# Binho Inc. — Full LLM-Readable Corpus
# https://binho.io/llms-full.txt

> Concatenated product summaries, I3C Cafe articles, and blog posts
> for AI crawlers and answer engines. English source content.
> Canonical short index: https://binho.io/llms.txt

## Machine-Readable Feeds

- Product catalog (JSON): https://binho.io/products.json

## Products

### Binho Supernova
URL: https://binho.io/test-measurement/products/binho-supernova/
USB host adapter supporting MIPI I3C (v1.0/1.1/1.2), I2C, SPI, and UART. Industry-leading I3C support with SDR and HDR-DDR modes.

### Binho Nova
URL: https://binho.io/test-measurement/products/binho-nova/
Multi-protocol USB host adapter for I2C, SPI, UART, and 1-Wire.

### Binho Pulsar
URL: https://binho.io/test-measurement/products/binho-pulsar/
Compact USB host adapter for I2C, SPI, UART, RS-485, 1-Wire, and CAN-FD. Supports I2C controller and target, plus SPI controller and peripheral (SPI peripheral up to 16 MHz).

### PCBite Handsfree Probes
URL: https://binho.io/test-measurement/products/handsfree-probes/
Magnetic probe systems (SP10, SQ10, SQ MHz) from Sensepeek for hands-free PCB probing.

### Protocol Analyzers
URL: https://binho.io/test-measurement/products/protocol-analyzers/
Passive bus capture and decoding for I3C — SDR, HDR-DDR, and HDR-BT modes plus multi-lane transfers — with support for DDR5/JESD300-5 SPD, MCTP over I3C, NVMe-MI, and IOs over I3C Bridge (via Acute Technology partnership).

### GPIBee & USBGpib V2
URL: https://binho.io/test-measurement/products/usb-gpib-adapters/
USB-C and Ethernet GPIB (IEEE-488) adapters/controllers for legacy test instruments, with VISA, USBTMC, VXI-11, and Power over Ethernet support.

### Mission Control
URL: https://binho.io/test-measurement/mission-control/
Desktop software for all Binho adapters; Mission Control 3 adds EEPROM/SPI-flash programming. Windows, macOS, Linux, browser.

## I3C Cafe Articles

### MIPI I3C Plugfest Taking Place in Taipei in September
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/mipi-i3c-plugfest-taking-place-in-taipei-in-september/
Binho is joining the MIPI I3C Plugfest in Taipei this September! We’ll be testing interoperability and pushing I3C forward—connect with us there!
The MIPI Alliance is hosting the next I3C Plugfest on September 9th and 10th in Taipei, Taiwan. Just like last year's event, the two-day session will focus on interop testing of I3C controllers, targets, and protocol analyzers. Those with Debug over I3C implementations are also highly encouraged to attend, but of course, both days of the event are extremely valuable for testing regardless of the specific implementations of the I3C devices being evaluated. The Binho team is proud to be participating in their third consecutive plugfest and will be on site, eager to help other participants evaluate the performance of their devices during this event. The Plugfest is open for both MIPI Alliance members and non-member participation. More details as well as the registration form can be found on t…

### Upcoming MIPI Demo Day Loaded With I3C Content
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/upcoming-mipi-demo-day-loaded-with-i3c-content/
Get ready for MIPI Demo Day, packed with I3C content! Explore the latest innovations and advancements in I3C technology at this exciting event.
MIPI Alliance will be hosting a Demo Day on Wednesday, September 11th in conjunction with the MIPI Member Meeting in Taipei, Taiwan. While the event is broadly covering all MIPI protocols, the member companies that will be demoing at the event represent all the key players in I3C test & measurement equipment. A full listing of the demos can be found on the MIPI Alliance Member Demos webpage. Furthermore, Demo Day features 3 educational sessions, the first of which is on the topic of I3C. Michele Scarlatella of the MIPI I3C Working Group will be providing a preview of the upcoming I3C v1.2 specification, and Binho's very own Jonathan Georgino will be sharing techniques for testing and debugging I3C implementations based on the latest tools and devices available. More details about this and…

