Last year, Total Phase entered the world of USB Type-C with the release of the USB Power Delivery Analyzer (our version of Google’s Chromium USB-PD Sniffer, Twinkie). Last month Total Phase released another Type-C product, the Advanced Cable Tester. And I must say, the Type-C community has been very hospitable and made our experience very welcoming.

As technology continues its relentless march into our lives, it seems that we will soon start living like the Jetsons. A decade ago, the science behind a microwave oven was a wonder to many people, whereas today we use it on a daily basis and can’t imagine our lives without it. Indeed, we are racing towards a smart-future where intelligent systems will be part and parcel to our everyday lives. In fact, we have already reached that stage where technology is transforming the way we work, the way we talk, and the way we eat.

UPDATE 2019-05-31: Total Phase has released the new Advanced Cable Tester v2, a successor to the original product mentioned below.  The original version is no longer supported. Click here to learn more about the Advanced Cable Tester v2.

We’re starting to work with a new chip that is based on Intel’s Enhanced SPI (eSPI) specification. We have the Beagle I2C/SPI Analyzer – it looks like we can use that tool for working with this eSPI device. Is that right? Our system’s signal voltage level is 1.8V so it looks like we’ll need the Level Shifter Board.

UPDATE 2019-05-31: Total Phase has released the new Advanced Cable Tester v2, a successor to the original product mentioned below.  The original version is no longer supported. Click here to learn more about the Advanced Cable Tester v2.

With Apple's recent announcement of 4 USB Type-C ports on the new MacBook Pro, there's no doubt USB Type-C is moving from the 'early adopter' stage to more mainstream.

In the 1980s, serial bus protocols were developed and put to use: Philips developed I2C; Motorola developed SPI. With the continuous advancement and development of chip design and fabrication, more intelligence can now be packed into small packages sized in millimeters than was possible on an entire circuit board.  One of the advancements is using the same chip for either I2C or SPI serial bus communication. This feature applies to many microcontrollers, which are used to interface with peripherals – a capability that is usually part of the hardware design.

A great year for ARM TechCon 2016 at the Santa Clara Convention Center.