Embedded Debug Lab
Hardware + Protocol Learning Setup
Personal workbench for CAN, SPI, I²C, and EtherCAT protocols
About the Lab
This is my personal embedded systems workbench — a hands-on setup for learning and experimenting with the same protocols I work with on Optimus. CAN-bus, SPI, I²C, and EtherCAT are the backbone of robotic systems.
The goal is to deeply understand these protocols at the signal level — not just use them through abstractions, but actually see the bits on a logic analyzer, understand timing, and debug real hardware issues.
Why This Matters
At Optimus, I diagnose faults on EtherCAT networks and CAN nodes daily. Having my own lab means I can:
- →Experiment without risk to production hardware
- →Build deeper intuition for protocol behavior
- →Practice signal analysis and debugging techniques
- →Develop custom diagnostic tools and scripts
Protocols Covered
CAN-bus
The protocol that runs automotive and robotics. Learning message framing, arbitration, and fault detection.
EtherCAT
Industrial ethernet for real-time control. Using LAN9252 adapter to understand slave node behavior.
SPI
High-speed serial for sensors and peripherals. Clock polarity, phase, and chip select timing.
I²C
Two-wire serial for sensors. Address scanning, clock stretching, and multi-master scenarios.