M24C16, M24C08, M24C04, M24C02, M24C01

Device operation

Doc ID 5067 Rev 17

11/38

3

Device operation

The device supports the I²C protocol. This is summarized in Figure 6. Any device that sends

data on to the bus is defined to be a transmitter, and any device that reads the data to be a

receiver. The device that controls the data transfer is known as the bus master, and the

other as the slave device. A data transfer can only be initiated by the bus master, which will

also provide the serial clock for synchronization. The device is always a slave in all

communication.

3.1

Start condition

Start is identified by a falling edge of Serial Data (SDA) while Serial Clock (SCL) is stable in

the High state. A Start condition must precede any data transfer command. The device

continuously monitors (except during a Write cycle) Serial Data (SDA) and Serial Clock

(SCL) for a Start condition.

3.2

Stop condition

Stop is identified by a rising edge of Serial Data (SDA) while Serial Clock (SCL) is stable

and driven High. A Stop condition terminates communication between the device and the

bus master. A Read command that is followed by NoAck can be followed by a Stop condition

to force the device into the Standby mode. A Stop condition at the end of a Write command

triggers the internal Write cycle.

3.3

Acknowledge bit (ACK)

The acknowledge bit is used to indicate a successful byte transfer. The bus transmitter,

whether it be bus master or slave device, releases Serial Data (SDA) after sending eight bits

acknowledge the receipt of the eight data bits.

3.4

Data input

During data input, the device samples Serial Data (SDA) on the rising edge of Serial Clock

(SCL). For correct device operation, Serial Data (SDA) must be stable during the rising edge

of Serial Clock (SCL), and the Serial Data (SDA) signal must change only when Serial Clock

(SCL) is driven Low.