I2C Protocol
I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) is a synchronous, multi-master, multi-slave, packet-switched, single-ended, serial communication bus protocol used for short-distance intra-board communication in embedded systems. It enables low-speed peripherals like sensors, EEPROMs, and microcontrollers to communicate with each other using just two bidirectional open-drain lines: a serial data line (SDA) and a serial clock line (SCL). Developed by Philips (now NXP Semiconductors) in 1982, it is widely adopted in consumer electronics, industrial devices, and IoT applications due to its simplicity and low pin count.
Developers should learn I2C when working on embedded systems, IoT devices, or hardware projects that require communication between multiple integrated circuits on the same printed circuit board (PCB). It is particularly useful for connecting low-speed peripherals such as temperature sensors, accelerometers, LCD displays, and real-time clocks to microcontrollers like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or ESP32, as it minimizes wiring complexity and supports multiple devices on a single bus. Use cases include sensor networks, battery management systems, and control interfaces in automotive, medical, and consumer electronics.