As shown in Figure 7-12, a single-byte data-read transfer begins with the master device transmitting a start condition followed by the I²C device address and the read/write bit. For the data-read transfer, both a write followed by a read are actually done. Initially, a write is done to transfer the address byte of the internal memory address to be read. As a result, the read/write bit is a 0. After receiving the address and the read/write bit, the device responds with an acknowledge bit. In addition, after sending the internal memory address byte, the master device transmits another start condition followed by the address and the read/write bit again. This time the read/write bit is a 1, indicating a read transfer. After receiving the address and the read/write bit, the device again responds with an acknowledge bit. Next, the device transmits the data byte from the memory address being read. After receiving the data byte, the master device transmits a not-acknowledge followed by a stop condition to complete the single-byte data-read transfer.

Figure 7-12 Random Read Transfer