Explore how developers can integrate diverse sensors and actuators while managing power and maintaining compatibility with existing I2C systems.
As mobile, IoT and automotive systems grow more complex, developers need an efficient way to connect peripherals to application processors. The solution must simplify integration, reduce pin count, support diverse sensors and actuators and maintain low power consumption.
To address this need, a working group within the MIPI Alliance developed a scalable, medium-speed utility and control bus interface. The specification succeeds I2C, combining key features of I2C and SPI to provide a unified, low-power solution with a robust upgrade path for existing designs. Initial versions enabled integration of mechanical, motion, biometric, and environmental sensors, while subsequent updates added capabilities for peripheral command, control, communication and system manageability over short distances.
The interface is implemented using standard CMOS I/O with a two-wire connection and in-band interrupts to reduce complexity. Typical data rates reach 11.1 Mbps, with high-performance modes up to 100 Mbps. It supports legacy I2C devices, multi-controller operation, dynamic addressing, command-code compatibility and advanced power management. Applications include sensor and actuator control, always-on imaging, memory sideband channels, server system management, debugging and power management.
Key features include:
- Two-wire interface with in-band interrupts for reduced pin count
- Typical data rate of 11.1 Mbps, with high-data-rate options up to 100 Mbps
- Multi-controller support and dynamic addressing
- Command-code compatibility and standardized target reset
- Advanced power management with sleep modes
- Synchronous and asynchronous time-stamping
- Rapid data batching to minimize host energy consumption
- Compatibility with legacy I2C devices
The device includes high-data-rate operation, standardized target reset and improved error recovery. These updates ensure a reliable, low-power and standardized interface for a wide range of modern embedded applications.
