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| author | Linus Torvalds <torvalds@linux-foundation.org> | 2026-08-19 10:09:22 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Linus Torvalds <torvalds@linux-foundation.org> | 2026-08-19 10:09:22 -0700 |
| commit | f4cdf7ca9a1fdcca413157df19753f388a5a224e (patch) | |
| tree | 60a31895b2446cd7fa27514e8c2843534a0de0da /Documentation/i2c/summary.rst | |
| download | linux-stable-f4cdf7ca9a1fdcca413157df19753f388a5a224e.tar.gz linux-stable-f4cdf7ca9a1fdcca413157df19753f388a5a224e.zip | |
Merge tag 'media/v7.3-1' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/mchehab/linux-mediagrafted
Pull media updates from Mauro Carvalho Chehab:
- v4l2-core: added ISP statistics support and per-block validation
- v4l2-core: Allow unknown HDR10 white point and luminance
- New camera sensors: Sony IMX678 and IMX471m, Himax HM1092 IR sensor
- New codec: Milos: VPU v2.0 codec support
- isp driver: gained support for Dreamchip RPPX1 ISP framework
- vsp1 driver: gained support for RZ/T2H and RZ/N2H
- Novalake driver: gained CVS support for new NVL hardware
- dvb-core: fix feed leak on failed DMX_ADD_PID
- several driver fixes, cleanups and minor improvements
* tag 'media/v7.3-1' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/mchehab/linux-media: (308 commits)
media: ipu-bridge: check all DMI entries when overriding sensor rotation
media: v4l2-async: avoid deleting unlinked ASC entry on link error
media: rzg2l-cru: Align bytesperline to hardware DMA stride requirement
media: intel/ipu6: fix async notifier cleanup leak on parse error
media: staging/ipu7: fix async notifier UAF on probe error path
media: amd: isp4: fix self-deadlock in isp4sd_pwron_and_init() error path
media: amd: isp4: release partial allocations in isp4if_alloc_fw_gpumem()
media: rcar-isp: Fix VSPX reference leaks
media: rcar-isp: Release ISPCORE resources
media: i2c: imx415: Release runtime PM reference on VBLANK error
media: i2c: imx415: Return test pattern write errors
media: renesas: vsp1: Declare index variables in for loop statement
media: renesas: vsp1: Make reset control optional to support platforms without a reset line
media: dt-bindings: media: renesas,vsp1: Document RZ/T2H and RZ/N2H SoCs
media: dt-bindings: media: renesas,fcp: Document RZ/T2H and RZ/N2H SoCs
media: nxp: imx8-isi: Add additional 32-bit RGB format support
media: nxp: imx8-isi: Add 16-bit raw Bayer format support
media: nxp: imx8-isi: Implement per-stream reference counting for multiplexed streams
media: nxp: imx8-isi: Use BIT_ULL() for 64-bit stream masks
media: nxp: imx8-isi: Correct color map between V4L2 and ISI
...
Diffstat (limited to 'Documentation/i2c/summary.rst')
| -rw-r--r-- | Documentation/i2c/summary.rst | 82 |
1 files changed, 82 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/Documentation/i2c/summary.rst b/Documentation/i2c/summary.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..579a1c7df --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/i2c/summary.rst @@ -0,0 +1,82 @@ +============================= +Introduction to I2C and SMBus +============================= + +I²C (pronounce: I squared C and written I2C in the kernel documentation) is +a protocol developed by Philips. It is a two-wire protocol with variable +speed (typically up to 400 kHz, high speed modes up to 5 MHz). It provides +an inexpensive bus for connecting many types of devices with infrequent or +low bandwidth communications needs. I2C is widely used with embedded +systems. Some systems use variants that don't meet branding requirements, +and so are not advertised as being I2C but come under different names, +e.g. TWI (Two Wire Interface), IIC. + +The latest official I2C specification is the `"I²C-bus specification and user +manual" (UM10204) <https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/user-guide/UM10204.pdf>`_ +published by NXP Semiconductors, version 7 as of this writing. + +SMBus (System Management Bus) is based on the I2C protocol, and is mostly +a subset of I2C protocols and signaling. Many I2C devices will work on an +SMBus, but some SMBus protocols add semantics beyond what is required to +achieve I2C branding. Modern PC mainboards rely on SMBus. The most common +devices connected through SMBus are RAM modules configured using I2C EEPROMs, +and hardware monitoring chips. + +Because the SMBus is mostly a subset of the generalized I2C bus, we can +use its protocols on many I2C systems. However, there are systems that don't +meet both SMBus and I2C electrical constraints; and others which can't +implement all the common SMBus protocol semantics or messages. + + +Terminology +=========== + +The I2C bus connects one or more controller chips and one or more target chips. + +.. kernel-figure:: i2c_bus.svg + :alt: Simple I2C bus with one controller and 3 targets + + Simple I2C bus + +A **controller** chip is a node that starts communications with targets. In the +Linux kernel implementation it is also called an "adapter" or "bus". Controller +drivers are usually in the ``drivers/i2c/busses/`` subdirectory. + +An **algorithm** contains general code that can be used to implement a whole +class of I2C controllers. Each specific controller driver either depends on an +algorithm driver in the ``drivers/i2c/algos/`` subdirectory, or includes its +own implementation. + +A **target** chip is a node that responds to communications when addressed by a +controller. In the Linux kernel implementation it is also called a "client". +While targets are usually separate external chips, Linux can also act as a +target (needs hardware support) and respond to another controller on the bus. +This is then called a **local target**. In contrast, an external chip is called +a **remote target**. + +Target drivers are kept in a directory specific to the feature they provide, +for example ``drivers/gpio/`` for GPIO expanders and ``drivers/media/i2c/`` for +video-related chips. + +For the example configuration in the figure above, you will need one driver for +the I2C controller, and drivers for your I2C targets. Usually one driver for +each target. + +Synonyms +-------- + +As mentioned above, the Linux I2C implementation historically uses the terms +"adapter" for controller and "client" for target. A number of data structures +have these synonyms in their name. So, when discussing implementation details, +you should be aware of these terms as well. The official wording is preferred, +though. + +Outdated terminology +-------------------- + +In earlier I2C specifications, controller was named "master" and target was +named "slave". These terms have been obsoleted with v7 of the specification and +their use is also discouraged by the Linux Kernel Code of Conduct. You may +still find them in references to documentation which has not been updated. The +general attitude, however, is to use the inclusive terms: controller and +target. Work to replace the old terminology in the Linux Kernel is on-going. |
