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Technology Glossary

I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit)

I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) is a two-wire serial bus (SDA, SCL) for communication between chips, used by touch controllers, sensors and displays.

Also known as: I2C, IIC, TWI, I2C bus

I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) is a two-wire communication interface developed by Philips for data exchange between integrated circuits within a device. It uses two lines: SDA (data) and SCL (clock), and operates in a master–slave mode where a central controller (e.g., a microcontroller) manages transmission, while one or more slave devices (sensors, controllers, displays) respond.

I²C is valued for its simplicity, low pin count, and ability to support multiple devices on a single bus. Although slower than SPI, it is ideal for applications where compactness, low cost, and reliability are key—such as touch controllers, sensors, IoT systems, or display configuration (e.g., reading EDID data).

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