Revolutionizing Traditional Protocol Validation

In this blog, we delve into the intricacies of the traditional validation process and uncover challenges that engineers face. We’ll also explore how PVS, with its powerful features, offers an effective solution.  

The growing complexity of digital devices has made protocol validation and compliance testing essential to ensure reliability and interoperability. Validation engineers need to guarantee that these devices meet industry standards and operate flawlessly under various conditions. However, traditional validation processes, which rely more on validation engineers and labor-intensive equipment setups, struggle to keep pace with the demands of modern technology.   

Breaking Down the Traditional Protocol Validation

Traditional protocol validation is performed by validation engineers who manually design specific tests, configure test environments, and measure various parameters of the device under test (DUT). They evaluate the DUT using in-house validation tools or specialized protocol exercisers.  

Let’s break down the steps and understand how protocol validation is typically conducted:  

• Design: The validation engineer must first analyze and comprehend the protocol specifications. Using these specifications, they would then identify and set up the hardware and software as per test requirements.   

• Develop the Validation Program: Validation engineers develop the measurement code tailored to the unique protocol requirements using protocol exercisers, analyzers, or oscilloscopes.  

The design and development phases become the foundation for the entire workflow.   

• Configure the Environment: For comprehensive testing, engineers simulate real-world operating conditions by subjecting the DUT to various parameters such as temperature, pressure, and humidity.  

• Test Execution: Engineers execute the compliance tests to measure parameters like spikes, glitches, bus timing, and voltage levels for each DUT and record the data. This ensures that the DUT meets compliance standards under different conditions.   

• Iterative Testing Across Parameters: Once the validation is done for a specific parameter, the validation engineer repeats the process across multiple relevant parameters, manually or through semi-automated sequences, to cover the full spectrum of conditions the device might encounter in the field.  

• Measure the Results: Critical measurements, such as rise time, fall time, voltage, and frequency, are recorded manually using instruments like oscilloscopes.  

Why Is Traditional Validation No Longer Enough?  

Traditional validation processes, though straightforward in theory, can burden validation engineers either with the process or with test equipment. 

• Increased Time and Effort: Building a test setup to cover most of the tests can take several weeks or months to complete, stretching timelines and affecting product release schedules.  

• Complex Debugging and Error Resolution: Engineers must sift through extensive logs to pinpoint issues, frequently re-run tests, and record errors. This cycle can lead to burnout and delays, slowing the entire product development cycle.  

• Higher Chance of Errors and Inefficiencies: Engineers must traverse oscilloscopes and record the measurements manually. This process of manual measurement can be error-prone and introduce inconsistencies in the validation process.   
• Increased Workload Due to Automation Gaps: While some steps are semi-automated, others require custom API development and extensive integration work. Engineers often spend more time programming and managing execution than actively focusing on validation. 

The tools used in conventional validation have limitations that can further challenge the validation engineer and constrain testing capabilities.  

• Limited Specification Coverage: Benchtop instruments, such as protocol analyzers and debuggers, are generally limited to basic functional tests. They may fall short of comprehensive parametric validation, particularly in electrical and timing aspects, making it difficult to validate the device thoroughly.  

• Challenges with Automation and Reliability: Many benchtop tools lack integration capabilities for seamless software test automation. This makes reproducing results with the reliability required for protocol compliance challenging.  

When basic bench tools fall short, validation engineers may turn to Automated Test Equipment (ATE) for more in-depth testing. However, ATEs require significant technical expertise to set up and operate, adding considerable cost and effort to the validation process. This setup involves creating protocol-specific design patterns and requires skilled analysis to interpret results.  

This level of complexity and equipment dependency underscores the need for a more streamlined and efficient solution. One that allows engineers to achieve full protocol validation without extensive manual effort, software development, or costly equipment.  

Redefining Protocol Validation 

Soliton’s Protocol Validation Suite (PVS) directly addresses the pain points of traditional processes by providing a comprehensive, automated solution that simplifies workflows and enhances test accuracy. 

It offers a turnkey alternative to traditional setups, which are time-consuming and error-prone. Its simplified hardware configuration eliminates the need for costly and complex setups, ensuring precise compliance testing across a wide range of protocols. Debugging also becomes streamlined with automated parameter sweeping and rapid test case reproduction. Unlike traditional equipment that lacks automation, PVS integrates seamlessly with programming environments, making it adaptable and scalable—all while accelerating validation cycles and reducing engineer workload. 

Additional Features of PVS that Tackle Traditional Validation Challenges 

• Advanced Parameter Control: Skew bus timing parameters, sweep voltage levels, induce communication bus faults, and measure bus timing parameters with precision.
• Comprehensive Compliance Testing: Easily conduct glitch recovery, communication error checks, and test edge cases beyond basic functional validation.
• Template-Ready Validation Tests: Pre-loaded test templates for quick setup and reliable starting points.
• Automated Reporting: Generate compliance reports automatically, eliminating manual logging and ensuring complete documentation.
• Wide Protocol Support: Supports a growing list of protocols, including MIPI I3C^®, I2C, MIPI SPMI^℠, MIPI RFFE^℠, SPI, and more.

Minimal Hardware, Maximum Compatibility  

Given the extensive features, one might assume it requires a resource-intensive and complex setup. However, contrary to that thought and unlike traditional setups, Soliton’s Protocol Validation Suite is designed for simplicity and efficiency with a streamlined hardware and software configuration: 

• NI Digital Pattern Instrument (PXIe 657x) for precise pattern generation and measurement.   

• Soliton PVS Interposer Board for signal conditioning, designed to integrate with standard validation benches.   

• Oscilloscope for additional measurement precision where needed.   

• PVS Software that is compatible with Windows 10 for broad applicability.   

This simplified setup supports multiple protocols, eliminating the need for redundant hardware and costly setups, allowing engineers to focus on testing rather than setup. 

A Simpler Validation Workflow with Protocol Validation Suite   

With a minimalistic setup and a plethora of features, PVS transforms the daunting task of traditional protocol validation. Instead of a complex series of setups and adjustments, validation engineers can now:   

• Install and set up the PVS hardware in under an hour with minimal downtime and a hassle-free start.  

• Onboard the PVS software with comprehensive user documentation and resources within just 3–4 hours.  

• Efficiently set up test configurations and scripts required for validating the DUT with the out-of-the-box features.   

• Execute the tests with the click of a button and generate compliance reports seamlessly.   

• Analyze results and ensure compliance thoroughly with the Report Viewer.  

Your Out-of-the-Box Solutions for Protocol Validation Requirements

In an era where faster time-to-market and meeting rigorous protocol standards are essential, Protocol Validation Suite offers a complete solution that adapts as validation needs grow. Whether you’re releasing top-tier chips or optimizing protocols, PVS empowers engineers to work efficiently, stay productive, and remain focused on innovation.  

Written by

Saravanakumar Muthusamy, Arundhathy S, and Adam Jayahar B

December 20, 2024