Texas Instruments PCA9306DQER
- Part No.:
- PCA9306DQER
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Category:
- Translators, Level Shifters
- Package:
- Datasheet:
-
PCA9306DQER.pdf
- Description:
- IC TRANSLTR BIDIRECTIONAL 8X2SON
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:2,096
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Product details
Overview
PCA9306DQER from Texas Instruments is a dual bidirectional I²C/SMBus voltage-level translator IC with enable control, supporting 1.2-V to 3.3-V VREF1 and 1.8-V to 5.5-V VREF2 rails, <1.5-ns max propagation delay, 3.5-Ω typical RON, and 5-V-tolerant I/O - used to isolate mixed-voltage I²C buses in server backplanes and industrial controllers.
For engineers reviewing the PCA9306DQER datasheet, PCA9306DQER pinout, PCA9306DQER application, or PCA9306DQER equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, flow-through X2SON-8 pin mapping, real-world isolation use cases, and two validated alternative translators for bus segmentation and voltage translation design.
Technical Context
The PCA9306DQER implements a dual-channel NFET-based pass-gate architecture with no direction pin, enabling true bidirectional level shifting between asymmetric voltage domains (e.g., 1.8 V ↔ 3.3 V or 1.2 V ↔ 5 V). Its EN-controlled switch state provides high-impedance isolation when disabled, preventing bus contention during hot-plug or frequency-mismatched communication.
It supports standard-mode (100 kHz) and fast-mode (400 kHz) I²C timing with sub-nanosecond AC performance across CL = 15–50 pF loads, and includes integrated ESD protection (±2000-V HBM, ±1000-V CDM) and latch-up immunity (>100 mA per JESD78 Class II).
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| VREF1 Range | 1.2 V to 3.3 V - sets low-side logic threshold and defines minimum compatible controller voltage |
| VREF2 Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V - defines high-side supply compatibility, enabling 5-V legacy device interfacing |
| Max Propagation Delay | <1.5 ns - preserves I²C timing margins for 400-kHz operation with multiple devices and PCB trace capacitance |
| RON (Typ) | 3.5 Ω at EN = 4.5 V - minimizes voltage drop and signal distortion during bidirectional data transfer |
| ESD Rating (HBM) | ±2000 V - protects downstream 1.2-V/1.8-V I²C peripherals from system-level ESD events |
| Operating Temp | –40°C to +85°C - qualified for industrial and telecom equipment environments |
| EN Logic Threshold | VIH ≥ 2.0 V (VREF2-dependent) - enables direct GPIO control from 3.3-V microcontrollers without level shifting |
Pinout & Package
X2SON-8 package (1.4 mm × 1.0 mm, 0.5-mm pitch), thermally enhanced for space-constrained PCBs; flow-through layout simplifies routing between adjacent I²C buses.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GND | Ground reference | Common return path for both voltage domains; must be low-inductance connection to minimize noise coupling |
| 2 VREF1 | Low-voltage reference input | Sets threshold for SCL1/SDA1 I/O; must be stable and decoupled to support 1.2-V operation |
| 3 SCL1 | Low-side serial clock I/O | Open-drain bidirectional port tied to 1.2–3.3-V controller or peripheral; requires external pull-up |
| 4 SDA1 | Low-side serial data I/O | Open-drain bidirectional port mirroring SCL1; shares same VREF1 bias and pull-up network |
| 5 SDA2 | High-side serial data I/O | Open-drain bidirectional port for 1.8–5.5-V side; 5-V tolerant, supports mixed-voltage bus termination |
| 6 SCL2 | High-side serial clock I/O | Open-drain bidirectional port paired with SDA2; electrically identical to SDA2 in timing and drive strength |
| 7 VREF2 | High-voltage reference input | Bias source for SCL2/SDA2; must exceed VREF1 + 0.6 V to ensure reliable FET conduction |
| 8 EN | Enable control input | Active-high logic input; drives internal pass-FET gate; high-impedance when pulled low for full bus isolation |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| No-direction-pin bidirectionality | Eliminates control-line routing complexity and firmware overhead in dual-rail I²C systems |