### What to Expect at an I3C Plugfest?
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/what-to-expect-at-an-i3c-plugfest/
Join Binho at the MIPI I3C Plugfest, where engineers collaborate to test and refine I3C device interoperability, fostering innovation in I3C implementations.
Each year when I start talking to our customers about the upcoming MIPI I3C Plugfest, I immediately get asked many of the same questions about the event, the format, the testing process, etc. With the next Plugfest coming up in two weeks in Taipei, I'm going to capture a lot of information I've previously shared via email and publish here in I3C Cafe for others to see. Before getting started, let me mention two important items regarding the context of the following info that I share: 1. The MIPI I3C Plugfest is heavily protected by NDA of all participants. It's a secure place for participants to bring and test new IP, technologies, products, devices, etc. knowing that it will remain confidential. 2 . Binho is currently a MIPI Alliance Contributor Member and actively participates on the I3C…

### Renesas Unveils ARM Cortex-M85 Based MCU with I3C Ternary Mode Support
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/renesas-unveils-arm-cortex-m85-based-mcu-with-i3c-ternary-mode-support/
Renesas unveils the RA8M1 MCU, the industry's first ARM Cortex-M85 core with full I3C HDR support, including HDR-DDR, HDR-TSL, and HDR-TSP modes.
Earlier this week Renesas publicly revealed their new RA8 series of microcontrollers, which is notably the industry's first implementation of the ARM Cortex-M85 core. (There's way more nuance to it, but at the highest level, the Cortex-M33 can be thought of as the next generation of M4 devices, the M85 can be thought of as the next-gen of M7 devices.) While remarkable on it's own, frequent readers will know that we are really only here to discuss one thing: I3C. It's of course no surprise that the RA8M1-series features I3C support, as the RA4E2 and RA6E2 launched earlier this year had I3C peripherals. However, here's the real surprise that's buried deep in the technical documentation for this device. While Renesas's previous I3C-capable devices were limited to SDR mode of operation, the RA…

### Microchip Launches PIC18-Q20 Curiosity Nano, Partners with Binho for I3C Analyzer
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/microchip-launches-pic18-q20-curiosity-nano-partners-with-binho-for-i3c-analyzer/
Microchip's PIC18-Q20 Curiosity Nano dev board supports I3C Target-Only mode. Includes a free 45-day license for Binho’s I3C Basic Protocol Analyzer Plugin.
In early 2022, I shared my excitement regarding news of Microchip's I3C Target-Only implementation in the 8-bit PIC18-Q20. Now I'm please to let you know that it's publicly-available. But that's not all -- it's available as a Curiosity Nano development board, making it one of the lowest cost, lowest effort paths to developing your own I3C Target device. This device has some really clever features, particularly in regards to it's implementation of power domains to have a very low voltage level supported for the I3C bus. It's very well suited for I3C-to-x bridge applications as well. The Curiosity Nano dev board (shown above) is available for purchase for $24 directly from Microchip or from Mouser. But wait, there's more... Microchip has partenered with Binho to provide everyone who purchase…

### Renesas Announces Latest MCUs with I3C on the Arm Cortex-M33
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/renesas-announces-latest-mcus-with-i3c-on-the-arm-cortex-m33/
Renesas expands its RA series with new Cortex-M33 MCUs featuring integrated I3C, improving connectivity but lacking HDR-DDR mode.
Microcontroller giant Renesas has just released it's latest MCU series with integrated I3C peripherals. The new devices are additions to the popular RA series Cortext-M MCU portfolio Entry Line: RA4E2 and RA6E2. As you will find out in just a moment, the features of these MCUs would make use in smart home devices, wearable technology, and even voice-activated features in an automotive environment. Both device groups are 32-bit, run on the Arm Cortex-M33 core with Arm TrustZone SoC technology, and come in small packages for space savings. The RA4E2 runs at 100MHz while the RA6E2 runs at 200 MHz. Renesas says that both are optimized to provide best-in-class power efficiency without compromising performance. Depending on selection, the device offerings also include on-chip CAN FD, USB 2.0 Ful…

