I2C comms

Published

October 16, 2024

Written by

Sergiy Nesterenko

Founder and CEO

Read the Full Series

This article is one part of a walkthrough detailing how we recreated an NXP i.MX 8M Mini–based computer using Quilter’s physics-driven layout automation.

Overview: Project Speedrun

Part 1: Preparing the Design

Part 2: Compiling the Design

Part 3: Cleaning Up the Design

Part 4: Testing & Validation

I2C comms

Two devices, the LCD shown above and a trio of sensors in one package, are communicating over the I2C bus at the same time. I captured the SDA (data, red) and SCL (clock, yellow) clock signals while both devices were running.

*I2C signal -SCL (yellow), SDA (red)- from an LCD and pressure, temperature, and humidity sensors.*

For fun, I used a Saleae logic analyzer to poke at this signal. We can see the address of the sensor 0x76 and an 8 second delay that I programmed into the sketch. Unsurprisingly, the logic analyzer correctly recognizes these signals as I2C!

*I2C signal capture with logic analyzer*

I successfully validated the I2C communication on a Quilter-designed board, confirming proper functionality with two devices connected to the bus.

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Project Speedrun demonstrated what autonomous layout looks like in practice and the time compression Quilter enables. Now, see it on your own hardware.

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Validating the Design

With cleanup complete, the final question is whether the hardware works. Power-on is where most electrical mistakes reveal themselves, and it’s the moment engineers are both nervous and excited about.

Continue to Part 4

Cleaning Up the Design

Autonomous layout produces a complete, DRC'd design; cleanup is a brief precision pass to finalize it for fabrication.

Continue to Part 3

Compiling the Design

Once the design is prepared, the next step is handing it off to Quilter. In traditional workflows, this is where an engineer meets with a layout specialist to clarify intent. Quilter replaces that meeting with circuit comprehension: you upload the project, review how constraints are interpreted, and submit the job.

Continue to Part 2