| Sub-1.5-ns propagation delay | Maintains setup/hold timing for 400-kHz I²C even with 400-pF total bus capacitance |
| 5-V-tolerant I²C I/O ports | Enables direct interface to 5-V SMBus PMBus devices without external clamping or resistive dividers |
| High-impedance isolation on EN = low | Prevents cross-talk and unintended arbitration when segmenting buses operating at different speeds (e.g., 100 kHz vs. 400 kHz) |
| Flow-through pinout (SSOP/VSSOP/X2SON/DSBGA) | Reduces layer count and trace length mismatch in dense PCB layouts, minimizing skew between SCL/SDA pairs |
Applications
| Server Backplane Interfacing | I²C Bus Segmentation |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Connecting a 1.8-V baseboard management controller (BMC) to 3.3-V or 5-V hot-swap power modules via shared I²C bus. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Voltage-level translator and EN-controlled isolation switch enabling safe insertion/removal of power modules without disrupting BMC communication. Use Value: Prevents bus lockup during hot-plug by disabling PCA9306DQER until module power stabilizes and bus enters IDLE state. |
Use Scenario: Isolating a 100-kHz sensor subsystem from a 400-kHz processor I²C bus to avoid timing violations. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bidirectional level shifter with programmable enable, allowing dynamic bus partitioning based on traffic priority. Use Value: Enables concurrent operation of slow and fast I²C segments without protocol-level arbitration or clock stretching penalties. |
| Industrial PLC I/O Expansion | Multi-Rail Embedded Controller Interface |
Use Scenario: Interfacing a 3.3-V ARM Cortex-M7 MCU to legacy 5-V I²C temperature sensors and EEPROMs in factory automation hardware. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual-channel voltage translator maintaining signal integrity across 1.2–5.5-V domain boundaries while preserving open-drain bus topology. Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete MOSFET translators or optocouplers, reducing BOM count and board area by >60%. |
Use Scenario: Bridging I²C between a 1.2-V AI accelerator SoC and 2.5-V memory management unit in edge inference modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-RON bidirectional switch enabling sub-ns timing alignment critical for time-sensitive sensor fusion data transfers. Use Value: Achieves <1.2-ns tPHL/tPLH at CL = 15 pF, meeting tight synchronization requirements for real-time control loops. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar I²C voltage translation applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCA9617ADGKR | Integrated 2-channel repeater with built-in bus buffering; higher quiescent current (120 µA vs. 10 µA); supports 1-MHz Fast Mode Plus | Required when bus capacitance exceeds 400 pF or when extending trace length beyond 20 cm | Select TCA9617ADGKR if active bus driving and extended range are needed; PCA9306DQER remains optimal for low-power, minimal-latency translation. |
| TXS0102DCUR | Auto-direction sensing (no EN pin); lower RON (2.5 Ω typ); limited VREF1 range (1.65–3.6 V); no 1.2-V support | Suitable only for 1.8-V+ systems; lacks EN-controlled isolation for hot-plug or bus segmentation | Choose TXS0102DCUR for cost-sensitive, fixed-rail designs without isolation needs; PCA9306DQER is required for 1.2-V compatibility and EN-gated control. |
Compared with TCA9617ADGKR and TXS0102DCUR, PCA9306DQER uniquely combines 1.2-V operation, EN-driven isolation, and ultra-low propagation delay - making it the only option for low-voltage industrial controllers requiring hot-swap-safe I²C segmentation.
Availability
PCA9306DQER is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for server backplanes, industrial PLCs, telecom routers, and embedded AI modules requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and mixed-voltage I²C interfaces.
Supply support for PCA9306DQER 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
Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity solutions, with over 50 years of innovation in interface and power management ICs.
