Total Phase, Inc
Total Phase Aardvark I2C/SPI-Hostadapter
Total Phase Aardvark I2C/SPI-Hostadapter
SKU: TP240141
Verfügbarkeit für Abholungen konnte nicht geladen werden
Key Features
Overview
Buy an Aardvark I2C/SPI and get 10% off a Beagle I2C/SPI*
The Total Phase Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter is a USB-powered tool that enables direct, bidirectional communication with I2C and SPI devices from a Windows, Linux or macOS computer. It supports master and slave operation up to 800 kHz for I2C and up to 8 MHz/4 MHz for SPI master/slave, making it suitable for sensor evaluation, EEPROM/Flash programming, and automated test workflows. The standard 2×5 IDC target connector provides I2C, SPI and up to six GPIO lines; +5 V target power is available for low-current devices.
The Total Phase Aardvark is a widely adopted industry-standard tool for I2C and SPI development and debugging workflows.
The included Control Center Serial software simplifies configuration and message transactions, with XML batch scripting for automation. Flash Center streamlines programming of I2C and SPI memories using an extensible parts library. Cross‑platform APIs (C/C/C#, Python, .NET) and LabVIEW drivers are available for integration into custom tooling.
Aardvark sits within a family of Total Phase tools: the higher‑performance Promira Serial Platform adds integrated level shifting and much higher I2C/SPI speeds, while the Beagle I2C/SPI Protocol Analyzer provides non‑intrusive bus capture—often used alongside Aardvark for concurrent generate‑and‑monitor workflows.
For engineers who need a dependable, well‑supported host adapter for everyday I2C/SPI bring‑up and production scripting, Aardvark delivers capability without complexity.
Technical Specifications Summary (I2C/SPI Engineering Overview)
The Total Phase Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter (TP240141) is a professional-grade USB to I2C/SPI adapter designed for embedded development, debugging, and production test environments.
Key Technical Capabilities
- I2C master and slave operation up to 800 kHz
- SPI master up to 8 MHz and SPI slave up to 4 MHz
- Standard 2×5 IDC interface with I2C, SPI, and GPIO support
- Up to 6 configurable GPIO lines for control and monitoring
- USB-powered device (no external power supply required)
- Cross-platform support: Windows, Linux, and macOS
- API support for C, C++, C#, Python, and .NET
- Works with Control Center and Flash Center software tools
This specification set makes the Aardvark one of the most widely used I2C SPI protocol adapters in professional engineering environments.
Where the Aardvark Fits in Development Workflows
The Aardvark is commonly used as a bridge between software and hardware in embedded systems development and is typically used for:
- Early-stage hardware bring-up
- Firmware development and register-level debugging
- Sensor and peripheral validation over I2C
- SPI Flash and EEPROM programming
- Manufacturing test automation workflows
- Regression testing of embedded firmware
- Device communication verification before production release
This makes it a core tool for engineers working with I2C and SPI communication debugging and validation.
Downloads
Why Engineers Choose The Total Phase Aardvark I2C/SPI-Hostadapter
Industry Standard Tool
Master/Slave Flexibility
Complete Software Ecosystem
Kaufen Sie einen Aardvark I2C/SPI und erhalten Sie 10 % Rabatt auf einen Beagle I2C/SPI*
Wir präsentieren den Total Phase Aardvark I2C/SPI-Hostadapter – die Industriestandardlösung für schnelles und leistungsstarkes Testen und Programmieren von I2C und SPI. Dieser leistungsstarke Adapter wird über USB mit Ihrem Host-PC verbunden und ermöglicht Ihnen das Arbeiten mit dem I2C- oder SPI-Bus unter Windows, Linux oder Mac OS X.
Mit der mitgelieferten Total Phase Control Center-Software können Sie an den Bus angeschlossene Geräte problemlos steuern und testen. Damit eignet sie sich perfekt für Platinentests in einer Produktionsumgebung. Und mit der Möglichkeit, benutzerdefinierte Skripte auszuführen, ist das automatische Testen ein Kinderspiel. Und mit der mitgelieferten kostenlosen Programmiersoftware können Sie Flash-Geräte problemlos programmieren. Und das Beste daran?
