Diodes Incorporated PI6ULS5V9627AQE

Overview

PI6ULS5V9627AQE from Diodes Incorporated is a 4-channel bidirectional I²C-bus/SMBus repeater with voltage-level translation between 0.6 V and 5.5 V (Port A) and 2.2 V to 5.5 V (Port B), supporting Fast-mode Plus (1 MHz) operation, 540 pF bus capacitance per side at 1 MHz, and open-drain I/O with 5 V tolerance on all pins. It enables mixed-voltage I²C systems such as 0.6 V/1.2 V microcontrollers interfacing with 3.3 V/5 V sensors or PMBus power controllers.

For engineers reviewing the PI6ULS5V9627AQE datasheet, PI6ULS5V9627AQE pinout, PI6ULS5V9627AQE application, or PI6ULS5V9627AQE equivalent, key selection criteria include dual-supply level-shifting capability, support for arbitration and clock stretching across ports, latching-free operation, and compatibility with Standard/Fast/Fast-Plus I²C, SMBus, and PMBus protocols in multi-master topologies.

Technical Context

The PI6ULS5V9627AQE implements two independent, bidirectional channel pairs (SDA1/SCL1 and SDA2/SCL2), each with separate enable inputs (EN1/EN2) referenced to VCC(B). Port A drivers use dynamic threshold referencing (0.35×VCC(A)) for ultra-low-voltage logic compatibility down to 0.6 V, while Port B drivers employ static offset (≈0.55 V VOL) to prevent lockup during low-voltage transitions.

Its internal power-up sequencing ensures drivers remain disabled until VCC(B) ≥ 2.2 V and internal references settle (~400 μs), and VCC(A) ≥ 0.6 V. The device enforces functional enablement only when 0.4×VCC(A) + 0.8 V ≤ VCC(B); violation disables translation to avoid invalid logic levels.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: QSOP-16L (150-mil wide), RoHS-compliant, Pb-free, tape-and-reel.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with PCA9617ADP and TCA9617RTER, the PI6ULS5V9627AQE uniquely supports 0.6 V logic, provides independent EN control per channel, enables star-configurable Port A, and delivers lowest quiescent current - making it optimal for ultra-low-power, multi-segment, mixed-voltage I²C systems requiring precise timing control.

Availability

PI6ULS5V9627AQE is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor hubs, automotive body control modules, server PMBus power trees, and medical diagnostic subsystems requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for PI6ULS5V9627AQE 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 manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and integrated circuits, specializing in high-performance analog, logic, and power management solutions for industrial, computing, and automotive markets.

The PI6ULS5V9627AQE belongs to Diodes' Pericom® I²C/SMBus repeater product line, engineered specifically to solve mixed-voltage bus extension challenges in high-density, multi-node embedded systems with strict timing and ESD requirements.

FAQ

Can PI6ULS5V9627AQE operate with VCC(A) = 0.6 V and VCC(B) = 2.2 V simultaneously?

Yes - the device is explicitly rated for this combination. At VCC(A) = 0.6 V, the input threshold becomes 0.21 V (0.35×VCC(A)), enabling reliable detection of low-voltage logic swings. VCC(B) = 2.2 V satisfies the minimum requirement and ensures the 0.4×VCC(A) + 0.8 V = 1.04 V condition is met (2.2 V > 1.04 V), enabling full functionality.

What happens if EN1 and EN2 are tied together and driven by a 3.3 V GPIO?

This is valid and commonly implemented. Since EN pins are referenced to VCC(B), a 3.3 V GPIO driving EN1/EN2 directly works when VCC(B) = 3.3 V. The internal pull-up ensures default-active behavior; asserting LOW disables the corresponding channel pair. Ensure the GPIO remains stable during I²C idle periods to prevent bus hangs.

Does PI6ULS5V9627AQE support clock stretching across both directions?

Yes - the device transparently passes clock stretching signals in both A→B and B→A directions. When a slave holds SCL low on either side, the repeater detects the voltage drop (≤0.4 V on Port B, ≤0.35×VCC(A) on Port A) and propagates the low state, preserving master-slave handshaking integrity without added latency or protocol violation.

Why does Port B have a ~0.55 V output low level instead of near 0 V?

The 0.55 V VOL is intentional: it prevents false low detection during transition recovery and avoids lockup when cascading multiple repeaters. Port B's internal buffer uses a static offset design so that its output low is recognized as valid by standard 2.2–5.5 V I²C receivers (VIL ≤ 0.3×VCC(B)), while remaining distinguishable from noise or weak pull-ups.