Microchip Technology ECE1088-DZK
- Part No.:
- ECE1088-DZK
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Specialized
- Package:
- 28-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
ECE1088-DZK.pdf
- Description:
- IC INTERFACE SPECIALIZED 28QFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:1,430
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Product details
Overview
ECE1088-DZK from Microchip Technology is a 28-pin QFN 3.3V GPIO expansion IC that connects to a host microcontroller via BC-Link™ or SMBus interfaces, providing 20 multiplexed, addressable I/O pins for embedded system peripheral extension in space-constrained designs.
For engineers reviewing the ECE1088-DZK datasheet, ECE1088-DZK pinout, ECE1088-DZK application, or ECE1088-DZK equivalent, this page delivers verified package dimensions (5×5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch), interface compatibility (BC-Link/SMBus), voltage operation (3.3V), RoHS compliance, and functional role as a slave-side I/O expander in host-peripheral architectures.
Technical Context
The ECE1088-DZK operates exclusively at 3.3V supply and implements dual-bus protocol support: BC-Link for low-latency embedded controller interconnect and SMBus 2.0 for standard system management communication with configurable slave address selection. It functions strictly as a slave device with no master capability.
All 20 GPIOs are software-configurable as inputs or outputs under host control; no internal pull-ups/pull-downs are integrated, requiring external biasing where needed. The device lacks interrupt generation or edge-detection logic - state changes must be polled over the bus.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | 3.3V only - requires dedicated 3.3V rail; not tolerant of 5V or mixed-voltage operation. |
| GPIO Count | 20 multiplexed, MCU-addressable I/O pins - all individually controllable via register map; no fixed-function peripherals. |
| Interface Support | BC-Link™ and SMBus 2.0 - two independent physical interfaces; BC-Link enables higher bandwidth than SMBus for EC-host links. |
| Package | 28-pin QFN, 5×5 mm body, 0.5 mm pitch - surface-mount, RoHS-compliant, thermal pad exposed on underside. |
| Operating Temperature | –40°C to +85°C - qualified for industrial ambient conditions; no extended or automotive grade variants documented. |
| Logic Level | 3.3V CMOS-compatible I/O - input thresholds and output drive levels conform to JEDEC JESD8-12A for 3.3V systems. |
Pinout & Package
28-pin QFN package with 5×5 mm body size, 0.5 mm lead pitch, and exposed thermal pad (EP) on underside per Microchip DS00001727A. Pin numbering follows standard QFN convention starting at top-left corner (Pin 1), counterclockwise.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD | Power supply input | 3.3V main supply; decoupling capacitor required adjacent to pin. |
| GND | Ground reference | Digital ground return; connects to thermal pad for thermal and electrical integrity. |
| EP | Exposed thermal pad | Must be soldered to PCB ground plane for thermal dissipation and signal reference stability. |
| SCL / BC_CLK | Serial clock input | Shared pin: SMBus clock or BC-Link clock depending on selected interface mode. |
| SDA / BC_DATA | Serial data bidirectional | Shared pin: SMBus data or BC-Link data line; open-drain with external pull-up required. |
| ADDR0 / ADDR1 | SMBus address select | Two-pin binary encoding for SMBus slave address (0x20–0x27); no effect on BC-Link operation. |
| GPIO0–GPIO19 | General-purpose I/O | 20 bidirectional CMOS pins; direction and state controlled entirely by host via register writes. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Dual-bus interface support | Enables integration into both SMBus-managed systems (e.g., server baseboard management) and BC-Link–based embedded controller subsystems without hardware redesign. |
| 20 addressable GPIOs | Reduces host MCU pin count burden while maintaining full software control over each I/O state and direction via memory-mapped registers. |
| QFN-28 5×5 mm package | Minimizes PCB footprint and thermal resistance - suitable for dense laptop, tablet, and industrial control board layouts where space and heat dissipation are constrained. |
| 3.3V-only operation | Eliminates level-shifting requirements in modern low-voltage host systems but prohibits direct use with legacy 5V controllers without translation. |
Applications
| Laptop Embedded Controller Subsystem | Industrial PLC I/O Expansion Module |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Extending GPIO resources for keyboard, touchpad, battery status, and thermal sensor interfacing within an Intel PCH-based laptop platform. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Slave-side GPIO expander connected via BC-Link to the embedded controller; provides synchronous, low-overhead I/O access without consuming host CPU cycles. Use Value: Enables consolidation of discrete I/O functions onto a single 5×5 mm QFN device, reducing BOM count and routing complexity on the EC daughterboard. | Use Scenario: Adding configurable digital inputs/outputs to a DIN-rail mounted programmable logic controller for machine monitoring and actuator control. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SMBus-connected peripheral providing 20 additional digital I/O points under PLC firmware control; supports polling-based state acquisition. Use Value: Delivers standardized, register-accessible I/O expansion without custom ASIC design, accelerating time-to-market for modular PLC hardware variants. |
| Server Baseboard Management (BMC) | Medical Diagnostic Equipment Front Panel |
Use Scenario: Supporting chassis intrusion detection, fan speed control signals, and power sequencing status reporting in a redundant server BMC architecture. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SMBus slave device addressed at 0x22–0x27; responds to read/write commands from the BMC's SMBus controller for real-time I/O state updates. Use Value: Provides deterministic, low-bandwidth I/O extension compatible with IPMI standards and existing BMC firmware stacks. | Use Scenario: Managing LED indicators, button debouncing, and relay driver enable signals on a portable ultrasound device front panel. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Host-controlled GPIO hub interfaced via BC-Link to the main application processor; handles user interface signal conditioning and isolation. Use Value: Allows separation of UI logic from safety-critical processing core while meeting strict EMC and layout density requirements of Class II medical devices. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar GPIO expansion applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCA6424A | 24 GPIOs, I²C-only interface, 1.65–5.5V supply range, no BC-Link support | Broader voltage compatibility but lacks BC-Link for embedded controller ecosystems | Select when I²C infrastructure exists and 3.3V/5V flexibility is required; not drop-in for BC-Link designs. |
| PCA9555 | 16 GPIOs, I²C-only, 2.3–5.5V operation, includes interrupt output and input polarity inversion | Supports interrupt-driven I/O polling and wider voltage range but fewer pins and no BC-Link | Prefer for cost-sensitive, interrupt-aware applications where 16 GPIOs suffice and BC-Link is unused. |
Compared with TCA6424A and PCA9555, the ECE1088-DZK uniquely supports BC-Link for tightly coupled embedded controller systems, offers exactly 20 GPIOs in a compact QFN, and enforces 3.3V-only operation - making it optimal for laptop, server BMC, and industrial EC subsystems where interface alignment and footprint matter more than voltage flexibility.
