Description

I²CMini is an easy-to-use, open-source tool for controlling I²C devices over USB, 100% compatible with I²CDriver. Its a small friend that will make working with I2C a breeze, especially if they have a Qwiic/Stemma QT or even Grove I2C connector!

USB to I²C interface in a tiny 18x18mm board
Can act as a I²C controller, passive monitor, and capture-to-PC supported at 400 kHz
Two I²C ports: one on 0.1" header; one Qwiic/Stemma QT
Supplied with 100mm Qwiic/Stemma QT to socket jumper set
Flexible control: GUI, command-line, C/C++, and Python 2/3 host software provided for Windows, Mac, and Linux

It uses a standard FTDI USB serial chip to talk to the PC, so no special drivers need to be installed. The board includes a separate 3.3 V supply, on-chip temperature monitoring, and programmable pull-ups for both I²C lines.

I²CMini is particularly well-suited for applications like IoT and drones, cleanly separating your SBC from the I²C bus. Because it is totally compatible with I²CDriver, you can develop on the I²CDriver and deploy on the I²CMini.

Like I²CDriver, it works equally well with Windows, Mac, and Linux. It uses a standard FTDI USB serial chip to talk to the PC, so no special drivers need to be installed. The board includes a separate 3.3 V supply for your I²C sensors and peripherals.

On the I²C side, I²CMini has the same four-pin header for connecting to peripherals as the I²CDriver. You can solder directly to this .1" header, and because it is castellated, you can use I²CMini as a module to add instant USB access to an I²C subsystem.

By controlling I²C hardware using the PC tools you're most comfortable with, you can get devices doing what you want in a fraction of the development time. Calibrating devices like accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes is much easier when done directly on the PC.

I²CMini has a Sparkfun Qwiic STEMMA QT-compatible connector so any of our QT sensors or devices can be plugged right in with no soldering. You can also use a QT-to-Grove adapter cable to use Grove I2C devices

I²CMini comes with free software to control it from:

a GUI
the command-line
C and C++ using a single source file
Python 2 and 3, using a module

Like I²CDriver, it can both drive and listen on the I²C bus, and it has the same programmable pull-up resistors for both I²C lines.

Technical Details

For tech support and software please check out https://www.excamera.com/ and https://i2cdriver.com/mini.html

Specifications:

Fast transfer: sustained I²C transfers at 400 and 100 kHz
I²C pullups: programmable I²C pullup resistors, with automatic tuning
Dual I²C ports: one .1" header set, one standard Qwiic socket
Jumper: high-quality color-coded 100mm Qwiic jumper included
3.3 V output: output levels are 3.3 V, all are 5 V tolerant
Supports all I²C features: 7- and 10-bit I²C addressing, clock stretching, bus arbitration
Sturdy componentry: uses an FTDI USB serial adapter and Silicon Labs automotive-grade EFM8 controller
Usage reporting: reports uptime, temperature, and running CRC of all traffic
Open hardware: the design, firmware and all tools are under BSD license
Flexible control: GUI, command-line, C/C++, and Python 2/3 host software provided for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Maximum power out current: up to 270 mA
Device current: up to 5 mA
Dimensions: 18mm x 18mm x 2mm
Computer interface: USB 2.0, micro USB connector