### STMicro Launches STM32H5 MCU, First With I3C Peripheral
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/stmicro-launches-stm32h5-mcu-first-with-i3c-peripheral/
STMicro introduces the STM32H5 series, its first MCUs with an I3C controller, marking a key step in I3C adoption for embedded systems.
STMicro has finally launched their first MCU series boasting I3C peripheral support with an impressive 1023 CoreMark making it currently the world’s fastest Arm Cortex-M33. The introduction of the new STM32H5 series is an important milestone for industry adoption of I3C, as the STM32 family of devices is an industry stalwart. It would not be possible to consider I3C as a 'mainstream' protocol if it continued to remain absent from the STM32 MCUs. I'll share more thoughts on this below their marketing teaser video. Now, before I dig into the specifics of the I3C implementation, there's a few other bells and whistles that deserve mentioning. Most notably, the STM32H5 is also the first MCU in the series to come with SoC security services through an industry-standard API. The STM32Trust TEE Sec…

### MIPI I3C Board Level Hardware Engineering Session at Embedded World 2023
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/mipi-i3c-board-level-hardware-engineering-session-at-embedded-world-2023/
MIPI Alliance joins Embedded World 2023 with an I3C session in the Board Level Hardware track. Binho shares insights on key presentations and I3C adoption trends.
The MIPI Alliance announced a partnership with Embedded World conference to offer dedicated MIPI Education Tracks during March 14th at the Embedded World 2023 exhibition and conference in Nuremberg, Germany, marking the first year that the MIPI Alliance is formally participating in the event. I had been anxiously watching the clock tick counting down until the next MIPI I3C Workshop in June, so this opportunity for an I3C event in the next few weeks is a welcomed surprise! The MIPI I3C session is part of the "Board Level Hardware Engineering" track and will be comprised of the following series of three 30 minute presentations: All About MIPI I3C: The Next-Generation Utility and Control Bus Presented by Michele Scarlatella, MIPI IoT Technical Consultant Michele may be one of the most recogn…

### Espressif Announces New ESP32-P4, Includes I3C Support
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/espressif-announces-new-esp32-p4-includes-i3c-support/
Espressif's new ESP32-P4 features dual-core RISC-V CPUs up to 400MHz and includes MIPI I3C support, expanding high-performance MCU options.
Earlier today, the team at Espressif Systems, makers of the extremely popular and low-cost ESP32 family of wireless microcontrollers, announced the newest addition to the ESP32 lineup: The ESP32-P4. This product announcement is interesting for a number of reasons. First off, It's powered by a dual-core RISC-V CPU running up to 400MHz, with an additional "LP-Core" running at 40MHz. And departing from the theme of the ESP32 family of devices, this one does not feature any RF functionality. Perhaps anticipating the reaction of their customer base struggling to find out what wireless protocols it supports, they specifically included the following text in their announcement: If the application requires wireless connectivity, ESP32-P4 can easily connect, as a wireless companion chip, to any prod…

### Debug for I3C Interop Event Planned for June 2023
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/debug-for-i3c-interop-event-planned-for-june-2023/
Join Binho at the MIPI Debug for I3C Interop Event in June 2023, San Jose. Collaborate to test and enhance Debug for I3C implementations.
Earlier this week it was announced that the MIPI Debug Working Group is guaging interest in a MIPI Debug for I3C Interoperability event to be held at the June 2023 MIPI Alliance Member Meeting in San Jose, California. While the I3C Interop Workshop held in 2022 was hosted by the MIPI I3C Working Group and focused on broad I3C implementations, this workshop aims to dial in on the recently released Debug for I3C specification. The full text of the brief annoucement can be found below: The event will concentrate on checking the interoperability of these devices against the foundational requirements of Debug for I3C v1.0 to ensure features such as the debug-specific common command codes (CCCs) and in-band interrupts (IBIs) are working. Participants would be asked to bring one or more of the fo…

### Scout SC4420 I3C Serial Bus Controller Hands-On Review
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/scout-sc4420-i3c-serial-bus-controller-hands-on-review/
Hands-on with the Scout SC4420 I3C Serial Bus Controller! We built an automated I3C test bench and put it to the test—here’s what we found.
We're sharing our findings after spending some time building a new automated I3C test bench using the Scout SC4420 Serial Bus Controller by Signal Craft Technology. There's really a shortage of reviews of these types of devices as almost everyone using them is working on confidential / proprietary projects which cannot be discussed in an open forum. I've received numerous emails over the past few months from folks asking how to best get up and running with an I3C Controller, so I've decided to spend some time creating content on this topic. One of the most enjoyable aspects of my work with I3C is that I'm not bound by those constraints and can share my learnings openly in hopes that others working in the field will benefit. I have no affiliation with Signal Craft Technologies and received…

