Diodes Incorporated PI6ULS5V9617CUEX

Overview

PI6ULS5V9617C from Diodes Incorporated is a dual-channel, bidirectional I²C-bus/SMBus repeater IC with level translation between 0.6V–5.5V (Port A) and 2.2V–5.5V (Port B), supporting Fast-mode Plus (1 MHz) operation, 540 pF bus capacitance per side at 1 MHz, and powered-off high-impedance I/Os. It isolates voltage domains and bus capacitance in mixed-voltage systems such as 0.95V sensor nodes interfacing to 3.3V microcontrollers.

For engineers reviewing the PI6ULS5V9617C datasheet, PI6ULS5V9617C pinout, PI6ULS5V9617C application, or PI6ULS5V9617C equivalent, key selection criteria include bidirectional propagation delay (≤210 ns A→B), static offset elimination on Port A, V_OL ≤ 0.2 V on Port A at 13 mA, EN pin referenced to V_CC(B), and compatibility with arbitration and clock stretching across the repeater.

Technical Context

The PI6ULS5V9617C implements two independent open-drain bidirectional buffers with asymmetric voltage referencing: Port A uses dynamic thresholding (0.35×V_CC(A)) for low-voltage logic recognition, while Port B employs fixed static offset (≈0.55 V_OL) compatible with standard I²C drivers. Its internal power-up sequencing ensures drivers remain disabled until V_CC(B) ≥ 2.2 V and V_CC(A) ≥ 0.6 V, with automatic disable if 0.4×V_CC(A) + 0.8 V > V_CC(B).

It supports full I²C protocol integrity-including multi-master arbitration and clock stretching-by preserving signal timing relationships and avoiding latching behavior. All I/O pins are 5.5 V tolerant and maintain high-impedance state when unpowered, enabling hot-swap and partial-power-down system architectures without bus contention.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Available in two RoHS-compliant, lead-free packages: 8-pin MSOP (U) and 8-pin 2×3 mm UDFN (ZW). Both packages share identical pin functions and thermal performance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar I²C bus repeater applications.

Compared with TCA9617A and PCA9617A, the PI6ULS5V9617C uniquely enables true 0.6 V–5.5 V bidirectional translation with protocol-transparent timing, making it the only option for next-generation ultra-low-power I²C systems requiring 1 MHz bandwidth and mixed-voltage interoperability.

Availability

PI6ULS5V9617C is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor hubs, automotive body control modules, and server baseboard management requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for PI6ULS5V9617C 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

Diodes Incorporated is a global semiconductor company specializing in discrete, analog, and mixed-signal ICs for power management, signal integrity, and connectivity applications.

The PI6ULS5V9617C belongs to Diodes' high-speed interface repeater product line, engineered specifically for robust I²C/SMBus expansion in heterogeneous voltage environments-from ultra-low-power wearables to automotive and industrial control systems.

FAQ

Can PI6ULS5V9617C operate with V_CC(A) = 0.6 V and V_CC(B) = 2.2 V simultaneously?

Yes. The device is fully specified for this condition: V_CC(A) ≥ 0.6 V and V_CC(B) ≥ 2.2 V satisfy the 0.4×V_CC(A) + 0.8 V ≤ V_CC(B) constraint (0.4×0.6 + 0.8 = 1.04 V ≤ 2.2 V). At these voltages, t_PHL remains ≤152 ns and V_OL on Port A is ≤0.2 V at 13 mA, ensuring reliable low-voltage logic recognition.

What happens to SDA/SCL pins when V_CC(B) = 0 V but V_CC(A) is powered?

All SDA and SCL pins enter high-impedance state regardless of V_CC(A) status because internal logic and drivers are powered solely by V_CC(B). This prevents back-powering or contention on either bus segment, enabling true hot-swap capability and safe partial-power-down operation without external isolation.

Is the EN pin mandatory for basic operation?

No-EN has an internal pull-up to V_CC(B), so the device operates enabled by default when V_CC(B) is present. However, using EN allows controlled isolation during system reset or fault recovery; it must only be toggled when both buses are idle to avoid bus hang, as disabling mid-transaction halts arbitration and clock stretching.

How does PI6ULS5V9617C handle I²C clock stretching across voltage domains?

It preserves clock stretching transparently: when a slave holds SCL LOW on Port B, the internal driver pulls Port A SCL LOW after ≤152 ns t_PHL, and the master on Port A sees identical timing. No added latency or signal distortion occurs-the repeater acts as electrically invisible bridge for protocol-level events including multi-master arbitration and stretch acknowledgment.