NXP Semiconductors PCA9901UK,027
- Part No.:
- PCA9901UK,027
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Category:
- LED Drivers
- Package:
- Die
- Datasheet:
-
PCA9901UK,027.pdf
- Description:
- IC LED DRIVER LINEAR 20MA DIE
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:4,982
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Product details
Overview
PCA9901UK,027 from NXP Semiconductors is a wafer-level chip-scale single-LED driver IC with integrated 1-wire training interface, high-side 1–20 mA current source, and autonomous blink sequencing capability. It offloads LED timing control from the host MCU, supports up to three programmable ON/OFF patterns with 12-bit resolution (1 ms–255 ms ON, 20 ms–5.1 s OFF), operates from 2.7 V to 5.5 V, and delivers <0.75 μA shutdown current - ideal for battery-powered status indicators in compact mobile devices.
For engineers reviewing the PCA9901UK,027 datasheet, PCA9901UK,027 pinout, PCA9901UK,027 application, or PCA9901UK,027 equivalent, key selection considerations include its WLCSP6 package footprint (1.0 × 1.2 × 0.6 mm), 1.8 V–compatible CTRL logic interface, bypass mode for direct MCU control, thermal/short-circuit protection, and precise external-current-setting via ISET resistor.
Technical Context
The PCA9901UK,027 implements a fully internal oscillator for LED timing and command decoding, enabling autonomous pattern execution without host intervention after training. Its digital interface uses uni-directional 1-wire signaling on the CTRL pin, where pulse-width-encoded commands (TRAINING START/END, RUN ONCE, RUN, STOP, RESET) are decoded within a 1.5 ms window following each LOW-to-HIGH transition.
Internally, it integrates short-circuit detection (>50 mA threshold) and thermal shutdown at 125 °C with 15 °C hysteresis, while the LEDOUT driver maintains ≤110 mV dropout at 20 mA. The ISET pin accepts an external resistor to set LED current between 1 mA and 20 mA; when unconnected, it defaults to a 5 mA internal current source.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | 2.7 V to 5.5 V - compatible with Li-ion, coin-cell, and 3.3 V/5 V system rails |
| LED Drive Current | 1 mA to 20 mA via external ISET resistor - enables precise brightness tuning and power optimization |
| Timing Resolution | 12-bit (4096 steps) for both ON and OFF periods - supports fine-grained blink pattern definition |
| ON Time Range | 1 ms to 255 ms - sufficient for fast alerts and user-visible transitions |
| OFF Time Range | 20 ms to 5.1 s - supports long idle intervals and low-duty-cycle indicators |
| Shutdown Current | <0.75 μA - extends battery life in always-on indicator applications |
| Operating Temp | −40 °C to +85 °C - qualified for industrial and consumer handheld environments |
Pinout & Package
PCA9901UK,027 is housed in a 6-bump WLCSP (Wafer-Level Chip-Scale Package) measuring 1.0 × 1.2 × 0.6 mm, optimized for ultra-compact PCB layouts in space-constrained portable electronics.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD | Power supply input | Connects to main system rail (2.7–5.5 V); powers all internal blocks including oscillator and current source |
| GND | Ground reference | Common return path for LED current and logic; must be low-impedance for stable timing and current accuracy |
| CTRL | Uni-directional 1-wire interface | Accepts 1.8 V–compatible logic pulses for training, command, and bypass-mode control; no pull-up required |
| LEDOUT | High-side LED anode driver | Sources current to LED anode; requires cathode connected to GND or current-sink circuit |
| ISET | Current-setting input | Connects to external resistor to GND to program LED current (1–20 mA); open-circuit defaults to 5 mA |
| TEST1 | Factory test terminal | Must be tied to GND in application; not functional in normal operation |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Standalone blink execution | Runs pre-trained sequences autonomously - eliminates MCU polling and reduces firmware overhead |
| 3-pattern sequence memory | Stores up to three independent ON/OFF timing pairs - enables multi-state visual feedback (e.g., heartbeat, error flash, standby) |
| Bypass mode | Direct CTRL-to-LEDOUT mapping after TRAINING START + TRAINING END - allows real-time MCU control without reprogramming |
| Integrated protection | Short-circuit detection (>50 mA) and thermal shutdown (125 °C) - prevents damage during fault conditions |
| Low-power design | 0.75 μA max shutdown current and automatic current-source disable during LED OFF - minimizes quiescent drain |
Applications
| Cellular Phone Status Indicator | Wearable Device Notification |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Visual alert for incoming calls, messages, or charging status on smartphones with tight board area budgets. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-side LED driver executing pre-programmed blink patterns autonomously using internal oscillator and 1-wire trained sequence. Use Value: Reduces host processor wake-ups and extends battery life by >15% compared to GPIO-driven blinking in sleep modes. | Use Scenario: Subtle breathing or pulsing light on fitness trackers or smartwatches during activity tracking or notification events. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Compact WLCSP6 LED sequencer providing smooth, low-jitter ON/OFF timing with 12-bit resolution and thermal-safe current regulation. Use Value: Enables consistent luminance across temperature (-40 °C to +85 °C) and battery voltage (2.7–5.5 V) without MCU compensation. |
| Industrial Control Panel LED | Medical Device Power-On Indicator |
Use Scenario: Fault/status indication on compact industrial HMIs where PCB space and power efficiency are critical. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standalone LED sequencer with built-in short-circuit and thermal protection - ensures reliability under variable load and ambient conditions. Use Value: Eliminates need for external current-limiting resistors and discrete protection components, reducing BOM count by 3 parts per channel. | Use Scenario: Regulatory-compliant power-on confirmation LED in portable diagnostic tools requiring predictable startup behavior. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-quiescent-current (0.75 μA) LED driver with deterministic power-on reset and guaranteed shutdown mode entry. Use Value: Meets IEC 62304 Class B software safety requirements by removing timing dependencies on host firmware initialization. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar single-LED driver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAX6966ATL+T | 12-bit PWM dimming over I²C; no standalone sequence memory; requires continuous host communication | Best for systems needing dynamic brightness adjustment, not fixed autonomous patterns | Select when I²C infrastructure exists and real-time dimming control outweighs autonomous operation |
| TPS61165DRVR | Boost-based constant-current LED driver with analog/digital dimming; no training interface or pattern storage | Suitable for driving higher-VF LEDs (up to 28 V) from low-input rails; no timing autonomy | Choose when LED forward voltage exceeds supply rail and autonomous blink is not required |
Compared with MAX6966ATL+T and TPS61165DRVR, the PCA9901UK,027 uniquely combines ultra-low-power autonomous sequencing, 1-wire simplicity, and WLCSP6 miniaturization - making it optimal for fixed-pattern, battery-sensitive indicators where MCU offload and minimal footprint are primary constraints.
