The Promira Serial Platform is an advanced debugging and development tool that can be configured as an I2C master or slave or an SPI master or slave, and can also perform eSPI protocol analysis. This tool offers flexible connectivity options for your projects, including Hi-Speed USB and Gigabit Ethernet connections.

The Ethernet port allows users to connect the platform to their LAN to access and control the tool at much greater distances compared to using a standard USB connection. With a VPN connection to the LAN, the tool can be accessed remotely by multiple users in different locations, eliminating the need to be physically present on site. In addition to remote access, Ethernet connectivity reduces latency and enables higher throughput speeds for increased efficiency.

All of these make Ethernet connectivity ideal for various debugging applications that involve remote collaborative work, remote programming, and even task and test automation.

What Can be Done Remotely with the Promira Serial Platform?

There are many scenarios where remote access to the Promira Serial Platform and its capabilities can significantly streamline operations. Some examples of remote debugging/development applications using the Promira platform include:

• Programming of I2C/SPI memory devices: remote testing can be done on multiple devices in various locations, which greatly saves on time. Then, coordinated maintenance updates can be configured from a central, remote location, ensuring consistency and reducing labor costs.  More information can be found in the Memory Programming section of the Total Phase Knowledge Base.
• Automated testing of devices on a production line: automated testing enables real-time detection of bugs, significantly improving quality control. With a remote connection, errors can be identified and fixed much quicker than they would with solely on-site intervention.
• Regression and benchmark testing: remote testing, including regression testing to verify system stability after updates and benchmark testing to evaluate performance against standards, can be conducted at the same time across multiple time zones. Real-time results can then be accessed remotely by multiple people, which optimizes communication and collaboration between team members.
• Firmware updates for remote devices, including field service for IoT and OTA updates: field engineers can remotely perform firmware updates and test devices in the field after a firmware update has been implemented by the development team, saving on time, labor, and costs.
• Automation for mass production of multiple devices: with remote, centralized oversight, consistency and standardization can easily be established across multiple global manufacturing sites.
• Shared use over the same network with a VPN: teams with engineers in different locations, including different countries, can work on the same project with real-time updates. This approach streamlines operations by saving time and reduces costs that would be spent on duplicate debugging and development platforms.

Setting Up the Ethernet Connection in Control Center Serial Software

The Control Center Serial Software provides easy access to all of the features of the Promira Serial Platform, including Ethernet connectivity. Within minutes, developers can send and receive I2C or SPI data as a master or slave device and configure GPIO functionality. The software offers 64-bit cross-platform support for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Here are the steps to set up the Ethernet connection and access the Promira Serial Platform capabilities remotely:

1. Download the latest version of the Control Center Serial Software.
2. Open the software and connect the Promira Serial Platform to the computer with a USB cable.
3. Connect to the Promira Serial Platform by navigating to Adapter > Connect > Promira Serial Platform > OK.
4. Navigate to the Adapter menu, select ‘Network Preferences’, and set the Ethernet configuration to DHCP. Note that DHCP is necessary if the network routing will require a Default Gateway to be set. For use within a single subnet, a manually-assigned IP address is sufficient.
5. Now disconnect the Promira Serial Platform from your computer and connect it to your router via the Ethernet port. The Promira Ethernet Kit provides a 5-foot Cat 5 Ethernet Cable and our USB Micro B Universal Power Adapter.
6. Connect a USB power adapter to the Promira Serial Platform for power.
7. Relaunch the Control Center Serial Software.
8. Navigate to the Adapter menu, and connect to the Promira Serial Platform. You are now ready to use the software via the network.

Remote Connectivity with Flash Center Software and Promira Software API

Once the Ethernet connection is established through the Control Center Serial Software, users can also use the Flash Center Software and Promira Software API over Ethernet for remote access. The Flash Center Software allows engineers to quickly erase, program, and verify I2C- and SPI-based EEPROM and Flash memory chips that are interfaced through the Promira Serial Platform. Are you unsure of which software is best for your project? Check out this article: Control Center Serial Software Series: Control Center vs Flash Center for Programming.

The Control Center Serial Software and Flash Center Software GUI makes getting started with standard testing and debugging easy. For more complex projects, the Promira Software API I2C/SPI Active simplifies integration with custom applications. The Promira API supports multiple OS (Windows, Linux, and macOS), multiple languages (C/C++, C#, Python, .NET, VB.NET, and VB6), and provides API examples for multiple customizations, including queuing I2C and SPI data. More information on API documentation can be found in Section 5 of the Promira Serial Platform I2C/SPI Active User Manual.

Other Benefits of Using Ethernet

Use of the Ethernet port allows users to switch from Hi-Speed USB to gigabit speeds with increased bandwidth, thus enabling faster data transfers with reduced latency. This increased speed and flexibility is very beneficial when using the Promira Serial Platform remotely.