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I want one that sends a pseudorandom data stream and tells me the bit error rate.

Yup, that's the sort of thing that's typically missing from cable testers. I have a USB cable that normally works fine, but introduces errors when doing full blast USB 2.0 bulk transfers. I keep it around just in case I ever come across a tester that can show me this in hard numbers.

Products that do exactly that do exist, although are prohibitively expensive. [0]

It is difficult to send 10Gbps, 20Gbps, 40Gbps or even 80Gbps, then receive it, then validate it.

[0] - https://www.totalphase.com/products/advanced-cable-tester-v2...

I'm sure it's hard to do a detailed eye analysis at those speeds. But come on, I can get a hub that does 10Gbps per lane (so 20Gbps equivalent) for $13, 40Gbps SSD enclosures for $40, and 80Gbps SSD enclosures for $150. Making that signal do a loop, maybe adding some artificial attenuation, and checking how many bits get corrupted shouldn't need fancier hardware than that.

Yes and: If a cable has any faults, of any kind.

I can't believe I'm still swapping cables and ports, trial and error, trying to determine if the cable, the port (eg iPhone's charging port), or both, are failing.

Not knowing the USB specs; I assume each head of a cable can do a loop back test, determine if can even see its other head, etc.

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