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Consultant Recommendation Request
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Poe:
We're looking for a troubleshooting consultant in the USA, preferably the East coast.

We need to identify the root cause of failure for a new batch of boards since we lack the equipment and expertise.

The boards have the following elements:
a high speed USB to Ethernet controller hub
a USB 3.0 hub
a TMDS to tablet interface for an HDMI port
a couple SMPS and power management circuitry
a RS232 serial port
No firmware

Background:
Ten years ago our company paid to have a board designed.  A Chinese CM has been building it ever since and they all still pass test.
The original designer made at least six revision changes over those ten years.  There could have been more, but our documentation only goes to Rev7.

Now the design company is gone and the Chinese CM is not cooperating. 

We tried to build a batch of boards with a different CM, but they're all failing with the same symptom.

It's possible that the Chinese CM and/or the designer could have been asked to make changes that we never documented.
Although the new CM might also have build issues.  This is what we need someone to help us determine.

Any consultant suggestions are appreciated.  Thank you.

nctnico:
What is wrong with sending a working and non-working board to someone for investigation? Do you really need someone close to 'home'? (or even on-site?)
2N3055:
I agree with Nico, it is too vague a description.
You might as well send it anywhere, sign a contract or NDA with consultant and that's it..
What is the fault? Do you need USB troubleshooting, HDMI or power supply? Or you have EMC related problem so you need EMC expert.

From what you're saying it might as well be that manufacturers "upgraded" some of the components  to "new upgraded process", so they have same nominal function but different electrical specs.

More details please.
asmi:
When I hear of a sudden weird-ass behavior of a high-speed PCB, the first thing that comes to my mind is "the stackup" (both composition and physical structure).
But then again, we don't really know what exactly "failing" means, and what symptoms are.
T3sl4co1l:
I could take a look at it.  There may be value had with a schematic review, PCB review (if the EDA files aren't in a compatible format, then PDFs and gerbers at least can be studied), or about the fabrication/assembly package.  I guess this would incur somewhere between hours and days of work, depending on level of detail desired, and how much supporting information is available.  (I'm not east coast, so it probably wouldn't be practical to study in person, but it would be worth mailing samples, for instance.)

Hmm, USB3?  Ten years old?  *Checks* dang, that does check out... just barely!  That must've been pretty cutting edge back in the day. :D

Tim
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