I have a new team running tests with the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter. I would like a way for them to easily verify the set up is correct before loading in our SPI devices and running extensive tests.  I’m looking for a really simple procedure.  What do you suggest?

Thanks for your question! The answer you want is in our Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter Quick Start Guide.  Using the Aardvark adapter with our Total Phase I2C/SPI Activity Board and Control Center Serial Software, a simple sequence of commands can verify a system set up.

Figure 1:  Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter	Figure 2: I2C/SPC Activity Board

Here’s a summary of how it’s done – details are also available in the Quick Start Guide:

1. Connect the Aardvark adapter to the computer via USB connector.
2. Launch the Control Center Serial Software.
3. Click on Adapter | Connect and connect to Aardvark adapter
4. Connect the Aardvark adapter to the Activity board.
5. Configure the settings for the SPI Master device.
6. Enter data into the message box and click Send to shift out MOSI data.
7. Monitor the activity in the Transaction Log.

Figure 3: Control Center Serial Software Transaction Log

For more detailed pre-tests, you can also run XML scripts in the Batch Mode of the Control Center Serial Software. Examples of the XML batch scripts are included with the Control Center Serial Software package and can be used as is or modified as needed.  The steps are very similar to above.

1. Launch the Control Center Serial Software.
2. Click on Adapter | Connect and connect to Aardvark adapter
3. Connect the Aardvark adapter to the Activity board.
4. Click on Adapter | Batch Mode
5. Click on Load and select any XML file available in the examples folder.
6. Click Execute.
7. Monitor transactions in the transaction log window.

Additional resources that you may find helpful include the following:

• Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter Quick Start Guide
• Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter User Manual
• Control Center Serial Software User Manual
• I2C/SPI Activity Board User Manual

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.