Binho Supernova
Binho Supernova host adapter.
In this guide: Setup · Hardware reference · Protocols · Firmware · FAQ · Troubleshooting
Summary
Section titled “Summary”The Binho Supernova is a USB host adapter that connects the computer to I3C, I2C, SPI and UART buses and to six GPIO pins. Each protocol has its own pins, and all of them can run at the same time.
| Protocol | Controller | Target / peripheral | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| I3C | Yes | Yes | MIPI I3C Basic v1.0, v1.1.1 and v1.2. SDR up to 12.5 MHz, HDR-DDR, dynamic address assignment, IBI, Hot-Join, CCCs. 0.8 V to 3.3 V on two ports. |
| I2C | Yes | Yes (firmware 4.5 or later) | Up to 1 MHz, 7-bit addressing (a scan also finds 10-bit addresses), software-set pull-ups, duty-cycle control (firmware 4.6.0 or later). |
| SMBus / legacy I2C on the I3C port | Yes | No | Mixed I3C + I2C buses. Clock stretching, SCL hold (SMBus reset) and SDA pull-up control on the I3C High Voltage port (firmware 4.6.0 or later). |
| SPI | Yes | Yes (firmware 4.5 or later) | Up to 37.5 MHz as a controller, 16 MHz as a peripheral, modes 0–3, 4 chip selects. |
| UART | n/a | n/a | 600 baud to 2 Mbaud, RTS/CTS flow control. Also available as a virtual COM port. |
| GPIO | n/a | n/a | 6 pins: digital input, digital output, edge interrupts. |
Transfers of up to 32 KB move in a single transaction (see Large Transfers). The Supernova can also power the device under test from two rails at a time: the active I3C port’s and the Multifunction domain’s.
Common Applications
Section titled “Common Applications”- Device driver and firmware development.
- Automated hardware and firmware tests.
- Flash and EEPROM programming.
- I2C, SMBus and PMBus testing; DDR5 and PCIe sideband buses.
- NVMe-MI (MCTP over I3C) and JESD300-5 SPD work.
- Emulating an I3C, I2C or SPI device before the silicon is available.
The full product datasheet (revision 1.6) is in the document library at my.binho.io, after signing in. Product page and ordering: binho.io.
Software
Section titled “Software”| Software | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Mission Control 3 | Point-and-click tools for I2C, I3C, SPI, GPIO, the Serial Terminal and the Memory Programmer. Desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, or the web app at mc3.binho.io in a Chromium browser. |
| PyCosmicSDK | Python scripts and test automation. pip install pycosmicsdk. Every feature on this page, including target modes, SMBus on the I3C port and large transfers. Guides: binhollc.github.io/pycosmicsdk. |
| CosmicSDK | C, C++, C# and Java applications. Docs: binhollc.github.io/CosmicSDK. |
Target modes (I3C, I2C and SPI as a device) and the SMBus features of the I3C port are available from the SDKs only.
In the Box
Section titled “In the Box”
Binho Supernova kit
- Binho Supernova host adapter
- I3C port kit: I3C harness with 2.54 mm female headers (pairs: black GND + red VTARG, black GND + blue SDA, black GND + yellow SCL), 6 male-to-male pin headers, I3C port to Qwiic adapter board
- Dedicated I2C port kit: three 4-pin JST SH (Qwiic) cables: JST to JST, JST to male headers, JST to female headers. Colors: red VTARG, blue SDA, black GND, yellow SCL.
- Multifunction port kit: 30-conductor 1.27 mm ribbon cable and a breakout board to 2.54 mm headers
- USB-C to USB-A cable and USB-A to USB-C adapter
- Mounting kit: 2 M3 screws and 2 washers for the two mounting holes on the back
- Zippered carry case
Accessories and Application Notes
Section titled “Accessories and Application Notes”Sold separately on binho.io:
| Accessory | Use it for |
|---|---|
| I3C Target Board | Programmable I3C target. Accepts Bosch Shuttle 3.0 and STMicroelectronics DIL24 sensor evaluation boards. |
| PIC18-Q20 CNano Breakout | Microchip board with a native I3C target, for a first I3C bus. |
| mikroBUS Adapter Board | Connects MikroE Click boards over I3C, I2C, SPI or UART. Also fits the Pulsar. |
Application guides on binho.io:
- USB-to-I3C adapter, MIPI I3C toolkit
- NVMe-MI over I3C, MCTP over I3C, DDR5 SPD over I3C
- All accessories: Accessories.
Application notes with code: STM32 flashing over I3C, Bosch, ST and TDK MEMS sensors, TMF8829 HDR-DDR. See Other examples.
ASCII Command Set (Nova Compatibility Mode)
Section titled “ASCII Command Set (Nova Compatibility Mode)”Supernova can emulate the legacy Binho Nova ASCII protocol over its USB CDC virtual COM port, so existing Nova host software works against it unmodified. The shared command reference (including which commands differ or are unavailable on Supernova) is here: