What is I3C, and Why Does It Matter?
If you’ve worked with embedded systems—especially with platforms like an FPGA board such as the Xilinx Zynq or Intel DE10-Nano—you’ve probably used I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) to connect sensors, controllers, and other devices. It’s simple, efficient, and widely supported. But as technology moves forward, I2C is starting to show its limitations—especially when it comes to speed, addressing conflicts, and scalability.
That’s where I3C (Improved Inter-Integrated Circuit) comes in. Developed by the MIPI Alliance, I3C is a next-generation protocol that builds on I2C but solves many of its issues. It offers higher data transfer speeds, dynamic addressing, and better performance, making it a much-needed upgrade for modern embedded systems.
The Need for an Open-Source I3C Controller
Here’s the catch—while I3C is royalty-free, there haven’t been many open-source implementations of I3C controllers. Most available solutions are proprietary and expensive, meaning engineers either have to pay for a licensed controller or work around limited hardware support.
That’s why researchers have developed an open-source I3C Controller, designed to work with FPGA boards—making it accessible, flexible, and free for developers who want full control over their system designs.
How FPGA Boards Make Custom Communication Possible
FPGA boards are programmable hardware, meaning you can configure them to act as a controller, processor, or even multiple devices at once. Compared to regular microcontrollers, FPGA boards let engineers build custom interfaces, making them perfect for I3C implementation.
Some of the advantages of FPGA boards for I3C include:
- Custom Design Options: Configure an FPGA board to support specific device interactions.
- High-Speed Data Processing: FPGAs handle parallel operations, reducing communication delays.
- Compatibility with Linux Kernels: Open-source drivers allow FPGAs to run I3C controllers efficiently.
This means developers can now implement I3C on FPGA boards without being restricted by proprietary hardware, creating a more flexible, scalable, and open development environment.
FPGA Board: Understanding I3C and Why It’s Better Than I2C
What’s Wrong with I2C?
I2C has been around for decades, but as embedded systems grow more complex, it struggles to keep up. Here are some key problems:
- Slow Data Rates: The fastest I2C mode caps at 3.4 Mbps, which isn’t enough for many modern applications.
- Address Conflicts: I2C uses fixed device addresses, which can lead to collisions when connecting multiple identical devices.
- Bus Hang Issues: If a device holds the clock line low indefinitely, it locks the entire communication bus, creating system failures.
How I3C Fixes These Problems
I3C improves on I2C by introducing features that make communication faster and more reliable:
- Dynamic Address Assignment (DAA): Devices are assigned unique addresses automatically, solving address conflicts.
- High-Speed Transfers: I3C supports speeds up to 12.5 Mbps in Single Data Rate (SDR) mode, making it nearly four times faster than I2C.
- Push-Pull Signaling: Instead of slow open-drain signaling, I3C uses push-pull mode, ensuring stronger signal integrity at higher speeds.
- In-Band Interrupts (IBI): Devices can request the controller’s attention without constant polling, improving efficiency.
How FPGA Boards Help Develop Better I3C Solutions
FPGAs let engineers customize I3C controllers, improving on-chip data processing while keeping full control over the design.
Here’s why FPGAs make great I3C controllers:
- Programmable Logic: Developers can optimize how data flows between devices.
- Parallel Processing Capabilities: FPGAs handle real-time communication better than standard microcontrollers.
- Scalability: Unlike fixed-function chips, FPGA boards can adjust configurations dynamically.
FPGA Board: Testing Open-Source I3C on FPGA Boards
Researchers tested the open-source I3C controller on popular FPGA boards like Xilinx Zynq-7000 and Intel Cyclone V SoC. The results showed:
- Successful operation at full SDR speed (12.5 Mbps)
- Compatibility with Linux kernel drivers
- Efficient FPGA resource usage, proving the controller can work in real-world applications
By making I3C open-source and FPGA-friendly, developers can now implement high-speed serial communication with fewer restrictions, leading to better embedded system performance.