### NXP Introduces New MCX family of Microcontrollers, But Do They Support I3C?
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/nxp-introduces-new-mcx-family-of-microcontrollers-but-do-they-support-i3c/
NXP's new MCX family includes four MCU series, one with a "broad range of peripherals." We visited NXP's Embedded World booth to find out if I3C is included.
Earlier this month, NXP announced their new MCX portfolio of general purpose ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers. This portfolio of devices is targeted towards industrial and IoT edge computing applications and is the first to feature NXP's Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for machine learning and AI. This portfolio is split into 4 series: (N) Advanced, (A) Essential, (W) Wireless, and (L) Ultra Low Power. A high-level breakdown of each series was published in their fact sheet, seen below. While the announcement is quite exciting, the specific details are still a bit sparse. Thankfully I was able to spend a few moments at the NXP booth at Embedded World 2022 to get some questions answered. It will come as no surprise that the two biggest questions I had were as follows: 1) Will the MCX devices featu…

### Adafruit Eye on NPI Offers A Fantastic Intro to I3C
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/adafruit-eye-on-npi-offers-a-fantastic-intro-to-i3c/
Adafruit’s Eye on NPI segment features the P3S0200GM I3C Switch from NXP, offering a concise yet insightful 12-minute explanation of I3C’s key concepts.
Ladyada and PT over at Adafruit have been putting out a weekly video called Eye on NPI where they talk about cool new devices. Back in May 2022, they chose to speak about the P3S0200GM I3C Switch released by NXP. Given Adafruit's primary focus on making electronics more accessible to tinkerers, hobbyists, students, and educators, the video they produced is an amazingly concise explanation of the key concepts of I3C in just 12 minutes. I highly recommend this video as a starting point for anyone eager to build an understanding of I3C, as well as the motivation for creating a new protocol and the purpose that it aims to serve. I've seen several attempts by various folks to create an introduction/summary of I3C for a more general audience, and regrettably many of them miss the mark on capturi…

### Texas Instruments I2C Level Translator Characterized for I3C
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/texas-instruments-i2c-level-translator-characterized-for-i3c/
Texas Instruments' TCA39306 is a dual bidirectional voltage-level translator with I3C support, officially characterized for I3C in its datasheet.
Texas Instruments has a hidden gem buried in their catalog of devices: an I3C Switch and Voltage-Level translator. Officially marketed as a Dual Bidirectional I2C Bus and SMBus Voltage-Level Translator, the TCA39306 actually calls out I3C compatibility on the first page of its datasheet. TCA39306 Datasheet, Page 1 \[Link\] Aside from the two mentions shown in the screenshot above, usage with an I3C Controller is also included in the "Simplified Application Diagram" on the bottom of the first page as well. This datasheet is really talking the talk when it comes to I3C, but does it walk the walk? Actually, yes. Yes, it Does! Section 9.3 of the datasheet is dedicated to the nuances of using this device on an I3C bus. Kudos to the team at TI that put together this datasheet and backed up their…

### NXP Introduces I3C Interface Devices Webpage
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/nxp-introduces-i3c-interface-devices-webpage/
NXP highlights its upcoming I3C-capable temperature sensors and makes its I3C products easier to find, improving accessibility for developers.
Earlier this week NXP published an "I3C Interface Devices" page on their website. This is not a very profound occurrence, although it does in fact confirm their upcoming line of I3C-capable temperature sensors. On a deeper level, this continues to signal NXP's commitment to invest in building out the I3C ecosystem of supported devices. As of the writing of this article, many manufacturers don't have a separate category for I3C products -- it gets buried on their device datasheets, or at most, surfaced as a simple bullet point that it's a supported communication interface on a given device. This has been our primary motivation for maintaining a list of I3C-capabel devices, since it's so hard actually searching for devices based on whether or not they support I3C. I really hope that other de…