Availability
PCA9901UK,027 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for cellular telephones, wearable device notifications, industrial control panel indicators, and medical device power-on indicators requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for PCA9901UK,027 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 company headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.
The PCA9901UK,027 belongs to NXP's precision LED driver product line, designed specifically to reduce MCU load and extend battery life in compact, low-power visual indication systems.
FAQ
What is the function of the TEST1 pin on the PCA9901UK,027?
The TEST1 pin on the PCA9901UK,027 is reserved for factory testing only and has no functional role in end-user applications. Per the official NXP datasheet, it must be connected to GND in all PCB designs. Leaving it floating or connecting it to any other signal may cause undefined behavior or prevent proper device operation. This requirement applies strictly to the PCA9901UK,027 and is documented in Table 3 of the Rev. 2 datasheet.
Can the PCA9901UK,027 drive an LED without an external resistor?
Yes, the PCA9901UK,027 can drive an LED without an external resistor: when the ISET pin is left unconnected, the device defaults to an internal 5 mA current source. However, this mode disables the external current-setting capability and offers no adjustment range. For precise current control between 1 mA and 20 mA - including temperature-stable operation - an external resistor between ISET and GND is required. The PCA9901UK,027 automatically disables the internal source when ISET is externally biased.
How does the bypass mode work on the PCA9901UK,027?
The bypass mode on the PCA9901UK,027 enables direct mapping of the CTRL pin logic state to the LEDOUT output: LED turns ON when CTRL = HIGH and OFF when CTRL = LOW. It is activated by issuing a TRAINING START command followed immediately by a TRAINING END command. This mode persists until a RESET command is sent. Bypass mode allows real-time MCU control without retraining sequences, and is fully supported in the PCA9901UK,027's WLCSP6 implementation per Section 7.7 of the datasheet.
What is the maximum LED OFF time achievable with the PCA9901UK,027?
The maximum LED OFF time achievable with the PCA9901UK,027 is 5.1 seconds, based on its 12-bit OFF counter with 20 ms step resolution (20 ms × 4095 = 5.118 s). This value is explicitly specified in Sections 2 and 7.4 of the NXP datasheet and applies identically to the PCA9901UK,027 variant. Off-times exceeding 5.1 s saturate the counter at 0xFF, resulting in the maximum programmed duration - a hard limit enforced by the PCA9901UK,027's internal timing architecture.
Does the PCA9901UK,027 support I²C or SPI communication?
No, the PCA9901UK,027 does not support I²C or SPI communication. It uses a proprietary uni-directional 1-wire interface on the CTRL pin for all command and sequence transmission. Communication relies on pulse-width encoding (e.g., 2 pulses = TRAINING START, 3 pulses = TRAINING END) with a 1.5 ms decode window, as defined in Sections 7.1–7.2 of the NXP datasheet. This architecture eliminates bus arbitration, address conflicts, and external pull-up requirements - a deliberate design choice specific to the PCA9901UK,027's low-pin-count, ultra-low-power use case.
PCA9901UK,027 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- Die
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- Linear
- Topology:
- -
- Internal Switch(s):
- Yes
- Number of Outputs:
- 1
- Voltage - Supply (Min):
- 2.7V
- Voltage - Supply (Max):
- 5.5V
- Voltage - Output:
- -
- Current - Output / Channel:
- 20mA
- Frequency:
- -
- Dimming:
- -
- Applications:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- Die
PCA9901UK,027 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for PCA9901UK,027 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for PCA9901UK,027 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 PCA9901UK,027 reliable?
The price and inventory of PCA9901UK,027 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for PCA9901UK,027 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for PCA9901UK,027?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for PCA9901UK,027 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for PCA9901UK,027?
PCA9901UK,027 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your PCA9901UK,027 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 PCA9901UK,027?
For technical support, including PCA9901UK,027 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your PCA9901UK,027 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that PCA9901UK,027 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All PCA9901UK,027 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 PCA9901UK,027 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of PCA9901UK,027?
All PCA9901UK,027 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with PCA9901UK,027, 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 PCA9901UK,027 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for PCA9901UK,027:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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