I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) is an extremely common, widely used serial communication bus in embedded systems, IoT devices, and electronics for connecting sensors, displays, and peripherals to microcontrollers. It requires only two wires (SDA and SCL) to connect multiple slave devices, making it a staple for low-speed, short-distance communication.
Why I2C is So Common:
- Simple Wiring: Only two wires (data and clock) are needed for communication, reducing PCB complexity.
- Multi-Device Capability: Supports connecting up to 128 (or more, depending on capacitance) devices on the same bus using a 7-bit addressing system.
- Versatility: Used for sensors, EEPROMs, ADCs/DACs, and display controllers.
- Standardized Speed: Supports 100 kbit/s (Standard Mode) and 400 kbit/s (Fast Mode), with higher speeds available.
I2C is highly popular, often the default choice over SPI or UART, particularly for connecting simple peripheral devices to a master controller.