The PCA9306DQER belongs to TI's I²C/SMBus level-shifting portfolio, engineered specifically for robust, low-latency voltage translation in multi-rail computing and industrial control systems where bus isolation and mixed-voltage interoperability are critical.
FAQ
What is the minimum VREF1 voltage supported by PCA9306DQER?
The PCA9306DQER supports VREF1 down to 1.2 V, enabling direct interfacing with ultra-low-voltage processors and sensors. This is confirmed in Section 6.3 Recommended Operating Conditions and Figure 8-1 of the datasheet, where 1.2-V operation is explicitly validated with proper VREF2 biasing (≥1.8 V) and EN control. Operation below 1.2 V is not guaranteed and may result in incomplete FET turn-on or increased RON.
Can PCA9306DQER translate between 1.2 V and 5 V simultaneously?
Yes, PCA9306DQER supports 1.2-V VREF1 and 5-V VREF2 simultaneously, as stated in the Features section and Section 3 Description. The device achieves this using an internal NFET pass-gate architecture with Vth ≈ 0.6 V, ensuring reliable conduction when VREF2 ≥ VREF1 + 0.6 V. This configuration is validated in Table 6-5 Electrical Characteristics and Figure 8-6 Translation Configuration.
Does PCA9306DQER require external pull-up resistors on both sides of the bus?
Yes, PCA9306DQER requires external pull-up resistors on both SCL1/SDA1 (low-side) and SCL2/SDA2 (high-side) because all four I/O pins are open-drain. The datasheet specifies that each side must be independently terminated to its respective VREF rail. Pull-up values depend on bus speed and capacitance - e.g., 2.2 kΩ for 400-kHz operation with ≤200-pF load per side - and are detailed in Section 9.2 Typical Application.
How does the EN pin affect PCA9306DQER's isolation behavior?
When EN is low, PCA9306DQER places SCL1, SDA1, SCL2, and SDA2 into high-impedance states, fully isolating both I²C segments with no leakage path - confirmed in Section 5 Pin Functions and Section 8.1.3. This lockup-free isolation prevents bus contention during hot-plug, power sequencing, or frequency-mismatched communication, and is electrically distinct from passive resistor-based solutions.
Is PCA9306DQER compatible with Fast Mode Plus (1 MHz) I²C?
No, PCA9306DQER is rated for standard-mode (100 kHz) and fast-mode (400 kHz) I²C only. Section 6.6–6.9 AC specifications list maximum tPHL/tPLH under 400-kHz conditions, and Section 8.1 explicitly states "the maximum system operating frequency may be less than 400 kHz because of the delays added by the level shifter." For 1-MHz support, TI recommends TCA9617A or PCA9615 instead of PCA9306DQER.
PCA9306DQER Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Translator Type:
- Voltage Level
- Channel Type:
- Bidirectional
- Number of Circuits:
- 1
- Channels per Circuit:
- 2
- Voltage - VCCA:
- 1.2 V ~ 3.3 V
- Voltage - VCCB:
- 1.8 V ~ 5.5 V
- Input Signal:
- -
- Output Signal:
- -
- Output Type:
- Open Drain, Push-Pull
- Data Rate:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Features:
- Auto-Direction Sensing
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 8-XFDFN
PCA9306DQER FAQ
1.How can I place an order for PCA9306DQER through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for PCA9306DQER 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 PCA9306DQER reliable?
The price and inventory of PCA9306DQER are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for PCA9306DQER is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for PCA9306DQER?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for PCA9306DQER transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for PCA9306DQER?
PCA9306DQER orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your PCA9306DQER 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 PCA9306DQER?
For technical support, including PCA9306DQER datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your PCA9306DQER requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that PCA9306DQER is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All PCA9306DQER 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 PCA9306DQER meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of PCA9306DQER?
All PCA9306DQER units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with PCA9306DQER, 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 PCA9306DQER part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for PCA9306DQER:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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