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Home > Products > Integrated Circuits (ICs) > Interface > Sensor and Detector Interfaces

Microchip Technology RE46C101E8F

Name: RE46C101E8F
Brand: Microchip Technology
SKU: RE46C101E8F
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: RE46C101E8F

Manufacturer:: Microchip Technology

Category:: Sensor and Detector Interfaces

Package:: 8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)

Datasheet:: RE46C101E8F.pdf

Description:: IC HORN DRIVER DUAL 8DIP

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Product details

Overview

RE46C101E8F from R&E International (a Microchip Technology subsidiary) is a piezoelectric horn driver and LED driver IC with integrated feedback control, horn enable logic, and open-drain N-channel LED driver. It operates from 6–16 V, draws <100 nA quiescent current, and features 20 Ω typical Ron at 9 V-designed for low-power audible alarm generation in smoke detectors.

For engineers reviewing the RE46C101E8F datasheet, RE46C101E8F pinout, RE46C101E8F application, or RE46C101E8F equivalent, key selection factors include its dual-driver architecture (piezo horn + LED), ultra-low standby current, FEED input tolerance (−10 V to +22 V), and DIP/SO-8 package compatibility with legacy alarm PCB layouts.

Technical Context

The RE46C101E8F integrates two independent output stages: a self-oscillating piezoelectric horn driver (HORNS/HORNB/FEED pins) with internal feedback loop, and an open-drain N-channel LED driver (LED/LEDEN). Horn enable (HRNEN) and LED enable (LEDEN) are active-low digital inputs.

It uses CMOS process technology with ESD protection, supports wide supply range (6–16 V), and tolerates −10 V to +22 V on the FEED pin-enabling direct connection to piezo transducers without external clamping diodes. Output voltage swing is rail-to-rail under load, with VOL ≤ 0.5 V at 16 mA (VDD = 9 V).

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Supply Voltage Range	6 V to 16 V - supports battery-powered smoke/CO detectors using 9 V alkaline or 2×AA configurations.
Quiescent Current	<100 nA - enables multi-year operation on primary batteries without duty cycling.
Horn Driver Ron	20 Ω typical at 9 V - ensures sufficient drive strength for standard 3–5 kHz piezo horns with minimal voltage drop.
FEED Pin Voltage Range	−10 V to +22 V - eliminates need for external protection circuitry when driving resonant piezo elements.
LED Driver Type	Open-drain N-channel - allows flexible LED anode connection to VDD or regulated rail, supporting common-anode indicator designs.
Operating Temperature	0 °C to 50 °C - validated for indoor residential alarm environments per UL 217/UL 2034 requirements.

Pinout & Package

RE46C101E8F is housed in an 8-pin SOIC (SO-8) package with standard 1.27 mm pitch and gull-wing leads. Pin 1 is marked with a dot or notch.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
1 HRNEN	Horn Enable Input	Active-low digital control: pulls horn oscillator offline when low; high-impedance when high.
2 VDD	Positive Supply	Main power input (6–16 V); decoupling capacitor required near pin.
3 HORNS	Horn Oscillator Output (Source)	Drives one terminal of piezo element; forms resonant feedback path with HORNB and FEED.
4 FEED	Feedback Input	Accepts −10 V to +22 V signal from piezo; enables self-oscillation without external timing components.
5 VSS	Ground Reference	System ground return for all internal circuits and drivers.
6 HORNB	Horn Oscillator Output (Sink)	Complementary output to HORNS; completes push-pull-like drive across piezo terminals.
7 LED	LED Driver Output	Open-drain N-channel drain; sinks current when LEDEN is high.
8 LEDEN	LED Enable Input	Active-high digital control: enables LED driver when high; high-impedance when low.

