Diodes Incorporated PI7C9X1172CLEX
- Part No.:
- PI7C9X1172CLEX
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Category:
- Controllers
- Package:
- 28-TSSOP (0.173", 4.40mm Width)
- Datasheet:
-
PI7C9X1172CLEX.pdf
- Description:
- IC I2C/SPI TO UART 28TSSOP 3K
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:1,321
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Product details
Overview
PI7C9X1172 from Diodes Incorporated is a dual-channel UART bridge controller that converts I²C-bus or SPI serial host interfaces to two independent full-duplex UART channels with 64-byte TX/RX FIFOs, supporting baud rates up to 16 Mbit/s (4× sampling) and IrDA SIR up to 1.152 Mbit/s, used in industrial computing and battery-operated embedded systems.
For engineers reviewing the PI7C9X1172 datasheet, PI7C9X1172 pinout, PI7C9X1172 application, or PI7C9X1172 equivalent, key selection criteria include dual UART channel independence, 64-byte FIFO depth per channel, hardware/software flow control support, RS-485 auto-direction control, and compatibility with legacy 16C450 register mapping.
Technical Context
The PI7C9X1172 implements two independent UART cores sharing a single I²C/SPI host interface, each with programmable character formatting (5–8 bit, parity, stop bits), fractional baud rate generation, and separate RX/TX FIFO trigger level registers. Its register set is fully backward-compatible with the 16C450, enabling drop-in firmware reuse.
It supports dual-mode physical layer control: EN485# configures RTS# for automatic RS-485 half-duplex direction switching, while ENIR# selects UART vs. IrDA encoder/decoder behavior on TXA/TXB and RXA/RXB pins. GPIO[7:0] are multiplexed with modem control signals (DSR, DTR, CD, RI) and configurable as general-purpose I/O.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| UART Channels | Dual independent full-duplex channels (UART A & B), each with dedicated TX/RX, RTS/CTS, and modem control pins. |
| FIFO Depth | 64 bytes per channel for both transmit and receive, reducing host CPU interrupt load and enabling burst data handling. |
| Max Baud Rate | 16 Mbit/s under 4× oversampling mode; supports fractional divisors for precise timing across wide clock inputs (1.8–3.3 V supply). |
| Host Interface | I²C-bus (fast-mode, 400 kHz) or SPI (mode 0, slave-only, up to 33 MHz), selected via I2C/SPI# pin at power-up. |
| GPIO Pins | Eight user-programmable I/O pins (GPIO0–GPIO7), each configurable as input/output or mapped to DSR/DTR/CD/RI functions. |
| Power Supply | 1.62 V to 3.63 V operation, with low standby current at 3.3 V enabling battery-constrained designs. |
| Operating Temp | −40 °C to +85 °C industrial temperature range, qualified for factory automation and mobile computing environments. |
Pinout & Package
Available in two RoHS-compliant, lead-free packages: 28-pin TSSOP (L) and 32-pin WQFN5050 (ZH). The WQFN variant includes an exposed thermal pad (soldered to PCB ground) for enhanced thermal performance in compact layouts.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD (Pins 1, 29) | Power supply input | 1.62–3.63 V core supply; decoupling required near pin for noise immunity in high-speed SPI/I²C operation. |
| I2C/SPI# (Pin 4) | Interface select | Logic HIGH enables I²C mode; LOW enables SPI mode - hardwired at power-up, not runtime-switchable. |
| A0/CS# (Pins 2, 30) | Address/Chip Select | In I²C mode: LSB of 7-bit slave address; in SPI mode: active-low chip select with Schmitt-trigger input. |
| TXA/TXB (Pins 9, 10) | UART transmit outputs | Standard UART logic levels (idle HIGH); in IrDA mode, idle LOW with built-in encoder/decoder functionality. |
| RXA/RXB (Pins 7, 8) | UART receive inputs | Standard UART logic levels (idle HIGH); in IrDA mode, idle LOW with internal decoder and pulse-width filtering. |
| RTSA#/RTSB# (Pins 21, 17) | Request-to-Send outputs | Auto RTS flow control or RS-485 direction control; polarity invertible via EN485# pin configuration. |
| CTSA#/CTSB# (Pins 25, 18) | Clear-to-Send inputs | Auto CTS flow control or general-purpose inputs; require external pull-up/down if unused. |
| IRQ# (Pin 20) | Interrupt output | Open-drain, active-LOW interrupt signal indicating FIFO status, error, or modem event; requires external pull-up resistor. |
| GPIO[7:0] (Pins 13,15,16,22,23,24,26,27,28) | Configurable I/O | Each pin supports bidirectional operation or dedicated modem function (DSR/DTR/CD/RI); direction and state controlled via IODir/IOState registers. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| 16C450 Register Compatibility | Full software compatibility with legacy UART drivers and OS-level UART stacks, minimizing firmware porting effort. |
| Independent FIFO Trigger Levels | Separate programmable RX/TX FIFO interrupt thresholds per channel enable optimized buffer management without host polling. |
| RS-485 Auto Direction Control | EN485# pin configures RTS# to toggle driver direction automatically, eliminating external transceiver control logic. |
| IrDA SIR Support | Built-in encoder/decoder supports 115.2 kbit/s and optional 1.152 Mbit/s SIR modes without external components. |
| Software Reset Capability | Internal reset via register write allows UART reinitialization without asserting external RESET# pin, improving system reliability. |
Applications
| Industrial Process Control | Factory Automation |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Connecting PLCs and HMI panels over RS-485 networks using microcontroller I²C buses. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual UART bridge converting I²C commands into RS-485 serial streams with auto-direction control and hardware flow control. Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete level shifters and direction logic; 64-byte FIFOs absorb burst traffic during network arbitration delays. | Use Scenario: Integrating barcode scanners and motor drives into ARM-based controllers via SPI interface. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: SPI-to-dual-UART bridge providing isolated serial channels for simultaneous scanner command/response and drive telemetry. Use Value: Enables concurrent full-duplex communication with deterministic latency; GPIO pins configure device-specific handshaking signals. |
