Texas Instruments TCA39416DTWR

Overview

TCA39416DTWR from Texas Instruments is a 2-bit ultra-low-voltage bidirectional I³C/I²C/SMBus/SPI voltage-level translator with rise/fall time accelerators, operating from 0.72 V to 1.98 V on both A and B ports (VCCA ≤ VCCB), supporting up to 12.5 MHz I³C SDR and 25 Mbps HDR-DDR modes, and featuring integrated 10-kΩ pull-up resistors and OE-controlled high-impedance state for wearables and server interconnects.

For engineers reviewing the TCA39416DTWR datasheet, TCA39416DTWR pinout, TCA39416DTWR application, or TCA39416DTWR equivalent, key selection criteria include dual-supply voltage translation without direction control, VCCA/VCCB supply sequencing independence, UVLO thresholds (0.3–0.65 V), sub-5 ns propagation delay at 1.8 V, and I³C v1.1.1 compliance with JESD403 sideband bus support.

Technical Context

The TCA39416DTWR implements an auto-direction-sensing N-channel pass-gate architecture with independent rise-time (RTA) and fall-time (FTA) accelerators per channel, enabling bidirectional translation without external direction control. Its gate bias generator references VCCA to set pass-FET conduction threshold, and internal high-keeper pull-ups activate only when respective VCC exceeds UVLO and OE is high.

It supports MIPI I³C v1.1.1 push-pull and open-drain operation via dynamic pull-up control emulation, with RTA reducing output resistance to ~150 Ω during low-to-high transitions and FTA enhancing sink current during high-to-low edges-both disabled when OE = 0 V. The device enters full high-impedance isolation if either VCCA or VCCB = GND.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The TCA39416DTWR is packaged in an 8-pin X2SON (DTW) package measuring 1.0 mm × 1.35 mm, optimized for space-constrained mobile and wearable PCB layouts.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar I³C/I²C voltage translation applications.

Compared with TCA9617A and PCA9306, the TCA39416DTWR uniquely delivers MIPI I³C v1.1.1 compliance, sub-1.0 V operation, integrated rise/fall acceleration, and true VCC-isolation-making it the only option for next-generation ultra-low-power, high-speed sensor hubs and server baseboard management interfaces.

Availability

TCA39416DTWR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for mobile sensor hubs, server baseboard management, wearable health monitors, industrial edge nodes, and ultra-low-power I³C interconnects requiring stable component supply across extended product lifecycles.

Supply support for TCA39416DTWR 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies, with over 90 years of innovation in precision analog and low-power interface solutions.

The TCA39416DTWR belongs to TI's I³C voltage translator product line, engineered specifically for ultra-low-voltage, high-speed bidirectional communication between heterogeneous voltage domains in next-generation wearables, servers, and IoT endpoints.

FAQ

What is the minimum operating voltage for the TCA39416DTWR on both A and B ports?

The TCA39416DTWR operates from 0.72 V to 1.98 V on both A and B ports, with VCCA required to be ≤ VCCB. This 0.72 V minimum enables direct interfacing with advanced ultra-low-power processors and sensors, and the device maintains full functionality-including RTA/FTA acceleration and UVLO monitoring-at this rail. The TCA39416DTWR's ability to function reliably at 0.72 V makes it suitable for energy-harvesting and battery-constrained wearable applications where other translators fail.

Does the TCA39416DTWR support MIPI I³C High Data Rate (HDR-DDR) mode?

Yes, the TCA39416DTWR supports MIPI I³C HDR-DDR mode at up to 25 Mbps, doubling the data rate versus SDR mode by sampling on both clock edges. It complies fully with MIPI I³C v1.1.1 and JESD403 sideband bus specifications, including dynamic pull-up control emulation via its internal 10-kΩ high-keeper resistors. The TCA39416DTWR's RTA/FTA accelerators preserve signal integrity at these speeds, making it a validated solution for high-bandwidth sensor fusion in modern mobile platforms.

Can the OE pin of the TCA39416DTWR be tied directly to VCCA?

Yes, the OE pin of the TCA39416DTWR is referenced to VCCA and is 1.98-V tolerant, allowing it to be safely tied directly to VCCA without external level shifting. When OE = VCCA, the device is fully enabled; when pulled low (e.g., via external resistor to GND), all Ax and Bx pins enter high-impedance state, disabling RTA/FTA and internal pull-ups. This simplifies system design and ensures glitch-free operation during power-up sequences in the TCA39416DTWR.

What happens to the TCA39416DTWR outputs if either VCCA or VCCB is grounded?

If either VCCA or VCCB is at GND, the TCA39416DTWR automatically places both A and B ports into a high-impedance state-this is the VCC isolation feature. It prevents back-powering, eliminates leakage paths, and ensures safe hot-plug or partial-power-down scenarios. This behavior is intrinsic to the device's UVLO circuitry and does not require OE activation; it applies equally to all Ax and Bx pins and is guaranteed across –40°C to 125°C operation for the TCA39416DTWR.

How does the TCA39416DTWR handle rise and fall time acceleration?

The TCA39416DTWR uses dedicated rise-time (RTA) and fall-time (FTA) accelerator circuits per channel. During a low-to-high transition, RTA activates to reduce effective output resistance to ~150 Ω, bypassing the 10-kΩ pull-up for faster edge rates. During high-to-low transitions, FTA increases sink current to improve fall time-especially under capacitive loads. Both accelerators are disabled when OE = low or either VCC falls below UVLO. This architecture is integral to achieving 12.5 MHz I³C SDR performance in the TCA39416DTWR.