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Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX6956ATL+T
- Part No.:
- MAX6956ATL+T
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- Display Drivers
- Package:
- 40-WFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
MAX6956ATL+T.pdf
- Description:
- IC DRVR DSPL LED 40TQFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:3,696
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Product details
Overview
The MAX6956ATL+T from Maxim Integrated is a 28-port, I²C-compatible LED display driver and GPIO expander operating from 2.5V to 5.5V. It supports individual configuration of each port as constant-current LED sink (1.5–24mA, 16-step), push-pull logic output (10mA sink/4.5mA source), or Schmitt input with optional pullup. Seven ports feature transition-detection interrupt capability. It targets embedded panel meters and industrial controllers requiring mixed-signal I/O with precise LED current control.
For engineers reviewing the MAX6956ATL+T datasheet, MAX6956ATL+T pinout, MAX6956ATL+T application, or MAX6956ATL+T equivalent, this page delivers verified specifications, validated 40-pin thin QFN-EP package details, confirmed I²C timing compliance (400kbps), exact port mapping (P4–P31), and two rigorously cross-checked alternative parts for design-in flexibility.
Technical Context
The MAX6956ATL+T implements a dual-role architecture: its 28 ports (P4–P31) are software-configurable per-bit via I²C registers into LED drivers, GPIO outputs, or Schmitt inputs - with no hardware mode pins. Each LED port uses a single external resistor (ISET) to set full-scale current, then digitally scales it across 16 linear steps.
Its I²C interface supports 16 slave addresses via AD0/AD1 (4-level logic), enabling multi-device bus expansion. Transition detection is hardwired to ports P24–P30 only, with maskable status reporting via dedicated interrupt pin P31 - not configurable to other ports.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ports | 28 individually configurable I/O ports (P4–P31), all usable as LED drivers or GPIO |
| LED Current Range | 1.5mA to 24mA per port in 16 equal steps - set by single RISET resistor |
| I²C Speed | 400kbps maximum - meets Fast-mode I²C timing (tLOW ≥1.3µs, tHIGH ≥0.7µs) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5V to 5.5V - supports direct interface with 3.3V and 5V microcontrollers |
| Operating Temp | -40°C to +125°C - qualified for automotive and industrial environments |
| Shutdown Current | 11µA max at full temperature range - enables low-power system sleep modes |
| GPIO Drive | 10mA sink / 4.5mA source on push-pull outputs - sufficient for driving small relays or logic inputs |
Pinout & Package
MAX6956ATL+T is housed in a 40-pin thin QFN package with exposed pad (EP), optimized for thermal performance in high-density PCB layouts. The EP must be soldered to ground plane.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| V+ | Positive supply input | 2.5V–5.5V main power rail; requires ≥0.047µF bypass capacitor to GND |
| GND | Ground reference | Two dedicated GND pins (pins 2,3); EP must also connect to GND plane |
| SDA | I²C serial data line | Open-drain bidirectional I/O; requires external 4.7kΩ pullup to V+ |
| SCL | I²C serial clock input | Input-only; requires external 4.7kΩ pullup if shared bus or open-drain master |
| AD0, AD1 | I²C address select inputs | 4-level logic (GND/V+/SCL/SDA) sets 16 unique slave addresses |
| ISET | LED current reference | Connects to GND via RISET resistor - sets max segment current (e.g., 39kΩ = 24mA) |
| P4–P31 | Configurable I/O ports | 28 bidirectional terminals; function defined per-port in registers 0x09–0x0F |
| P31 | Interrupt output | Active-low open-drain interrupt pin triggered by masked port transitions (P24–P30) |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| 16-step LED current control | Per-port digital scaling of constant-current sink - enables uniform brightness tuning across 28 segments without analog trimming |
| Transition-detect interrupt | Hardware-accelerated edge detection on seven dedicated ports (P24–P30) - eliminates polling overhead in real-time monitoring |
| Flexible port configuration | Each port independently assigned as LED driver, push-pull output, or Schmitt input with selectable pullup - maximizes I/O reuse in space-constrained designs |
| Multi-device I²C addressing | 16 unique addresses via two 4-state select pins - supports up to 16 MAX6956ATL+T devices on one bus without address conflicts |
| Wide temperature operation | Full functionality from -40°C to +125°C - validated for under-hood automotive and factory-floor industrial use |
Applications
| Panel Meters | Industrial Controllers |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Driving 7-segment or 16-segment alphanumeric LED displays in DIN-rail mounted instrumentation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: LED segment driver and GPIO expander - manages display multiplexing and front-panel button inputs simultaneously. Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete transistors and current-limiting resistors per segment; reduces BOM count by >20 components vs. discrete solution. |
Use Scenario: Controlling indicator LEDs and reading status switches in PLC I/O modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Mixed-signal I/O peripheral - provides isolated, noise-immune inputs and robust LED drive from a single 2.5V–5.5V rail. Use Value: Schmitt-trigger inputs reject EMI in electrically noisy factory environments; 10mA sink capability drives LEDs directly without buffer stages. |
| Set-Top Boxes | White Goods |
Use Scenario: Managing front-panel LED indicators and user-input buttons in consumer media devices. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-power I/O expander - handles standby-mode button wake-up and display backlight control. Use Value: 11µA shutdown current extends battery life in remote-control powered units; I²C interface minimizes MCU GPIO usage. |
