Diodes Incorporated PI7C9X760BCLEX

Overview

PI7C9X760BCLEX from Diodes Incorporated is an I²C-bus/SPI-to-UART bridge controller with single-channel full-duplex UART, 64-byte TX/RX FIFOs, 16 Mbps max baud rate (4× sampling), and 8 programmable GPIOs. It operates at 1.8V/2.5V/3.3V, supports RS-485 direction control via RTS, and enables IrDA SIR up to 1.152 Mbps - deployed in industrial automation gateways requiring protocol translation between microcontrollers and legacy serial peripherals.

For engineers reviewing the PI7C9X760BCLEX datasheet, PI7C9X760BCLEX pinout, PI7C9X760BCLEX application, or PI7C9X760BCLEX equivalent, key selection criteria include I²C/SPI interface select logic, hardware/software flow control configurability, 16C450 register compatibility, RS-485 driver direction control inversion, and GPIO multiplexing with modem signal aliases (DSR/DTR/CD/RI).

Technical Context

The PI7C9X760BCLEX implements a dual-mode host interface: I²C-bus slave (fast-mode, up to 400 kHz) or SPI slave (mode 0, up to 33 MHz), selected by the I2C/SPI pin. Its UART core features fractional baud rate generation using a programmable 16-bit divisor and supports 5–8-bit character length, 1/1.5/2 stop bits, and even/odd/no parity - all configurable per frame.

Hardware flow control uses auto-RTS/CTS with halt/resume trigger levels stored in the Transmission Control Register (TCR), while software flow control supports dual Xon/Xoff pairs with configurable comparison logic in the Enhanced Feature Register (EFR). RS-485 direction control is implemented via RTS output with polarity inversion capability, and built-in IrDA encoder/decoder handles SIR physical layer encoding at up to 1.152 Mbps.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

PI7C9X760BCLEX is housed in a 24-contact, 4 mm × 4 mm TQFN package (ZD suffix) with exposed thermal pad (VSS-connected center pad). Pin numbering follows standard QFN convention with index area at Pin 1 (VDD).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar UART bridge applications.

Compared with SC16IS752IPW and MAX3107EEG+, the PI7C9X760BCLEX uniquely combines I²C/SPI dual-interface support, RS-485 direction control, IrDA SIR, and 8 GPIOs in a 24-pin TQFN - making it optimal for space-constrained, multi-protocol edge nodes where interface agility and peripheral integration matter most.

Availability

PI7C9X760BCLEX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation gateways, smart meter communication modules, handheld barcode scanners, and IoT edge sensor hubs requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges (−40°C to +85°C).

Supply support for PI7C9X760BCLEX 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 and mixed-signal solutions for industrial, computing, and consumer markets.

The PI7C9X760BCLEX belongs to Diodes' interface bridge product line, designed specifically to simplify protocol translation between modern microcontrollers (I²C/SPI) and legacy serial peripherals (RS-232/422/485/IrDA) in cost-sensitive, space-constrained embedded systems.

FAQ

What interface modes does the PI7C9X760BCLEX support, and how is selection performed?

The PI7C9X760BCLEX supports I²C-bus slave (fast-mode, up to 400 kHz) and SPI slave (mode 0, up to 33 MHz) interfaces. Selection is determined by the logic level on the dedicated I2C/SPI pin: HIGH configures I²C mode, LOW configures SPI mode. This pin must be set at power-up and cannot be changed dynamically during operation.

How does the PI7C9X760BCLEX handle RS-485 half-duplex bus direction control?

The device uses the RTS output pin to control RS-485 driver direction, with polarity inversion configurable via the Enhanced Feature Register (EFR[4]). When enabled, RTS asserts LOW to enable transmission and deasserts HIGH to enable reception. This eliminates external direction logic and ensures deterministic timing aligned with UART frame boundaries.

Can the PI7C9X760BCLEX operate from a 1.8 V supply, and what impact does voltage have on I²C pull-up resistors?

Yes, the PI7C9X760BCLEX supports 1.8 V, 2.5 V, and 3.3 V operation. For I²C mode, the internal pull-up current sources require external pull-up resistors sized per supply: 1.5 kΩ for 2.5 V operation and 1 kΩ for 3.3 V. At 1.8 V, external pull-ups must be recalculated per I²C specification - typically ~800 Ω - to ensure valid logic levels and timing margins.

What is the role of the center thermal pad on the TQFN package, and is it electrically connected?

The exposed center pad on the PI7C9X760BCLEX's 24-pin TQFN package is electrically connected to VSS (ground) and must be soldered to a PCB ground plane. It serves dual purposes: thermal dissipation (reducing junction temperature by up to 15°C) and EMI suppression (providing low-inductance return path for high-frequency digital currents).