The master initiates data transfer by generating a start condition. The start condition is when a high-to-low transition occurs on the SDA line while SCL is high (see Figure 7-28). All I²C-compatible devices should recognize a start condition.

The master then generates the SCL pulses, and transmits the 7-bit address and the read/write direction bit R/W on the SDA line. During all transmissions, the master ensures that data is valid. A valid data condition requires the SDA line to be stable during the entire high period of the clock pulse (see
Figure 7-29). All devices recognize the address sent by the master and compare it to their internal fixed addresses. Only the slave device with a matching address generates an acknowledge (see Figure 7-30), by pulling the SDA line low during the entire high period of the ninth SCL cycle. Upon detecting this acknowledge, the master knows that the communication link with a slave has been established.

The master generates further SCL cycles to either transmit data to the slave (R/W bit = 0) or receive data from the slave (R/W bit = 1). In either case, the receiver needs to acknowledge the data sent by the transmitter. An acknowledge signal can either be generated by the master or by the slave, depending on which one is the receiver. 9-bit valid data sequences consisting of 8-bit data and 1-bit acknowledge can continue as long as necessary.

To signal the end of the data transfer, the master generates a stop condition by pulling the SDA line from low to high while the SCL line is high (see Figure 7-28). This releases the bus and stops the communication link with the addressed slave. All I²C-compatible devices must recognize the stop condition. Upon the receipt of a stop condition, all devices know that the bus is released, and they wait for a start condition followed by a matching address.

Figure 7-28 START and STOP Conditions

Figure 7-29 Bit Transfer on the I²C Bus

Figure 7-30 Acknowledge on the I²C Bus

Figure 7-31 I²C Bus Protocol

Figure 7-32 I²C Interface WRITE to TPS650864 in F/S Mode

Figure 7-33 I²C Interface READ from TPS650864 in F/S Mode (Only Repeated START is Supported)