New Open-Source Development Tool simplifies Testing and Debugging of USB-C enabled Devices

Published  May 12, 2022   0
S Staff
Author
USB-Cereal Development Tool

USB-Cereal is a powerful, fully open-source development tool that simplifies the testing, development, debugging, and manufacturing of devices that utilize USB-C. This USB-Cereal fork by 0xDA makes robust capabilities available to developers and enables simple UART serial communication with the host device using the sideband pins typically dedicated to device-specific applications.

Using USB-C’s extended capabilities this unique hardware saves time and effort through simplified debug and factory log capture, uncomplicated command-line interface, and firmware update procedures. This device can do a number of useful tasks that makes working with USB-C much more manageable. It can be a complementary communication channel which is very handy for devices that use USB-C for power delivery and not USB-compliant communications.

Features & Specifications

  • Development logs can be captured with the device under test (DUT) closed up, without any jumper wires hanging around, and no extra connectors.

  • No USB drivers on the DUT need to be brought up or booted up to get communication running back and forth, so the lowest level log capture is possible with minimal effort.

  • Another USB-C accessory supported by the DUT can be connected via the pass-through port. This way problems occurring only with the accessory attached are easier to pinpoint.

  • No extra DUT costs are incurred as no extra components or mechanical considerations are needed.

  • Up to 3M baud rates are supported for both 1.8 V and 3.3 V signal levels.

  • Both TX and RX operations are indicated using on-board green and orange LEDs.