I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit)

Overview

I²C (pronounced eye-squared-see) is a widely used two-wire communication protocol for connecting multiple devices in embedded systems. It is commonly used for communication between microcontrollers and peripherals such as sensors, displays, and other integrated circuits.

Key Features

Two-Wire Protocol

• SDA: Serial Data.
• SCL: Serial Clock.
• One wire is dedicated to data, and the other to the clock, operating in half-duplex mode.

Bus Protocol

• Uses 7-bit IDs to address devices on the bus.
• Supports the attachment of multiple devices to the same bus.

Multi-Master Capability

• Multiple devices can act as masters, allowing for flexible communication control.

Acknowledgment Mechanism

• Each device acknowledges communication using ACK (Acknowledgment) or NAK (Not Acknowledged) signals.

Speed and Performance

• Operates at speeds ranging from 100 kbps to 3.4 Mbps.
• Longer wires need lower speeds

Applications

• Commonly used for on-board communication between devices.
• Frequently employed for communication with components like GPS modules.

Considerations

• Sensitive to noise, requiring proper design and signal integrity measures.

Benefits

• Minimal wiring for efficient communication.
• Allows multiple devices to share the same bus.
• Simple and low-cost implementation for short-range communication.