PCA9546APW,118: A High-Performance 4-Channel I²C Bus Switch with Reset Function

The PCA9546APW,118 is a state-of-the-art 4-channel I²C bus switch manufactured by NXP Semiconductors, a global leader in semiconductor technology. This device is designed to provide flexible and reliable I²C bus multiplexing and expansion solutions for a wide range of electronic applications.

Key Features

• Manufacturer: NXP Semiconductors
• Product Number: PCA9546APW,118
• Package Type: TSSOP-16 (Thin Small Outline Package with 16 pins)
• Number of Channels: 4
• Interface: I²C bus and SMBus compatible
• Reset Function: Active-low reset input allows recovery from downstream I²C bus lock-up situations
• Addressability: Three address pins allow up to eight PCA9546A devices on the I²C bus
• Power Supply Range: Operates within a voltage range of 2.3 V to 5.5 V
• Voltage Level Translation: Supports voltage-level translation between 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, and 5 V buses, enabling communication between devices with different voltage levels without additional protection
• Clock Frequency: Supports clock frequencies up to 400 kHz
• ESD Protection: Exceeds 2000 V HBM (Human-Body Model) and 1000 V CDM (Charged-Device Model) as per JESD standards
• Low RON Switches: Ensures low power consumption and high signal integrity
• Hot Insertion Support: Allows devices to be connected or disconnected from the bus while the system is powered on

Functional Overview

The PCA9546APW,118 functions as a quad bidirectional translating switch controlled via the I²C bus. The SCL/SDA upstream pair fans out to four downstream pairs or channels. Any individual SCx/SDx channel or combination of channels can be selected via the programmable control register. 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. Pulling the RESET pin low resets the I²C bus state machine and causes all channels to be deselected, similar to the internal power-on reset function.

Applications

Due to its versatile features, the PCA9546APW,118 is suitable for a wide range of applications, including:

• Servers and Routers: In telecom switching equipment, it provides flexible I²C bus routing and expansion.
• Factory Automation: It can be used in industrial automation systems for device communication and control.
• Electronic Devices with I²C Slave Address Conflicts: In systems with multiple identical sensors or devices, it resolves address conflicts by enabling multiplexing.

Packaging and Availability

The PCA9546APW,118 is available in a compact TSSOP-16 package, making it easy to integrate into electronic circuits. It is suitable for automated assembly processes and is widely available through electronic component distributors.

Conclusion

The PCA9546APW,118 is a high-performance 4-channel I²C bus switch with a reset function, offering flexible and reliable bus multiplexing and expansion solutions. Its support for voltage-level translation, active-low reset function, and wide power supply range make it ideal for a variety of electronic applications. With its compact package and wide availability, it is an excellent choice for designers looking to implement advanced I²C bus communication solutions in their systems.