PD FAFT

PD FAFT is another set of firmware tests (FAFT), which targets testing USB-C and PD (Power Delivery) functionalities.

Overview {#overview}

The USB-C and PD stack is complex that involves multiple hardware/firmware:

  • TCPM (USB Type-C Port Manager), integrated in EC, using Chrome EC firmware
  • TCPC (USB Type-C Port Controller), usually using proprietary firmware, in the form of
    • dedicated chip, like ANX74xx, PS8xxx,
    • integrated in EC, like IT83xx, or
    • integrated in PMIC, like MT6370.

The USB-C path also has other functions, like:

  • DisplayPort, which shares the SuperSpeed lanes and the SBU channel;
  • CCD, which shares the SBU channel and has special CC terminations.

Many USB-C bugs are mysterious or flaky, like CCD not being detected, USB Ethernet connection being lost, or external monitors not showing up, etc. This kind of issue blocks BIOS/EC FAFT running. Some bugs may be even more serious that brick the hardware, negotiating a wrong voltage/current.

PD FAFT was proposed to uncover any regression on the PD stack in an automated way.

PD FAFT requires hardware to emulate the PD port partner, e.g. a PD-capable power adapter, a USB-C hub, a USB-C debug accessory, a USB-C protocol converter, a USB-C monitor, etc. The first version of PD FAFT uses Plankton as PDTester. The latest version uses ServoV4 as PDTester.

Test details {#test-details}

The PD FAFT tests are located in the Autotest tree as directories, usually with the prefix firmware_PD.

firmware_PDConnect, checks:

  • Ability to disconnect, then reconnect establishing a successful PD contract
  • If PD Dual role mode is operational in the DUT

firmware_PDPowerSwap, checks:

  • If the DUT advertises support for dualrole operation
  • If the DUT can receive power swap requests
  • If the DUT can initiate power swap requests

firmware_PDDataSwap, checks:

  • If the DUT advertises support for data role swaps
  • If the DUT can receive data swap requests
  • If the DUT can initiate data swap requests

firmware_PDResetHard, checks:

  • Ability of DUT to initiate hard resets
  • Ability of DUT to receive hard resets
  • If DUT is dualrole capable, hard resets are done with the DUT in each power role

firmware_PDResetSoft, checks:

  • Ability of DUT to initiate soft resets
  • Ability of DUT to receive soft reset requests from Plankton
  • If DUT is dualrole capable, soft resets are done with the DUT in each power role

firmware_PDTrySrc, checks:

  • If the DUT advertises support for dualrole and Try.SRC operation
  • A series of disconnects/connects with Try.SRC on
  • A series of disconnects/connects with Try.SRC off
  • Try.SRC on the DUT connects in SRC mode

firmware_PDVbusRequest, checks:

  • Ability to initiate a new PD contract with different VBUS value, according to the attached charger capability, like 5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V, etc.
  • Receiving Source Capability messages from PDTester
  • If PD Dual role mode is operational in the DUT

The above tests may have multiple subtests, the same test body but different prerequisite.

.flip subtest, checks

  • If DUT passes the same test on the flipped plug direction, which is implemented by electrically flipping the CC signals on PDTester

.dts subtest, checks

  • If DUT passes the same test on a USB-C debug accessory
  • No behavior difference between the normal scenarios and the CCD scenarios (it is important as BIOS/EC FAFT uses the CCD setup)

How to run PD FAFT {#how-to-run-pd-faft}

Hardware setup, check this ServoV4 Type-C with servo micro setup.

Software setup, check this Running Tests instructions.

Known issues {#known-issues}

TCPMv2 {#tcpmv2}

PD FAFT by far only supports testing DUT using TCPMv1. Porting to TCPMv2 is in progress.

Multiple USB-C ports {#multiple-usb-c-ports}

Due to the hardware limitation, that PDTester (ServoV4) only supports testing one DUT-facing USB-C port at a time. If a DUT has two USB-C ports, you have to run PD FAFT twice -- once for each port under test.