Die Total Phase Control Center-Software kann kostenlos heruntergeladen und regelmäßig aktualisiert werden, ohne dass Softwarewartungsgebühren anfallen! Aktualisieren Sie Ihre I2C- und SPI-Tests und -Programmierung noch heute mit dem Total Phase Aardvark I2C/SPI-Hostadapter.
| General Information | |
|---|---|
Part Number (SKU) |
TP240141
|
Model |
|
Manufacturer Manufacturer of the product
|
|
| Functional Features | |
Applications |
|
| Electrical | |
Power Source |
|
Interface Types |
|
Interface Features |
|
Interface Speed |
|
Interface Connections |
|
| Software | |
Included Software |
|
Software Updates |
|
Host OS Compatibility Works with these Operating Systems
|
|
API/SDK |
|
Automation |
|
| Physical and Mechanical | |
Dimensions |
|
Weight |
1.0 kg
|
Operating Temperature |
|
| Other | |
Certifications |
|
EAN |
5055383601769
|
Questions and Answers
-
How Long Is the Aardvark Warranty?
1 year (Total Phase one-year limited hardware warranty). The warranty period is also shown in the warranty details on this page.
-
Can My Aardvark Be Upgraded?
Yes. The Aardvark's internal firmware can be upgraded over USB with Total Phase's aaflash utility when Total Phase releases new firmware.
-
How Is the Aardvark Powered?
The Aardvark is powered from the host computer over USB and draws less than 100 mA, so no external power supply is needed. It can also supply +5 V to a target on pins 4 and 6 of the 10-pin connector, up to 25 mA per pin (hardware v2.00 and later), which suits small low-current target boards.
-
Does the Aardvark Support I2C Clock Stretching?
Yes, the Aardvark supports clock stretching as a Master or a Slave.
Only the slave device can initiate clock stretching, to extend an I2C bus cycle. Not all I2C master or slave devices support it, so check this if you rely on clock stretching.
-
Can the Aardvark Support Multiple Slave Addresses?
Yes and no. The Aardvark can only act as one I2C address node at a time, but you can change the slave address as required using the Aardvark API software.
-
The Aardvark Supports I2C and SPI Buses. Can It Be Used with Any Other Interfaces?
Yes. The Aardvark host adapters also support:
- Display Data Channel (DDC)
- System Management Bus (SMBus)
- Power Management Bus (PMBus)
- Smart Battery Bus (SBBus)
- Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI)
- Two-Wire Interface (TWI)
-
What Problems Does the Total Phase Aardvark i2C/SPI Host Adapter Solve?
It connects a computer to I2C and SPI devices so you can debug, test and program them. This saves development time.
-
Is Their a CAD File Available for This Part?
The Aardvark is a simple shape that is easy to measure for placing in your equipment: it measures 55.6 x 22.2 x 89 mm and weighs 64 g. If you need a CAD file, please ask Total Phase.
-
What GPIO Capabilities Does the Aardvark Provide?
The Aardvark provides up to 6 GPIO pins.
- In I2C-only mode, the four SPI pins (MISO, SCLK, MOSI, SS) become GPIO 02, 03, 04 and 05.
- In SPI-only mode, the two I2C pins (SCL, SDA) become GPIO 00 and 01.
Each pin can be set as input or output, with internal pull-up resistors available on inputs. The aa_gpio_change function detects pin state changes within a set timeout, giving interrupt-like operation. All GPIO pins use 3.3V logic with a maximum drive current of 10 mA per pin.
-
Can the Aardvark Adapter Be Used for Programming EEPROMs and Flash Memory?
Yes. The Aardvark can program I2C and SPI EEPROMs and Flash memory.
The included Flash Centre Software has a built-in library of popular memory devices from manufacturers including Atmel, Microchip, Intel, STMicroelectronics and Cypress. Its XML-based device library can be extended for custom memory devices.
It can read, write, erase and verify memory with built-in error checking. For production, you can use several Aardvark adapters at once for parallel programming.
-
Which Programming Languages and Operating Systems Does the Aardvark Support?
The Aardvark API supports C, C#, Python 2 and 3, .NET, VB.NET and VB6. A LabVIEW driver is available as a separate download from Total Phase.
