers comprehensive support for a multitude of pro- stand state machine behaviors. Timings and voltage lev- Serial Wire Debug (SWD) protocol, UART, Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), I2C vendor-specific
tocols and electrical signaling that operate over the USB els of the various Type-C signaling and power lines have
protocols, and Type-C Port Controller Interface traffic over I2C.
Type-C connection standard. specific meanings and purposes. When not properly im-
plemented, they can wreak havoc with an implementa-
Detailed decoding of packets, transactions, and other com- tion. Additionally, it is important to precisely relate these
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Bus-Powered: Just attach to your computer’s USB port and go, no bricks to carry around.
munications is provided in a flexible and easy to under- voltage values and states to protocol events for perfor-
stand manner over the field-proven and ubiquitous Ellisys mance characterizations and debug exercises. The Type-C ■
Super Portability: Pocket-sized at 63.5 x 63.5 x 12 mm (2.5” x 2.5” x 0.47”).
software application. The Tracker provides a variety of Tracker application provides accurate monitoring of Vbus,
error detections, precision timing tools, and performance Vconn, SBU_A, SBU_B, and CC in the Instant Timing view,
measurement tools. Designed with ease-of-use in mind, associated with any captured logic signals and protocol
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Real-Time Display: Visualize captured traffic in real time with the efficiency of 5th generation
the Type-C Tracker is the ideal companion for a wide vari- packets and events. Ellisys protocol analysis software.
ety of tasks associated with Type-C product development.
Alt Modes, Sideband Protocols, ■
Precision Timing: Understand timing issues quickly with highly accurate timing
Protocol Analysis and USB4 Mode characterizations of all captured protocols, electricals, and logic signals.
Captured protocols and voltages, along with captured logic USB Power Delivery protocol provides a wide array of
signals, are presented to the user real-time by the Ellisys mechanisms to negotiate power, and can also be used
■
Professional Software: Use the acclaimed, widely adopted and highly flexible Ellisys multi-
application software. An assortment of displays provides as a sideband channel for standard and vendor-defined protocol analysis software.
an intuitive understanding of traffic, protocol sequences, messages. Additionally, Power Delivery provides meth-
performance criteria, error conditions, electrical charac- ods to discover, enter, and exit alternate modes, identified
teristics, timing details, standard/class decoding, protocol
■
Secure Cloud Access: Quickly and easily exchange captures and bookmarks with colleagues
by a unique identifier (SVID) and defined by vendors or
decoding, and more. standards bodies outside of the scope of the USB Imple- using the built-in secure cloud feature.
menters Forum (USB-IF). USB4 mode commands sup-
The physical capture of supported communications is ported under Power Delivery protocol are also supported. ■
Detailed Protocol Decoding: All elements from the latest specifications to the fields bits and
accomplished using latest-generation hardware cap- The Type-C Tracker supports capture and decoding of Alt
bytes.
ture technology to non-intrusively tap and reliably pass Mode entry, discovery, and exit protocols as well as Alt
through supported protocols while passively passing giga- Mode commands. Additionally, the Tracker supports sev-
bit traffic. eral Alt Mode protocols that are conveyed over the Type-C
■
Integrated Logic Analysis: Visualize digital signals such as GPIOs, interrupts, debug ports,
sideband lines (SBU_A and SBU_B), including DisplayPort etc., concurrently and perfectly synchronized with all other captured traffic.
Auxiliary (AUX) traffic and UART control for Thunderbolt 3
Integrated Logic Analysis and USB4. ■
Free Maintenance: Free lifetime software updates as well as free fully-featured viewer
The integrated logic analysis provides developers
software.
with efficient and convenient visualization of exter- Type-C Port Controller and I2C
nal digital signals (such as discrete outputs of FPGA/
Located between a Type-C Port Manager (TCPM) and a ■
Field Upgradeability: Type-C Tracker analyzers are field upgradeable to allow the addition of
ASIC) in synchronization with all other captured traf-
Type-C Port Controller (TCPC), the Type-C Port Controller
fic. Captured GPIOs can be grouped into buses and
Interface (TCPCI) is a standardized connection between
features (i.e., to advance from one Edition to another).
given user-defined names for easy identification.
I2C devices. The Type-C Tracker captures and decodes

