Software

The BusPro-I is an entry level, yet feature-packed and robust I2C debugging tool. The BusPro-I allows engineers to save precious development time by providing low level visibility and control of an I2C bus. There is no longer a need to hook up a logic analyzer to capture traffic on the bus and then spend hours sifting through mountains of data in order to find that one particular bit. The Core-lis hardware and software provide a convenient and intuitive environment for hardware debugging, software development, and in-system programming.

I2C Monitor

Passively listens and records all I2C bus traffic while displaying real-time data in both state and waveform timing windows. By using the computer hard drive for trace storage, the BusPro-I has virtually unlimited trace data recording capability. message filtering, symbolic translation, and event triggering are all included. During capture, bus signal validation and protocol conformance are continually evaluated with deviations flagged. An example screenshot of the monitor window is shown below.

I2C Debugger

A user interactive bus I/O access portal. The debugger enables individual bus transfers for immediate target communications. Looping supports repeated I/O patterns to facilitate external signal observations. Besides generic writing and reading of data blocks, a growing library of standard devices is included showing interactive screens tailored to the device’s organization (such as ADCs, DACs, flash memories, SMBus behavior, etc.). An example screenshot of the debugger window is shown below.

I2C Programmer

Provides easy-to-use high-speed in-system programming of I2C-compatible serial EEPROMs. Two example screenshots of the programmer windows are shown below.

Hardware

At the core of the BusPro-I is an on-board engine whose logic performs the low level interaction with the I2C bus. This element receives set-up, direction, and drive data from the host via a USB 2.0 port. Conversely, as bus activity is detected and characterized, its transitional information is conveyed up to the host for further processing.

Test Discrete I/O Signals

Two programmable lines can be operated under PC host software control. They are available to stimulate the target system or sense target conditions in coordination with the testing. Each line is programmable as input, output, or output open-drain. One of these outputs can be used as a dedicated trigger to synchronize with external laboratory equipment. A second discrete I/O can be used as an input trigger.

Adjustable Voltage Levels

The voltage levels of the discrete I/O and trigger lines are programmable from 1.25V to 3.3V in increments of 50mV. The I2C bus reference voltage can be programmed as target driven through its bus pull-ups or driven from the BusPro-I analyzer. This target reference voltage can also be measured. When the BusPro-I is programmed to source this reference level, the voltage can be set with 100mV resolution over the range of 0.8V to 5V. When the BusPro-I reference voltage drives the bus, one of a set of pull-up resistors can be selected. The resistor values span the range from 250 to 50K ohms. Additionally, individual threshold levels can be adjusted for sensing high and low conditions on the bus. This supports I2C bus hysteresis requirements.