### USB-IF Releases I3C Device Class Specification
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/usb-if-releases-i3c-device-class-specification/
USB-IF releases the I3C Device Class Specification, creating a universal standard for I3C device interoperability, enabling smoother integration across systems.
I've been meaning to write about this for a while now, and regrettably it's already old news at this point. But it's actually a very important topic that's worthy of some additional time in the spotlight. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) published the I3C Device Class Specification v1.0 back in January 2022. This only came to my attention when MIPI announced the release of this publication as a resulf of collaboration between the USB-IF and the MIPI I3C Working Group in mid-March, several months later. Their blog post covers a lot of interesting details as well as their motivation and goals and is certainly worth a read. I think this is a really proactive move to get a custom device class defined in the early days of I3C adoption, as it will pave a clear path forward for USB to I3C Brid…

### ETSI Adopts MIPI I3C Basic for Smart Secure Platform
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/etsi-adopts-mipi-i3c-basic-for-smart-secure-platform/
ETSI adopts MIPI I3C Basic for its Smart Secure Platform, enhancing security and interoperability. Devices on the bus can now access SSP's security services.
Earlier today, the MIPI Alliance and ETSI Technical Committee Secure Element Technologies officially announced the adoption of [I3C Interface for SSP (TS 103 818)\[PDF\]](https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi ts/103800 103899/103818/17.00.00 60/ts 103818v170000p.pdf). This formalizes the employment of the MIPI I3C Basic specification for the physical and logical link layer for the ETSI Smart Secure Platform (SSP). Check out the full press release for some additional background information regarding the ETSI SSP and what it entails. The figure below is a simple illustration of how the SSP data frames are structured within an I3C transaction, the full context and additional examples can be found in the PDF linked above. The diagram above is almost trivial, which perfectly highlights why I3C is a…

### MIPI I3C Interop Workshop Review - June 2022 (Munich)
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/mipi-i3c-interop-workshop-review-june-2022-munich/
MIPI Alliance’s first I3C Interop Workshop opened to non-members in June 2022, Munich. A resounding success—here’s our firsthand review.
Respecting the privacy of the participating companies, this article will focus on the high-level outcomes of the event and purposefully avoid a lot of exciting specific details. If you're interested in the details, be sure to attend the next event. As mentioned in this previous article, MIPI Alliance hosted their first I3C Interop Workshop open to non-members in June 2022. I couldn't miss the opportunity to perform ample real-world testing with our I3C Basic Protocol Analyzer as well as get feedback from the engineers designing / validating I3C devices, so of course I attended the two day workshop. By all measures, the event was a great success, and let me tell you why. Real-World Testing & Feedback from Experts First off, our I3C Basic Protocol Analyzer plugin for Saleae Logic performed i…

### Renesas Announces I3C Intelligent Switch Devices
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/renesas-announces-i3c-intelligent-switch-devices/
Renesas, in collaboration with Intel, unveils 2:4 and 2:8 I3C Intelligent Switches, enhancing I3C scalability for next-gen servers and infrastructure.
Earlier today, the team at Renesas pulled back the curtain to reveal their newest device family: a line of 2:4 and 2:8 I3C Intelligent Switches. RG3MxxB12 The RG3MxxB12 devices "enable intelligent management of CPI, BMC, DIMM, and other peripherals with significant performance and power benefits over other serial communication interfaces with easy-to-use bidirectional signaling capabilities in a small footprint (28pin QFN)." A picture is worth a thousand words, the block diagram for this device does a great job conveying it's purpose: Renesas has been very aggressive in adopting I3C in their ICs. This intelligent switch family of devices complements their SPD hubs, temperature sensors, PMICs, and DDR5 I3C expanders already in their catalog. This chip aims to enhance the scalability and rel…

