Today I decided to try and write a CircuitPython library for this sensor. So with a datasheet in hand I started with this simple code that is supposed to give me the raw data frames:

import board
import digitalio
import time


class MGC3030:
    def __init__(self, i2c, addr=0x43, ts_pin=None):
        self.i2c = i2c
        self.addr = addr
        self.ts_pin = ts_pin
        self.buffer = bytearray([0] * 26)

    def read(self):
        self.i2c.try_lock()
        try:
            self.i2c.readfrom_into(self.addr, self.buffer)
        finally:
            self.i2c.unlock()
        return self.buffer


i2c = board.I2C()
ts_pin = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.D5)
irq1_pin = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.D6)
irq0_pin = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.A3)

sensor = MGC3030(i2c)

while True:
    print(repr(sensor.read()))
    time.sleep(0.5)

The code works, except it shows me all 0s. What's wrong?

Some more careful reading of the datasheet reveals that the chip is sold without firmware on it. You have to program it yourself, using attached software. The software is of course WIndows-only, so no way I can use it.

Way to go Microchip!