There are just a few hardware tools currently on the market for I3C development -- the bulk of which are tailored for the tall task of IP verification and silicon-validation. However as I3C-capable devices make their way onto dev kits and into the hands of firmware developers and embedded systems teams, a market for tools more suitable for traditional development and debugging will grow and test equipment vendors will follow. This page intends to track the release of suitable tools for I3C development.
Protocol Exercisers
Products in this category can be used to emulate I3C devices and behave as an I3C controller or I3C Target. These devices typically include the ability to intentionally inject errors in order to test how other devices handle the test cases. Usually, they also have software support which can provide careful timing analysis to ensure behavior is in accordance with the specification even at the physical layer. Products in this category also serve as a case study for why companies shouldn't let their engineers name the products ;-)
Prodigy Technovations PGY-I3C-EX-PD
I3C Protocol Analyzer and Exerciser
MSRP: $9000 [Available on DigiKey]
Product PageIntrospect Technology SV4E-I3C
I3C Test and Debug Module
MSRP: $8900 [Available on DigiKey]
Product PageOscilloscopes with I3C Decode Options
Most of the household names in the oscilloscope industry have developed support for MIPI I3C Trigger and Decode and make it available via software unlock. Information is sparse around these sorts of products, so it's definitely best to check in with your favorite test equipment distributor to find out the details, but we've scraped together enough information to find some starting points for Keysight, Tektronix, and LeCroy I3C decode solutions.
Keysight D9010MPLP Low Speed MIPI Protocol Decode/Trigger Software
MSRP: $3710+ [Available from TEquipment]
Product PageTektronix 4-SRI3C & 5-SRI3C
MIPI I3C Serial Analysis
MSRP: $2166+ [Available from TEquipment]
Product Page for Tektronix 4-SRI3CProduct Page for Tektronix 5-SRI3CLeCroy HDO4K-I3CBUS TD
I3C Trigger and Decode Option
MSRP: $1565+ [Available from TEquipment]
Product PageLogic Analyzers
Products in this category can be used to observe / record the transactions on an I3C bus, decode the data, and provide a level of analysis suitable for firmware development and debugging. However, these devices are unable to actively participate on the I3C bus -- it cannot perform the functions of an I3C controller nor as an I3C target. These can be used to aid in timing analysis, but the primary use is for observing the data being transferred on the bus, and not necessarily the performance of the physical layer of the protocol.
* At this time, the Saleae Logic software does not include protocol decoding support for I3C. We at Binho have developed an I3C Basic Protocol Analyzer Plugin for Saleae Logic which is available for purchase separately. Several licensing tiers are available. You can find the details on our I3C Basic Protocol Analyzer Plugin page.
USB Host Adapters
Products in this category are used to actively participate on the I3C bus, either as an I3C Controller or I3C Target. Regrettably the current generation of our Binho Nova USB Host adapter does not support I3C, but we'll have more news on that later. In the meantime, you may want to consider using the Scout 4420 Serial Bus Controller by Signal Craft Technologies. It is not the most featureful tool, however if you are in need of an I3C Controller for your test bench and aren't interested in doing silicon-level validation, this device will surely suffice. There's also a bit of a learning curve to get up and running with it - more details can be found in our Scout SC4420 hands-on review blog post.
We've worked with this device extensively and have created a helpful package of scripting and automation tools to make it fast and easy to get up and running using this device as an I3C Controller. Details can be found on our I3C Controller Python Package page.
** Official product pricing is not published. MIPI-I3C support is sold as an optional feature unlock in addition to the base cost of the device. The MSRP listed above represents an estimation of the total amount paid for the product including I3C support. For more specific pricing information, please request a quote directly from Signal Craft Technologies on the product page linked above.
Read More from I3C Cafe...
Scout SC4420 I3C Serial Bus Controller Hands-On Review
We're sharing our findings after spending some time building a new automated I3C test bench using the SC4420 by Signal Craft Technology.
NXP Introduces New MCX family of Microcontrollers, But Do They Support I3C?
The portfolio contains 4 different device series, one of them being described as containing a "broad range of peripherals". We stopped at NXP's booth at Embedded World to learn more.
Adafruit Eye on NPI Offers A Fantastic Intro to I3C
Ladyada and PT produced an amazingly concise explanation of the key concepts of I3C in just ~12 minutes.
MIPI® and I3C® are registered trademarks owned by MIPI Alliance. I3C BasicSM, Debug for I3CSM, I3C HCISM and DisCo for I3CSM are service marks of MIPI Alliance. I3C Cafe is an independent publication (blog) and is not affiliated with nor sponsored or endorsed by the MIPI Alliance. Saleae® and Saleae Logic® are registered trademarks owned by Saleae Inc.