How to Test for HDMI Cable and Connector Compliance

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Testing HDMI cable and connector compliance with a network analyzer

Testing High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard cables requires taking a series of S-parameter and time domain measurements based on compliance test specifications. HDMI 2.1 cables and connectors support ultra-high-definition and transfer rates with increased bit rates of 48 Gbps. These higher rates introduce additional signal integrity challenges and stricter test requirements for compliance.

The main instrument required for HDMI cable and connector compliance testing is a vector network analyzer (VNA). The VNA characterizes the impact of HDMI cables on signal integrity between the transmitter and receiver. It can perform the S-parameter and time domain measurements, including differential insertion loss, far-end cross talk, differential impedance, common mode, mode conversion, and intra- and inter-pair skew. A VNA with four ports can measure each differential data lane, ensuring compliance with HDMI standards.

HDMI cable and connecter test solution

Validating HDMI cable and connector compliance requires frequency and time domain measurements based on HDMI 1.4b and 2.1 compliance test specifications. The Keysight HDMI cable and connector compliance solution consists of the E5080B ENA vector network analyzer with the S96011B enhanced time domain application. The solution enables complex compliance tests, analysis, and comparison against compliance limits to ensure interoperability. With four-port configurations, the ENA requires 15 reconnections to measure all four differential lanes. It completes the test in approximately 90 minutes.

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