“
TCPCI traffic over the Logic GPIO connection, and can be
Precision Timing Characterization configured to capture other vendor-specific I2C protocols
(multiple such protocols, concurrently).
All protocol traffic, logic signals, and voltages of Type-C I was involved in the effort associated with the original USB compliance program and
signaling and power lines (CC, Vconn, SBU_A, SBU_B, and have seen USB grow to become what many people believe to be the most successful
UART, SPI, and SWD Protocols
Vbus) are tracked using the Instant Timing view. These
events are perfectly synchronized with each other and
with the Overview windows. Precision timing measure-
ments can be made between any events within the Timing
view to precisely characterize timings. Throughput and
The Type-C Tracker supports capture of UART, Serial Pe-
ripheral Interface (SPI), and Serial Wire Debug (SWD)
protocols over its logic connection interface. Traffic cap-
tured is displayed in tight synchronization with all oth-
communications standard ever, said Kosta Koeman, senior software engineer at CK
Software Consulting. We’ve seen a lot of changes and growth with USB over the years,
but the USB Type-C specification changes the game immensely as it draws in other
technologies previously unrelated to USB. This ubiquity creates challenges in testing
and validation. The Ellisys Type-C Tracker clearly meets these challenges with a unique,
“
statistical information is also provided. Events selected in er traffic captured by the analyzer. Detailed decoding is smartly designed approach and will be a key asset for any developer working on Type-C.
the Overviews are highlighted and aligned to the Instant provided and each protocol is displayed chronologically in
Timing view. dedicated Overview windows.
Ellisys Type-C Tracker™
Protocol and Electrical Analysis Tool for Type-C Communications Standards

Timing, Logic Analysis,

Protocol-Specific Overviews Detailed Decoding and Voltage Tracking

Query-Based Instant Filters Up to 16 External Logic Signals

Ellisys Type-C Tracker™ Ellisys Type-C Tracker™
Protocol and Electrical Analysis Tool for USB Type-C Standards Protocol and Electrical Analysis Tool for USB Type-C Standards

Protocol-Specific Overviews Multi-Protocol Support

The Overviews are the main display window, and each Having one tool to manage several protocols and electri-
protocol is provided an its own Overview. Packets, cal states over USB Type-C is economical and provides
transactions, transfers, and other events are displayed the user with time-saving approaches to debug and val-
chronologically from top to bottom in a very flexible idation exercises. The protocols supported by the Track-
format. These windows are highly configurable with er can be captured concurrently and visualized in real
columns and content that are fully controlled by the time with precise timings. The flexibility of the Ellisys
user. Instant Filters are provided for standard or user- software suite allows the user an unlimited number of
added columns to create an efficient work environment options to present information, based on the require-
by reduce the need to search or scroll through unneeded ments of the task at hand.
information.

Overviews can be stacked, placed side by side, or hidden as needed to create ideal working conditions and enhance Typical Setups Control Computer
visual understandings of Type-C traffic of various types. Smart approaches to the display of packets and transactional
Type-C Communications and Voltages
groupings are provided and are designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of high- and low-level debug and
validation tasks. Products under test (PUTs) are connected to the Type-C receptacles on the front Control
and Upload
panel of the Tracker, with a Control Computer connected to the Tracker for power
and application control. All supported traffic is captured and upload-
Precision Timing Analysis ed real-time to the Control Computer. Gigabit signaling is passed
Analyzer