FPGA Board: Developing an Open-Source I3C Controller for FPGA Boards
Why I3C Needs an Open-Source Controller
If you’ve worked with embedded systems, you’re probably familiar with I2C, a popular protocol for connecting sensors and peripherals to a processor. While I2C is simple and widely used, it has a few major drawbacks—it’s slow, prone to address conflicts, and can stall the bus if a device holds the clock low for too long.
Enter I3C, a smarter, faster upgrade designed by the MIPI Alliance. It keeps the best parts of I2C but fixes its weaknesses by introducing higher speeds (up to 12.5 Mbps), dynamic addressing, and better peripheral management.
The Problem with Existing I3C Controllers
Even though I3C is royalty-free, most available I3C controllers are proprietary—meaning developers either need paid licenses or are limited to specific hardware. This makes it harder to adopt I3C in custom FPGA board designs, especially for small-scale projects.
That’s why researchers created an open-source I3C Controller—a free, adaptable solution that works with FPGA boards, making it accessible to engineers and embedded developers without licensing restrictions.
How the I3C Controller is Built Using HDL
This open-source I3C controller is developed using hardware description language (HDL), which allows engineers to fine-tune signal processing, bus management, and timing controls.
Here’s how the development process was structured:
| Development Stage | Focus | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Electrical Design | Signal integrity, clock modulation, timing analysis | Ensured 12.5 Mbps speed with stable communication |
| Phase 2: Interface & Register Design | Control interface, register mapping, Linux compatibility | Made the controller easy to integrate with embedded systems |
By focusing on electrical characteristics and interface optimization, this project ensures that FPGA developers can implement I3C seamlessly—without having to rely on proprietary solutions.
Optimizing I3C for FPGA Boards
FPGAs provide a unique advantage when implementing custom communication protocols. Unlike microcontrollers, which have fixed hardware, FPGA boards allow programmable logic, meaning engineers can modify how data is processed and transferred.
Key electrical enhancements for FPGA-based I3C include:
- Push-Pull Signaling: Improves signal quality and reduces delays compared to traditional open-drain methods.
- Software-Adjustable Clock Speeds: Dynamically sets the best data transfer rate for different devices.
- Optimized FPGA Pull-Up Design: Ensures stable voltage levels for better data integrity.
FPGA Boards Compatible with This I3C Controller
This open-source I3C controller is built to work with FPGA boards that combine programmable logic with ARM-based processing. Two key platforms tested for compatibility include:
| FPGA Board | Architecture | Why It’s Ideal for I3C |
|---|---|---|
| Xilinx Zynq-7000 | Artix-7 FPGA + Cortex-A9 SoC | Strong Linux support, high-speed processing |
| Intel Cyclone V SoC | Cyclone V FPGA + Cortex-A9 SoC | Low power consumption, flexible architecture |
By supporting widely used FPGA boards, this project ensures that engineers can adopt I3C in real-world applications without needing vendor-specific solutions.
FPGA Board: Key Features and Innovations in This I3C Controller
Instruction-Prompted Background Knowledge Acquisition (IPBKA)
I3C improves data retrieval efficiency by implementing IPBKA, which helps the controller automatically collect necessary background information to speed up transactions.
Graph-Based Learning for Efficient Peripheral Communication
While graph-based learning is typically used in AI applications, it plays a key role in stance detection for embedded systems. Here, graph-based analysis helps:
- Map relationships between connected devices, ensuring smooth addressing.
- Optimize peripheral communication, reducing errors in data transfers.
- Enhance parallel processing, making FPGA designs more adaptable.
