Binho Pulsar

Binho Pulsar host adapter.

In this guide: Setup · Hardware reference · Protocols · Firmware · FAQ · Troubleshooting

Summary

The Binho Pulsar USB host adapter connects a PC to the circuit under test over a USB 2.0 High Speed (480 Mbps) link. It drives, or emulates, devices on these buses:

Interface	Roles	Where to use it
I2C, 2 buses	Controller, target	Mission Control 3, PyCosmicSDK, CosmicSDK
SPI	Controller, peripheral	Mission Control 3, PyCosmicSDK, CosmicSDK
UART	n/a	Mission Control 3, PyCosmicSDK, CosmicSDK, any serial terminal
GPIO, 6 pins	Input, output, interrupt	Mission Control 3, PyCosmicSDK, CosmicSDK
RS-485	n/a	Any serial terminal (virtual COM port), half-duplex
CAN-FD and CAN	n/a	SLCAN tools such as python-can (virtual COM port)

Each protocol has its own pins, so several can run at once.

The Pulsar has no I3C. For I3C, use the Binho Supernova.

The full datasheet (revision 1.3) is in the document library at my.binho.io, after signing in. Product page and ordering: binho.io. How it fits each stage from proof of concept to factory test: Why Pulsar.

Note

This page describes firmware 4.6.x. Where a later firmware changes a behavior, both versions are given. To update, see Updating Firmware.

Common Applications

• Device driver and firmware development.
• EEPROM and SPI flash programming: transfers of up to 16 KB in one call.
• I2C, SMBus and PMBus verification.
• Automated hardware and firmware tests, with several Pulsars on one PC.
• Emulating an I2C or SPI device before the real part is available (target mode).

Software

Software	What it does
Mission Control 3	Point-and-click apps: I2C, SPI, GPIO, Serial Terminal, and Memory Programmer for I2C EEPROMs. Desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, or in a Chromium browser at mc3.binho.io
PyCosmicSDK	Python SDK: pip install pycosmicsdk. Python 3.10 to 3.14 on Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon) and Linux x86_64
CosmicSDK	C, C++, C# and Java SDK, the library under PyCosmicSDK
dfu.binho.io	Firmware update in the browser. See Updating Firmware

PyCosmicSDK guides: I2C · SPI · UART · GPIO · Target mode · Bulk transfers · Device lifecycle

Note

Using the old binhopulsar package? PyCosmicSDK replaces it and includes a compatibility layer, pycosmicsdk.legacy.pulsarsdk, so existing scripts run with a one-line import change. See the migration guide.

Mission Control 2.16.1 and earlier do not work with Supernova or Pulsar firmware 4.x. Use Mission Control 3.

In the Box

• 1 × Binho Pulsar USB Host Adapter
• Differential Port Kit: 1 × 4-pin JST PH cable with female headers, 1 × with male headers
• Dedicated I2C Port Kit: 1 × Qwiic to Qwiic cable, 1 × Qwiic cable with male headers, 1 × with female headers
• Multifunction Port Kit: 1 × 30-conductor ribbon cable and a ribbon-to-2.54 mm header breakout board
• USB Kit: 1 × USB Type-C to Type-A cable and 1 × USB Type-A to Type-C adapter
• Mounting Kit: 2 × M3 mounting screws and 2 × washers
• Protective zippered carry case

Accessories and Application Notes

Sold separately on binho.io:

Accessory	Use it for
mikroBUS Adapter Board	Connects MikroE Click boards over I2C, SPI or UART. Also fits the Supernova.
I2C Mini-DIN Adapter Cable	I2C connection to onsemi Ezairo ASSP family products.

All accessories: Accessories.

Application notes with code: programming an STM32 over I2C and over SPI through its ROM bootloader. More in Other examples.

Protocol background on binho.io: RS-485, CAN, 1-Wire.

ASCII Command Set (Nova Compatibility Mode)

Pulsar can emulate the legacy Binho Nova ASCII protocol over its USB CDC virtual COM port, so existing Nova host software works against it unmodified:

ASCII Command Set→