{"id":12623,"date":"2025-04-28T09:08:07","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T13:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itp.nyu.edu\/physcomp\/?page_id=12623"},"modified":"2025-05-03T10:29:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-03T14:29:03","slug":"intro-to-sparkfun-qwiic-i2c-shield-for-arduino-nano","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/itp.nyu.edu\/physcomp\/lessons\/intro-to-sparkfun-qwiic-i2c-shield-for-arduino-nano\/","title":{"rendered":"Intro to SparkFun Qwiic I2C Shield for Arduino Nano"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this tutorial, you\u2019ll explore the capabilities of the SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino Nano<\/a>\u2014a modular shield designed to extend the functionality of the Arduino Nano. This shield enables seamless communication between your microcontroller and various I2c-based peripherals like sensors and some displays. It’s a standard connector type that’s been informally adopted by a few other hardware module manufacturers as well. We\u2019ll cover everything from physical setup and orientation to practical demos using sensors available in the ITP shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also worth noting that SparkFun\u2019s Qwiic system is fully compatible with Adafruit\u2019s STEMMA QT<\/a> ecosystem, which uses the same connector and wiring convention. Beyond SparkFun and Adafruit, other companies such as Pimoroni<\/a>, Seeed Studio<\/a>, and Pololu<\/a> have begun integrating this connector into their I2C sensor and breakout boards as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>What You\u2019ll Need to Know<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before diving in, you should be comfortable with basic Arduino programming<\/a> and understand the fundamentals of I2C communication. If you need a refresher, review the I2C Communication Labs<\/a> for in-depth details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Things You\u2019ll Need<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For this tutorial, gather the following components (see Figures 1\u20136 for reference images):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Photo
Figure 1. Arduino Nano 33 IoT or other Arduino Nano Board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"SparkFun
Figure 2. SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino Nano<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Photo
Figure 3. Qwiic Jumper Adapter Cable<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Photo
Figure 4. Qwiic Cable<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Photo
Figure 5. SHTC3 Temperature Humidity Sensor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Photo
Figure 6. I2C OLED Display Module 0.96 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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<\/span>Shield Orientation and Setup<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Physical Orientation<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although the SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino Nano is pinned out exactly like a standard Arduino Nano, it\u2019s still important to verify that you have the correct orientation when mounting the shield. We often reference the 3.3V pin as a quick visual cue to ensure you align everything properly. The shield includes a configurable logic shifting circuit set by the IOREF jumper, which defaults to 3.3V (ideal for boards like the Arduino Nano 33 BLE). If you\u2019re using a 5V Nano variant (such as the Arduino Nano Every), you\u2019ll need to switch the jumper to 5V so that the logic levels match your board\u2019s operating voltage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Top-down
Figure 7.<\/em> Pin alignment guide for powering the SparkFun Qwiic Shield using the Arduino Nano 33 IoT. Ensure that the GND and 3.3V pins are correctly connected to provide stable power and enable Qwiic-based I2C communication.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


The Qwiic shield is designed to be mounted below the Nano with which it’s paired. To mount it below would require reversing the standard pin arrangement on the Nano (they are usually on the side of the board without components) and reversing the sockets on the shield. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Side
Figure 8.<\/em> Arduino on top of the Qwiic shield<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/span>Closer Look at the Adapter<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Qwiic adapter is populated with two 4-pin 1mm JST connectors<\/a>. These connectors are polarized to prevent incorrect insertion, and the pin order follows the Qwiic standard: GND, 3.3V, SDA, and SCL. When mounting the adapter onto the Nano Qwiic Shield, ensure that the labeled side of the adapter aligns with the corresponding pins on the shield to maintain correct orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Illustration
Figure 9.<\/em> Qwiic connector pinout diagram showing the standard I2C wire order: SCL, SDA, 3.3V, and GND. The polarized JST connector ensures correct orientation, enabling plug-and-play communication between Qwiic-compatible devices without soldering. source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Close-up
Figure 10.<\/em> A SparkFun Nano Qwiic Shield with a Qwiic cable connected, showing the standard I2C wire orientation. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Close-up
Figure 11.<\/em> Connector alignment for Qwiic interface: the 4-pin JST cable is shown in correct orientation for insertion into the Qwiic Shield\u2019s port<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Connection Diagram<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Figure 12 shows the connections between the Qwiic Nano shield and a few typical components. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Simple

Figure 12. Wiring diagram for a basic Qwiic I2C setup (Arduino below the shield is not shown in this diagram)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Note that while the Arduino Nano is not shown here, it is connected directly on top of the shield. Note also the placement of I2C communication pins (SDA and SCL). Ensuring the correct physical orientation prevents damage and guarantees reliable operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>I2C Communication Overview<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The SparkFun Qwiic Shield leverages the I2C protocol\u2014a standard for connecting multiple devices with just two wires (SDA and SCL). This tutorial assumes that you\u2019ve reviewed the ITP I2C Communication Labs<\/a> or Related videos: Intro to Synchronous Serial<\/a>, I2C<\/a> for background on the protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>I2C Basics<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n