Writing commands to I2C device in Raspberry Pi

Introduction

We write commands to I2C devices to control them or send data. This helps the Raspberry Pi talk to sensors, displays, or other hardware.

You want to turn on or off a sensor connected via I2C.

You need to send configuration settings to an I2C display.

You want to start a measurement on an I2C temperature sensor.

You need to control a motor driver connected through I2C.

You want to update data on an I2C EEPROM memory chip.

Syntax

Raspberry Pi

import smbus2

bus = smbus2.SMBus(bus_number)

device_address = 0xXX  # Replace XX with your device's I2C address
command = 0xYY         # Command or register to write
value = 0xZZ           # Data to send

bus.write_byte_data(device_address, command, value)

bus.close()

bus_number is usually 1 on Raspberry Pi models.

device_address is the I2C address of your device in hex.

Examples

This sends the value 0xFF to register 0x01 of the device at address 0x20.

Raspberry Pi

import smbus2

bus = smbus2.SMBus(1)
device_address = 0x20
command = 0x01
value = 0xFF
bus.write_byte_data(device_address, command, value)
bus.close()

This might turn off an OLED display by sending 0xAE to command 0x00.

Raspberry Pi

import smbus2

bus = smbus2.SMBus(1)
device_address = 0x3C
command = 0x00
value = 0xAE
bus.write_byte_data(device_address, command, value)
bus.close()

Sample Program

This program sends a command to start a temperature measurement on a sensor at address 0x48. It opens the I2C bus, writes the command and value, then closes the bus.

Raspberry Pi

import smbus2
import time

# Open I2C bus 1
bus = smbus2.SMBus(1)

# Device address (example: 0x48 for a temperature sensor)
device_address = 0x48

# Command/register to start temperature measurement
command = 0x01

# Value to write (example: 0x60 to start conversion)
value = 0x60

print(f"Sending command 0x{command:X} with value 0x{value:X} to device at 0x{device_address:X}")

# Write the command and value to the device
bus.write_byte_data(device_address, command, value)

print("Command sent successfully.")

# Close the bus
bus.close()

Important Notes

Always close the I2C bus after communication to free resources.

Check your device datasheet for correct command and value codes.

If you get an error, verify the device address and that the device is connected properly.

Summary

Use smbus2 library to write commands to I2C devices on Raspberry Pi.

Open the bus, send command and data with write_byte_data, then close the bus.

Commands control the device behavior or send data to it.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the write_byte_data function in the smbus2 library when working with I2C devices on Raspberry Pi?

easy

A. To open the I2C bus for communication

B. To read a byte of data from the I2C device

C. To send a command and a single byte of data to a specific register of the I2C device

D. To close the I2C bus after communication

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the function's role

   The write_byte_data function sends a command (register address) and a byte of data to the I2C device.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other functions

   Reading data uses read_byte_data, and opening/closing the bus uses SMBus() context or methods.

3. Final Answer:

   To send a command and a single byte of data to a specific register of the I2C device -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   write_byte_data sends command + data [OK]

Hint: Remember: write_byte_data sends command + data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing write_byte_data with read_byte_data
• Thinking it opens or closes the bus
• Assuming it sends multiple bytes at once

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to write the byte value 0x1A to register 0x10 of an I2C device at address 0x20 using smbus2 in Python?

easy

A. bus.write_byte_data(0x20, 0x10, 0x1A)

B. bus.write_byte_data(0x1A, 0x20, 0x10)

C. bus.write_byte(0x20, 0x10, 0x1A)

D. bus.write_byte_data(0x10, 0x20, 0x1A)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the parameter order for write_byte_data

   The function signature is write_byte_data(i2c_addr, register, value).

2. Step 2: Match parameters to values

   Address is 0x20, register is 0x10, and value is 0x1A, so call is bus.write_byte_data(0x20, 0x10, 0x1A).

3. Final Answer:

   bus.write_byte_data(0x20, 0x10, 0x1A) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Address, register, value order = D [OK]

Hint: Remember parameter order: address, register, value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping address and register parameters
• Using write_byte instead of write_byte_data
• Incorrect number of arguments

3. What will be the output of the following Python code snippet on Raspberry Pi when writing to an I2C device?

from smbus2 import SMBus
bus = SMBus(1)
try:
    bus.write_byte_data(0x50, 0x01, 0xFF)
    print("Write successful")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error: {e}")
bus.close()

medium

A. Error: [Errno 121] Remote I/O error

B. No output

C. SyntaxError

D. Write successful

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the code flow

   The code opens I2C bus 1, writes byte 0xFF to register 0x01 at device 0x50, then prints success if no error.

2. Step 2: Consider normal operation

   If the device is connected and address is correct, write succeeds and prints "Write successful".

3. Final Answer:

   Write successful -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Successful write prints message [OK]

Hint: If no error, print shows success message [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming error without device connected
• Confusing syntax error with runtime error
• Ignoring bus.close() importance

4. Identify the error in the following code snippet that writes to an I2C device and suggest the fix:

from smbus2 import SMBus
bus = SMBus(1)
bus.write_byte_data(0x40, 0x02)
bus.close()

medium

A. Wrong device address format; use string instead of integer

B. Missing the data byte argument in write_byte_data; add the data byte

C. Incorrect bus number; change SMBus(1) to SMBus(0)

D. bus.close() should be called before write_byte_data

Solution

1. Step 1: Check write_byte_data parameters

   The function requires three arguments: device address, register, and data byte.

2. Step 2: Identify missing argument

   The code only passes two arguments, missing the data byte to write.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing the data byte argument in write_byte_data; add the data byte -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   write_byte_data needs 3 args [OK]

Hint: write_byte_data always needs 3 arguments [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting the data byte argument
• Assuming bus.close() order matters here
• Changing bus number without reason

5. You want to write a sequence of bytes [0x10, 0x20, 0x30] to consecutive registers starting at 0x00 on an I2C device at address 0x60 using smbus2. Which approach correctly achieves this?

hard

A. Use a loop calling write_byte_data(0x60, register, value) for each byte, incrementing register from 0x00

B. Call write_byte_data(0x60, 0x00, [0x10, 0x20, 0x30]) once to write all bytes

C. Use write_byte(0x60, 0x00, 0x10, 0x20, 0x30) to send all bytes at once

D. Write only the first byte with write_byte_data(0x60, 0x00, 0x10) and ignore the rest

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand write_byte_data limitations

   This function writes one byte to one register at a time.

2. Step 2: Write bytes to consecutive registers

   Use a loop to write each byte to registers 0x00, 0x01, 0x02 respectively.

3. Final Answer:

   Use a loop calling write_byte_data(0x60, register, value) for each byte, incrementing register from 0x00 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   One byte per register via loop [OK]

Hint: Write bytes one by one in a loop for consecutive registers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to write multiple bytes in one write_byte_data call
• Using write_byte incorrectly with multiple bytes
• Ignoring the need to increment register address