Total Phase currently lists support for Windows 7, 10 and 11, Linux (Red Hat, SuSE, Ubuntu, Fedora) and macOS 13 or later, on Intel and Apple Silicon. Control Center Serial, Flash Center and the API are free to download from Total Phase.
-
Can I Program I2C/SPI Memory Devices?
Yes. The Aardvark supports programming a wide range of EEPROM and Flash memory devices with Flash Center™ software, for embedded development and production programming.
-
What Industries Use the Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter?
Total Phase lists applications for the Aardvark including memory programming, sensors, industrial and home automation and audio processing, wherever reliable I2C and SPI communication is required.
-
Can the Aardvark Be Used for Production Testing?
Yes. It can be used in automated production test systems to program firmware and run automated tests on I2C and SPI devices during manufacturing workflows.
-
Is the Aardvark Suitable for Beginners?
The Aardvark is a professional tool for engineers, but the free Control Center software gives a graphical interface for configuration and control, and the free API is there when you want to script tests.
-
Can the Aardvark Be Used with Other Interfaces Besides I2C and SPI?
Yes. As well as I2C and SPI, the Total Phase Aardvark supports these related protocols:
- Display Data Channel (DDC)
- System Management Bus (SMBus)
- Power Management Bus (PMBus)
- Smart Battery Bus (SBBus)
- Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI)
- Two-Wire Interface (TWI)
-
Why Is the Total Phase Aardvark Preferred Over Basic USB to I2C/SPI Adapters?
Because it supports both I2C and SPI protocols, includes professional APIs for automation, and allows both master and slave operation for full protocol testing and debugging in development and production environments.
-
Can the Aardvark Adapter Be Used in Production Testing Environments?
Yes.
Its programmable interface and scripting support let you build automated test sequences, which speeds up quality control. Because it handles both I2C and SPI, it can test a range of components on a production line, from sensors to memory chips.
-
What Software Is Included with the Aardvark Adapter?
The Aardvark comes with Total Phase's Control Center software.
It gives a graphical interface for configuration and control, plus a transaction log of the messages it sends and receives, which can be exported to CSV. It also supports scripting for automated testing.
-
Can the Aardvark Adapter Be Used for Debugging I2C Communication Issues?
Yes. Through its API status codes the Aardvark reports I2C errors such as missing ACKs on the transactions it takes part in, and the Control Center transaction log records every transaction it sends or receives. For passive bus monitoring use the Beagle I2C/SPI analyser.
You can also emulate I2C devices to isolate faults.
-
Does the Aardvark Adapter Support Multi-master I2C Configurations?
Yes. The Aardvark supports I2C multi-master configurations, where several master devices share the same I2C bus. This is useful when multiple controllers need to start communication independently, for example in distributed control systems or IoT applications.
-
What Is the Total Phase Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter?
The Total Phase Aardvark I2C/SPI Host Adapter is a USB-to-I2C/SPI interface for electronic design engineers.
It connects your computer (Windows, Linux or macOS) to embedded systems so you can communicate with I2C and SPI devices for prototyping, debugging and programming. It works as master or slave, with I2C up to 800 kHz and SPI up to 8 MHz (master) or 4 MHz (slave). It also provides up to 6 GPIO pins.
-
Can Multiple Aardvark Adapters Be Used Simultaneously on One System?
Yes. You can connect and run several Aardvark adapters at once on one host computer.
Each one gets a unique port number, which you can find with the aadetect utility or the aa_find_devices API function. Software can open handles to several adapters and control each one independently through separate API calls. Each device draws less than 100 mA.
Typical uses:
- parallel (gang) programming of memory devices
- independent control of separate embedded systems
- parallel testing in production
Control Centre Software can manage multiple connected Aardvark adapters through its device selection interface.
-
What Protocols and Communication Standards Does the Aardvark Support Beyond Basic I2C and SPI?
As well as standard I2C and SPI, the Aardvark supports several related standards and variants.
I2C-based standards:
- Display Data Channel (DDC)
- System Management Bus (SMBus)
- Power Management Bus (PMBus)
- Smart Battery Bus (SBBus)
- Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI)
- Two-Wire Interface (TWI)
It also handles repeated start conditions, 10-bit addressing, combined format transactions, clock stretching and multi-master configurations.
