Texas Instruments TCA6507PWRG4

Overview

TCA6507PWRG4 from Texas Instruments is a low-voltage 7-bit I²C/SMBus LED driver IC with programmable intensity control, fade/blink timing, and shutdown capability. It features seven open-drain outputs (P0–P6), supports 1.65 V to 3.6 V supply, delivers up to 40 mA per output, and operates across –40°C to +85°C for mobile UI backlighting and status indication.

For engineers reviewing the TCA6507PWRG4 datasheet, TCA6507PWRG4 pinout, TCA6507PWRG4 application, or TCA6507PWRG4 equivalent, key selection considerations include its dual-bank PWM architecture, 16-step intensity resolution, 5.5-V tolerant outputs, EN-controlled shutdown, and compatibility with standard-mode and fast-mode I²C buses up to 400 kHz.

Technical Context

The TCA6507PWRG4 integrates two independent PWM modules (PWM0 and PWM1) driving two LED banks, each with separately programmable blink/fade rates and maximum intensity. Its internal oscillator runs at 28–58 kHz, enabling ~125 Hz effective PWM frequency and ~8 ms period for smooth visual transitions.

All seven outputs are open-drain with 5.5-V tolerance and 40-mA sink capability. The EN pin provides hardware reset and shutdown, resetting registers and disabling the oscillator in <70 µs. I²C interface complies with SMBus protocols and supports hot insertion without glitch on power-up.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TCA6507PWRG4 is packaged in a 14-pin TSSOP (PW package), 5.00 mm × 4.40 mm body size, with exposed pad not electrically connected. Pin numbering follows standard JEDEC TSSOP top-view orientation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with PCA9634DGGR and LP55231TMX/NOPB, the TCA6507PWRG4 uniquely balances low pin count, fade/blink programmability, and 40-mA drive strength in a compact TSSOP-making it optimal for cost-sensitive, animation-capable UI lighting where MCU offload matters.

Availability

TCA6507PWRG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for mobile phone UI indicators, laptop status lighting, and industrial HMI panels requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for TCA6507PWRG4 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 power management and interface solutions.

The TCA6507PWRG4 belongs to TI's I²C-compatible LED driver product line, designed specifically to reduce MCU firmware overhead in portable and human-interface lighting applications through autonomous PWM execution.

FAQ

What is the maximum sink current per output on the TCA6507PWRG4?

The TCA6507PWRG4 supports up to 40 mA sink current per output (P0–P6) under recommended operating conditions (VCC = 1.8 V to 3.6 V, TA = –40°C to +85°C). This rating ensures reliable direct-drive capability for standard indicator LEDs without external current-limiting transistors. Exceeding this value risks thermal overstress or output degradation.

Does the TCA6507PWRG4 require an external oscillator or crystal?

No, the TCA6507PWRG4 contains a fully integrated oscillator with a nominal frequency of 32 kHz (range 28–58 kHz). This eliminates the need for external timing components and simplifies layout. The oscillator drives both PWM modules and is automatically enabled upon power-up or EN assertion, with start-up time ≤5 ms.

Can unused outputs on the TCA6507PWRG4 be repurposed as general-purpose I/Os?

Yes, any of the seven P-port outputs (P0–P6) can be configured as general-purpose open-drain outputs instead of LED drivers. In this mode, they retain 5.5-V tolerance and 40-mA sink capability, allowing use for level translation, interrupt signaling, or driving small loads like logic inputs or optocouplers-fully controlled via I²C register writes.

How does the EN pin affect register state in the TCA6507PWRG4?

Asserting EN low resets all internal registers-including Select0/Select1/Select2, brightness, and fade timing registers-to their default values and initializes the I²C/SMBus state machine. This hardware reset occurs within 70 µs and is functionally identical to a power-on reset, ensuring deterministic startup without software initialization dependency.

Is the TCA6507PWRG4 compatible with fast-mode I²C buses?

Yes, the TCA6507PWRG4 supports fast-mode I²C operation up to 400 kHz, meeting timing requirements for tsch ≥0.6 µs, tscl ≥1.3 µs, and tbuf ≥1.3 µs. Its input capacitance (Ci = 7–10 pF, Cio = 8–11 pF) ensures reliable communication on typical 400-pF bus loads, enabling rapid reconfiguration of LED states in dynamic UI applications.