HomePlug Testing

Testing Services

Telecom Testing Wireless LAN & CCX RFID Testing HomePlug Testing WiMAX Testing

HomePlug Technology and Testing

The use of residential power line to facilitate in-home high speed networking is now a proven technology and is rapidly becoming a popular choice in many parts of the world. To promote widespread adoption of this technology and the required interoperability between devices from multiple vendors, the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, an industry standards body, has defined various standards as well as a Compliance and Interoperability test plan.

As with all new technologies, during the early stages of development and deployment, it is necessary for manufacturers to test compliance to standards and measure performance, such as whether the devices can handle the high data-rate and QoS requirements required for home networking. Polaris Networks with its proven expertise in test tool development and testing services is offering a comprehensive QA/Testing service to help manufacturers meet performance and interoperability goals required for successful deployment of HomePlug devices.

Polaris Networks has a long history of developing test tools and providing testing services to vendors in a number of technologies, such as ATCA/MicroTCA/AMC, WiMAX and RFID. These testing services range from Pre-certification Testing to customized QA/Testing services specific to client requirements. Polaris Networks provides Pre-Certification testing services to Cisco CCX Partners..

Why Use Polaris's Test Services

Polaris Networks has been actively involved in residential networking technologies, in particular with Powerline Networking, for a number of years and has a fully equipped test laboratory to handle testing of HomePlug devices. Other advantages include:

Expertise in HomePlug technology working with HomePlug silicon provider.
HomePlug Powerline Alliance development partner in developing the Tool set that will be used in Conformance & Interoperability testing.
Experience in various other pre-certification testing, including WiFi (Cisco CCX), RFID, WiMAX
Widely recognized expertise in Test & Measurement tools development and test methodology.

Test Bed Setup

HomePlug Testing Services from Polaris

Pre-Certification Testing Services

The goal of Pre-Certification testing is to reduce the time and cost of obtaining formal certification. This is achieved through the simple expedient of providing test results with a detailed analysis that will identify bugs and areas of non-compliance.

Extensive testing will be done to determine compliance with HomePlug Power line Alliance's Phase II Compliance & Interoperability (C&I) Test Plan for HomePlug AV devices.

Additionally, Polaris can also provide test coverage for legacy HomePlug 1.0 devices.

Pre-Certification

Saves time and money through early detection of non-compliance areas
Written report with a detailed analysis of test results
Consulting help available for ongoing support

System Verification and QA

QA/Testing services related to System verification is usually tailored to meet client requirements. In general, the following areas are covered:

Installation
Firmware Upgrade, both single device and "gang upgrades” of multiple devices
Configuration of security setting
Device Management and Configuration via various supported interfaces (e.g., proprietary desktop application, browser-based HTTP interface, SNMP, TR-069, etc)
Performance, including tests for throughput, latency, jitter and packet loss.
Quality of Service, including voice and video traffic testing
Various kinds of bridging or routing, including Ethernet / WiFi / USB, etc.
Microsoft WHQL testing for PCI cards.

System Verification Goals

Test basic two-node and multi-node performance in laboratory and field environments
Verify MAC Functions and Features
Test operation and performance of the interface modes provided by the IC
Test coexistence and interoperability with HomePlug 1.0 and Turbo
Verify operation of IC utility/diagnostics software
Test operation and performance in customer application scenarios
Present test criteria and results in a pass/fail checklist as well as a detailed test report

Customized QA/Testing Services

This is part of Polaris's generalized offering to manufacturers interested in outsourcing testing and QA functions in several technology areas, such as ATCA / MicroTCA / WiMAX, RFID, WiFi and HomePlug. The objective of this service is to save testing time and related costs for client companies.

The testing services offered range from one-time testing to meet a particular project goal to a full service support for all ongoing testing needs of a product development organization.

Polaris has a fully-equipped laboratory required for such testing activities. Polaris's team of test engineers is intimately familiar with industry standard test tools used in various technologies.

Customized HomePlug Testing

Fully equipped laboratory to handle testing of all aspects of HomePlug devices
Experienced Test Engineers, fully conversant with HomePlug Technology
Polaris involvement with HomePlug Alliance in Test & Interoperability
Proven expertise in conformance, interoperability testing and performance
measurement