Nexperia USA Inc. NCA9306DCH

Overview

NCA9306DCH from Nexperia is a 2-channel bidirectional I²C/SMBus voltage level translator with open-drain I/O, enabling seamless signal translation between 0.95 V and 5.0 V domains without direction control. It features dual independent reference supplies (refA/refB), 100 MHz up-translation and >100 MHz down-translation at ≤30 pF load, and an active-HIGH enable (EN) pin for channel isolation. It serves as a critical interface bridge in mixed-voltage I²C subsystems such as PMBus power management rails in server baseboards.

For engineers reviewing the NCA9306DCH datasheet, NCA9306DCH pinout, NCA9306DCH application, or NCA9306DCH equivalent, key selection criteria include verified bidirectional translation performance across 0.95–5.0 V pairs, EN-controlled high-impedance isolation, open-drain compatibility with standard I²C pull-up topologies, and thermal reliability over –40 °C to +125 °C.

Technical Context

The NCA9306DCH implements a passive FET-based translation architecture with no internal level-shifting circuitry-voltage translation is achieved via controlled conduction through low-R_ON MOSFETs gated by refA/refB potentials. Its operation relies on external pull-up resistors on both sides, with logic HIGH levels defined by local V_PU rails rather than internal drivers.

Each channel (SCL/SDA) operates independently with identical electrical behavior: when EN = HIGH, SCLA↔SCLB and SDAA↔SDAB form low-impedance bidirectional paths; when EN = LOW, all four I/O pins enter high-impedance states. Translation directionality is inherently determined by relative voltage magnitudes and instantaneous signal transitions-not by control logic.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: TSSOP8 (SOT505-2), plastic thin shrink small outline package; 8 leads; body width 3 mm; lead length 0.5 mm.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar bidirectional I²C level translation applications.

Compared with PCA9306DGVR, NCA9306DCH supports lower 0.95 V refA operation critical for modern ultra-low-power MCUs; compared with NTZL9306P5T5G, it delivers full dual-channel functionality in one die-reducing placement overhead and interconnect parasitics.

Availability

NCA9306DCH is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for server PMBus power sequencing, industrial sensor hub interfaces, and telecom line card hot-swap applications requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges.

Supply support for NCA9306DCH 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

Nexperia is a global semiconductor expert focused on high-volume, high-reliability logic, analog, and MOSFET solutions for automotive, industrial, and computing markets.

The NCA9306 belongs to Nexperia's precision interface translation product line, engineered specifically for robust, low-latency I²C/SMBus interoperability across heterogeneous voltage domains in mission-critical infrastructure.

FAQ

Can NCA9306DCH translate between 0.95 V and 5.0 V simultaneously on one channel?

Yes. With refA = 0.95 V and refB = 5.0 V, the device supports full bidirectional translation between those rails. The low-side I/O (SCLA/SDAA) is clamped to ~0.95 V + 0.3 V, while the high-side I/O (SCLB/SDAB) is pulled to 5.0 V via external resistors-enabling compliant I²C signaling across the full range without direction control or additional biasing.

What pull-up resistor values are recommended for 400 kHz Fast-mode I²C operation?

For 400 kHz operation with ≤30 pF total bus capacitance, use 2.2 kΩ on the 3.3 V side and 4.7 kΩ on the 1.8 V side. These values balance rise time (t_r < 300 ns) against current consumption (<1 mA per line) while maintaining VOL < 0.4 V at 3 mA sink-verified per Table 7 and Figure 4 test conditions in the datasheet.

Does NCA9306DCH require decoupling capacitors on refA/refB?

Yes. A 100 nF ceramic capacitor is required between each reference supply (refA and refB) and GND, placed within 2 mm of the respective pins. This stabilizes the internal gate drive during fast transitions and prevents oscillation-explicitly specified in Figure 4 and Table 9 of the datasheet for valid switching characterization.

Is the EN pin 5 V tolerant when refA is 1.2 V?

Yes. The EN pin is 5 V tolerant regardless of refA voltage, with absolute maximum rating of +7.0 V (Table 5). It accepts standard 3.3 V or 5 V logic HIGH signals directly-even when refA is as low as 0.95 V-eliminating the need for external level shifting on the enable path.