Overview
The PCA9546APW from Texas Instruments is a quad bidirectional translating switch designed to operate on the I²C bus. This component is part of the PCA9546A series and is housed in a 16-pin TSSOP package. It is used to fan out the SCL/SDA upstream pair to four downstream pairs or channels, enabling multiple devices to share the same I²C bus. The PCA9546APW is particularly useful in systems where multiple I²C devices need to be connected, and it supports voltage-level translation between different bus voltages, making it versatile for various applications.
Key Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Package Type | TSSOP |
| Pin Count | 16 |
| Dimensions | 5 x 4.4 x 1.15mm |
| Maximum Operating Temperature | +85 °C |
| Minimum Operating Temperature | -40 °C |
| Operating Power-Supply Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Clock Frequency | 0 to 400 kHz |
| ESD Protection | 2000-V Human-Body Model, 1000-V Charged-Device Model |
Key Features
- 1-of-4 Bidirectional Translating Switches
- I²C Bus and SMBus Compatible
- Active-Low Reset Input
- Three Address Pins, Allowing up to Eight PCA9546A Devices on the I²C Bus
- Channel Selection Via I²C Bus, in Any Combination
- Power-up With All Switch Channels Deselected
- Low RON Switches
- Allows Voltage-Level Translation Between 1.8-V, 2.5-V, 3.3-V, and 5-V Buses
- No Glitch on Power-up
- Supports Hot Insertion
- Low Standby Current
- 5.5 V Tolerant Inputs
- Latch-Up Performance Exceeds 100 mA Per JESD 78
Applications
The PCA9546APW is suitable for a variety of applications where multiple I²C devices need to be connected to a single I²C bus. This includes:
- Embedded systems requiring multiple I²C peripherals.
- Industrial automation systems with multiple sensors and actuators.
- Consumer electronics such as smart home devices and appliances.
- Automotive systems with multiple I²C devices.
- Medical devices that require multiple I²C interfaces.
Q & A
- What is the PCA9546APW used for?
The PCA9546APW is a quad bidirectional translating switch used to fan out the SCL/SDA upstream pair to four downstream pairs or channels on the I²C bus. - What package type does the PCA9546APW come in?
The PCA9546APW comes in a 16-pin TSSOP package. - What is the operating temperature range of the PCA9546APW?
The operating temperature range is from -40 °C to +85 °C. - What is the maximum clock frequency supported by the PCA9546APW?
The maximum clock frequency supported is 400 kHz. - Does the PCA9546APW support voltage-level translation?
Yes, it supports voltage-level translation between 1.8-V, 2.5-V, 3.3-V, and 5-V buses. - What is the purpose of the active-low reset input?
The active-low reset input allows the device to recover from a situation where one of the downstream I²C buses is stuck in a low state. - Is the PCA9546APW ESD protected?
Yes, it has ESD protection exceeding 2000-V Human-Body Model and 1000-V Charged-Device Model. - Can the PCA9546APW support hot insertion?
Yes, it supports hot insertion. - What is the standby current of the PCA9546APW?
The PCA9546APW has a low standby current. - How many devices of the PCA9546A series can be connected on the same I²C bus?
Up to eight PCA9546A devices can be connected on the same I²C bus using the three address pins.
