Mobile device processing - The smart way to increase your units per hour

Published on October 7, 2024 by Amanda Lee Fox
Mobile device processing - The smart way to increase your units per hour

Time is money when it comes to software quality assurance (SQA) and circular tech activities (such as mobile device processing, recycling and certification). Rapid processing, coupled with minimum downtime, is crucial (along with fast charging in the case of phone, tablet and laptop refurbishment). And when you need to test a new app on hundreds of different devices – or process thousands of mobile phones for recycling or a second life – haste and speed are exactly what you need. That’s why; here at Cambrionix, we’ve created our ThunderSync product range to help you fast-track testing & provisioning. Our products are the only large-scale USB hubs with Thunderbolt™ technology – the fastest around.

What is Thunderbolt™ technology?

Developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple, Thunderbolt™ technology is the fastest way to transfer data in and out of a PC. This means that the controllers and ports we have at the heart of our ThunderSync range of USB hubs (the ThunderSync3-C10 and ThunderSync3-16) are top-of-the-range for speed.

Both the ThunderSync3-16 and the ThunderSync3-C10 USB hub feature a Thunderbolt™ 3, 40 Gbps upstream port for the host computer and a further Thunderbolt™ port for connecting additional Cambrionix hubs (daisy chaining) WITHOUT ANY performance degradation.

Our ThunderSync range of USB hubs offers charging speeds three times faster than other products on the market, with device processing times that are 3.5 times faster than other USB3 hubs as well. (We’ve tested them ourselves to make sure!)

How did the ThunderSync range perform versus top competitors?

  • Versus 3 other popular USB hubs, Thudersync was 4x to 7x faster – doing a full iOS restore (fully populated) in 11 minutes or less.
  • One competitor USB hub failed EMC emissions tests
  • Another overheated
  • Most don’t have an appropriate port control or PSU provided (so you have to buy your own PSU on top)

Let’s take a look at the ThunderSync3-C10… when you’re able to do a full iOS restore across 10 devices simultaneously in 11 minutes (a 71% improvement on its closest competitor, according to our tests); you’ll boost your Units Per Hour (and profits) by up to 3.5x across your circular tech facilities.

What’s the difference between the ThunderSync3-16 and the ThunderSync3-C10 for Mobile device processing

What’s the difference between the ThunderSync3-16 and the ThunderSync3-C10?

The main difference between the two hubs are the number of ports and type of connector. Our ThunderSync3-C10 has 10 USB-C ports and the ThunderSync3-16 has 16 USB-A downstream ports providing up to 5 Gbps – enabling you to charge, connect and manage multiple devices quickly and reliably. However, if you don’t need 16 ports and have type C connectors, we encourage you to opt for the ThunderSync3-C10. It’s a smaller and newer product and it enables us to support the highly-requested DFU mode which we are launching later this year (more on that later).

Space saving

The ThunderSync3-C10 is a significantly smaller USB hub – it’s 3.2kg lighter and less than half the size of the ThunderSync3-16, allowing for a more creative setup of USB hubs and devices in a confined lab/test environment (the dimensions are 19.3 W x 13.6cm D x 3.4cm H versus 43.1 W x26.2 D x4.4 H to give you some sense of size difference!)

Endpoint friendly

The three dedicated USB host controllers) means you will never exceed the maximum number of USB endpoints for the foreseeable future (a common problem across all USB hubs), which means no more port dropping or devices not being detected.

Consistent power

Plus, the ThunderSync3-C10 offers up to 3A (15w) charge in sync mode​ – this is consistent power applied across every single port, meaning flat devices receive accelerated charge speeds to get them up and running quicker, compared to 1.5A on the ThunderSync3-16.

Long-term

Lastly, the USB-C is a reversible connector that reduces port damage​ with prolonged use while still supporting testing and SQA for modern mobile devices and future releases without the need for additional adaptors​. Hub diagnostics can also be performed remotely – and problems fixed via Cambrionix Connect to save the cost and time of engineer visits. (Not that you really need to worry about this feature – as our hubs are incredibly reliable.)

What is DFU mode? 

We will be the only 10-port USB hub in the world that can remote DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) to devices simultaneously. Launching later this year, remotely operated DFU mode will work across all 10 ports of the ThunderSync3-C10​ and provide the lowest level control of an iOS and macOS device. You won’t have to physically handle each and every device to trigger DFU mode and you will be able to activate DFU mode without being in the same location as the devices you are managing. This feature will ONLY be available on the ThunderSync3-C10, so it’s a future-proof USB hub, able to support past, present and future mobile devices; while adapters maintain the flexibility of managing any older USB-based devices you need to.

It’s no wonder smart businesses choose our ThunderSync smart hubs. With Cambrionix Connect intelligent management, our USB hubs can be controlled from anywhere in the world – via software, application programming interface (API) or command-line interface (CLI) – with remote firmware updates ensuring you always have the very latest new features.

But don’t take our word for it – get in touch to find out for yourself how ThunderSync smart USB hubs could turbocharge your business today.