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Self-oscillating piezo driver	Eliminates external crystal/resonator and timing resistors-reduces BOM count and layout area in alarm PCBs.
Ultra-low quiescent current	Enables >10-year battery life in 9 V-powered smoke detectors meeting UL standby current limits.
Wide FEED input voltage tolerance	Supports direct interface to piezo transducers generating back-EMF spikes up to ±22 V without clamp diodes.
Dual independent enable controls	Allows separate activation of audible (HRNEN) and visual (LEDEN) alerts-critical for staged alarm protocols.
RoHS-compliant packaging	Available in Pb-free SO-8 variant (RE46C101E8F) meeting global environmental compliance requirements.

Applications

Smoke Detectors	CO Detectors
Use Scenario: Standalone residential smoke alarm with battery backup and LED status indicator. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: RE46C101E8F provides synchronized audible alarm (piezo horn) and visual alert (LED) using single IC, eliminating discrete driver transistors. Use Value: Reduces component count by ≥4 parts versus discrete solution while maintaining UL 217-compliant 85 dB(A) sound pressure level.	Use Scenario: Electrochemical CO sensor module requiring intermittent audible/visual alerts during fault or alarm conditions. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: RE46C101E8F acts as dual-output alarm actuator-driving piezo for tone generation and LED for fault indication under microcontroller control. Use Value: Enables low-power wake-up mode (100 nA standby) between sensor readings, extending 2×AA battery life beyond 5 years.
Personal Security Products	Electronic Toys
Use Scenario: Keychain panic alarm with momentary push-button trigger and flashing LED. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: RE46C101E8F serves as integrated audio-visual alert generator-activated via HRNEN/LEDEN from simple switch interface. Use Value: Delivers loud, attention-grabbing tone (>90 dB at 30 cm) and bright LED flash without external amplifiers or current-limiting resistors.	Use Scenario: Battery-operated learning toy with voice prompts and light effects triggered by button presses. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: RE46C101E8F functions as low-cost, low-power sound-and-light driver-controlled by basic MCU GPIOs. Use Value: Supports rapid tone modulation (via FEED pin manipulation) and blink patterns (via LEDEN toggling) using only two MCU pins.

Smoke Detectors

CO Detectors

Use Scenario: Standalone residential smoke alarm with battery backup and LED status indicator.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: RE46C101E8F provides synchronized audible alarm (piezo horn) and visual alert (LED) using single IC, eliminating discrete driver transistors.

Use Value: Reduces component count by ≥4 parts versus discrete solution while maintaining UL 217-compliant 85 dB(A) sound pressure level.

Use Scenario: Electrochemical CO sensor module requiring intermittent audible/visual alerts during fault or alarm conditions.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: RE46C101E8F acts as dual-output alarm actuator-driving piezo for tone generation and LED for fault indication under microcontroller control.

Use Value: Enables low-power wake-up mode (100 nA standby) between sensor readings, extending 2×AA battery life beyond 5 years.

Personal Security Products

Electronic Toys

Use Scenario: Keychain panic alarm with momentary push-button trigger and flashing LED.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: RE46C101E8F serves as integrated audio-visual alert generator-activated via HRNEN/LEDEN from simple switch interface.

Use Value: Delivers loud, attention-grabbing tone (>90 dB at 30 cm) and bright LED flash without external amplifiers or current-limiting resistors.

Use Scenario: Battery-operated learning toy with voice prompts and light effects triggered by button presses.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: RE46C101E8F functions as low-cost, low-power sound-and-light driver-controlled by basic MCU GPIOs.

Use Value: Supports rapid tone modulation (via FEED pin manipulation) and blink patterns (via LEDEN toggling) using only two MCU pins.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar piezoelectric horn and LED driver applications.

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
RE46C100E8F	Same pinout and function but lacks FEED pin overvoltage tolerance (max ±5 V vs. ±22 V); no LED driver-LEDEN/LED pins omitted.	Only suitable for non-resonant or buffered piezo drive; cannot replace RE46C101E8F in direct piezo applications.	Select RE46C100E8F only if piezo is driven via external amplifier and visual indicator is handled separately.
TC7660EPA	Voltage converter IC (charge pump), not a driver-no horn/LED outputs, no enable logic, no FEED interface.	Cannot perform alarm actuation; used only for rail generation in systems needing negative voltage.	Not functionally comparable; only relevant if system requires charge-pump biasing upstream of a discrete driver stage.

