The SV4E-I3C is an all-inclusive solution for I3C-based device interface development, test, and programming, designed by Introspect Technology. It integrates three instruments into a single tool, offering comprehensive capabilities for working with I3C devices.
Function Description
The SV4E-I3C serves multiple roles:
- Protocol Exerciser: It can act as a protocol exerciser for testing and debugging both I3C slave and master devices. This allows users to generate I3C commands and observe the device's response, facilitating the identification and resolution of issues during development.
- Protocol Analyzer: The module functions as a complete protocol analyzer, providing fine-resolution timing analysis. It offers a full suite of conformance test capabilities, enabling users to verify that their I3C devices adhere to the MIPI I3C specification. This is crucial for ensuring interoperability and reliability.
- Device Programmer: With its deep vector memory, the SV4E-I3C can be used as a general-purpose I3C device programmer. This feature allows for the loading and execution of complex I3C sequences, useful for device configuration, firmware updates, or production testing.
All three categories of instrumentation features—exerciser, analyzer, and programmer—are accessible simultaneously and in real-time through the Introspect ESP Software, providing a unified and efficient workflow.
Important Technical Specifications
While specific numerical specifications like clock frequencies or voltage ranges are mentioned in the software parameters, the core technical aspects revolve around its I3C compliance and connectivity:
- I3C-based Device Interface: The SV4E-I3C is specifically designed for the MIPI I3C standard, supporting its unique features such as dynamic address assignment, common command codes (CCCs), and in-band interrupts (IBIs).
- Power Supply: Requires a 1x 12V, 5A DC power supply (Manufacturer: CUI, Part # ETSA120500U).
- Connectivity:
- USB Mini Cable: Connects the SV4E-I3C module to a personal computer for data transfer and control.
- I3C Adapter for SV4E: A breakout board that facilitates connections to internal I3C devices or external devices. It includes multiple SCL (Serial Clock) and SDA (Serial Data) ports (e.g., SCL1, SDA1, SCL2, SDA2, etc.) for flexible bus configurations.
- Jumper Wires: Two male-to-male jumper wires are required for connecting I3C lines on the adapter board, such as SCL1 to SCL2 and SDA1 to SDA2, for internal master-slave communication.
- High Voltage Level: The
i3cBus component in the software allows for setting a global highVoltage level for SCL and SDA, which affects all ports on the I3C bus component.
- Provisional ID: Each I3C device component in the software can be assigned a 6-byte provisional ID, which is crucial for dynamic address assignment.
Usage Features
The SV4E-I3C is designed for ease of use, primarily through the Introspect ESP Software GUI:
- Introspect ESP Software: This award-winning software provides an intuitive environment for device characterization and test plan development. It runs on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, or 10.
- Hardware Selection: Users must select the "SV4E_2L2G_MIPI_I3C_EXERCISER" form factor within the software to configure the GUI for the SV4E-I3C module.
- Component-Based Test Procedure: The software uses a component-based approach, where users can add and configure various I3C components (e.g.,
i3cBus, i3cDataCapture, masterDevice, slaveDevice, masterParams, slaveParams).
- Master/Slave Configuration: Devices can be configured as a master, slave, or offline at startup using the
startupState parameter. The software supports mastership requests, allowing devices to switch roles dynamically.
- Parameter Customization: Detailed parameters for both master and slave devices (e.g.,
openDrainI3cSclFreq, pushPullI3cSclFreq, i2cSclFreq, tHoldStartDuration, sdaDriveStrength, ibiResponse, slaveType, addrType, busCharReg, devCharReg, maxWrLen, maxRdLen, ibiRdLen, vendorStatus, registerDefs) can be adjusted within the software. Changes to device parameters during a test procedure require calling the update() method on the i3cDevice for them to take effect.
- Dynamic Address Assignment (DAA): The module supports assigning dynamic addresses to slave devices, a fundamental I3C operation.
- Direct Read/Write Commands: Users can send direct read and write commands (e.g.,
doDirectRead, doBroadcastWrite, doDirectWrite, doPrivateWrite) to I3C devices, including common command codes (CCCs) like "GETPID" to read provisional IDs.
- Data Capture and Visualization: The
i3cDataCapture component allows for capturing and analyzing I3C bus waveforms. The captured data can be visualized through three tabs in the GUI:
- PHY Tab: Shows the physical states of the I3C bus over time, including waveforms for SDA and SCL lines. Users can select a range of PHY states to visualize the corresponding waveform.
- I3C States Tab: Displays the different I3C commands transmitted on the bus, allowing users to visualize the waveform of specific commands.
- Messages Tab: Provides a high-level overview of I3C command groups, such as SDR_BCAST (SDR mode broadcast) and DAA (Dynamic Address Assignment) events, simplifying the identification of bus activities.
- Test Procedure Editor: Users can write and execute Python scripts within the "Test Procedure" pane to automate I3C operations, including device setup, dynamic address assignment, and sending commands.
- Log Tab: Displays messages and results from the executed test procedures, including assigned dynamic addresses and read data.
- Help Documentation: Comprehensive documentation is available within the software, including a user manual (
IntrospectESP_UserManual.pdf), and HTML files (svt.html, iesp.html) providing details on Python component classes and lower-level functions specific to the SV4E-I3C. Context-sensitive help is also available by right-clicking components in the GUI.
Maintenance Features
- USB Driver Installation: The device relies on FTDI drivers for USB communication with the PC. The software attempts automated driver installation. In case of failure, manual installation instructions are provided, directing users to the FTDI website for the latest drivers and utilities like "usbview" to verify device detection.
- Firmware Version Check: The software's "Status" option allows users to verify the connection to the SV4E-I3C module and view its firmware version, which can be useful for troubleshooting or ensuring compatibility.
- Software Updates: The installation process involves an executable installer (
IntrospectESP_Installer.exe) that installs a local Python environment and the Introspect ESP Software. Updates are likely managed through new installer versions.
- License Management: The software requires an activation key or a license file for operation. The installer guides users through this process, including options to use existing licenses or request a new one from Introspect Technology customer support.
- Test Procedure Storage: The software automatically creates an "Introspect" folder under "My Documents" for storing user-created Test Procedures, ensuring easy access and organization.
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