through the analyzer. Conveniently, the Tracker’s capture engine will

The Instant Timing view is another Ellisys innovation,
automatically determine which Type-C Communications Channel (CC)
popular with our users across all our product platforms.
pin is being used for USB Power Delivery com-
All packets and other protocol events captured by the
munications and which pin is being used for
Tracker are presented in this view with tight precision
Vconn. Various protocols operating over the
and with precise synchronization to other views, to oth-
Type-C Sideband Use (SBU) lines are also
er protocols or logic signals, and to USB Power Delivery Concurrent capture of PD,
captured, in addition to USB 2.0 traffic. A USB 2.0, DP, TB, Vbus,
and Type-C voltage states. A variety of manual timing Test Vcon, CC and SBUs
r
special cable (not shown) is supplied to man- t Unde Product Under Test
cursors and fly-over indications are provided. Produc
age proper signal routing.
External logic signals can be captured over the Logic/
GPIO connection and displayed in discrete formats and in grouped bus formats, in synchronization with all other Logic Signals, TCPCI/I2C, and Other Serial Protocols
events captured. Bus throughput information is also provided to assist with characterizations of data transfer issues. The Logic connection can be used to capture logic Control Comput
er

/general purpose IO signals and several protocols, such

as I2C, UART, SWD, and SPI. This traffic is displayed in
Detailed Decoding Define connections in
Recording Options menu.
various windows throughout the Tracker software ap-
Flying Leads
Protocol traffic captured by the Tracker is smartly de- plication, including protocol-specific Overviews and the Logic Probe
coded to a progression of levels, from fields to bytes, Instant Timing view, for various protocol analyses and Analyzer

to raw data. Overview selections are displayed in the precision timing-related characterizations. All Logic
Details view, broken down by fields and values defined Connection traffic and signaling can be captured concurrently
by the pertinent specification. Selections in the Details and in precise synchronization with all
view are highlighted in the Raw Data view, which pro- other Logic Connection inputs as well
vides options for binary, ASCII, hex and octal views. as all captured front-panel Type-C traf-
A variety of export formats are provided for each of fic (CC, SBU, and USB 2.0), including
these displays. Fields in the Details view can be insert- voltage states. Logic signals captured
ed into the corresponding Overview to define a precise can be grouped into user-named buses
r Test
working environment for the task at hand. for added convenience. Product Unde
Produ
ct Und
er Tes
t
Ellisys Type-C Tracker™
Protocol and Electrical Analysis Tool for USB Type-C Standards

Technical Specifications
Connectors LED Indicators USB 2.0 Capabilities
■ Link under test (2): USB Type-C ■ Activity and control indicators ■ Support of LS (1.5 Mbps), FS (12 Mbps),
■ Control connection: USB Type-C ■ USB connection statuses and HS (480 Mbps)
■ Logic: 16 general purpose inputs/outputs ■ Operating statuses
■ Device class support
with configurable level and threshold ■ Standard descriptors support
■ Sync (2): USB Micro A-B (reserved for Analyzer General Capabilities ■ Automatic speed detection
future use)
■ Concurrent, synchronized capture of all ■ Precise tracking of line states
■ Power: Bus-powered via control connection supported protocols, electrical signaling,
(5 V ±10%)
■ Non-intrusive probing
and logic signals ■ Timing resolution of 16.7 ns
■ Multiple-unit synchronization capability
Supported Protocols ■ Hardware filtering of NAK transactions
(future)
USB Power Delivery 2.0 and 3.1
■ Payload truncation filtering
■ ■ Real-time display of captured traffic
USB Power Delivery Vendor-Defined Messages
■ Data payload throughput tracking
■ ■ Hardware filtering for select protocols
USB Type-C voltage states
■ Packet and transaction error detection
■ ■ Display filters
and display
■ USB 2.0 ■ Bookmark placement and import/export
■ DisplayPort alternate mode ■ Advanced query-based text filtering Electrical Capture Capabilities
■ DisplayPort 2.0 auxiliary (AUX) signaling ■ Secure cloud upload/download of saved files
over SBU
■ Measurement and synchronized tracking of
■ Customizable overview columns Vbus, SBU_A, SBU_B, CC and Vconn
■ Thunderbolt / USB4 sideband ■ Real-time user message-log injection ■ Automatic detection of Type-C orientation
■ HDMI Alt Mode, DDC, CEC ■ Bus powered operations ■ Support for Extended Power Range (EPR)
■ TCPCI (Type-C Port Controller Interface)
■ I2C (Inter Integrated-Circuits) Logic Capabilities Enclosure
■ UART (Universal Asynchronous RX/RX) ■ 16 inputs (max 3.6V) ■ 63.5 x 63.5 x 12 mm (2.5” x 2.5” x 0.47’’)
■ SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) ■ Configurable level and threshold ■ 70 g (0.15 lbs)
■ SWD (Serial Wire Debug) ■ Timing resolution of 400 ns, accuracy 5 ns
■ Bandwidth of 50 MHZ Maintenance and Licensing
Timing
■ Free lifetime updates – no maintenance fees
■ Timing resolution of 5 ns USB Power Delivery Capabilities ■ Free full-featured viewer application – easily
■ Relative and time-of-day (UTC and local) share annotated traces between computers
■ Non-intrusive probing
timestamps with 1 ns precision and colleagues
■ Custom Type-C analysis cable for Vconn
■ Zero-reference timestamp placement monitoring ■ Use Ellisys hardware on any computer,
■ Click/drag timing cursors no additional licenses needed
■ Packet and transaction error detection and
■ Packet, frame, and preamble display
duration tracking Product Warranty
■ Synchronized timing between packets and
■ Bit-rate tracking all USB Type-C voltages ■ 1-year limited hardware warranty for
■ Vendor–defined message support Standard editions, 2-years for Pro edition
Supported Operational Modes ■ Detailed field/byte/bit decoding of alternate
■ Direct operation via GUI mode commands, PD traffic, VDMs Minimum Requirements
■ Remote API automation operation ■ Windows 7 and later, 32 or 64 bits
■ 1280 x 1024 display resolution
■ USB 2.0 EHCI host controller

