Protocol Validation Suite

Before using PVS, the challenges we were facing with our old validation tool was mainly in that writing test scripts in Python was substantially more work because it required looking up documentation for existing functions that would work with that tool. The PVS has test scripts built into the tool which avoids the need for Python. Basically every function you may need (e.g. I2C/I3C register reads or writes, setting bus voltage levels, loops and compliance loops, setting or changing AC parameters with each iteration of a loop, etc.) is a preexisting step that you can drag and drop into a test plan editor which executes those steps sequentially. Additionally, there are existing templates that you can edit or tweak for your particular needs. This presents a lower learning curve and vastly speeds up the process of creating testing scripts. Additionally, the PVS works in conjunction with the NI Digital Pattern Generator which is a very powerful device that has little noise in the signals it sends out and can also control delay and other timing parameters to the fineness of 1 nanosecond. I would recommend PVS to others because it has both MIPI and JEDEC modes, has an easy-to-use GUI, and has many quality of life features that show they have thought about the use cases that people use this tool for.

We’ve been using Soliton’s I3C Target Validation Tool since early 2023, and it has transformed the way we handle AC parameter measurements. Previously, we relied on manual characterization using a DTG, which often stretched into a two week effort. With Soliton’s tool, we now complete the same measurements in just about three days—with far better repeatability and efficiency. Features like the Custom Command Format, easy control of signal speed and amplitude, and the ability to inject pulses into data or clock lines have been invaluable for both validation and debugging. While some parameters still require manual work, the overall automation and speed we’ve gained are substantial. Soliton’s scripting support has also helped us tailor custom workflows, and we’re exploring deeper automation, similar to what our PMIC team has achieved with LabVIEW. Overall, this tool has significantly accelerated our I3C validation and is something we readily recommend.

We needed SPI characterization capabilities that our existing automated test equipment couldn’t provide, and Soliton’s SPI PVS proved to be the perfect fit. Implementation was seamless, and creating device profiles was surprisingly simple. The tool covered nearly all the SPI timing and digital input specifications we required, with the NI6570 setup working flawlessly. Soliton’s support was outstanding—email responses consistently arrived within 24 hours, and their team made themselves available for both weekly syncs and urgent follow-ups. Overall, the SPI PVS tool has become an invaluable part of our validation workflow, and working with Soliton has been an excellent experience.

Thank you so much for providing a great tool to validate I2C and I3C interfaces. The Soliton Validation Suite is simple and easy to use. Setup takes about 15 minutes and validation of a working device is just a few hours. Support has been exceptional as issues are acknowledged and resolved very quickly! Prior to our procurement of the SVS platform, we used off the shelf host adapters to test, validate and characterize our devices. These are good for functional testing but not designed to test I2C, I3C compliance to the spec. Spec compliance was tested with a patchwork of custom test setups and equipment. This required a lot of time to setup, execute, and record test results. Soliton SVS provided a unified test platform with simple pass/fail status reporting for validation. The simplified hardware setup and testing has reduced our engineering costs significantly and improved the quality of the product. Use of the SVS has saved approximately $100K of NRE in the 1st year of application. Validation of I3C is particularly advantageous due to the newish nature of I3C standard. Compared to I2C, I3C is significantly more complicated and requires a steep learning curve. This presents a hurdle for testing. Using SVS leverages the I3C knowledge from Soliton and enables immediate validation of an I3C device.

When Vesper added an I2C interface to our microphones, we knew that comprehensive validation of the interface would be critical to customers. We turned to Soliton and their I2C validation tool. Instead of spending months to develop an in-house solution, we were up and running in a matter of days. The tool was easy to integrate with our existing test hardware and provides 100% spec coverage. Using the automation extensions provided, our final test setup requires minimal operator intervention to fully validate the I2C interface across a wide range of conditions. Soliton was an excellent partner at all stages of the system development. The documentation was easy to read and very helpful. Their support team provided prompt responses to my questions, both via e-mail and online chat. We are very satisfied with the results and feel the Soliton I2C validation tool provides excellent value to our organization.