Total Phase tools are well-known for analysis, trouble-shooting and debugging, as well as programming and testing devices on the production floors – do you know how well our tools work for prototyping and debugging new design concepts? Here is an example of how two easy-to-use tools; the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter and the Beagle I2C/SPI Protocol Analyzer, can be used to prototype an I2C embedded system.

	Figure 1: Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter	Figure 2: Beagle I2C/SPI Protocol Analyzer

In this example, the prototype design is a subsystem that monitors the acceleration and vibration of a remote-controlled vehicle. Here is the list of the tools used for this project:

• The Aardvark adapter acts as the I2C master and is used to poll the accelerometer for its current position relative to gravity.
• A custom GUI application is created using the Aardvark API to control the Aardvark adapter to collects and visually display accelerometer’s orientation in 3D.
• A third-party I2C/SPI 3-Axis accelerometer board is used for simulating the accelerometer.
• The Beagle analyzer and Data Center Software is used to non-intrusively capture the sent between the Aardvark adapter and the accelerometer for detailed analysis and verification.
• PC (can be Windows, Linux, or Mac)
• 10-Pin Split Cable
• 2 USB cables

Here’s an overview of the steps to run and analyze this prototype:

1. Connect the Aardvark adapter and the Beagle analyzer to the computer with USB cables.
2. Connect the accelerometer board to the Aardvark adapter. Connect the female end of the 10-pin header cable from the Aardvark adapter to the male end of the header socket on the board labeled “Aardvark.”
3. Connect the Beagle analyzer with the female-end of the 10-pin header socket to the 10-pin split cable. Then connect the 10-pin split cable to SDA, SCL and Ground cables as labeled on the board.
4. Launch the customized API software.
5. Launch the Data Center Software: Connect the Beagle analyzer, set the Device Settings (I2C) and the Capture Settings, and then Run Data.
   Figure 3: Setting Up Data Center Software
6. For simulation data, move the accelerometer board and observe and real-time data, which can be saved for further analysis.

Figure 4: Real-Time Data Viewed on the Data Center Software

Figure 5: Equipment and Software Setup for Real-Time Prototyping

Additional resources that you may find helpful include the following:

• Aardvark Adapter User Manual
• Aardvark API Software Document
• Beagle Protocol Analyzer User Manual
• Data Center Software User Manual

If you have questions about our host adapters, protocol analyzers 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.