CAST provides I2C/SPI IP Core controller for easier serial communication

Delivers the flexible, multi-peripheral simplicity of I2C and the faster, lower-latency communications of SPI in a single, efficient, and easier-to-use IP core

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey — September 5th2024 — Semiconductor intellectual property provider CAST today announced the launch of a new serial interface IP core that supports the two most popular communication protocols: I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) and SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface).

New I2CSPI control The I2C and SPI controller/target controller implements the de facto I2C standard functions, and is also compliant with the Philips SPI standard, all in a compact and versatile FPGA or ASIC-ready hardware controller. Run-time protocol selection makes it easy for developers to integrate the most efficient communication between modules in the system and with peripherals outside the system. Since many systems use both I2C and SPI interfaces, but rarely simultaneously, using this single core instead of two simplifies integration and can save significant silicon resources.

For I2C, the core offers half-duplex operation in either controller (master) or target (slave) modes, works with single or multiple controller buses, and offers clock stretching to transfer data at up to 100 kbit/s in standard mode or 400 kbit/s in fast mode, all over a synchronous two-wire interface. I2C is scalable and very flexible, making it relatively easy to add many addressable sensors and actuators to Internet of Things (IoT) systems or drones, for example, where minimal silicon area and power consumption are critical.

The SPI controller supports full-duplex communication at up to 10 MB/s, acting as a controller or target on a single controller bus with a four-wire connection. Although SPI is less flexible than I2C, it offers faster, lower-latency communication, making it the preferred choice in scenarios where speed is critical, such as automotive systems or flash memory controllers.

“This new IP core allows system developers to easily switch between I2C and SPI as needed without having to build a separate core for each interface,” said Evan Price, sales engineer at CAST. “While I2C and SPI are well-known technologies, combining them into a single core is an advancement that saves significant resources and time. It reflects CAST’s commitment to delivering practical, reliable IP solutions that streamline development and enable our customers to create products that stand out.”

The silicon-proven I2CSPI-CTRL core comes from Fraunhofer IPMS and is now available in RTL for ASIC or as an FPGA-optimized netlist. Learn more and download the product description on the core webpage or contact CAST at [email protected] to discuss how the new controller can solve communication challenges in your system while reducing integration effort and saving silicon resources.

About CAST

Computer Aided Software Technologies, Inc. (CAST) is a silicon IP provider founded in 1993. The company’s ASIC and FPGA IP product line includes microcontrollers and processors; data, image, and video compression engines; interfaces for automotive, aerospace, and other applications; a variety of popular peripherals; and comprehensive SoC security modules. Learn more by visiting www.cast-inc.com.

CAST is a trademark of Computer Aided Software Technologies Inc.
Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Media contact:
Artemis Couroupaki, [email protected]