For SPI, you can set clock polarity and phase, slave select polarity, and MSB-first or LSB-first bit order. Some other SPI variants and custom protocols can be handled through the GPIO at low speeds.
You can add further protocols, including proprietary ones, by writing your own software with the API. The GPIO can also be used for bit-banged protocols or custom signalling, but it is driven by host API calls over USB, so this suits slow signals only.
-
What Is the Maximum Cable Length and Distance Limitations for the Aardvark?
The standard Aardvark ribbon cable is 130.175 mm (5.125 inches) long with a 1.27 mm (0.050 inch) pitch.
Longer cables reduce signal integrity, especially for SPI at up to 8 MHz. Lower-speed I2C at 100 to 400 kHz tolerates longer runs better than fast SPI. If you need a longer connection, keep it as short as the fixture allows and check the signals with an oscilloscope.
Several Aardvarks can run from one host PC, each appearing as its own port, which is the usual way to cover several targets.
-
Can the Aardvark Adapter Be Used for Testing Sensors with I2C Interfaces?
Yes. It can act as master or slave on the I2C bus, so you can simulate a microcontroller talking to a sensor, verify sensor outputs, test different I2C speeds and stress-test sensors under various conditions.
Control Center's transaction log can be exported to CSV for analysis.
-
Is There a Python API Available for the Aardvark Adapter?
Yes. Total Phase provides a Python API for configuring the Aardvark, sending and receiving data, and analysing communication. Use it for custom test scripts, automated data collection, or integrating the Aardvark into larger software systems.
-
Does the Aardvark Adapter Support GPIO Functionality?
Yes. The Aardvark has GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins. The GPIO lines are the I2C or SPI pins repurposed, so you can use them when one of the buses is not in use. Use them for custom signalling, triggering external events, controlling extra hardware, extra chip select lines for SPI devices (switched by host API calls, not by the SPI engine), or synchronising with other test equipment.
-
Does the Aardvark Adapter Have I2C Pull-up Resistors?
Yes. The Aardvark has fixed 2.2 kΩ pull-up resistors on SCL and SDA, which can be switched on or off in software (hardware v2.00 and later). The value is not adjustable. If your bus needs a different pull-up value, switch the Aardvark pull-ups off and fit the resistors on the target.
-
Can the Aardvark Adapter Be Used as an Alternative to NI-845x Adapters?
The Aardvark provides I2C up to 800 kHz and SPI up to 8 MHz as master (4 MHz as slave), in master and slave modes, with a free API and a free LabVIEW driver. For a comparison with the NI-845x adapters, check National Instruments' specifications against your own requirements.
-
Is the Control Center Software Compatible with XML Scripting?
Yes. The Control Center software supplied with the Aardvark supports XML scripting for automated test and control sequences.
You can define device configuration and data transmission in XML. This is useful for repeatable test procedures, automating firmware updates, or integrating the Aardvark into larger automated test frameworks.
-
How Does the Aardvark Adapter Compare to the Beagle Protocol Analyser?
Both are Total Phase products, but they do different jobs.
The Aardvark is for interfacing and basic analysis. It takes an active part in I2C and SPI communications, which suits interactive debugging and development.
The Beagle is a protocol analyser for passive monitoring and in-depth analysis. It offers higher capture speeds, more detailed timing analysis, and handles more complex protocol scenarios.
Many developers use the Aardvark day to day and the Beagle for specialised debugging and performance optimisation.
-
How Does the Aardvark Adapter Compare to the Promira Serial Platform?
The Aardvark covers I2C to 800 kHz and SPI to 8 MHz (master). The Promira Serial Platform is the step up: I2C to 3.4 MHz, SPI master up to 12.5, 40 or 80 MHz depending on the licence level, SPI slave up to 20 MHz, eSPI support, and built-in level shifting from 0.9 to 3.3 V.
Promira supports I2C, SPI and eSPI. For CAN, see the Total Phase Komodo CAN interfaces.
-
What Interfaces Does the Aardvark Support?
As well as I2C and SPI, the Aardvark supports related serial interfaces: DDC, SMBus, PMBus, SBBus, IPMI and TWI.
No questions match your search.