Binho, a MIPI Alliance contributor member specializing in I3C development tools, has been recognized as an official development tool partner by Microchip Technology. The partnership validates Binho's comprehensive I3C toolset and positions the company as a manufacturer-recommended solution for engineers working with Microchip's I3C-enabled microcontrollers.
The recognition solidifies Binho's collaboration with Microchip's engineering team and provides developers with a clear path to accelerate I3C Target development on the PIC18F16Q20 microcontroller platform. Binho brings two complementary tools to the partnership: the Supernova multi-protocol host adapter and the I3C Protocol Analyzer.
"In many cases, developers are just getting familiar with I3C. They don't even know what tools they need or where to start," said Jonathan Georgino, Co-Vice Chair of the MIPI Alliance I3C Working Group and founder of Binho. "The partnership with Microchip signals a clear manufacturer-recommended starting point for tools their customers can use to get up and running with I3C."
Addressing the System Integrator Gap
The I3C tooling ecosystem has evolved primarily around semiconductor validation teams. This has left system integrators without accessible options. Supernova addresses this gap by eliminating the traditional development workflow that requires engineers to procure an MCU development board, configure toolchains, study documentation, and write custom code before testing I3C implementations.
"Without Supernova, engineers need to get a dev board with an I3C peripheral, set up the dev tools and toolchain, get familiar with the SDKs, read documentation, study an I3C example, and then modify it for their own needs," Georgino explained. "With Supernova, they can use our point-and-click GUI software to immediately send I3C transfers to their target devices within minutes."
This approach reduces initial setup time from days or potentially weeks to minutes, particularly for engineers without extensive platform experience or those working on complex I3C use cases.
Complementary Tools for Complete Development Coverage
Binho's I3C solutions serve distinct roles in the development workflow. The I3C Protocol Analyzer functions as a passive observation tool. It streams data to PC RAM in real-time to monitor performance over extended transfers. Supernova operates as an active I3C Controller, generating traffic and communicating with Target devices.
To streamline integration with Microchip's PIC18F16Q20 Curiosity Nano development board, Binho offers a dedicated adapter board that replaces jumper wire connections with a professional interface solution. The adapter implements supplemental electronics corresponding to Microchip's Multi-Protocol adapter example project and application note.
For engineers working with I2C, SPI, UART, 1-Wire, CAN-FD, and RS-485, Binho offers the Pulsar multi-protocol host adapter.
About Binho
Binho develops professional-grade development and debugging tools for embedded systems engineers. As a MIPI Alliance contributor member, Binho participates directly in shaping the I3C protocol specification through the I3C Working Group.
Binho's product line includes the Supernova and Pulsar multi-protocol host adapters as well as an I3C Protocol Analyzer. These tools are designed specifically for system integrators and firmware developers working with next-generation communication protocols.