iPort FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Which I²C Bus Host Adapter is right for me?

MCC offers the world's largest selection of I²C Bus Host Adapters. All these adapters interface a host computer to an I²C Bus, but offer different capabilities, hardware, features, and host computer interfaces (ASCII or Windows DLL, USB or RS-232).

This FAQ will help you decide which adapter is right for you, including free software, custom programming considerations, and our application recommendations. Additional information is also available in our product brochure. If you have industrial grade test requirements, our I²C Multiplexer Cabinet, Interface Boards, and Cables may be just the solution you need.

If you need more help, send your questions to us at support@mcc-us.com.
 

I2C Bus Host Adapter Capabilities Matrix
	i2cStick (MIIC-207)	iPort/USB (MIIC-204G)	iPort/AFM (MIIC-203G)	iPort/AI (MIIC-202G)	iPort (MIIC-201G)
I2C Bus Speed (kbps)	23,86,100,400	23,86,100,400	23,86,100,400	100	12.5,100
I2C Bus Device Type	Master/Slave	Master/Slave	Master/Slave	Master/Slave	Master/Slave
Multi-Master Support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Arbitration Support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Clock-Stretch Support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Time-Out Detection	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Slave Addressing	7-bit	7-bit	7-bit	7-bit	7-bit
I2C Bus Signal Voltage (volts)	3.3 to 5	3.3 to 5 (1)	3.3 to 5 (1)	3.3 to 5 (1)	3.3 to 5 (1)
I2C Bus Power	3.3 or 5V @50mA	5V @100mA	5V @100mA	5V @100mA	5V @100mA
RS-232 Speed Max (bps)	115200 Virtual RS-232 Port (2)	115200 Virtual RS-232 Port (2)	115200	19200	19200
Host Computer Interface (Phyiscal/Programming)	USB/ASCII-Text	USB/ASCII-Text	RS-232/ASCII-Text	RS-232/ASCII-Text	RS-232/Windows-DLL
Buffer Size (bytes)	256	256	256	16	16
OS	Win, Linux	Win, Linux	ALL	ALL	ALL
Power Source	USB	AC or USB	AC or I2C	AC or I2C	AC or I2C
Clip Lead Cable	Included	Included	Optional	Optional	Optional
Interrupt Signal	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
iBurner I2C EEPROM Programming Software	Free	Free	Free	Free	No
I2C Message Center Software	Free	Free	Free	Free	Free
LabVIEW VI Library	Free	Free	Free	Free	No
MS.NET Class Library	Free	Free	Free	Free	No
Smart Battery Software	No	No	No	No	Optional
Notes: 1) Minimum I2C Bus signal pull-up voltage 1.5 volts with optional iVoLT Voltage Level Translator. 2) Virtual Communication Port (VCP) driver assigns standard RS-232 COMn port number.

i2cStickTM (Personal, Powerful, Pocket-Size)

The i2cStick (#MIIC-207, Data Sheet, User's Guide) is our personal, powerful, and pocket-size I²C Bus Host Adapter. Available in 5 volt or 3.3 volt configurations, the i2cStick is the perfect on-the-go addition to your I²C Bus toolkit. With its simple ASCII text command and Virtual RS-232 Communications Port interface, the i2cStick is designed to work with any Windows 2000 or above based PC.

The i2cStick can be an I²C Bus master or slave device. As a slave, the i2cStick can respond to a user selected slave address and the I²C General Call address (0x00). As a master, the i2cStick supports multi-master operations, arbitration detection, and clock-stretching by a slave device. Enhanced features include I²C Bus mastering at 23, 86, 100, or 400 kHz Bit Rates, 12 Mbit/second USB interface speeds, USB bus-powered with optional power for I²C Bus devices, eXtended commands for low-level access to I²C signals making it compatible with many "I²C-like" devices, and Packet Error Check detection for SMBus, PMBus, and other derived protocols. The i2cStick also has a fast processor, 256 byte data buffers, and firmware optimization. Based upon an NXP/Philips Semiconductor microcontroller, the i2cStick provides a high performance implementation of I²C Bus technology.

The i2cStick includes two (2) free Windows applications (Message Manager and Message Center) that help you get started sending and receiving I²C Bus messages quickly. You can also use terminal emulation software like Windows Hyperterminal, or write your own custom program in Microsoft VB, VB.NET, C, C++, C++.NET, C#, Delphi Pascal, National Instrument LabVIEW, and more. We even provide free Sample Programs to help you get started, and our free iBurner I²C Bus EEPROM Programming software.

Custom Programming: The i2cStick provides an ASCII command and Virtual RS-232 Communications Port interface to a Windows host computer. An application program sends simple ASCII text commands out the virtual RS-232 serial port to set up the adapter and send or receive I²C Bus messages. Because the i2cStick includes a virtual RS-232 interface, it is backward compatible with software applications written for our iPort/AI, iPort/AFM or iPort/USB host adapters. LabVIEW developers can take advantage of our Virtual Instrument Driver Library. Microsoft.NET developers can use our free .NET Class Library.