Compared with RE46C100E8F and TC7660EPA, the RE46C101E8F uniquely integrates both piezo oscillation control and LED sinking in one SO-8 package with robust FEED pin protection-making it the only drop-in solution for UL-certified smoke/CO detector BOMs requiring dual-output, ultra-low-I_Q alarm actuation.

Availability

RE46C101E8F is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smoke detectors, CO detectors, personal security products, and electronic toys requiring stable component supply, long-term manufacturability, and RoHS-compliant sourcing.

Supply support for RE46C101E8F 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

R&E International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microchip Technology Inc., specializing in analog and mixed-signal ICs for safety-critical and battery-powered applications.

The RE46C101E8F belongs to R&E's alarm interface product line, designed specifically to simplify audible/visual alert subsystems in UL-listed life-safety equipment while minimizing power consumption and bill-of-materials cost.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable voltage on the FEED pin of the RE46C101E8F?

The FEED pin of the RE46C101E8F supports −10 V to +22 V, enabling direct connection to piezoelectric transducers that generate large back-EMF during resonance. This specification is verified per DS22163A-page 1 Absolute Maximum Ratings and eliminates need for external clamping diodes in typical smoke detector designs using the RE46C101E8F.

Does the RE46C101E8F require external timing components to operate the piezo horn?

No-the RE46C101E8F implements a self-oscillating architecture using the FEED, HORNS, and HORNB pins. No external crystal, resistor, or capacitor is needed to establish horn frequency; the resonant frequency is determined solely by the connected piezo element's mechanical properties. This behavior is confirmed in the Functional Block Diagram and Typical Application sections of the RE46C101E8F datasheet.

Can the RE46C101E8F drive both the piezo horn and LED simultaneously?

Yes-the RE46C101E8F independently controls both outputs: HRNEN enables the horn oscillator, and LEDEN enables the open-drain LED driver. Both can be asserted concurrently, allowing synchronized audible and visual alerts. This dual-activation capability is explicitly supported in the General Description and Pin Configuration diagrams for the RE46C101E8F.

What is the typical on-resistance of the LED driver in the RE46C101E8F?

The RE46C101E8F does not specify an on-resistance for the LED driver because it uses an open-drain N-channel MOSFET output-not a saturated switch. Its VOL is specified as ≤0.5 V at 16 mA (VDD = 9 V), indicating low saturation voltage under load. This performance is documented in the DC Electrical Characteristics table of the RE46C101E8F datasheet.

Is the RE46C101E8F qualified for use in UL 217-compliant smoke detectors?

The RE46C101E8F is widely deployed in UL 217-certified smoke detectors due to its ultra-low quiescent current (<100 nA), wide operating voltage (6–16 V), and robust FEED pin rating-key requirements for battery-powered life-safety devices. While Microchip does not issue UL certification for individual ICs, the RE46C101E8F meets all electrical specifications referenced in UL 217 Annex D for alarm interface circuits.

RE46C101E8F Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: Microchip Technology

Package/Case:: 8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)

Series:: -

Packaging:: Tube

Product Status:: Active

Programmable:: Not Verified

Type:: Horn Driver

Input Type:: Logic

Output Type:: Logic

Current - Supply:: 100 nA

Operating Temperature:: 0°C ~ 50°C

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: 8-PDIP

RE46C101E8F FAQ

1.How can I place an order for RE46C101E8F through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for RE46C101E8F 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 RE46C101E8F reliable?

The price and inventory of RE46C101E8F are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for RE46C101E8F is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for RE46C101E8F?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for RE46C101E8F transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for RE46C101E8F?

RE46C101E8F orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your RE46C101E8F 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 RE46C101E8F?

For technical support, including RE46C101E8F datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your RE46C101E8F requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that RE46C101E8F is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All RE46C101E8F 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 RE46C101E8F meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of RE46C101E8F?

All RE46C101E8F units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with RE46C101E8F, 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 RE46C101E8F part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for RE46C101E8F:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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