SPI vs I2C: Complete Comparison, Advantages, Disadvantages & Applications for Embedded Systems
SPI vs I2C: What's the Difference? Serial communication protocols are essential in embedded systems because they allow microcontrollers to communicate with sensors, displays, memory devices, and other peripherals. Among the most popular protocols are SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) and I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) . Although both serve the same purpose, they differ in speed, wiring, and applications. What is SPI? SPI is a high-speed serial communication protocol that uses four main lines: MOSI, MISO, SCLK, and Chip Select (CS). It supports full-duplex communication, meaning data can be sent and received simultaneously. SPI is commonly used in applications where fast data transfer is required. What is I2C? I2C is a two-wire communication protocol that uses SDA (Data) and SCL (Clock). Each connected device has a unique address, allowing multiple devices to share the same communication bus. It is ideal for projects with several sensors or low-speed peripherals. Advantages SPI F...