Ordering Information Editions

Std Std Std Std
Description Code Features DP HDMI TB TCPC
Pro

Ellisys Type-C Tracker Analyzer - Standard Edition - DP CTR1-A- USB Power Delivery x x x x x
(Standard features plus DisplayPort Support, 1-year warranty) STD-DP
Voltage Tracking for CC, Vconn, SBU, Vbus x x x x x
Ellisys Type-C Tracker Analyzer - Standard Edition - TB CTR1-A-
(Standard features plus Thunderbolt / USB4 Alt Mode and Sideband support,
STD-TB
USB 2.0 x x x x x
1-year warranty)
Logic/GPIO Signals
x x x x x
Ellisys Type-C Tracker Analyzer - Standard Edition - TCPC CTR1-A-
(Standard features plus Type-C Port Controller and I2C Support, 1-year warranty) STD-TCPC DisplayPort AUX and Alt Mode x x
Ellisys Type-C Tracker Analyzer - Standard Edition - HDMI CTR1-A- HDMI DDC, CEC, and Alt Mode x x
(Standard features plus HDMI Alt Mode Support, 1-year warranty) STD-HDMI
Thunderbolt / USB4 Sideband and Alt Mode x x
Ellisys Type-C Tracker Analyzer - Pro Edition (Includes all features CTR1-A-
of all Standard Editions plus SPI, UART and SWD capture, 2-years warranty) PRO USB Type-C Port Controller (TCPCI) and I2C x x
Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) x
UART x
updated 032023 x
Serial Wire Debug (SWD)

Warranty 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 2 years

Copyright© 2021 Ellisys. All rights reserved. Ellisys, the Ellisys logo, Better Analysis, and Type-C Tracker are trademarks of Ellisys, and may be registered
in some jurisdictions. USB4™ and USB Type-C® are trademarks of USB Implementers Forum. Thunderbolt™ is a trademark of Intel Corporation. Dis-
playPort™ trademark is owned by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA®) in the United States and other countries. All products or services
mentioned in this manual are covered by trademarks, service marks, or product names as designated by the companies who market those products.
Ellisys reserves the right to change the specifications without notice. Information in this publication is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either
express or implied. Pictures in this publication are for illustration only; actual products may differ.