NXP Semiconductors PCA9515AD,118
- Part No.:
- PCA9515AD,118
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Category:
- Signal Buffers, Repeaters, Splitters
- Package:
- 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
PCA9515AD,118.pdf
- Description:
- IC REDRIVER I2C 2CH 400KHZ 8SO
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:12,359
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Product details
Overview
PCA9515AD,118 from NXP Semiconductors is a bidirectional I²C-bus repeater IC that extends bus capacitance beyond 400 pF by buffering both SDA and SCL lines across two isolated segments. It operates from 2.3 V to 3.6 V, supports 0–400 kHz clock rates, features 5.5 V-tolerant I/O pins, and enables voltage-level translation between 3.3 V and 5 V buses in mixed-voltage systems.
For engineers reviewing the PCA9515AD,118 datasheet, PCA9515AD,118 pinout, PCA9515AD,118 application, or PCA9515AD,118 equivalent, this device delivers lock-up-free arbitration support, active-HIGH enable control, open-drain I/O compatibility with Standard- and Fast-mode I²C, and robust ESD protection (2000 V HBM) - critical for reliable multi-master embedded bus expansion.
Technical Context
The PCA9515AD,118 implements two independent, bidirectional, open-drain buffer channels - one for SDA and one for SCL - each with hysteresis-based edge detection and static offset logic to prevent lock-up during contention. Its internal design uses differential LOW-level thresholds (VILc = +0.4 V max, VOL = 0.52 V typ) to ensure propagation of arbitration pulses without false latching.
No direction pin is required; instead, the device relies on controlled voltage offsets between input and output stages. It fully supports clock stretching and arbitration transparency across both bus segments, and its EN pin (internally pulled up to 100 kΩ) must remain stable during active I²C transactions to avoid bus hang conditions.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | 2.3 V to 3.6 V - powers internal logic while enabling operation in low-voltage embedded systems |
| I²C Clock Frequency | 0 Hz to 400 kHz - supports Standard-mode (100 kHz) and Fast-mode (400 kHz) I²C timing |
| I/O Voltage Tolerance | 5.5 V tolerant on SDA/SCL/EN - allows direct interface with 5 V buses without level-shifting circuitry |
| Propagation Delay | tPHL = 45–120 ns (VCC = 3.0–3.6 V) - ensures minimal timing overhead when extending bus segments |
| LOW-Level Output Voltage | VOL = 0.52 V typical at 6 mA - defines minimum voltage seen by downstream devices during active drive |
| ESD Protection | 2000 V HBM per JESD22-A114 - safeguards against handling-induced electrostatic discharge |
| Operating Temperature | −40 °C to +85 °C - qualified for industrial-grade ambient environments |
Pinout & Package
PCA9515AD,118 is supplied in SO8 (SOT96-1) package: plastic small outline, 8 leads, 3.9 mm body width, with standard 1.27 mm lead pitch.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| n.c. | No-connect | Pin 1 - electrically isolated; no internal connection; must be left unconnected |
| SCL0 | Serial Clock Bus 0 | Open-drain, 5.5 V tolerant I/O - connects to primary I²C bus clock line |
| SDA0 | Serial Data Bus 0 | Open-drain, 5.5 V tolerant I/O - connects to primary I²C bus data line |
| GND | Supply Ground | Reference 0 V for all internal circuits; must be connected to system ground plane |
| EN | Enable Input | Active-HIGH control with internal 100 kΩ pull-up; disables both buffers when LOW |
| SDA1 | Serial Data Bus 1 | Open-drain, 5.5 V tolerant I/O - connects to secondary (isolated) I²C bus data line |
| SCL1 | Serial Clock Bus 1 | Open-drain, 5.5 V tolerant I/O - connects to secondary (isolated) I²C bus clock line |
| VCC | Supply Voltage | 2.3–3.6 V power input; powers internal logic and buffer drivers |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Bidirectional Buffering | Two independent SDA/SCL channels isolate bus segments while preserving arbitration and clock stretching transparency |
| Lock-up Free Operation | Static offset design (VOL − VILc ≥ 70 mV) prevents metastability during multi-device contention |
| Voltage-Level Translation | 5.5 V-tolerant I/Os allow seamless interfacing between 3.3 V and 5 V I²C domains without external components |
| Powered-Off High-Impedance | All I²C pins enter high-Z state when VCC = 0 V - prevents back-powering or signal corruption during power sequencing |
| Arbitration Support | Recognizes and propagates arbitration pulses across both bus sides, maintaining I²C protocol integrity |
Applications
| Industrial Sensor Hub | Multi-Voltage MCU System |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: A central microcontroller communicates with dozens of I²C sensors distributed across long PCB traces and daughterboards, exceeding 400 pF total bus capacitance. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PCA9515AD,118 acts as a capacitive barrier repeater, splitting the bus into two 400 pF-compliant segments while preserving timing-critical arbitration. Use Value: Enables reliable communication with 2× more sensors without redesigning layout or adding series resistors - directly extends reach and node count. |
Use Scenario: An ARM Cortex-M4 MCU (3.3 V I/O) controls legacy 5 V I²C peripherals (EEPROM, RTC, ADC) on a separate board section. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PCA9515AD,118 serves as a voltage-agnostic bus repeater, isolating domains and translating logic levels passively. Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete level shifters or dual-supply translators - reduces BOM cost and routing complexity while maintaining full I²C compliance. |
| Hot-Swappable Module Interface | Redundant I²C Control Plane |
Use Scenario: A server backplane uses hot-pluggable I²C modules; insertion/removal causes transient bus faults and capacitance spikes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PCA9515AD,118 isolates module-side bus from main controller side, with EN pin controlled by presence detection. Use Value: Prevents bus lock-up during hot-swap events; EN pin allows graceful enable/disable - improves system uptime and serviceability. |
