I am using the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter with Control Center Serial Software to read, write and troubleshoot I2C components. I have some questions:

Last week, the Total Phase Sales and Marketing team exhibited at the Embedded World North America 2025 conference in Anaheim, California. It was an exciting week filled with great conversations and hands-on demos of our latest tools for embedded systems engineers!

The Promira Serial Platform is the first all-in-one active/analysis tool of its kind for debugging and developing I2C- and SPI-based systems. This FPGA-based serial device can be configured with Active applications to function as an I2C/SPI host adapter for master or slave emulation, or with Analysis applications to operate as an I2C/SPI/eSPI protocol analyzer, capturing and monitoring data in real time.

Total Phase now offers new high-speed I2C and SPI sniffing capabilities on our Promira Serial Platform configurable through three new downloadable applications. Designed to meet the demands of increasingly complex, high-speed systems, these applications support higher sniffing speeds, surpassing those of the Beagle I2C/SPI Protocol Analyzer:

I have a question about the Cheetah SPI Host Adapter reading responses from a peripheral device. I am using the example code flash.c that is provided with Cheetah Software API. I am trying to read a message from a peripheral SPI slave device, the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter, but not all the SPI data is read.

We are using the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter and  Control Center Serial Software in our test environment. We have encountered the following discrepancies during our evaluation tests:

We are using Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter to control a bus that has six fan boards with registers on each board.  There are many slave devices on the bus. I am looking at the Aardvark Software API code that was previously written and works correctly. However,  there is a line of aa_i2c_write() for each slave device. This results in hundreds of repeated lines of code throughout the script, which makes it tedious to review, update, and maintain the script as needed.

The CAN protocol allows multiple devices, or nodes, to connect to a single two-wire bus. Each node consists of a CAN transceiver and a CAN controller, enabling it to transmit and listen for messages on the bus. When two or more nodes attempt to transmit at the same time, CAN uses bitwise arbitration based on message identifiers. Messages with a dominant bit are prioritized over those with a recessive bit, ensuring the highest-priority message continues first. As soon as the bus becomes available again, lower priority messages re-enter arbitration. This avoids communication collisions, which makes deterministic, real-time communication possible, even in complex, multi-device systems.

I am using the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter with Aardvark Software API as a master device on the I2C interface. I am observing that the I2C signals remain low, which seems related to the py_aa_target_power() function.

I need to set up an Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter as I2C slave device that will respond to a 10-bit slave address. So far, I am only able to set up a 7-bit address. My questions:

I2C is one of the most commonly used protocols in embedded systems design. Known for its simplicity, low-cost, and ability to connect multiple devices over just two wires, it’s often the go-to choice for everything from consumer electronics to smart home systems.

We are using the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter  with Flash Center Software to program the Macronix SPI Flash chip, which fails during the verification process.

System validation, stress testing, and regression testing are essential for debugging I2C/SPI-based systems and ensuring they perform reliably under all operating conditions. Validation testing verifies that the device under test (DUT) functions correctly and as expected across a range of scenarios, while regression testing verifies that system changes, such as hardware or firmware updates, do not break existing functionality. Stress testing evaluates how the system performs under extreme conditions or heavy loads, helping to identify potential failure points. Automating these workflows improves consistency, repeatability, and test coverage.

I am using the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter and Aardvark Software API to interact with an SMBus system. I have looked through the API library to find a way to send a quick command, but all the examples seem to involve data exchange – are quick commands available with the API?

In recent years, healthcare has begun shifting beyond the walls of traditional hospitals, with innovations that bring high-quality care directly into patients' homes. At the heart of this transformation is the Internet of Things (IoT), a network of smart, connected devices that enable seamless communication between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Whether it's wearable monitors, remote diagnostic tools, or cloud-based data platforms, IoT technology has made it possible to deliver hospital-level services in the comfort of a patient’s own home. This shift not only increases convenience and comfort for patients, but also offers promising solutions to systemic healthcare challenges, such as overcrowded hospitals and rising costs. In this blog, we'll explore how IoT is powering the “Hospital at Home” model, the benefits it brings, the challenges it faces, and what the future of connected healthcare might look like.

I am using the Advanced Cable Tester v2 (ACTv2) to run a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable test and I’m wondering how the cable tester calculates resistance values? It’s helpful to know as we verify our cables’ performance against standards. We’d also like to know which physical factors, like cable length, temperature, or connector wear, could affect the readings?

I started a new project that uses the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter with the Flash Center Software. I am trying to read an EEPROM device, but in the Transaction log I see that the I2C bus locked. What could cause the bus lock? What do I need to analyze and change?

I recently acquired the Promira Serial Platform with SPI Active - Level 3 Application for the (QSPI) features. Can you provide examples of configuring the Promira platform with the specifications of various QSPI devices, such as drive strength? The Promira platform will be used as a master device.

When designing electronic systems, device manufacturers will often outsource cables, such as USB, HDMI, or DisplayPort, from external vendors rather than building them in-house. For example, smartphone makers, laptop manufacturers, and gaming console producers frequently rely on third-party cables to simplify their supply chains and reduce costs.

I am using the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter with Flash Center Software to program an SPI flash memory chip. While the Aardvark adapter is reliable and versatile for many applications, programming large flash memory chips at very high speeds can be time-consuming.