Understanding I2C | neosarchizo

When it comes to working on hardware projects with multiple sensors, the speaker clearly leans towards I2C over UART and SPI.
One downside of UART is that it usually allows for only one or two connections, which can really limit how many sensors you can hook up.
On the other hand, SPI needs a dedicated slave select pin for each sensor, and that can become a hassle depending on how many GPIOs your microcontroller has.
The beauty of I2C is that you only need four pins: SDA, ground, power (VCC), and SCL, making it super simple.
Theoretically, you can connect up to 127 devices using its 7-bit addressing scheme, though in reality, the speaker has managed to connect about four or five sensors without any issues.
If you’re all about speed, SPI is the way to go since it can handle high-speed operations without a hitch, but for everyday use where speed isn’t the main focus, I2C shines thanks to its ease of use and capability for connecting multiple sensors..

I2C, or Inter-Integrated Circuit, typically operates at a maximum clock speed of 1 MHz, but you’ll usually see it running at cozy speeds of 100 kHz or 400 kHz in most applications.
The setup includes a master-slave configuration, where you’ll find dedicated pins for power, data (SDA), and clock (SCL) connections.
It’s important that both master and slave devices match their logic levels – think 3.3V with 3.3V, or 5V with 5V.
To visualize how I2C keeps everything in sync, picture a metronome that helps line up data transmission with those clock signals.
Oh, and when you kick off a communication session, the first byte you send? That’s the address info that tells the system which slave device you want to chat with..

Troubleshooting I2C issues can be a breeze if you follow a few simple steps.
First off, take a look at your wiring to make sure everything’s connected properly, including power, SDA, SCL, and ground.
Next, it’s super important to verify that the logic levels and communication voltages align; this is key for smooth communication.
Don’t forget to double-check that you’re using the correct slave address—this is crucial for getting things to work right.
And if you’re still running into problems, grabbing a logic analyzer to analyze your clock and data signals can be a game changer.
Often, this tool can help you zero in on the root of most I2C issues..