Port control and reset functions

Defined port states and automated reset functions enable the controlled integration of USB devices into testing and testing processes. Configure and switch USB ports Defined port states Automated reset functions Reproducible device initialization in the test sequence

Current monitoring and protection functions

The USB hubs monitor connected devices and provide functions to secure operation. Current monitoring Overcurrent protection Clear status displays Quicker isolation of possible sources of error

Tool monitor and remote control

It is controlled via the included “Toolmonitor USB Hub” as part of the MCD TestSuite or via simple ASCII commands. Graphic user interface via Toolmonitor USB hub Control via ASCII commands Configuration, switching and monitoring of the ports Inclusion in automated test processes

System integration and external control

COM/DCOM and .NET assembly Command line tools and custom software Integration with MCD TestSuite, MCD TestManager, LabVIEW, Microsoft Visual Studio and Office applications External hardware signals via two control inputs for independent port or hub switching

MCD USB Hubs

SWITCHABLE HUBS WITH MAXIMUM CONTROL

Intelligent control of USB connections in inspection and testing systems

MCD USB hubs are designed for applications where USB devices not only need to be connected, but actively controlled. Each port can be turned on and off individually. When switching off, both the supply voltage and the data lines are disconnected. This allows connected devices to be specifically activated, deactivated or reset without physically plugging or unplugging cables. This is particularly valuable in automated test systems, endurance tests, laboratory setups and production test benches. Stuck USB devices can be restarted, unneeded consumers can be switched off and defined start states can be created for reproducible test sequences. Depending on the variant, the hubs support USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 standards, have six or eight downstream ports integrated and are used as external control inputs, for current measurement, for charging port functions and overcurrent shutdown as well as for the integration of additional switching functions.

Challenges and concept

USB devices are often central components of the measurement setup in inspection and testing systems. Cameras, scanners, sensors, actuators, programming devices, measurement modules, adapter electronics and communication interfaces must be reliably available and controllable.

Turn signals, cameras, heating and driver assistance systems.

Exterior mirrors

SWITCHABLE HUBS WITH MAXIMUM CONTROL

Added value through the MCD USB hubs

If USB devices do not start reliably, get stuck or consume power unnecessarily, the entire test process can be disrupted. MCD USB hubs create process reliability through defined port states, automated reset functions, current monitoring, overcurrent protection and clear status displays.

In combination with Toolmonitor and test software, USB devices become controlled components of the testing process. This allows test processes to be stabilized, operator intervention reduced, sources of errors to be narrowed down more quickly and systems to be operated more reproducibly - from the laboratory to the automated production line.

Port control

Defined and switchable USB port states

surveillance

Current monitoring, overcurrent protection & status indicators

integration

Tool monitor, ASCII commands & external control signals

A flexible end-of-line test bench

For this application, MCD developed a flexible end-of-line test bench that tests every variant in less than 30 seconds. The system combines optical, mechanical and electrical test methods in one integrated testing concept.

Product variants

More than 30

Cycle time per part

Cycle time per part

Under 30 s

Quality inspection before delivery

100 %

Product variants

More than 30

Cycle time per part

Cycle time per part

Under 30 s

Quality inspection before delivery

100 %

Test and functional scope

Controlled & integrable

The MCD USB hubs enable targeted control and monitoring of connected USB devices. Ports can be configured, switched and integrated into automated test processes; At the same time, monitoring and protection functions support stable operation.

Defined port states and automated reset functions enable the controlled integration of USB devices into testing and testing processes.

Configure and switch USB ports
Defined port states
Automated reset functions
Reproducible device initialization in the test sequence

The USB hubs monitor connected devices and provide functions to secure operation.

Current monitoring
Overcurrent protection
Clear status displays
Quicker isolation of possible sources of error

It is controlled via the included “Toolmonitor USB Hub” as part of the MCD TestSuite or via simple ASCII commands.

Graphic user interface via Toolmonitor USB hub
Control via ASCII commands
Configuration, switching and monitoring of the ports
Inclusion in automated test processes

COM/DCOM and .NET assembly
Command line tools and custom software
Integration with MCD TestSuite, MCD TestManager, LabVIEW, Microsoft Visual Studio and Office applications
External hardware signals via two control inputs for independent port or hub switching

Component image in the EOL test bench

Camera system in the EOL test bench

Multifunctional exterior mirror · illustrative image

A look inside the MCD test solution

Variant-specific test logic

The test bench checks all functions present in the exterior mirror:

Mirror Settings

Camera systems inspect lighting functions and mirror positions, while actuators, folding mechanisms and electrical functions are tested automatically.

Adjustment and folding functions

Mirror heating

Electrochromic dimming glass

Lighting Functions

A camera system captures lighting functions, symbols and mirror position.

Turn signal

Lane change assist

Surround lighting

Camera Function

Different equipment features are detected automatically and tested accordingly.

Camera function

Country-specific variants

What’s missing matters, too.

Negative testing ensures that equipment features which are not installed cannot be activated. It also verifies that missing features remain unavailable.

Flexible use in different test setups

Configurations can be saved and called up again for each project. This makes the USB hubs suitable for individual workstations as well as for complex testing systems with multiple hubs, multiple test items or changing test setups.

Test procedures and concepts used

The MCD USB hubs combine controlled port management, power monitoring and protection functions with open software and system integration. This allows connected USB devices to be incorporated into reproducible test sequences in a targeted way.

Port and device control

Defined port states

Automated switching and resetting of USB devices

Configuration and monitoring of individual ports

External control independent of the PC/host

Monitoring and process safety

Power monitoring of connected USB devices

Overcurrent protection

Clear status indicators

Reduction of manual operator intervention

Software and system integration

USB Hub tool monitor within the MCD TestSuite

Remote control via ASCII commands and software interfaces

Project-specific storable configurations

Integration into individual workstations and complex test systems

Functional and quality assessment

The wide range of exterior mirror variants presents a particular challenge. Different equipment features are detected automatically and tested accordingly.

