31.2.2.2 Byte Format

All communication in I²C is done in 9-bit segments. A byte is sent from a host to a client or vice versa, followed by an Acknowledge sequence sent back. After the eighth falling edge of the SCL line, the device outputting data on the SDA changes that pin to an input and reads the Acknowledge value on the next clock pulse.

The clock signal, SCL, is provided by the host. Data are valid to change while the SCL signal is low and is sampled on the rising edge of the clock. Changes on the SDA line while the SCL line is high define special conditions on the bus, such as a Start or Stop condition.