Use Scenario: Driving status LEDs and sensing door/open-close switches in refrigerators and washing machines. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Robust GPIO interface - operates reliably across wide ambient temperature swings (-20°C to +70°C cabinet interior). Use Value: -40°C to +125°C rating ensures long-term reliability despite compressor-induced thermal cycling; internal pullups simplify switch wiring. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar LED driver and I/O expander applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAX6957ATL+T | Identical 28-port architecture and pinout, but SPI interface instead of I²C; same LED current range and temperature rating. | Required where host MCU lacks I²C or prioritizes deterministic SPI timing over bus arbitration. | Select when SPI-native firmware stack exists or when multiple devices require daisy-chained clock distribution. |
| MAX7300ATL+T | 28-port I²C GPIO expander only - no LED constant-current drivers; 25mA sink per port; identical 40-pin QFN package. | Used when only logic-level I/O expansion is needed - no LED driving capability. | Choose for cost-sensitive designs needing pure GPIO extension without LED current regulation circuitry. |
Compared with MAX6956ATL+T, MAX6957ATL+T offers identical LED/GPIO functionality with SPI instead of I²C, while MAX7300ATL+T provides GPIO-only expansion at lower cost - neither replicates the integrated 16-step LED current control that defines the MAX6956ATL+T's value in display-centric applications.
Availability
MAX6956ATL+T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for panel meters, industrial controllers, and white goods requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.
Supply support for MAX6956ATL+T 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
Maxim Integrated, now part of Analog Devices, designs precision analog and mixed-signal ICs for industrial, automotive, and communications applications.
The MAX6956 product line delivers integrated LED display drivers with programmable GPIO - engineered specifically for space-constrained human-machine interfaces requiring reliable, low-power, multi-function I/O expansion.
FAQ
What is the maximum LED sink current per port on the MAX6956ATL+T?
The MAX6956ATL+T supports up to 24mA per port when configured as an LED driver, set by the external ISET resistor (e.g., 39kΩ yields 24mA at V+ = 5.5V). This current is digitally scalable in 16 equal steps down to 1.5mA, enabling precise brightness control across all 28 ports without hardware changes.
Does the MAX6956ATL+T support true I²C communication or only I²C-compatible timing?
The MAX6956ATL+T implements a fully I²C-compatible interface: it responds to standard 7-bit slave addresses (with R/W bit), generates ACK/NACK, respects START/STOP conditions, and meets Fast-mode timing (400kbps). Its AD0/AD1 pins enable 16 unique addresses - confirming full protocol compliance, not just timing emulation.
Which ports on the MAX6956ATL+T support transition-detect interrupt functionality?
Only ports P24 through P30 support hardware transition detection on the MAX6956ATL+T. These seven ports can be individually masked in the transition-detect mask register (0x06), and any enabled transition asserts the active-low interrupt on port P31 - no other ports (e.g., P4–P23) have this capability.
What package type is used for the MAX6956ATL+T and what is the role of the exposed pad?
The MAX6956ATL+T uses a 40-pin thin QFN package with exposed pad (EP). The EP is not internally connected but must be soldered to the PCB ground plane to ensure thermal stability and meet the 2105mW continuous power dissipation rating - omitting this connection risks thermal shutdown or parametric drift.
Can the MAX6956ATL+T drive common-cathode LED displays?
No - the MAX6956ATL+T is designed exclusively for common-anode (CA) LED configurations. Its ports operate as constant-current sinks, requiring the LED anodes to be tied to V+. Driving common-cathode displays would require external high-side switching, which is not supported by the MAX6956ATL+T's architecture or pinout.
MAX6956ATL+T Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 40-WFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Display Type:
- LED
- Configuration:
- -
- Interface:
- I2C
- Digits or Characters:
- -
- Current - Supply:
- 180 µA
- Voltage - Supply:
- 2.5V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 125°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 40-TQFN (6x6)
MAX6956ATL+T FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX6956ATL+T through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX6956ATL+T 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 MAX6956ATL+T reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX6956ATL+T are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX6956ATL+T is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX6956ATL+T?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX6956ATL+T transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX6956ATL+T?
MAX6956ATL+T orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX6956ATL+T 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 MAX6956ATL+T?
For technical support, including MAX6956ATL+T datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX6956ATL+T requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX6956ATL+T is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX6956ATL+T 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 MAX6956ATL+T meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX6956ATL+T?
All MAX6956ATL+T units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX6956ATL+T, 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 MAX6956ATL+T part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX6956ATL+T:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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