### MIPI Alliance to Host First I3C Interop Workshop Open to Non-Members
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/mipi-alliance-to-host-first-i3c-interop-workshop-open-to-non-members/
MIPI Alliance hosts its first I3C Interop Workshop, now open to non-members—join to explore I3C compatibility and interoperability.
Given their support of the publicly available, royalty-free I3C Basic protocol, this workshop is open to non-members for the first time! In April, the MIPI Alliance announced that, in conjunction with the June MIPI Alliance member meeting, the MIPI I3C and I3C Basic Ad Hoc working groups will host an I3C Interop Workshop on 13-14 June, 08:00-18:00, in Munich. The official announcement and further details about the event can be found in this MIPI Alliance blog post. Per the announcement, the event was contingent upon the registration of at least 6 MIPI-member company participants, and as of 9 May, it was confirmed that the threshold has been met. The MIPI Alliance has hosted a few of these I3C Interop Workshops in the past, however it's noteworthy that this is the first time they are openin…

### Renesas Launches PMIC for DDR5 DIMMs With I3C Support
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/renesas-launches-pmic-for-ddr5-dimms-with-i3c-support/
Renesas introduces a PMIC for DDR5 DIMMs featuring I3C support, optimizing power management and communication for next-gen memory modules.
With I3C being the standard for DDR5 management, it only makes sense that the ecosystem of supporting components also adopt I3C as their primary communication interface. Renesas therefore took the logic step of introducing their P8900 PMIC, designed specifically for powering typical DDR5 RDIMM, DDR5 LRDIMM and DDR5 NVDIMM applications, with the capability to communicate on I3C. Of course, it can fall back to I2C for applications which aren't ready for I3C. Details, tech specs, and the product datasheet can all be found on Renesas' product page.

### Renesas Releases an RF VGA with I3C Control Interface
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/renesas-releases-an-rf-vga-with-i3c-control-interface/
Renesas introduces an RF VGA with I3C control, enhancing performance and integration in RF applications with advanced connectivity.
I was looking through Renesas's portfolio and stumbled on an I3C device that somewhat bucks the trend (in a good way). The Renesas F0443 is a Dual Matched Broadband RF digital variable gain amplifier designed for use in diversity/MIMO receivers. This is quite a deviation from the typical applications of I3C-capable devices. Up to now, most I3C Target devices have been either (a) sensors for use in mobile phones and tablets, or (b) related to the implementation and management of DDR5 DIMMs. All the tech specs and datasheet can be found on the product page. I personally do not have an adequate technical background in RF to understand the nuances of this device and it's potential usecases, but I find it very interesting to see I3C support ending up in an RF amplifier this early in the industr…

### Diodes Inc. Announces High-Speed I3C 1:2 Mux
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/diodes-inc-announces-high-speed-i3c-1-2-mux/
Diodes Inc. introduces its first high-speed I3C 1:2 mux, expanding the ecosystem for I3C interface devices like switches and buffers.
Aside from I3C-capable Controllers and Targets, another category of devices that are imperative for successful and wide-spread industry adoption of the I3C protocol are interface devices such as switches/muxes, buffers/level-shifters, etc. Diodes Inc. recently announced\[pdf\] their first I3C interface device, the PI3CSW12, a 1:2 Mux/DeMux with Output Enable control signal. This device is clearly designed for usage with upcoming DDR5 DIMMs, but there's also other many other situations in which an interface IC like this could be utilized. Don't be fooled by the manufacturer part number for this device -- at first, I thought that the inclusion of "I3C" in the part number meant this was just one of a family of I3C interface devices, but it turns out that this was just a conveniently numbered…

### NXP RT500 & RT600 Crossover MCUs Enable I3C Development Today
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/nxp-rt500-rt600-crossover-mcus-enable-i3c-development-today/
NXP's RT500 & RT600 MCUs bring I3C support, making crossover microcontrollers more versatile for modern embedded applications.
The iMX RT Crossover Microcontrollers are an interesting beast. If you're looking for a platform that's got a ton of computational power, but still want avoid the complexity of running embedded linux on traditional microprocessor and stick with a real-time operating system, then this crossover series is the right place to be. They've got some interesting bells and whisltes, but the real reason that I'm writing about them today is due to the fact that the RT500 and RT600 series devices feature I3C peripherals. Both devices are dual-core, featuring a Cortex-M33 paired with a Cadence Tensilica DSP specialized for various applications. The RT600 features a single I3C peripheral, and the RT500 has 2 x I3C peripherals. The most exciting thing from my perspective is that the eval board is readily…