Testing Complex Equipment Variants

Reliable Detection of Failure Patterns

Reproducible Results

Optical inspections

A camera system captures lighting functions, symbols and mirror position.

Camera-Based Detection of Lighting Functions

Analysis of Mirror Positions

Inspection of the Mirror Glass

Mechanical and electrical tests

Actuators and folding mechanisms are tested mechanically, while angular positions are determined and voltage and current consumption are measured.

Actuator Motion Testing

Folding Function Angle Measurement

Motor Current Draw

Functional and quality assessment

The wide range of exterior mirror variants presents a particular challenge. Different equipment features are detected automatically and tested accordingly.

Testing Complex Equipment Variants

Reliable Detection of Failure Patterns

Reproducible Results

Challenges and concept

In inspection and test systems, USB devices are often central components of the measurement setup: cameras, scanners, sensors, actuators, programming devices, measurement modules, adapter electronics or communication interfaces. If these devices do not start reliably, get stuck or use unnecessary power, the entire test process can be disrupted.

MCD USB hubs create process reliability here. They enable defined port states, automated reset functions, power monitoring, overcurrent protection and clear status displays. In combination with Toolmonitor and test software, USB devices become controlled components of the testing process.

This allows test processes to be stabilized, operator intervention reduced, sources of errors to be narrowed down more quickly and systems to be operated more reproducibly – from the laboratory to the automated production line.

Test and functional scope

The MCD USB hubs are controlled via the included “Toolmonitor USB hub” as part of the “MCD TestSuite” or via simple ASCII commands. This means that ports can be conveniently configured, switched, monitored and integrated into automated test processes.

The tool monitor serves as a graphical user interface and at the same time as an interface to higher-level applications. The hubs can be integrated into MCD TestSuite, MCD TestManager, LabVIEW, Microsoft Visual Studio, Office applications or other test environments via COM/DCOM, .NET assembly, command line tools or customer-specific software.

Configurations can be saved and called up again for a project if necessary. This makes the USB hubs suitable for individual workstations as well as for complex testing systems with multiple hubs, multiple test items or changing test setups. With USB hubs, the two control inputs (often referred to as parallel control inputs or ext. control) are used to switch the individual USB ports or the hub independently of the PC/host via external hardware signals.

Test procedures and concepts used

Hardware variants for different test environments

The MCD USB hubs are available in several versions and can therefore be adapted to different requirements in the laboratory, development and production.

USB-Hub 3.0 8-Port, schaltbar

Acht einzeln schaltbare USB-3.0-Ports für schnelle Datenübertragung und anspruchsvolle Testsysteme. Zusätzlich verfügt die Variante über einen 8-kanaligen Relaismultiplexer für separate Schaltaufgaben.

USB-Hub 2.0 8-Port, schaltbar

Acht einzeln schaltbare USB-2.0-Ports für robuste Prüfstands- und Produktionsanwendungen. Geeignet für Anwendungen mit mehreren USB-Geräten, die gezielt geschaltet, überwacht oder zurückgesetzt werden müssen.

USB-Hub 3.0 6-Port, 2 Steuereingänge, schaltbar

Sechs einzeln schaltbare USB-3.0-Ports mit hoher Datenrate und zusätzlicher Steueroption. Die Variante eignet sich für schnelle Mess- und Testaufbauten, bei denen Ports softwareseitig oder über externe Signale geschaltet werden sollen.

USB-Hub 2.0 6-Port, 2 Steuereingänge, schaltbar

Kompakte USB-2.0-Variante mit sechs Ports und zusätzlichen Steuereingängen. Ideal für automatisierte Prüfplätze, Adapterlösungen oder Systeme, bei denen externe Signale einzelne Ports steuern sollen.

USB-Hub 2.0 6-Port, schaltbar

Kompakte Basisvariante mit sechs einzeln schaltbaren USB-2.0-Ports. Geeignet für einfache Steuerungsaufgaben, Laboranwendungen und Testsysteme, bei denen USB-Geräte gezielt ein- und ausgeschaltet werden müssen.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQS

A switchable USB hub is a USB distributor in which individual ports can be specifically switched on and off. With the MCD USB hubs, depending on the variant, both the supply voltage and the data lines of a port are separated. This allows USB devices to be activated, deactivated or reset in a controlled manner, thereby saving hardware and power consumption.

MCD USB hubs are used in test benches, laboratory setups, functional testers, end-of-line test systems, automated test systems and endurance test systems. They enable the controlled control, monitoring and coordination of USB devices such as cameras, scanners, measurement modules, programming devices, sensors or adapter electronics, while standard USB hubs usually only distribute data and power.

MCD offers switchable USB hubs with USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 standards and with six or eight ports. There are also variants with two external control inputs or with an integrated relay multiplexer for additional switching tasks. The USB hubs can also be used under Linux. The control takes place via a virtual serial interface with simple text commands.

USB 3.0 variants offer a significantly higher data rate and are suitable for fast data transfers, for example for cameras, measurement data or data-intensive test processes. USB 2.0 variants are robust solutions for applications where control, reset function and power supply are more important than maximum data rate.

The Toolmonitor USB Hub is a software tool from the MCD TestSuite for controlling and configuring the MCD USB hubs. It allows switching individual ports, saving configurations and remote control by other applications. In addition, connected devices can be monitored and errors detected using the current measurement function of the tool monitor. This makes the USB hub an active diagnostic element in the testing process.