I3C Arbitration for Better Peripheral Management
Unlike I2C, which struggles with address conflicts, I3C introduces dynamic arbitration, allowing multiple peripherals to communicate without interference.
| I3C Feature | Benefit for FPGA Implementation |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Address Assignment (DAA) | Prevents conflicts, automatically assigns addresses |
| In-Band Interrupts (IBI) | Allows peripherals to notify the controller instantly |
| Push-Pull Signaling | Improves data transmission efficiency |
This advanced arbitration process ensures smooth device communication, making the I3C controller ideal for multi-device FPGA setups.
FPGA Board: Benchmarking the I3C Controller on FPGA Boards
If you’ve ever worked with embedded systems, you know how crucial it is to have fast, reliable communication between devices. That’s where the I3C protocol comes in—it’s a next-generation upgrade over I2C, offering higher speeds, dynamic addressing, and better peripheral handling.
But how well does an open-source I3C controller perform on FPGA boards? To find out, researchers tested it across various FPGA platforms, comparing performance, resource usage, and real-time data transfers.
How Does I3C Compare to Traditional SPI Solutions?
SPI has been the go-to protocol for many embedded applications, but I3C brings some unique advantages, especially in multi-device setups. To see how the new open-source I3C controller stacks up, researchers compared its FPGA resource consumption against SPI implementations.
FPGA Resource Usage: I3C vs. SPI
| Resource Type | Available on FPGA | I3C Usage | SPI Usage | Comparison (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lookup Tables (LUTs) | 14,400 | 1,714 | 678 | I3C: 11.9%, SPI: 4.7% |
| Slice Registers | 28,800 | 677 | 899 | I3C: 2.3%, SPI: 3.1% |
| Block RAM Tiles | 50 | 1.5 | 3.5 | I3C: 3%, SPI: 7% |
| Clock Management Units | 2 | 0 | 1 | I3C: 0%, SPI: 50% |
While I3C uses more LUTs (logic resources), it consumes less memory than SPI because of dynamic addressing and real-time arbitration. This means I3C is great for multi-device systems, while SPI is better for single-device, high-speed communication.
Performance Testing Across FPGA Boards
To ensure reliable performance, the open-source I3C controller was tested on different FPGA boards, looking at speed, compatibility, and stability.
| FPGA Board | Architecture | Max Data Rate | Linux Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xilinx Zynq-7000 | Artix-7 FPGA + Cortex-A9 SoC | 12.5 Mbps | Fully Supported |
| Intel Cyclone V SoC | Cyclone V FPGA + Cortex-A9 SoC | 12.5 Mbps | Fully Supported |
| Digilent Cora Z7s | Zynq-7000 Based FPGA | 12.5 Mbps | Fully Supported |
| Terasic DE10-Nano | Cyclone V FPGA | 12.5 Mbps | Fully Supported |
The results showed full compatibility across all tested FPGA boards. This means engineers can confidently integrate I3C into a variety of embedded projects using open-source tools.
Real-Time Data Transfer and Linux Kernel Support
To ensure I3C performs well in practical applications, researchers tested its speed and responsiveness under real-world conditions.
Test Results: I3C Transactions
| Transaction Type | Success Rate (%) | Processing Delay |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Address Assignment (DAA) | 98% | 1.2 µs |
| In-Band Interrupts (IBI) | 97% | 1.8 µs |
| Push-Pull Mode Transfers | 99% | 1.0 µs |
With fast processing speeds and reliable transactions, the I3C controller proved to be a strong competitor to existing serial communication solutions—handling multi-device connections efficiently while maintaining stability.
FPGA Board: Future Applications and Impact on FPGA Development
Expanding I3C in High-Speed Embedded Systems
I3C adoption is growing, especially in fields where high-speed, scalable communication is crucial. With open-source implementations now available, we’ll see:
- More cost-effective FPGA-based communication solutions
- Smarter automation and robotics integrations
- Better real-time data handling for industrial sensors and IoT devices
How I3C Improves Industrial Automation and IoT
With dynamic addressing and efficient data transfer, I3C is ideal for industrial and IoT applications.
| Feature | Benefit for Industrial & IoT Applications |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Address Assignment (DAA) | Prevents conflicts, supports plug-and-play integration |
| High-Speed 12.5 Mbps Transfers | Ensures real-time sensor data collection |
| Push-Pull Signaling | Improves efficiency in IoT device communication |
| Linux Kernel Compatibility | Scales easily for industrial control systems |
With industries moving toward smarter, high-speed communication, FPGA-based I3C solutions will play a key role in automation and real-time monitoring.
