The MIPI Alliance has announced the release of the I3C Host Controller Interface 1.0 specification, defining a common software driver interface for I3C HCI hardware implementations – making the use of sensors as easy as possible.

Part of the upcoming MIPI Touch family of specifications, the MIPI I3C Host Controller Interface 1.0 specification builds on the I3C specification released two years ago with a common interface method and set of defined capabilities. The result: an easier way to integrate the I3C communications standard into future devices, including those aimed at the embedded and Internet of Things (IoT) markets.

“The release of MIPI I3C in 2016 was an important milestone for developers because it brought together multiple sensor interface approaches around a unifying specification that provides conveniences and system-level benefits for many use cases and applications in mobile and beyond,” explains Joel Huloux, MIPI Alliance chair, of the standard. “Now, MIPI I3C HCI provides an additional set of benefits by offering a common software driver interface that allows implementers of MIPI I3C to focus on developing innovative sensor applications rather than the interfaces themselves.”

The initial public release of the I3C HCI standard includes support for main master device operation in direct data interface (PIO) and direct memory addressing (DMA) modes, power-efficient host controller operation, I3C data rates including I²C Fast Mode up to 400Kb/s, I²C Fast Mode+ up to 1Mb/s, and I3C SDR up to 12.5Mb/s, and support for extended capabilities – including vendor-specific capabilities – not present in the base specification.

Both the core MIPI I3C specification and the new MIPI I3C Host Controller Interface specification are available for public download now on the organisation’s official website.