Implementing serial bus interfaces using general purpose digital instrumentation

Abstract

While a dedicated test instrument can offer more targeted test capabilities for serial bus interfaces, a solution built around a general-purpose digital test instrument can offer flexibility that is unmatched in a dedicated bus test tool. This includes the flexibility to adapt to multiple bus environments, adapt to changing test conditions, support non-standard protocols (data rates, timing, or message sizes), provide synchronization for external equipment to time-specific bus events, as well as support other static and dynamic digital test needs. A general purpose solution can reduce the footprint of the test system and reduce the test equipment learning curve as the test engineer is working with one instrument or learning one programming language. Supporting multiple serial busses with one general-purpose instrument also means that the test engineer needs to interface with only one vendor should technical support be required. Finally, significant cost savings can be realized as the number of different bus protocols that need to be supported increases, while the hardware investment does not. Ultimately, the goal is to identify those instances where the clever or novel application of a general-purpose digital test tool is appropriate and provides tangible benefits in time, cost flexibility and effective utilization of resources.