Recommendation: We recommend our i2cStick for mobile developers, consultants, technicians, and field-service personnel. The i2cStick includes extensive ESD and Over/Reverse Voltage protection to help keep your PC safe.

iPort/USB (USB Interface with ASCII Fast Mode)

The iPort/USB (#MIIC-204, Data Sheet, User's Guide) USB to I²C Host Adapter is a popular addition to our I²C Bus host adapter family. With its simple ASCII text command and Virtual RS-232 Communications Port interface, the iPort/USB is designed to work with any Windows 2000 or above based host computer with an internal or self-powered external USB port.

The iPort/USB can be an I2C Bus master or slave device. As a slave, the iPort/USB can respond to a user selected slave address and the I²C General Call address (0x00). As a master, the iPort/USB supports multi-master operations, arbitration detection, clock-stretching by a slave device, and the optional /INTerrupt signal found on some I²C devices. Enhanced features include I²C Bus mastering at 23, 86, 100, or 400 kHz Bit Rates, 12 Mbit/second USB interface speeds, USB bus-powered with optional power for I²C Bus devices, and eXtended commands for low-level access to I²C signals making it compatible with many "I²C-like" devices. The iPort/USB also has a fast processor, 256 byte data buffers, and firmware optimization. Based upon an NXP/Philips Semiconductor microcontroller, the iPort/USB provides our best implementation of I²C Bus technology, and is fully licensed by Philips to use their technology.

The iPort/USB includes two (2) free Windows applications (Message Manager and Message Center) that help you get started sending and receiving I²C Bus messages quickly. You can also use terminal emulation software like Windows Hyperterminal, or write your own custom program in Microsoft VB, VB.NET, C, C++, C++.NET, C#, Delphi Pascal, National Instrument LabVIEW, and more. We even provide free Sample Programs to help you get started.

Custom Programming: The iPort/USB provides an ASCII command and Virtual RS-232 Communications Port interface to a Windows host computer. An application program sends simple ASCII text commands out the virtual RS-232 serial port to set up the adapter and send or receive I²C Bus messages. Because the iPort/USB includes a virtual RS-232 interface, it is backward compatible with software applications written for our iPort/AFM or iPort/AI host adapters. LabVIEW developers can take advantage of our Virtual Instrument Driver Library. Microsoft.NET developers can use our free .NET Class Library.

Recommendation: We recommend our iPort/USB for I²C Bus traffic intensive applications, and for users who want to write custom Windows application programs. The ASCII command and Virtual RS-232 Communications Port interface of the iPort/USB makes it easier to interface with almost any application program development tool.

iPort/AFM (ASCII Fast Mode)

The iPort/AFM (#MIIC-203, Data Sheet, User's Guide) RS-232 to I²C Host Adapter is our most powerful and fastest RS-232-based I²C Bus host adapter. With its simple ASCII text command interface, the iPort/AFM is designed to work with any computer with an RS-232 serial port.

The iPort/AFM can be a bus master or slave. As a slave, the iPort/AFM can respond to a user selected slave address and the I²C General Call address (0x00). The iPort/AFM supports multi-master operations, arbitration detection, clock-stretching by a slave device, and the optional /INTerrupt signal found on some I²C devices. Enhanced features include I²C Bus mastering at 23, 86, 100, or 400 kHz Bit Rates, RS-232 baud rates of 19,200, 57,600, or 115,200, and eXtended commands for low-level access to I²C signals making it compatible with many "I²C-like" devices. The iPort/AFM also has a fast processor, larger data buffers, and firmware optimization. Based upon an NXP/Philips Semiconductor microcontroller, the iPort/AFM provides our best implementation of I²C Bus technology, and is fully licensed to use this technology.

The iPort/AFM includes two (2) Windows applications (Message Manager and Message Center) that help you get started sending and receiving I²C Bus messages quickly. You can also use terminal emulation software like Windows Hyperterminal, or write your own custom program in VB, C, C++, Delphi, LabVIEW and more. We even provide free Sample Programs to help you get started.

Custom Programming: The iPort/AFM provides an ASCII command interface to the host computer. An application program sends simple ASCII text commands out the RS-232 serial port to set up the adapter and send or receive I²C Bus messages. Because the iPort/AFM does not use a DLL, it is compatible with DOS, UNIX, Linux, Windows, and any other OS that supports a serial port. If you need to add an I²C port to a Single Board Computer, embedded microprocessor, or microcontroller, the iPort/AFM is designed for you. LabVIEW developers can take advantage of our Virtual Instrument Driver Library. Microsoft.NET developers can use our free .NET Class Library.

