Components
I2C vs SPI vs UART: Choosing a Communication Protocol
The three most common ways microcontrollers talk to sensors, explained simply.
· 3 min read
Key takeaways
- I2C uses two wires and supports many devices.
- SPI is fastest but needs more pins.
- UART is simple point-to-point serial.
I2C
Two wires (SDA and SCL) connect many sensors, each with an address. Great for low-speed sensors.
SPI
Uses clock, data in, data out and a chip-select per device. Ideal for displays and SD cards.
UART
Two wires, one device. Common for GPS, LiDAR and debug consoles.
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