Keysight Revolutionizes USB Design with Enhanced Support for USB4® Standards in System Designer
In a groundbreaking move to address the growing demands of high-speed digital design, Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) has announced the launch of System Designer for USB, a cutting-edge solution tailored for designing and simulating systems compliant with the latest USB standards. This innovative platform supports the most advanced USB specifications, including USB4® Gen2, Gen3, and Gen4, empowering engineers to meet the rigorous requirements of modern personal computers, mobile devices, and edge AI applications. With its smart design environment and simulation-driven compliance testing capabilities, Keysight’s System Designer for USB is set to transform the way designers approach USB system development.
Meeting the Challenges of High-Speed Data Transfer
As technology advances, the demand for faster and more reliable data transfer continues to grow. Personal computers, mobile devices, and emerging edge AI applications rely heavily on seamless communication between USB interfaces to handle increasingly large volumes of data. To address this need, the industry has introduced the USB4® specification, which delivers speeds of up to 120Gbps using three-level pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM3)—all within the familiar USB-C® connector. These advancements enable faster data transfers while maintaining backward compatibility with existing USB standards.
However, ensuring compliance with these complex standards presents significant challenges for designers. Non-compliance can lead to costly design re-spins, extended time-to-market, and reduced product performance. Keysight’s System Designer for USB addresses these pain points by providing a comprehensive, system-level design and validation environment that streamlines workflows and minimizes risks.
Key Features and Benefits of System Designer for USB
The System Designer for USB offers a suite of powerful tools designed to enhance productivity, accuracy, and efficiency in USB system design. Here are some of its standout features:
- Smart Design Environment for Complex USB Systems
The platform simplifies the setup of intricate USB configurations, including multi-link, multi-lane, and multi-level (PAM3) systems. By automating many of the manual tasks associated with simulation setup, it reduces time-to-first-insight and accelerates the design process. - USB Algorithmic Modeling Interface (AMI) Modeler
Supporting both Non-Return to Zero (NRZ) and PAM3 modulations, the AMI modeler allows designers to implement rapid and efficient USB systems. This feature ensures accurate modeling and simulation of signal integrity, enabling designers to identify and resolve potential issues early in the development cycle. - Integrated Simulation-Driven Compliance Testing
One of the most significant advantages of System Designer for USB is its ability to integrate simulation with virtual compliance testing. This approach helps reduce design iterations, lower costs, and shorten time-to-market by ensuring compliance with USB4® standards before physical prototyping begins. - Comprehensive System-Level Validation
By enabling system-level validation, the platform ensures that all components of a USB design work together seamlessly. This holistic approach minimizes the risk of integration issues and ensures optimal performance across the entire system.
A Game-Changer for High-Speed Digital Design
Hee-Soo Lee, High-Speed Digital Segment Lead at Keysight EDA, emphasized the importance of this new solution: “We continue to expand our standards-driven workflow approach to support our customers. Our high-speed digital product portfolio is leading the EDA industry with the most accurate and advanced simulation software for signal integrity analysis and compliance test validation. Digital standards are critical to the performance of electronic systems. Designers using our System Designer for USB simulation solutions in their workflows can shift left their development cycle to save significant time and cost.”
By adopting Keysight’s System Designer for USB, designers can adopt a “shift-left” methodology, addressing potential issues earlier in the design process. This proactive approach not only saves time and resources but also enhances the overall quality and reliability of the final product.
Why System Designer for USB Matters in Today’s Market
The introduction of System Designer for USB comes at a pivotal moment in the evolution of high-speed digital design. As industries such as computing, telecommunications, and consumer electronics push the boundaries of innovation, the need for robust, high-performance USB solutions has never been greater. Factors such as increasing data transfer demands, the rise of edge AI applications, and the proliferation of connected devices underscore the importance of reliable and efficient USB interfaces.
Keysight’s System Designer for USB addresses these needs by offering:
- Support for the Latest Standards: With full support for USB4® Gen2, Gen3, and Gen4, the platform ensures compatibility with the most advanced technologies.
- Reduced Development Costs: By minimizing design iterations and eliminating costly re-spins, the solution helps companies optimize their budgets.
- Faster Time-to-Market: Streamlined workflows and integrated compliance testing enable designers to bring products to market more quickly.
- Future-Proof Design: The platform’s flexibility ensures that designs remain adaptable to evolving USB standards and industry requirements.
Empowering Designers to Innovate with Confidence
For designers working on high-speed digital systems, achieving compliance with USB standards is just one piece of the puzzle. Ensuring signal integrity, optimizing performance, and reducing development risks are equally critical. Keysight’s System Designer for USB provides a unified platform that addresses all these challenges, enabling designers to focus on innovation rather than troubleshooting.
By combining advanced simulation tools, compliance testing, and a user-friendly interface, the platform empowers engineers to create cutting-edge USB systems with confidence. Whether developing next-generation laptops, smartphones, or edge AI devices, designers can rely on Keysight’s expertise to deliver superior results.
