Depending on what is available, hardware interfacing and varying programming languages could use valuable time better suited for design issues. Ian Lesnet , founder of Dangerous Prototypes , has a perfected an open-source solution with a simple command line interface and a consistent set of commands for all protocols called the Bus Pirate.
Bus Pirate Example Command Interface
Lesnet is continually improving the Bus Pirate with firmware updates and new board revisions to add additional features. Purchasing is convenient via Seeed Studio located in Hong Kong but with fast shipping to the US. It is possible to automate the commands to the Bus Pirate using command chaining and scripting. Scripting control examples are provided in Python from the online Bus Pirate user’s manual .
Bus Pirate LCD Adapter
The Bus Pirate is an open design with both board design and software available from the website. Learning is easy with interface tutorials and hands-on example labs using actual ICs from all of the protocol categories. If you spend the time perusing the website documents you can be up and testing your IC in less than 1 hour.
If you are a little unsure of your IC-networked protocol device, grab an inexpensive Bus Pirate device, and you will have an easy-to-learn, flexible exercising platform that you will use over-and-over without the need to continual design new microcontroller systems just to develop with a new IC.