I am using the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter in SPI slave mode, using MATLAB to interface with the Aardvark adapter. The SPI master outputs a packet that is longer than 8 bits that we would like to read, but it seems there is a limitation where the data output is capped at 8 bits; in the header file, the SPI slave read data output only is an 8-bit variable. Is there a way to get around this?

Thanks for your question! For your system requirements we recommend the Promira Serial Platform. The Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter supports 8-bit words and can transfer 8-bit SPI data without td  delay (setup time). However, the Promira platform supports multiple 8-bit words as well as multiple non-8-bit words.  The supported data types are listed in the section General Data Types of the Promira Serial Platform User Manual.

	Figure 1: Promira Serial Platform	Figure 2: Supported Data Types

The Promira platform is a robust tool that is field upgradable and can support I2C or SPI functions, as well as eSPI analysis, with the appropriate application. The table below summarizes the features of each application, and provides a compare to the Aardvark adapter.

Table 1 : Promira Serial Platform Active Level Software

In addition, the Promira platform provides integrated signal level shifting, USB and Ethernet connectivity, and can provide up to 200mA to the target device(s). For a quick introduction, you can watch the Experience the Power of The Promira™ Serial Platform video.

Additional resources that you may find helpful include the following:

• Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter User Manual

• Promira Serial Platform User Platform

• Promira API Documentation

We hope this answers your question. If you have other questions about our host adapters or other Total Phase products, feel free to email us at sales@totalphase.com, or if you already own one of our devices and have a technical question, please submit a request for technical support.