The Prodigy I3C Protocol Exerciser and Analyzer Lite (PGY-I3C-Lite) is a compact, portable I3C tool that both generates and captures bus traffic. Set it up as an I3C controller or target, send custom I3C and I2C transactions at SCL rates up to 12.5 MHz, and decode the bus live at 4 ns resolution with timing, listing and bus diagram views. It brings the core of Prodigy’s I3C exerciser and analyzer to firmware developers and field engineers at about half the price of the full model. Pertech is the authorized Prodigy distributor.
I3C Lite highlights
- Exerciser: one controller and one target, custom I3C and I2C traffic generation, SCL up to 12.5 MHz
- Fixed I/O levels of 1.0, 1.2, 1.8, 2.5 and 3.3 V
- Hot-Join and in-band interrupts (IBI) supported
- Clock-to-data delay (tCO) adjustable in 10 ns steps, and adjustable delay between messages
- All Common Command Codes (CCCs) on the controller side, per I3C v1.0
- Analyzer: I3C and I2C decode at 4 ns resolution, auto and message triggers, continuous streaming to the host disk for long captures
- Error reporting for S0 to S5 errors, CRC and preamble errors in HDR-DDR, ACK and NACK errors and controller abort
- PDF and CSV reports with images, offline analysis of saved traces, and an optional Python API
Where the I3C Lite earns its keep
- Firmware development for I3C sensors, controllers and peripherals
- Field and application engineers who need an I3C tool they can carry to a customer site
- Emulating a missing controller or target during system design and validation
- Teams moving from I2C to I3C who need to see both protocols on the same bus
Choosing between Prodigy’s I3C tools
Prodigy offers three I3C instruments. The full analyzer is the performance option for silicon validation, the Lite covers development and field work, and the I3C USB Adapter is built for scripted production test.
Prodigy I3C tools compared
| Feature | PGY-I3C-EX-PD | PGY-I3C-Lite | PGY-I3C-USB-ADT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration | 1 controller + 3 targets | 1 controller + 1 target | 1 controller + 1 target |
| I/O voltage | 0.9 to 3.4 V, adjustable | Fixed 1.0, 1.2, 1.8, 2.5, 3.3 V | Fixed 1.0, 1.2, 1.8, 2.5, 3.3 V |
| Error injection | Yes | No | No |
| Hardware protocol-aware trigger | Yes | Yes | No |
| I3C conformance test suite | Yes | No | No |
| API | Python and C++ | Optional (Python) | Yes, Windows and Linux |
| Typical use | Post-silicon validation, pre-silicon traffic generation | Firmware development, field and application engineering | Production test |
| Relative price (Prodigy) | X | 0.5X | 0.2X |
Key Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | PGY-I3C-Lite |
| Configuration | 1 controller + 1 target |
| Traffic generation | Custom I3C and I2C |
| SCL frequency | Up to 12.5 MHz |
| I/O voltage | Fixed 1.0, 1.2, 1.8, 2.5, 3.3 V |
| Hot-Join and IBI | Supported |
| Analyzer resolution | 4 ns |
| Protocol views | Timing diagram, protocol listing, bus diagram |
| Triggers | Auto and message trigger |
| Capture | Continuous streaming to host HDD or SSD |
| API | Python (optional) |
| Host connection | USB 2.0/3.0 |
| Reports | PDF and CSV |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an I3C analyzer and an exerciser?
An analyzer captures and decodes the traffic already on the bus. An exerciser generates controlled traffic to see how a device responds. The PGY-I3C-Lite does both, so you can drive a transaction and watch the result in the same session.
How does the Lite compare with the full Prodigy I3C analyzer?
The Lite keeps controller and target emulation, I3C and I2C traffic generation, Hot-Join and IBI, hardware triggers and continuous capture, in a portable unit at about half the price. The full PGY-I3C-EX-PD adds three targets, adjustable voltage and timing, error injection, advanced multi-level triggers and the I3C conformance test suite.
Does the I3C Lite also handle I2C?
Yes. It generates and decodes both I3C and I2C traffic, which helps on mixed buses and during migration from I2C to I3C.
Can I analyze captures later, away from the bench?
Yes. Traffic streams continuously to the host disk, saved traces reload into the software for offline analysis, and reports export to PDF and CSV with images attached.
Where can I buy the Prodigy I3C Lite in Israel?
Pertech is the authorized Prodigy distributor. Prodigy offers evaluation units, free online technical support and free software updates. Contact Pertech for a quote or a demo.
Related Prodigy products at Pertech
- I3C Protocol Exerciser and Analyzer (PGY-I3C-EX-PD)
- I3C USB Adapter (PGY-I3C-USB-ADT)
- I3C Electrical Validation Software for oscilloscopes
- I3C Protocol Trigger and Decode Software
- Prodigy protocol analyzers at Pertech
Working on an I3C design? Contact Pertech for a quote, a demo or help choosing the right I3C tool.
