8.3.6 Serial Interface

The bq24193 uses I²C compatible interface for flexible charging parameter programming and instantaneous device status reporting. I²C is a bi-directional 2-wire serial interface developed by Philips Semiconductor (now NXP Semiconductors). Only two bus lines are required: a serial data line (SDA) and a serial clock line (SCL). Devices can be considered as masters or slaves when performing data transfers. A master is the device which initiates a data transfer on the bus and generates the clock signals to permit that transfer. At that time, any device addressed is considered a slave.

The device operates as a slave device with address 6BH, receiving control inputs from the master device like micro controller or a digital signal processor. The I²C interface supports both standard mode (up to 100 kbits), and fast mode (up to 400 kbits).

Both SDA and SCL are bi-directional lines, connecting to the positive supply voltage via a current source or pull-up resistor. When the bus is free, both lines are HIGH. The SDA and SCL pins are open drain.