Cable Simulation | Introducing the Cool Feature of ChargerLAB POWER-Z KM003C

The USB PD 3.1 protocol was officially released in May 2021, and it has been two years since then. There is now a wide variety of chargers available on the market that support this protocol. ChargerLAB previously conducted a survey on the top chargers recommended for the PD 3.1 standard, you can click here to take a look.

To cater to the demanding 240W EPR (Extended Power Range) standard, our cutting-edge tester, ChargerLAB POWER-Z KM003C, incorporates a comprehensive selection of four simulation options, including a faithful representation of a 50V 5A EPR cable. In this article, we will take this particular option as an example to elucidate the cable simulation feature of our tester. Furthermore, you can click here to learn more about the other three options and the "scan VOOC/MTK" feature.

First and foremost, it's important to note that when you don't select "be ready" at the charging protocol page, KM003C does not perform any simulation. It only receives PD data, so normal charging will not be affected. The cable simulation feature can be divided into the following three ways:

When the USB-C male plug is plugged into the charger, and the female receptacle is not in use, the male plug simulates a 50V 5A EPR cable, effectively functioning as a 50V 5A cable.

The captured protocol packet reveals a spec of 50V5A.

Then, when the USB-C male plug is plugged into the charger and the female receptacle is connected to another cable with an E-Marker chip (20V 5A), the simulation feature is not triggered, and the SOP1 data is provided by the cable directly.

The spec is now provided by this cable, at 20V 5A.

Finally, when the female receptacle is connected to the charger via this cable, and the USB-C male plug is not in use, no cable simulation occurs, and the SOP1 data is provided by the cable too.

Since there is no change of cable, the spec remains at 20V 5A.

Summary of ChargerLAB

In conclusion, by incorporating the cable emulation feature, testers can conveniently and efficiently simulate high-power charging scenarios by directly engaging the male plug. It provides a seamless and convenient solution for evaluating charging capabilities, ensuring a smoother user experience.