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.

With its High-speed USB and Ethernet connectivity, ability to provide a total of 200 mA supplemental power, upgradeable applications to meet your project requirements, and free software GUIs and APIs for Linux, Windows and macOs systems, this tool delivers the flexibility and performance essential for advanced I2C or SPI development.

It exceeds the speed, power, and functionality of even best-in-class tools like the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter and the Beagle I2C/SPI Protocol Analyzer, setting a new standard for meeting the demanding requirements of today’s high-speed applications.

I2C and SPI Applications for Active Master/Slave Emulation

The Promira Serial Platform I2C and SPI Active Applications feature the following advanced host adapter capabilities:

The I2C Active – Level 1 Application supports Standard Mode (100 kbps) and Fast Mode Plus (400 kbps) as well as various I2C master and slave speeds ranging from 1 kHz – 1 MHz. Users can use up to 6 configurable GPIOs (4 while using I2C).

The I2C Active – Level 2 Application supports Standard Mode (100 kbps), Fast Mode Plus (1 Mbps) and High-Speed I2C master and slave speeds up to 3.4 MHz. Users can use up to 12 configurable GPIOs (10 while using I2C).

All I2C Active Applications include master transmit and receive and multi-master support, asynchronous slave transmit and receive, and a single slave response of up to 256 bytes. They also include software configurable I2C pull-up resistors, software configurable target power pins, and support for interbit and inter-byte clock stretching.

The SPI Active – Level 1 Application supports SPI master speeds up to 12.5 MHz, and slave speeds up to 8 MHz. It includes up to 6 configurable GPIOs (2 while using SPI), and supports 1 slave select (configurable, shared with GPIO).

The SPI Active – Level 2 Application supports SPI master speeds up to 40 MHz, and slave speeds up to 20 MHz, with support for Dual SPI – Single and Dual I/O programming. It includes up to 12 configurable GPIOs, and up to 3 slave selects (configurable, shared with GPIO).

The SPI Active – Level 3 Application supports SPI master speeds up to 80 MHz and slave speeds up to 20 MHz, with Single, Dual, and Quad I/O modes. It includes up to 16 configurable GPIOs, and up to 8 slave selects (configurable, shared with GPIO).

All SPI Active Applications include a single slave response of up to 256 bytes, full duplex master transmit/receive, and asynchronous slave transmit/receive. They also include software configurable target power pins and software configurable Slave Select (SS) polarity in master mode.

Compare Promira Serial Platform Active Applications here.

I2C, SPI, and eSPI Applications for Real-Time Data Analysis

The I2C Analysis Application allows users to non-intrusively monitor I2C communication with support for clock speeds up to 5 MHz, with bit-level timing down to 100 ns resolution.

The SPI Analysis – Level 1 Application enables non-intrusive monitoring of SPI communication, supporting clock speeds up to 24 MHz, bit-level timing down to 20 ns resolution, and one chip/slave select.

Upgrading to SPI Analysis – Level 2 Application increases clock speed support to 40 MHz, with bit-level timing down to 10 ns resolution, making it the fastest SPI protocol analyzer offered by Total Phase.

The eSPI Analysis Application allows users to non-intrusively monitor eSPI communication with support for clock speeds up to 66 MHz and support for Single, Dual, and Quad I/O. It enables monitoring of up to 5 channels (peripheral, virtual wire, OOB, Flash, Independent), 2 slave select lines, 2 alert lines, and 2 reset lines.

All Analysis Applications enable non-intrusive, real-time capture of transactions, including data packets, timing, and other protocol-level details, allowing engineers to quickly identify communication issues.

Compare Promira Serial Platform Analysis Applications here.

Promira Serial Platform Use Cases

The Promira Serial Platform provides engineers with a single, portable device for high-speed I2C/SPI programming, testing, and real-time data analysis. As a comprehensive end-to-end solution for I2C- and SPI-based systems, it can be used in multiple stages of the product development lifecycle.

Promira Serial Platform for Prototyping and Memory Programming

The Promira platform can be configured to emulate I2C and SPI system components for rapid development and device validation. Using either the Control Center Serial Software or the Promira Software API, it can operate as a high-speed master or slave device. In master mode, it can emulate MCU behavior, interfacing with memory and other peripherals (supporting up to 8 SPI slave select lines), to poll sensors, read and write to I2C/SPI memory devices such as BIOS Flash, and control overall bus activity. In slave mode, it can simulate sensors/other peripherals and validate commands sent by the master.

This tool also supports high-speed I2C and SPI signaling, enabling rapid programming of EEPROM and Flash memory devices. Using the Flash Center Software or API, engineers can quickly read, erase, program, and verify memory, supporting a variety of applications, including in-system or standalone programming of I2C- or SPI-based chips, (including dual- and quad-I/O SPI devices) or programming firmware to EEPROMs. The Flash Center Software natively supports hundreds of popular memory devices, with easy options to add additional parts as needed.

Promira Serial Platform for Production and Automated Testing

Because users can quickly program firmware and other data onto memory devices, the Promira Serial Platform is often used for mass programming in production environments. Multiple Promira platforms can be connected to a single computer for gang programming, allowing simultaneous programming and verification in parallel.

Validation and regression testing are also essential for ensuring quality during product development. The Promira Serial Platform supports automated testing through either Control Center Serial Software or the Promira Software API, allowing engineers to run batch scripts to automate I2C, SPI, and GPIO operations.

For more advanced workflows, the API supports command queuing with up to 127 queues (each holding up to 255 commands) and gapless shifting that eliminates inter-byte delays, enabling high-throughput, customized workflows.

Additionally, its High-speed USB and gigabit Ethernet connectivity not only further accelerates scripting and reduces latency for faster performance, its Ethernet port also enables production-line integration and testing. With a VPN connection, multiple users can access and control the platform remotely, eliminating the need to be physically present on site.

Promira Serial Platform DUT port (left) and USB and Ethernet ports (right)

Promira Serial Platform for Real-Time Data Analysis

The Promira Serial Platform can even be configured to capture and sniff I2C and SPI data at speeds faster than comparable protocol analyzers, providing real-time visibility into interactions between a master device and sensors or other peripherals.

Interactive debugging is made possible with the award-winning Data Center Software. This software leverages unique LiveDisplay, LiveSearch, and LiveFilter technologies to provide unmatched visibility into the bus, allowing users to view, filter, and search bus data in real time. The circular buffer feature allows users to capture data for hours and days on end.

LiveDisplay technology enables users to view I2C or SPI protocol traffic as it is captured in true real time, with transaction details organized into columns such as timestamp, data length, endpoint details, data bytes, and a summary.

Once a packet of interest is clicked on, the Navigator pane will display additional transaction details in the Bus and Info tabs. The Bus pane shows all devices detected on the serial bus, while the Info tab provides a parsed, tabular view of the transaction, including a description of any error codes. The LiveFilter function lets users seamlessly switch between filtered and non-filtered views with a single click, making it easy to focus on specific device addresses, data patterns, errors, and more.

LiveSearch also allows users to easily find areas of interest, such as bus events, text strings, hexadecimal values, and ASCII data patterns within a capture.

These advanced features of the Data Center Software combined with the high-speed capabilities of the Promira Serial Platform Analysis Applications, make it an ideal tool for verifying communication between devices, and for performing low-level debugging and system validation during R&D and lab testing.

For more information on how the Promira Serial Platform can advance your projects, please email us at sales@totalphase.com or request a demo.