I will be using the BeagleTM I2C/SPI Protocol Analyzer to monitor MDIO (Management Data Input/Output). Can you advise which Total Phase software tool to use to monitor MDIO? That feature does not seem to be available in the most current version of Data CenterTM Software. What are my options?
Thank you for your question! The current version of Data Center Software does not support MDIO. However, a previous version of Data Center Software, v2.20, does support MDIO and can be downloaded – Data Center Software is cross-platform and is supported on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X platforms (we are looking to add MDIO support to a future version of Data Center Software).
Figure 1: Data Center SoftwareIn addition, all versions of Beagle API Software also support MDIO. Using the API gives you the advantage of writing custom the software for your specific standards as needed. For more information about the API, please refer to section 6.9 (MDIO API) of the Beagle Protocol Analyzer User Manual.
Following are additional information and guidelines about monitoring MDIO with the Beagle analyzer:
The Beagle analyzer monitors clause 22 MDIO and clause 45 MDIO, and non-intrusively monitors MDIO up to 2.5 MHz. The Beagle MDIO signal, pin 8, is the management data input/output, and it is bidirectional signal, which is used to transfer data between the STA and the MMD. The Beagle MDC signal, pin 7, is the management data clock, which is a control line that is driven by the STA and synchronizes the flow of the data on the MDIO line.
To properly capture MDIO signals, the sampling rate must be set correctly. For MDIO monitoring, the minimum requirement for the sampling rate is twice the bus bit rate. For additional information about MDIO and how it works, please refer to our knowledge base article MDIO Background.
The Beagle signal level is 3.3V. To monitor a lower voltage MDIO bus, you can use the Total Phase Level Shifter Board.
For more information, please refer to section 1.4 (MDIO Background) and section 2.4 (Beagle I2C/SPI/MDIO Protocol Analyzer) of the Beagle Protocol Analyzer User Manual.
For additional information, please refer to the following documents:
Beagle Protocol Analyzer User Manual
Data Center Software User Manual (most recent version)
Data Center Software User Manual, v2.20
MDIO Background (knowledge base article)