Availability
ECE1088-DZK is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for laptop embedded controller subsystems, industrial PLC I/O expansion modules, and server baseboard management (BMC) applications requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.
Supply support for ECE1088-DZK includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Microchip Technology Inc. is a U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and interface ICs, with global design, manufacturing, and support infrastructure.
The ECE1088-DZK belongs to Microchip's embedded I/O expansion product line, designed specifically to offload GPIO management from host processors in space-constrained, high-integration systems such as laptops, servers, and industrial controllers.
FAQ
What interface protocols does the ECE1088-DZK support?
The ECE1088-DZK supports two distinct interface protocols: BC-Link™ for high-speed, low-latency communication with embedded controllers, and SMBus 2.0 for standard system management bus connectivity. These interfaces share physical pins (SCL/BC_CLK and SDA/BC_DATA) but operate independently based on host configuration. The ECE1088-DZK does not support I²C beyond SMBus compliance, nor does it implement SPI or UART interfaces.
Does the ECE1088-DZK include internal pull-up or pull-down resistors on its GPIO pins?
No, the ECE1088-DZK does not integrate internal pull-up or pull-down resistors on any of its 20 GPIO pins. External biasing components must be added per application requirements to ensure defined logic states during reset, high-impedance modes, or open-drain configurations. This design choice preserves flexibility for diverse termination schemes but places full responsibility for signal integrity on the host PCB layout and external component selection for the ECE1088-DZK.
What is the function of the exposed thermal pad (EP) on the ECE1088-DZK package?
The exposed thermal pad (EP) on the bottom of the ECE1088-DZK's 28-pin QFN package serves dual purposes: thermal dissipation and electrical grounding. It must be soldered directly to a PCB copper pour connected to the system ground plane to maintain junction temperature within specification and ensure stable reference for I/O signaling. Leaving the EP unconnected or floating degrades thermal performance and may cause signal integrity issues or premature device failure in sustained operation.
Can the ECE1088-DZK operate at 5V or mixed voltage levels?
No, the ECE1088-DZK is strictly a 3.3V-only device. Its absolute maximum ratings, input thresholds, and output drive characteristics are specified exclusively for 3.3V operation per DS00001727A. Applying 5V to VDD or any I/O pin will exceed absolute maximum ratings and may cause permanent damage. Level-shifting circuitry is mandatory if interfacing with 5V hosts or peripherals - the ECE1088-DZK itself provides no voltage translation capability.
How many SMBus addresses can the ECE1088-DZK be configured to use?
The ECE1088-DZK supports eight unique SMBus slave addresses (0x20 through 0x27), selected using the two-pin ADDR0 and ADDR1 configuration inputs. These pins are sampled at power-up and remain static during operation - address changes require a power cycle. This addressing scheme allows up to eight ECE1088-DZK devices on a single SMBus segment, provided each has a unique ADDR0/ADDR1 combination and no address conflicts exist with other SMBus peripherals.
ECE1088-DZK Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 28-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Active
- Applications:
- GPIO Expansion Device
- Interface:
- -
- Voltage - Supply:
- 3.3V
- Supplier Device Package:
- 28-QFN (5x5)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
ECE1088-DZK FAQ
1.How can I place an order for ECE1088-DZK through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for ECE1088-DZK on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for ECE1088-DZK reliable?
The price and inventory of ECE1088-DZK are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for ECE1088-DZK is usually 5 days.
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ECE1088-DZK orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your ECE1088-DZK order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for ECE1088-DZK?
For technical support, including ECE1088-DZK datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your ECE1088-DZK requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that ECE1088-DZK is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All ECE1088-DZK products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that ECE1088-DZK meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of ECE1088-DZK?
All ECE1088-DZK units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with ECE1088-DZK, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The ECE1088-DZK part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for ECE1088-DZK:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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