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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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15 years ago

Question about the WM8731

I am doing a project on the DE2 development and education board of Altera which contains the WM8731. After reading its datasheet, I see that the WM8731 supports a 2-wire MPU serial interface that is very similar with the I2C protocol (that have a start condition, a acknowledge bit, a stop bit...). So, why does it not be called the I2C interface in the WM8731 datasheet? Is there any difference? While, the WM8962 indicate 2-wire I2C and 3- or 4-wire SPI serial control interface clearly.

Now, I am very confuse. So I wish I will receive your answer as soon as possible. Thanks!

3 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    15 years ago

    A lot of chips that support the I2C protocol never call it I2C to avoid paying a license to Philips/NXP. Some manufacturers call it TWI (two-wire interface) but it is in fact 100% compatible with I2C/SMBus.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    15 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    A lot of chips that support the I2C protocol never call it I2C to avoid paying a license to Philips/NXP. Some manufacturers call it TWI (two-wire interface) but it is in fact 100% compatible with I2C/SMBus.

    --- Quote End ---

    Thanks, that is the right answer I expected. I used the I2C protocol to control the WM8731's interface and it worked properly. In fact, the WM8731 also has a base address as every Philips semiconductors that has I2C-bus but I think it was not be provided by Philips.