36.2 I²C Terminology

The I²C communication protocol terminology used throughout this document has been adapted from the Phillips I²C Specification and can be found in the table below.

I²C Bus Terminology and Definitions


Term	Definition
Host	The device that initiates a transfer, generates the clock signal and terminates a transfer
Client	The device addressed by the host
Multi-Host	A bus containing more than one host device that can initiate communication
Transmitter	The device that shifts data out onto the bus
Receiver	The device that shifts data in from the bus
Arbitration	Procedure that ensures only one host at a time controls the bus
Synchronization	Procedure that synchronizes the clock signal between two or more devices on the bus
Idle	The state in which no activity occurs on the bus and both bus lines are at a high logic level
Active	The state in which one or more devices are communicating on the bus
Matching Address	The address byte received by a client that matches the value that is stored in the I2CxADR0/1/2/3 registers
Addressed Client	Client device that has received a matching address and is actively being clocked by a host device
Write Request	Host transmits an address with the R/W bit clear indicating that it wishes to transmit data to a client device
Read Request	Host transmits an address with the R/W bit set indicating that it wishes to receive data from a client device
Clock Stretching	The action in which a device holds the SCL line low to stall communication
Bus Collision	Occurs when the module samples the SDA line and returns a low state while expecting a high state
Bus Time-out	Occurs whenever communication stalls for a period longer than acceptable

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