I2C/SPI Tap

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Note

This page is for the I2C/SPI Tap board. For the plugin, see the plugin docs.

I2C/SPI Tap is an affordable sniffer that can monitor I2C and SPI communications. The Tap connects to your PC via a USB cable and is compatible with IO Ninja terminal/sniffer software.

Features

• Designed for use with IO Ninja software (http://ioninja.com/).

• Reliably captures I2C traffic at clock speeds of up to 700KHz and SPI traffic at clock speeds of up to 24MHz [1]; all four SPI modes are supported.

• Incorporates an I2C and SPI test sequence generator for self-testing the Tap.

• Based on Intel MAX10 FPGA.

• Has 16 buffered IO lines D0~15 connected to a quick-release terminal block.

• All buffers act as level shifters allowing the Tap to work with logical signals in the 1.8V-5V range.

• Eight LEDs onboard:

  • Green Ready LED;

  • Two general-purpose green LEDs M0 and M1 for mode indication;

  • Four yellow LEDs for indicating the state of IO lines D0~3 (sufficient for monitoring I2 and SPI communications);

  • Blue Power LED.

• Built-in test generator outputs fixed I2C and SPI data sequences.

• High-speed (480Mbps) USB2.0 interface on a USB-C connector.

• Supplied with a USB-C cable.

• USB-powered, no additional external power necessary.

• Compact, outside dimensions only 82 x 74 x 30 mm.

• Product functionality may be expanded in the future:

  • Onboard FPGA is reconfigurable via the USB interface;

  • Sixteen IO lines provide ample room to grow;

  • It is envisioned that the tap’s abilities may be expanded to handle such protocols as…

    • Quad-SPI;

    • SDIO;

    • Single-wire bus;

    • and more!

Using the I2C/SPI Tap

Please see the documentation for the I2C/SPI Tap plugin.

Using Build-in Test Generator

I2C and SPI firmware (FPGA configurations) for this Tap include test generators producing sustained test traffic at 400KHz and 24MHz respectively.

Test I2C signals are generated on D14 (SDA) and D15 (SCL).

Test SPI signals are generated on D12 (SS), D13 (MISO), D14 (MOSI), and S15 (SCLK).

To receive the test traffic, connect two or four wires as shown on the diagram above.

Here is the data you will receive from the test generators.

I2C Test Sequence

SPI Test Sequence

Specifications

I2C/SPI Tap is supplied with a USB cable.

Hardware Specifications [2] [3]

Parameter	Specification
USB port	USB 2.0, high-speed (480 MHz), USB-C connector
Supported I2C clock speeds	Up to 700 kHz
Supported SPI clock speeds	Up to 24 MHz [1]
Operating temperature	0 to +60 degrees C
Operating relative humidity	10–90%
Mechanical dimensions	82 x 74 x 30 mm

Footnotes

[1] (1,2)

This number depends on the host PC’s performance and its “workload.” Captured data may be lost if a PC’s USB channel is unable to receive it in a timely manner. Our tests have shown that an average i7-based desktop PC (that is not performing other time-critical tasks) easily captures sustained SPI traffic with clock speeds up to 24MHz.

[2]

All specifications are subject to change without notice and are for reference only. Tibbo assumes no responsibility for any errors in this Manual and does not make any commitment to update the information contained herein.

[3]

Is the data you are looking for missing from the specifications table? Do not just assume that you know the answer — talk to Tibbo! Remember, that the ultimate responsibility for all decisions you make regarding the use and the mode of use of Tibbo products lies with you, our Customer.