Total Phase Beagle I2C/SPI: I2C, SPI and MDIO protocol analyzer

Description

The Total Phase Beagle I2C/SPI Protocol Analyzer (ref. TP320121) is a portable protocol analyzer for engineers developing embedded products based on I2C or SPI buses. Connected to a computer over USB, it listens to the bus without disturbing it and displays decoded packets as they travel.

Where an oscilloscope shows signals, the analyzer presents exchanges: addresses, data, protocol conditions and I2C and SPI specific error codes. Captured data is streamed continuously to the PC over high-speed USB, allowing captures of nearly unlimited duration.

The Beagle also supports the MDIO bus (Clause 22 and Clause 45), used to communicate with Ethernet physical layer components. This function works through the API and Data Center software version 2.20.

Highlights

• Non-intrusive monitoring: I2C up to 4 MHz, SPI up to 24 MHz, MDIO up to 2.5 MHz.
• Accuracy: bit-level timing, with resolution down to 20 ns.
• Real time: live capture and display of I2C and SPI packets.
• Decoding: packets decoded at protocol level and I2C and SPI specific error codes.
• Nearly limitless capture: continuous stream to the computer over high-speed USB.
• Pocket size: 64 g, easy to carry to a test bench.

Beagle I2C/SPI or Cheetah: observe or control?

The Beagle listens to the bus without disturbing it: it is the tool for understanding an exchange or finding an error. The Cheetah on the other hand plays an active role: it acts as SPI master, sends commands and programs memories. The two complement each other on a debugging bench.

Technical specifications

• Manufacturer reference: TP320121
• Rates: I2C up to 4 MHz, SPI up to 24 MHz, MDIO up to 2.5 MHz (Clause 22 and Clause 45)
• Host interface: USB 2.0, Standard-B receptacle
• Target-side connector: 2 x 5 female IDC, 2.54 mm pitch
• Target-side cable: 10-pin ribbon cable, 1.27 mm pitch, 130 mm long
• I2C pinout: SCL (1), SDA (3)
• SPI pinout: MISO (5), SCLK (7), MOSI (8), SS (9)
• MDIO pinout: MDC (7), MDIO (8)
• Power supply : GND (2, 10), NC/+5 V (4, 6)
• Electrical characteristics: target power +5 V, 25 mA max; I2C/SPI/MDIO signals 3.3 V, 10 mA
• Operating temperature : 10 à 35 °C
• Dimensions : 55.6 x 22.2 x 89 mm
• Weight : 64 g
• Standards and quality: CE, RoHS; ISO 9001, ISO 13485, AS9100C certified manufacturing; made in the USA

Supported software and systems

• Software to download: Data Center Software, Beagle Software API, Beagle LabVIEW driver, USB drivers (required on Windows and Linux)
• Operating systems: Windows 7, 10, 11 and later; Linux (Red Hat, SuSE, Ubuntu, Fedora); macOS 13 and later
• Analysis computer, minimum configuration: Intel or AMD processor at 2 GHz or faster, 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit), 2 GB disk space, full-speed USB port, 1024 x 768 display or higher

Use cases

• Driver debugging: checking what actually travels between a processor and an I2C or SPI device.
• Troubleshooting: spotting protocol errors on a board under development.
• Network component validation: observing MDIO exchanges.

Compatibility and what you need to know

Total Phase specifies that actual SPI capture performance depends on CPU speed and SPI bus throughput: the 24 MHz rate was tested for typical uses, such as captures of a few hundred packets. Signals are 3.3 V: check that this suits your target.

The 10-pin split cable (manufacturer ref. TP240212) is not in the box; the manufacturer sells it separately.

Box contents

• 1 Beagle I2C/SPI Protocol Analyzer
• 1 USB-A to USB-B cable, 6 ft (about 1.8 m)

Manufacturer warranty: one year. The software is available for download.

See also all our Test and debugging tools and the Total Phase range.

Frequently asked questions