I2C Communication Protocol A versatile and widely used two-wire communication protocol for connecting low-speed devices in embedded systems. 30 April 2024 1 minute read By Kevin McAleer Share this article on Table of Contents What is I2C?DescriptionKey Features of I2CApplication AreasConventionsPros and Cons Tags: I2C Communication Protocol Microcontrollers Embedded Systems Electronics STEM Difficulty: beginner STEM Centre Articles Home Connectors DB Connectors Dupont Connectors Grove Connectors JST Connectors Molex Connectors Pogo Pins Screw Terminal Blocks Communication Protocols I2C Communication Protocol SPI Communication Protocol UART Communication Protocol Home Stem I2c communication protocol I2C Communication Protocol A versatile and widely used two-wire communication protocol for connecting low-speed devices in embedded systems. 30 April 2024 | 1 minute read | By Kevin McAleer | Share this article on What is I2C? I2C, or Inter-Integrated Circuit, is a serial communication protocol that allows multiple slave devices to be controlled by a single or multiple master devices. It uses only two wires, making it ideal for connecting peripherals like sensors, displays, and other microcontrollers with minimal wiring. Description I2C uses two lines: SDA (Serial Data Line) and SCL (Serial Clock Line), to communicate between devices. It supports multiple masters and slaves, addressing each device uniquely through 7-bit or 10-bit addressing. Key Features of I2C Two-Wire Interface: Only uses two wires, reducing complexity in system design. Multi-Master Capability: Allows multiple master devices to control the bus. Clock Stretching: Slaves can slow down communication by holding the clock line low. Arbitration: Prevents data collision by allowing only one master to control the bus at a time. Addressing: Supports up to 112 devices on the same bus with 7-bit addressing. Application Areas Consumer Electronics: Used in smartphones, televisions, and other smart devices to control auxiliary components like sensors and touch screens. Automotive Systems: Employed in vehicle internal networks to communicate with sensors and control systems. Industrial Automation: Integral in managing communication between various sensors and actuaries in automated systems. Conventions I2C is typically used in environments where communication simplicity and cost-effectiveness are prioritized over speed. It is suitable for applications where devices are relatively close to each other. Pros and Cons Pros: Simple and efficient for small-scale communication. Reduces wiring complexity significantly. Scalable to a reasonable number of devices without additional hardware. Cons: Limited by bus speed and length, which affects the number of devices and response times. Susceptible to interference in noisy environments. Requires careful handling of bus arbitration and clock synchronization. Liked this article? You might like these too. What is MicroPython? MicroPython is a lean and efficient implementation of the Python 3 programming language that includes a small subset of the Python standard library and is optimised to run on microcontrollers and in constrained environments. How to install MicroPython Learn how to install MicroPython on your microcontroller Arduino Plug and Make Kit Review
I2C Communication Protocol A versatile and widely used two-wire communication protocol for connecting low-speed devices in embedded systems. 30 April 2024 1 minute read By Kevin McAleer Share this article on Table of Contents What is I2C?DescriptionKey Features of I2CApplication AreasConventionsPros and Cons Tags: I2C Communication Protocol Microcontrollers Embedded Systems Electronics STEM Difficulty: beginner
What is I2C? I2C, or Inter-Integrated Circuit, is a serial communication protocol that allows multiple slave devices to be controlled by a single or multiple master devices. It uses only two wires, making it ideal for connecting peripherals like sensors, displays, and other microcontrollers with minimal wiring. Description I2C uses two lines: SDA (Serial Data Line) and SCL (Serial Clock Line), to communicate between devices. It supports multiple masters and slaves, addressing each device uniquely through 7-bit or 10-bit addressing. Key Features of I2C Two-Wire Interface: Only uses two wires, reducing complexity in system design. Multi-Master Capability: Allows multiple master devices to control the bus. Clock Stretching: Slaves can slow down communication by holding the clock line low. Arbitration: Prevents data collision by allowing only one master to control the bus at a time. Addressing: Supports up to 112 devices on the same bus with 7-bit addressing. Application Areas Consumer Electronics: Used in smartphones, televisions, and other smart devices to control auxiliary components like sensors and touch screens. Automotive Systems: Employed in vehicle internal networks to communicate with sensors and control systems. Industrial Automation: Integral in managing communication between various sensors and actuaries in automated systems. Conventions I2C is typically used in environments where communication simplicity and cost-effectiveness are prioritized over speed. It is suitable for applications where devices are relatively close to each other. Pros and Cons Pros: Simple and efficient for small-scale communication. Reduces wiring complexity significantly. Scalable to a reasonable number of devices without additional hardware. Cons: Limited by bus speed and length, which affects the number of devices and response times. Susceptible to interference in noisy environments. Requires careful handling of bus arbitration and clock synchronization.