### STMicro Sensors with I3C Support Available Now
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/stmicro-sensors-with-i3c-support-available-now/
STMicro's MEMS sensors with I3C support are now available, hinting at future microcontrollers featuring I3C peripherals.
While we're eagerly awaiting STMicro to introduce their first microcontroller which features an I3C peripheral, their MEMS sensors team has already launched several devices to mass production. This gives me even more hope that their first microcontroller with I3C support is just barely over the horizon. Their I3C-capable sensor lineup currently consists of a family of 6-axis IMUs and a family of MEMS pressure sensors. LSM6DSO\[32\]\[X\] 6-Axis IMUs This lineup consists of 3 device variants which each feature 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope. With IMUs, there's always so much nuance in the details, so I'm hesitant to highlight any particular performance parameters which could be missing context. Instead though, I liked to point my favorite feature of this device family: it suppor…

### Bosch BMI263 IMU Supports I3C But Is Nowhere To Be Found
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/bosch-bmi263-imu-supports-i3c-but-is-nowhere-to-be-found/
Bosch’s BMI263 IMU boasts I3C support, yet finding it remains a challenge. Here’s what we know.
Bosch Sensortec released the BMI263, a 6-Axis IMU, their first I3C compatible device, well over a year ago. They are keen to point out support for I3C all over their product page and marketing materials for the device, unlike some who are somewhat silently adding supporting for I3C. However, I have not yet been able to find any distributor from which the device can be purchased. The following text is an exerpt from the "Sensor Features" section of their product brief\[pdf\]: "BMI261 is Bosch Sensortec's first IMU that is compliant with the latest I3CSM standard as defined by MIPI Alliance. BMI263 features MIPI I3CSM serial interface with two signal lines (Data SDA & Clock SDC), improving upon features, performance and power use of I2C while maintaining backwards compatibility. MIPI I3CSM s…

### Microchip Announces PIC18-Q20 Device Family with I3C Support
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/microchip-announces-pic18-q10-with-i3c/
Microchip unveils PIC18-Q20 MCUs with I3C Target-Only mode, available via Curiosity Nano. Includes a free 45-day license for Binho's I3C Analyzer Plugin.
Microchip Launches PIC18-Q20 Curiosity Nano, Partners with Binho for I3C Analyzer Published on Oct 23, 2023 In early 2022, I shared my excitement regarding news of Microchip's I3C Target-Only implementation in the 8-bit PIC18-Q20. Now I'm please to let you know that it's publicly-available. But that's not all -- it's available as a Curiosity Nano development board, making it one of the lowest cost, lowest effort paths to developing your own I3C Target device. This device has some really clever features, particularly in regards to it's implementation of power domains to have a very low voltage level supported for the I3C bus. It's very well suited for I3C-to-x bridge applications as well. The Curiosity Nano dev board (shown above) is available for purchase for $24 directly from Microchip or…

### TDK InvenSense IMUs Support I3C DDR Mode
URL: https://binho.io/i3c-cafe/articles/tdk-invensense-imus-support-i3c-ddr-mode/
TDK InvenSense integrates I3C DDR mode into its IMUs, offering enhanced performance and protocol flexibility.
TDK InvenSense, leaders in the MEMS IMU device category, have already introduced I3C support in several of their devices. Just like IMUs from STMicro, TDK InvenSense took the approach of supporting SPI, I2C, and I3C protocols on their devices, which is very wise in ensuring that can be utilized in a variety of systems and applications. However, there's actually a key differentiator in the I3C implementations between STMicro's IMUs and these devices from TDK that can make a world of difference for certain applications. While both implementations support I3C SDR at 12.5MHz, the TDK IMUs also support DDR (double data rate), where the data is essentially sampled on both rising and falling clock edges, effectively making for 25MHz data transmissions with a 12.5MHz clock signal. These TDK device…

## Blog

### Exploring I3C HDR-DDR on the ams OSRAM TMF8829
URL: https://binho.io/blog/exploring-i3c-hdr-ddr-on-the-ams-osram-tmf8829/
The ams OSRAM TMF8829 declares I3C high data rate support in its bus characteristics register, but neither its datasheet nor its published driver mentions HDR or double data rate. We put a Supernova on one and transferred whole measurement frames in HDR-DDR, verified byte for byte against SDR.

