Q: I am using the Beagle I2C/SPI Protocol Analyzer with the Data Center Software to monitor a particular coming across the I2C bus. I would like to monitor the latest Read transactions that occur after a Write transaction on the I2C bus. Right now, I'm manually scrolling down to see the last transaction. Is there a way to set up the screen so that the last transaction is always visible? I heard about a function called the Last Packet View in Data Center; is that something I can use to make sure the last transaction is always visible?

A: Thanks for your questions! Yes, there is a feature in Data Center Software that you can use to ensure the last transaction is always visible while using an I2C sniffer to monitoring data. However, let's go over the Last Packet View feature that you mentioned first.

Last Packet View is a feature in the Data Center Software for CAN monitoring only. The Last Packet View allows users to view information about the most recent packets received on the CAN bus for each CAN channel, CAN ID, Remote Request Indicator (RTR), and Data Length Code (DLC). If you are working with CAN, feel free to check out the Komodo CAN Duo Interface or the Komodo CAN Solo Interface. Both are effective tools for debugging and developing on the CAN bus and can be used with the Data Center Software.

For I2C or SPI data protocol analysis, there are two different ways to view the last transaction, depending on what you are specifically searching for -- the End of Buffer button and the Scrolling button.

The End of Buffer button is located in the Buffer Navigation section of the Transaction Window in Data Center Software. The End of Buffer button moves the scrollbar in the window to the bottom of the capture. If you are looking for specifically the last packet that occurs in the I2C data capture, you can use this button to view the last transaction.

The End of Buffer button is highlighted with the red box.

The Scrolling button has three states -- enabled, locked, and disabled. When enabled, the data view in the Transaction window will automatically scroll to the most recently captured transaction. If you click on a data packet in the Transaction window or move the scrollbar manually, the automatic scrolling function will be disabled. When the Scrolling button is locked, automatic scrolling is enabled and the user cannot disable the feature by clicking on a data packet or moving the scrollbar manually. When the Scrolling button is disabled, the data view in the Transaction window will remain on whatever data packet the user indicates.

The Scrolling buttons are highlighted with the red box.

We hope this answers your questions! Good luck using the Data Center Software and Beagle I2C/SPI analyzer to monitor your I2C bus! Please let us know if you have any questions at sales@totalphase.com or support@totalphase.com.