HDMI Cable Modeling and Analysis with TDR Data

The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is the first industry-supported, all-digital audio/video, single-cable interface. It allows data rates as fast as five Gbps though a single connector — a significant change from the several cables previously required.

Time-domain reflection and transmission (TDR/T) measurement of an HDMI cable allows one to locate and model discontinuities. Topological models for each part of an HDMI cable assembly of a given length can be developed and verified, then used to predict time- and frequency-domain response for a longer HDMI cable. This paper describes the construction of such a model from TDR data, employing a method that can reduce design time and lower costs.