### Exploring the I3C interface on TDK InvenSense MEMS sensors
URL: https://binho.io/blog/exploring-the-i3c-interface-on-tdk-invensense-mems-sensors/
A TDK InvenSense ICM-45686 on a 6DOF IMU 27 Click, driven over I3C from a Supernova. What it took to get an HDR-DDR transfer working: the command byte is not a register address, the register comes from the target internal pointer, and an SDR read is what positions it.

### Exploring the I3C interface on STMicroelectronics MEMS sensors
URL: https://binho.io/blog/exploring-the-i3c-interface-on-stmicroelectronics-mems-sensors/
Tap a MEMS sensor on the bench and watch it interrupt the host over the two wires already carrying the data. We put an LSM6DSV and an LPS22DF on a Supernova over I3C: what the parts report about themselves, and the two registers that decide whether an interrupt ever arrives.

### Exploring the I3C interface on Bosch Sensortec MEMS sensors
URL: https://binho.io/blog/exploring-the-i3c-interface-on-bosch-sensortec-mems-sensors/
The current generation of Bosch Sensortec parts all offer I3C alongside I2C, and most designs still wire I2C. We put a BMI323, BMP581 and BMP585 on a Supernova to see what is on the other side: what the parts report about themselves, the interrupt that needs no pin, and three traps.

### Programming STM32 firmware over SPI using Binho Pulsar
URL: https://binho.io/blog/programming-stm32-firmware-over-spi-using-binho-pulsar/
Of the three STM32 ROM bootloader interfaces, SPI is the easiest to implement wrongly. The value it sends when idle is an ordinary data byte, so the obvious host implementation passes every identification test and then silently corrupts flash reads.

### Programming STM32 firmware over I2C using Binho Pulsar
URL: https://binho.io/blog/programming-stm32-firmware-over-i2c-using-binho-pulsar/
Nearly every STM32 will program its own flash over I2C, with no debugger attached. Four places the protocol does not behave the way you would assume, including an erase count that is off by one on one bus and not the other, and a bus timeout that turned out not to be a bus problem.

### Flashing STM32 firmware over I3C using Binho Supernova
URL: https://binho.io/blog/flashing-stm32-firmware-over-i3c-using-binho-supernova/
The STM32H5 system bootloader includes an I3C interface. It acknowledges over in-band interrupts rather than a status byte, which decides your host stack on day one. What we found driving it from a Supernova, including the bug that looked like a checksum problem.

### Demonstrating the MIPI I/Os Over I3C Bridge in Berlin
URL: https://binho.io/blog/demonstrating-the-mipi-ios-over-i3c-bridge-in-berlin/
At the MIPI Alliance Member Meeting in Berlin, Binho joined Microchip and NXP to demonstrate the forthcoming MIPI I/Os Over I3C Bridge specification on real hardware.

### Binho Joins MIPI Alliance Physical AI Birds of a Feather Group
URL: https://binho.io/blog/binho-joins-mipi-alliance-physical-ai-birds-of-a-feather-group/
Binho announces its participation in the MIPI Alliance Physical AI Birds of a Feather (BoF) group, bringing standards development experience and hands-on implementation expertise from its Intelligent Systems and Robotics business unit to address interface challenges in the emerging physical AI market. The decision reflects Binho's dual position in the industry: active standards contributors throug…

### STMicro's New Image Sensors Enable Always-On Vision Applications with I3C
URL: https://binho.io/blog/stmicros-new-image-sensors-enable-always-on-vision-applications-with-i3c/
STMicroelectronics publicly announced two image sensors that signal where the industry is headed: the VD65G4 and VD55G4. Both are 0.56-megapixel global shutter sensors built for ultra-low-power, event-driven vision. What makes them notable is the interface: I3C. Why I3C Matters for Image Sensors I3C isn't new, but its adoption in imaging applications is still ramping up. These sensors show why it…

### Binho Recognized as Official Microchip Development Tool Partner
URL: https://binho.io/blog/binho-recognized-as-official-microchip-development-tool-partner/
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 colla…