| Battery-Powered Handheld Devices | Embedded Networking Gateways |
Use Scenario: Adding serial debug and peripheral connectivity to portable medical monitors powered by Li-ion batteries. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-power UART bridge supporting I²C host interface and IrDA infrared communication for cable-free diagnostics. Use Value: 1.62–3.63 V operation and low standby current extend battery life; integrated IrDA eliminates external transceiver ICs. | Use Scenario: Bridging Ethernet-to-serial protocol conversion in edge gateways connecting legacy Modbus RTU sensors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual UART interface translating TCP/IP packets into time-synchronized RS-232/RS-485 frames with hardware flow control. Use Value: Independent FIFOs prevent packet loss during network jitter; 16 Mbit/s baud capability supports high-throughput sensor aggregation. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar dual UART bridge applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC16IS752 | Single I²C interface, 64-byte FIFOs per channel, no IrDA, no RS-485 auto-direction, SPI not supported. | Limited to I²C hosts only; lacks EN485#/ENIR# control pins and GPIO flexibility. | Select when only I²C host interface is needed and RS-485/IrDA features are unnecessary. |
| MAX3107 | Single SPI interface only, 128-byte FIFOs, no I²C support, no GPIOs, no RS-485 auto-direction, no IrDA. | Requires SPI-only host design; no modem signal mapping or flexible interface selection. | Select when maximum FIFO depth and SPI-only integration outweigh need for dual interface and peripheral control. |
Compared with SC16IS752 and MAX3107, the PI7C9X1172 uniquely combines I²C/SPI dual-host support, RS-485 auto-direction, IrDA SIR, and eight GPIOs - making it optimal for space-constrained, multi-protocol embedded systems requiring field-upgradeable interface flexibility.
Availability
PI7C9X1172 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial process control, factory automation, and battery-powered handheld devices requiring stable component supply across long product lifecycles.
Supply support for PI7C9X1172 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, energy-efficient solutions for industrial, computing, and consumer markets.
The PI7C9X1172 belongs to Diodes' UART bridge controller product line, designed specifically to simplify serial interface expansion in resource-constrained embedded systems with mixed-protocol requirements.
FAQ
What host interfaces does the PI7C9X1172 support, and how is the interface selected?
The PI7C9X1172 supports both I²C-bus (fast-mode, up to 400 kHz) and SPI (mode 0, slave-only, up to 33 MHz). Interface selection is determined at power-up by the logic level on the I2C/SPI# pin: HIGH enables I²C mode, LOW enables SPI mode. This selection is static and cannot be changed dynamically during operation.
How does the PI7C9X1172 implement RS-485 half-duplex direction control?
The PI7C9X1172 uses the EN485# pin to configure RTS# output for automatic RS-485 driver direction control. When EN485# is LOW, RTS# toggles automatically to enable transmission before data send and disable after completion - eliminating external direction-control logic and ensuring glitch-free bus transitions.
Can the PI7C9X1172 operate with a 1.8 V host microcontroller and 3.3 V RS-485 transceivers?
Yes. The PI7C9X1172 operates from 1.62 V to 3.63 V, allowing direct connection to 1.8 V I²C/SPI buses. Its UART TX outputs are CMOS-level and compatible with 3.3 V transceivers when interfaced through standard level-shifting buffers or open-drain configurations with appropriate pull-ups.
Does the PI7C9X1172 support automatic hardware flow control on both UART channels simultaneously?
Yes. Each UART channel (A and B) independently supports Auto-RTS and Auto-CTS hardware flow control via dedicated RTS#/CTS# pins. Configuration is done per channel using the Enhanced Feature Register (EFR), enabling simultaneous, autonomous flow management without host intervention.
PI7C9X1172CLEX Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Package/Case:
- 28-TSSOP (0.173", 4.40mm Width)
- Programmable:
- Not Verified
- Protocol:
- I2C
- Function:
- Bridge, I2C/SPI to UART
- Interface:
- UART
- Standards:
- -
- Voltage - Supply:
- 1.62V ~ 3.63V
- Current - Supply:
- 6mA
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
- Supplier Device Package:
- 28-TSSOP
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
PI7C9X1172CLEX FAQ
1.How can I place an order for PI7C9X1172CLEX through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for PI7C9X1172CLEX 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 PI7C9X1172CLEX reliable?
The price and inventory of PI7C9X1172CLEX are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for PI7C9X1172CLEX is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for PI7C9X1172CLEX?
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PI7C9X1172CLEX orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your PI7C9X1172CLEX 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 PI7C9X1172CLEX?
For technical support, including PI7C9X1172CLEX datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your PI7C9X1172CLEX requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that PI7C9X1172CLEX is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All PI7C9X1172CLEX 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 PI7C9X1172CLEX meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of PI7C9X1172CLEX?
All PI7C9X1172CLEX units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with PI7C9X1172CLEX, 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 PI7C9X1172CLEX part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for PI7C9X1172CLEX:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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