Use Scenario: Safety-critical industrial PLC uses dual I²C masters (primary + backup) sharing peripherals via a common bus segment. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PCA9515AD,118 segments the bus so masters operate on independent legs, reducing shared-node failure risk. Use Value: Enables fault containment: if one master fails or misbehaves, the other retains access to critical peripherals - enhances functional safety. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar I²C-bus repeater applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCA9517DP,118 | Single-channel repeater with integrated 1.8 kΩ pull-ups; lacks EN pin; only supports 3.3 V supply | Not suitable for mixed-voltage or enable-controlled isolation; limited to simple point-to-point extension | Select when minimal footprint and fixed pull-ups are preferred over flexibility and voltage translation |
| TCA9517PWR | TI part with identical 2-channel architecture, 2.3–3.6 V supply, and 5.5 V I/O tolerance; EN pin present but no internal pull-up | Requires external pull-up on EN; otherwise pin-compatible and functionally equivalent in most designs | Choose when TI ecosystem alignment or alternate sourcing is required; verify EN biasing in layout |
Compared with PCA9515AD,118, the PCA9517DP,118 sacrifices enable control and voltage flexibility for integration, while the TCA9517PWR offers near-equivalent functionality but mandates external EN pull-up - making PCA9515AD,118 optimal for systems requiring guaranteed lock-up immunity, mixed-voltage operation, and self-contained enable management.
Availability
PCA9515AD,118 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor hubs, multi-voltage MCU systems, hot-swappable module interfaces, and redundant I²C control planes requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.
Supply support for PCA9515AD,118 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
NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor leader specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications, with deep expertise in interface and bus technology.
The PCA9515AD,118 belongs to NXP's I²C-bus repeater family, engineered specifically to solve bus capacitance limitations and voltage-domain bridging in resource-constrained embedded systems.
FAQ
What is the maximum I²C clock frequency supported by the PCA9515AD,118?
The PCA9515AD,118 supports I²C clock frequencies from 0 Hz up to 400 kHz, covering both Standard-mode (100 kHz) and Fast-mode (400 kHz) operation. However, actual system-level maximum frequency may be lower due to added propagation delay (tPHL up to 120 ns) and bus loading effects introduced by the repeater itself.
Can the PCA9515AD,118 be used to interface a 3.3 V microcontroller with 5 V I²C peripherals?
Yes, the PCA9515AD,118 can safely bridge 3.3 V and 5 V I²C domains because its SDA0, SCL0, SDA1, SCL1, and EN pins are all 5.5 V tolerant. No external level-shifting components are needed - the device handles voltage translation inherently through its open-drain I/O structure and internal threshold design.
Does the PCA9515AD,118 require external pull-up resistors on both sides of the repeater?
Yes, the PCA9515AD,118 requires external pull-up resistors on both bus segments (SDA0/SCL0 and SDA1/SCL1). Each side must have its own set of pull-ups because the device does not provide internal termination - this ensures proper HIGH-level definition and meets I²C open-drain bus requirements.
What happens to the I²C pins of the PCA9515AD,118 when VCC is unpowered?
When VCC is unpowered (0 V), all I²C pins (SDA0, SCL0, SDA1, SCL1) of the PCA9515AD,118 enter a high-impedance state. This prevents back-powering of the device or interference with other active bus segments - a critical feature for safe power sequencing and hot-swap applications.
Is it safe to connect multiple PCA9515AD,118 devices in series on the same I²C bus?
No, connecting multiple PCA9515AD,118 devices in series is explicitly prohibited by NXP's design specification. The device uses static voltage offsets to avoid lock-up, and cascading causes the second device to fail recognition of the first's "buffered LOW" - resulting in bus hang. Only single-stage, parallel segmentation is supported.
PCA9515AD,118 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 8-SOIC (0.154", 3.90mm Width)
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Buffer, ReDriver
- Applications:
- I2C
- Input:
- 2-Wire Bus
- Output:
- 2-Wire Bus
- Data Rate (Max):
- 400kHz
- Number of Channels:
- 2
- Delay Time:
- -
- Signal Conditioning:
- -
- Capacitance - Input:
- 6 pF
- Voltage - Supply:
- 2.3V ~ 3.6V
- Current - Supply:
- 800µA
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 8-SO
PCA9515AD,118 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for PCA9515AD,118 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for PCA9515AD,118 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 PCA9515AD,118 reliable?
The price and inventory of PCA9515AD,118 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for PCA9515AD,118 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for PCA9515AD,118?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for PCA9515AD,118 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for PCA9515AD,118?
PCA9515AD,118 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your PCA9515AD,118 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 PCA9515AD,118?
For technical support, including PCA9515AD,118 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your PCA9515AD,118 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that PCA9515AD,118 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All PCA9515AD,118 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 PCA9515AD,118 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of PCA9515AD,118?
All PCA9515AD,118 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with PCA9515AD,118, 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 PCA9515AD,118 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for PCA9515AD,118:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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