Question from the Customer:
The Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter has been an excellent all-purpose tool for us; we use it for SPI, as a master and a slave. We are working on new design projects that require faster SPI speeds for developing, testing, and validating our devices. We looked at the Cheetah SPI Host Adapter, and while the speed looks good (40+ MHz), it seems to operate strictly as an SPI Master. Do you have a host adapter or other device that supports our new requirements?
Response from Technical Support:Thanks for your question! Yes, we do have a device that will support your new requirements: the Total Phase Promira Serial Platform supports master and slave modes for both SPI and I2C. The unique flexibility of the Promira platform allows you to install a number of applications, supporting various protocols.
- Figure 1: Promira Serial Platform
All levels of the I2C and SPI Active applications support the following:
- USB and Ethernet connectivity,
- Up to 200 mA of power to the target device(s)
- An integrated level shifter that operates from 0.9 - 3.45 V
Here is what each individual application level provides:
SPI Active - Level 1 Application
- Use up to 6 GPIOs (2 while using SPI)
- In Master mode:
- Speeds up to 12.5 MHz
- Up to 3 Slave Select (configurable, shared with GPIO)
- Software configurable Slave Select polarity
- In Slave mode:
- Slave at speeds up to 8 MHz;
- Single slave response of up to 32 bytes
SPI Active - Level 2 Application (scheduled for release mid-year 2015)
Note: The SPI Active – Level 1 Application is a pre-requisite for using this application.-
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- Use up to 12 GPIOs
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The SPI Active - Level 3 Application, scheduled for release early 2016, which will support 80 MHz SPI Master and Slave, Single Dual or Quad I/O, and other advanced features.
For I2C devices, the I2C Active - Level 1 Application is currently available.
- Use up to 6 GPIOs (4 while using I2C)
- Master at speeds up to 1 MHz
- Single slave response of up to 32 bytes
- Slave at speeds up to 1 MHz
Additional resources that you may find helpful include:
- Promira Serial Platform Quick Start Guide
- Promira Serial Platform User Manual
- Cheetah SPI Host Adapter User Manual
- Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter User Manual
If you have questions about our Promira Serial Platform or other Total Phase products, feel free to email us at sales@totalphase.com, or if you already own one of our devices and have a technical question, please submit a request for technical support.