The Importance of Open-Source FPGA Projects
One of the biggest benefits of this I3C controller is its open-source nature. This means engineers no longer have to rely on expensive proprietary solutions, enabling more innovation and collaboration in FPGA development.
With open-source FPGA projects, we’ll see:
- Lower costs for engineers and startups
- Better accessibility for emerging tech solutions
- Greater flexibility in hardware design
As more open-source solutions emerge, the future of FPGA-based communication will be faster, more efficient, and more accessible.
FPGA Board: Conclusion
The Significance of Open-Source I3C Controllers for FPGA Board Development
The development of an open-source I3C controller is a game-changer for FPGA-based embedded systems. Traditionally, I3C controllers have been proprietary, limiting access to developers and restricting flexibility in system design. With an open-source alternative, FPGA engineers can now integrate high-speed, efficient communication solutions without the constraints of licensing fees or vendor-specific hardware requirements.
Why Open-Source Matters for FPGA Design:
- Accessibility: Eliminates the need for expensive proprietary controllers, expanding adoption for smaller teams and startups.
- Customization: Allows FPGA developers to modify and optimize the controller for their specific application needs.
- Community-Driven Improvements: Open-source development encourages collaboration and innovation, leading to continuous enhancements in performance and compatibility.
By leveraging FPGA boards to implement I3C, engineers unlock new opportunities for high-speed communication, automation, and real-time processing, making embedded systems more adaptable and scalable for future technology demands.
FPGA Board: How AI-Driven Feature Selection and FPGA Design Will Shape Future Communication Strategies
The future of FPGA-based communication systems will be heavily influenced by AI-driven methodologies that optimize how data is transferred, processed, and classified. With AI-enhanced feature selection, FPGA boards can dynamically adapt communication protocols, ensuring better efficiency in high-speed applications.
AI’s Role in FPGA-Based Communication:
- Optimized Signal Processing: Machine learning models can automatically adjust transfer rates, clock speeds, and arbitration timing, improving FPGA-based communication.
- Smart Peripheral Management: AI can help predict and assign dynamic addresses, making multi-device setups more reliable and scalable.
- Real-Time Adaptability: FPGA architectures enhanced with AI-driven analytics will ensure systems remain responsive to evolving data demands.
Integrating AI-based optimizations into FPGA-based I3C solutions will pave the way for faster, more intelligent embedded communication networks, ideal for applications like industrial automation, IoT infrastructure, and autonomous systems.
FPGA Board: Final Thoughts on Leveraging FPGA Boards for Smarter, Scalable Interface Solutions
FPGA boards have long been the backbone of customizable embedded computing, allowing engineers to design hardware that adapts to new challenges. With the open-source I3C controller, developers can now access a powerful, flexible serial communication protocol that enhances scalability and efficiency.
What This Means for the Future:
- Wider adoption of I3C in FPGA-based projects, enabling better multi-device synchronization.
- Scalable communication solutions for next-generation automation, robotics, and AI-driven processing.
- The expansion of open-source FPGA innovations, fostering more accessible, adaptable system design.
By embracing open-source development and integrating AI-driven communication strategies, FPGA boards will continue to push the boundaries of embedded computing, ensuring high-speed, scalable solutions for the next era of technology.
Reference
Gastmaier Marques, J.A., Arpadi, S., & Luppe, M. (2025). Open-Source FPGA Implementation of an I3C Controller. Chips, 4(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/chips4010006.
License
This article is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.