Recommendation: We recommend our iPort/AFM for I²C Bus traffic intensive applications, for users who want to write custom application programs using Microsoft's Visual Basic or National Instrument's LabVIEW, and for non-Windows based host computers. The ASCII command interface of the iPort/AFM makes it easier to interface with almost any application program development tool.

iPort/AI (ASCII Interface)

The iPort/AI (#MIIC-202, Data Sheet, User's Guide) RS-232 to I²C Host Adapter is designed to work with any computer with an RS-232 serial port. With its simple ASCII text command interface, the iPort/AI is designed to work with any computer with an RS-232 serial port.

The iPort/AI can be a bus master or slave, and supports multi-master operation, arbitration detection, and clock-stretching by a slave device. The iPort/AI supports I²C Bus mastering at 100 kHz, and RS-232 baud rate of 19,200. Based upon a Philips Semiconductor microcontroller, the iPort/AI provides an industry proven implementation of I2C Bus technology, and is fully licensed to use this technology.

The iPort/AI includes two (2) Windows applications (Message Manager and Message Center) that help you get started sending and receiving I²C Bus messages quickly. You can also use terminal emulation software like Windows Hyperterminal, or write your own custom program in VB, C, C++, Delphi, LabVIEW and more. We even provide free Sample Programs to help you get started.

Custom Programming: The iPort/AI provides an ASCII command interface to the host computer. An application program sends simple ASCII text commands out the RS-232 serial port to set up the adapter and send or receive I²C Bus messages. Because the iPort/AI does not use a DLL, it is compatible with DOS, UNIX, Linux, Windows, any other OS that supports a serial port. It works with Single Board Computers, and even embedded microprocessors or microcontrollers with an RS-232 serial port. LabVIEW developers can take advantage of our Virtual Instrument Driver Library. Microsoft.NET developers can use our free .NET Class Library.

Recommendation: We recommend our iPort/AI for less data intensive applications, for users who want to write custom application programs using Microsoft Visual Basic or National Instrument LabView, and for non-Windows based host computers. The ASCII command interface of the iPort/AI makes it easier to interface with almost any application program development tool.

iPort (Windows DLL Interface)

The iPort (#MIIC-201, Data Sheet, User's Guide) Windows to I²C Host Adapter is designed to work with Windows based PCs. Based on a Windows DLL interface, the iPort connects to a PC's RS-232 port.

The iPort can be a bus master or slave, and supports multi-master operation, arbitration detection, and clock-stretching by a slave device. The iPort supports I²C Bus mastering at 12.5 and 100 kHz, and RS-232 baud rate of 19,200. Based upon an NXP/Philips Semiconductor microcontroller, the iPort provides an industry proven implementation of I²C Bus technology, and is fully licensed to use this technology.

The iPort includes two (2) Windows applications (Message Manager and Message Center) that help a user get started sending and receiving I²C Bus messages quickly.

Custom Programming: A user developing a custom iPort Windows application will also need our iPort Software Development Kit. An application program makes calls to functions in our Windows DLL included in the kit. The kit includes our User's Guide, and application examples in C, MSVC++, and Delphi.

Recommendation: We recommend our iPort for existing iPort (#MIIC-201) customers that have developed custom Windows 32-bit DLL-based software,

NOTE: The iPort (#MIIC-201) is not recommended for new applications. See i2cStick, iPort/USB, iPort/AFM, and iPort/AI for new applications.

iPort DLL/USB (Windows USB/DLL Interface)

The iPort DLL/USB (#MIIC-201D/U, Data Sheet, User's Guide) I²C Host Adapter provides a USB upgrade path for custom Windows 32-bit software developed for our original RS-232 based iPort (#MIIC-201). Based on a USB physical interface, and Windows DLL programming interface, the iPort DLL/USB connects to a PC, or external USB hub, via a USB port.

Functionally compatible with our original iPort, the iPort DLL/USB can be a bus master or slave, and supports multi-master operation, arbitration detection, and clock-stretching by a slave device. The iPort DLL/USB supports I²C Bus mastering at 12.5 and 100 kHz, and includes a Virtual Communications Port driver, making it compatible with existing custom iPort software. Based upon an NXP/Philips Semiconductor microcontroller, the iPort DLL/USB provides an industry proven implementation of I²C Bus technology, and is fully licensed to use this technology.

The iPort DLL/USB includes two (2) Windows applications (Message Manager and Message Center) that help a user get started sending and receiving I²C Bus messages quickly.

Custom Programming: A user developing a custom iPort DLL/USB Windows application will also need our iPort Software Development Kit. An application program makes calls to functions in our Windows DLL included in the kit. The kit includes our User's Guide, and application examples in C, MSVC++, and Delphi.

Recommendation: We recommend our iPort DLL/USB for existing iPort (#MIIC-201) customers that have developed custom Windows 32-bit DLL-based software, but now need to port their software to a USB based physical interface.

NOTE: The iPort DLL/USB (#MIIC-201D/U) is not recommended for new applications. See i2cStick, iPort/USB, iPort/AFM, and iPort/AI for new applications.