I2C-Trace Setup and Operating Instructions (Revised Nov 2005)
Q: Can the I2C-Trace kit
be also used to send messages on the I2C bus (I2C Master capability)?
A: No, the I2C-Trace
is only a I2C bus monitor that captures and displays the I2C bus activity
of other bus master devices
(or
Win-I2CNT/DLL master). The I2C-Trace is a passive I2C bus listener,
so does not interfere with I2C message activity.
Q: What is the maximum
I2C bus speed that can be monitored by I2C-Trace?
A: 100khz (Capture
time limited to the 32k message buffer memory and 19.2kb/s serial port
interface to PC or display terminal).
I2C bus speeds >125khz may result in data display errors.
Q: Is I2C message filtering
supported by the I2C-Trace?
A: Yes, The I2C-Trace
software supports the following message filtering from captured I2C data:
Monitor all addresses;
Monitor writes or reads only; Monitor selected addresses or range;
or Find specific message string.
Q: Can I power the I2C
Trace from other than 120v/60hz AC power sources?
A: The included Power
Adapter is a linear non-regulated 120v/60hz input (USA plug) transformer
supply, so you must use a step-
down transformer to use the included adapter with higher AC voltages.
However, any general purpose linear or switching DC power supply terminated
with a common 2.5mm "tip-positive"
DC power plug and capable of providing 6-9v DC @ 500mA may also be used
(the I2C Trace unit has on-board 5v dc regulation, so minimum 6v DC input
is required).
Q: Windows is displaying
a serial port error when I launch the I2C-Trace software or Terminal program.
A: Make sure the correct
serial port is selected and another application (IE: PDA serial HotSync)
is not sharing the same com port.
When
the I2C-Trace serial communication to the PC is working properly, the reset/banner
message will display when
the reset button on the I2C-Trace PCB is pressed.
Q: I'm experiencing serial
communication errors or display/font problems running the I2C-Trace software
on Win-2000 or XP.
A: If you are using the
original I2C-Trace v1.0/1.1 software, you need the latest v1.3 update:
Software
Update
Q: I'm seeing intermittent
errors in the I2C Trace displayed data.
A: Try slowing down the
I2C Bus master clock (marginal bus timing). Make sure the PC
and target I2C board are properly
grounded and the target system ground path is not via the I2C Trace and
the connected PC.
Q: Why is the oscillator
glued on the I2C Trace PCB?
A: We revised the design
of the original I2C Trace to change from the xtal to a oscillator to improve
the I2C-Trace performance
with noisy I2C bus environments.
Updated: Nov 30, 2005