I2C Multiplexer Delivers More Reliable & Consistent Switching

Switching for multiple system management buses and multiple I²C devices is said to be made more reliable with PCA954x I²C multiplexers. The chips provide multiplexing and interrupt control to eliminate the need for glue logic and general-purpose I/Os, as well as providing diodes to enable shifting between 5.0V and 3.3V buses and to isolate buses to prevent system hang-ups.The PCA954x family presently includes three devices: PCA9540 two-channel I²C multiplexer for switching between two I²C devices or buses; PCA9542 two-channel multiplexer that allows a bus to use eight PCA9542s for switching up to 16 I²C devices or buses; and PCA9544 four-channel multiplexer for switching up to 32 I²C devices or buses.