Thunderbolt 3 Fundamentals

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Thunderbolt 3 Fundamentals

Instructor(s): Jay Trodden
Number of Modules: 13
Subscription Length: 90 days

Course Price
$295.00



Thunderbolt 3 Fundamentals

What's Included?

Thunderbolt eLearning modules
(unlimited access for 90 days)
PDF of Course Slides
(yours to keep, does not expire)

Benefits of eLearning:

  • Access to the Instructor - Ask questions to the MindShare Instructor that taught the course
  • Cost Effective - Get the same information delivered in a live MindShare class at a fraction of the cost
  • Available 24/7 - MindShare eLearning courses are available when and where you need them
  • Learn at Your Pace - MindShare eLearning courses are self-paced, so you can proceed when you're ready

Who Should View?

This course is designed with hardware, software and validation engineers in mind. System board and computer designers will benefit too. Major features of Thunderbolt (Type-C) connections and power delivery are described.

Course Outline:

  • Module 1: Course Introduction
    - Introduction to MindShare and discusses course outline
  • Module 2: Thunderbolt Background
    - Motivation for Thunderbolt vs other protocols (e.g. USB 3.1), embedded protocols, introduction of USB-C interface, Thunderbolt 3 controller (host vs device), cables
  • Module 3: Thunderbolt 3 Host Examples
    - Walk through of MacBook Pro 15" and 13" examples, desktop system with Alpine Ridge controller
  • Module 4: Thunderbolt 3 Device Examples
    - Examples of Thunderbolt 3 docks and internal architecture, Direct Attached Storage (DAS), SSD, external GPU, dual display port adapter
  • Module 5: Alpine Ridge Internal Logic
    - Host side view, internal PCIe switch, xHCI host controller, NHI/DMA function, Thunderbolt 3 switch, various attachments (Thunderbolt, USB, DisplayPort), device side view
  • Module 6: Alpine Ridge PCI Space
    - Motivation for PCI configuration space, PCI topology background, PCIe topology, MindShare Arbor example of actual system looking at PCI config space
  • Module 7a: Alpine Ridge Interrupts
    - Introduction to interrupts on x86 platforms, interrupt sources, intro to MSI (Message Signaled Interrupt)
  • Module 7b: Alpine Ridge Interrupts
    - Interrupt routing to Local APIC(s), MSI packet routing info, compatibility format vs remapping format, purpose of interrupt remapping
  • Module 7c: Alpine Ridge Interrupts
    - Setting up MSI at device, introduction to MSI-X, Arbor exercise related to interrupt setup, Thunderbolt 3 controller MSI setup
  • Module 8: Thunderbolt 3 USB-C Port
    - Big picture of USB-C, port elements, specifications involved, port receptacle, signal groups, legacy USB 2.0 signals, high speed signals, Sideband Use (SBU) signals, power, Configuration Channel (CC), plug orientation
  • Module 9: Cable Basics
    - Cross-section of cable described, cable transfer speeds, electronically marked cables, active vs passive cables, cable length, Power Delivery (PD) messages, determining capabilities of cable
  • Module 10: Port Controller and Power Delivery
    - Functional blocks of port controller, configuration basics, CC detection, resolving plug orientation, determining default Vbus current
  • Module 11: Thunderbolt 3 Alternate Mode Entry
    - Power Delivery (PD) messages and the CC signal, control and data messages, message framing, message fields, alternate mode device discovery, alternate mode entry, alternate mode exit
Course Modules
ModuleLength
Module 1: Course Introduction9 minutes
Module 2: Thunderbolt Background42 minutes
Module 3: Thunderbolt 3 Host Examples44 minutes
Module 4: Thunderbolt 3 Device Examples29 minutes
Module 5: Alpine Ridge Internal Logic44 minutes
Module 6: Alpine Ridge PCI Space53 minutes
Module 7a: Alpine Ridge Interrupts24 minutes
Module 7b: Alpine Ridge Interrupts41 minutes
Module 7c: Alpine Ridge Interrupts22 minutes
Module 8: Thunderbolt 3 USB-C Port44 minutes
Module 9: Cable Basics37 minutes
Module 10: Port Controller and Power Delivery64 minutes
Module 11: Thunderbolt 3 Alternate Mode Entry43 minutes